The Sandman #74

The Sandman #74, released in 1995 as the penultimate issue of the landmark DC/Vertigo series, was written by Neil Gaiman and features artwork by Michael Zulli. This issue, titled The Wake, serves as the final farewell to the protagonist Morpheus following his death in the previous chapter. It is set within the surreal, mythic framework of the Dreaming, focusing on the funerary rites and the ways in which various characters—both mortal and eternal—process his absence.

Michael Zulli’s illustrative style for this issue leans into a somber, ethereal aesthetic, utilizing delicate linework that emphasizes the melancholic transition from the series' high-fantasy roots to a more grounded, emotional conclusion. The issue was highly acclaimed upon release, widely regarded by critics and readers alike as a poignant masterpiece of comic book literature. It effectively concluded Gaiman's primary narrative arc, solidifying the series' reputation for blending dark fantasy with deep philosophical inquiry.