Sandman question

[mac56]

If you were to try to turn someone on to "Sandman", which volume would you start with? Or an individual comic?

The obvious choice, of course, would be "Preludes and Nocturnes". But I don't think that's the strongest story line: I doubt I would have stuck with it if I had started there. Instead I started with "A Doll's House", which is kind of dark. (On edit: THERE'S the understatement of the century.)

What say you?

[Orsino]

1. Dream Country

Four self-contained stories, each shattering in its own way, and none requiring previous knowledge of the mythos.

Dream Country is my favorite, mostly for the marvelous take on Shakespeare, but I think it's the most accessible volume, too.

[dwckabal]

2. Seasons of Mist

was my first encounter with Sandman. An excellent starting place, with a good storyline.

[Orsino]

3. ...And a great set-up for Lucifer.

The real prequel, though, is Gaiman's Murder Mysteries.