- "And in the end, she told me. But I knew before she told me. It was there in her eyes. She had decided she no longer loved me."
- ―Dream
| "Brief Lives: Part 2" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The Sandman | |
| Title: | "Brief Lives: Part 2" |
| Storyline: | "Brief Lives" |
| Volume: | 2 |
| Number: | 42 |
| Cover price: | $1.50 |
| Cover date: | October, 1992 |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Credits | |
| Ex. Ed: | Karen Berger |
| Writers: | Neil Gaiman |
| Pencilers: | Jill Thompson |
| Inkers: | Vincent Locke |
| Cover artists: | Dave McKean |
| Cover inker: | Dave McKean |
| Cover colorist: | Dave McKean |
| Colorists: | Danny Vozzo |
| Letterers: | Todd Klein |
| Assistants: | Lisa Aufenanger |
| Editors: | Karen Berger |
| Navigation | |
| Previous: | Sandman #41 |
| Next: | Sandman #43 |
"Brief Lives: Part 2" is the forty-second issue of the second Sandman ongoing comic book series published by DC Comics. The story was written by Neil Gaiman with artwork by Jill Thompson and inks by Vincent Locke. It was colored by Daniel Vozzo and lettered by Todd Klein. The painted cover art illustration was rendered by Dave McKean. The story was edited by Karen Berger with Lisa Aufenanger as assistant editor. This issue shipped with an October, 1992 cover date and carries a cover price of $1.50 per copy (US).
"Brief Lives"[]
In the Dreaming, Dream is heartbroken over the loss of his most recent love interest. She has decided that she no longer loves him. As a result, he orders his servants to have her quarters erased, and that they never mention her again. His depression fills the Dreaming with endless rain, which oppresses its inhabitants.
Finally, a distraction comes when the Gryphon and Wyvern guarding the gates to the Ghost Castle announce that they have caught an intruder claiming to be Dream's sister. They have, of course, caught Delirium. Dream recognizes her, and has her released. The girl's fear of her older brother is obvious, but he invites her inside for some dinner, glad of the distraction.
After eating, Dream takes Delirium to his gallery to speak about the reason for her visit. Awkwardly, she explains that she thinks they should try to find their brother Destruction. She admits that their sisters Desire and Despair refused to help. Hearing that Desire was involved, Dream calls on his sister-brother and asks about Delirium's cause. Desire professes no involvement in Delirium's impulse to seek out their brother, and further, she denies involvement in the end of Dream's relationship.
Meanwhile, Delirium remembers vaguely a time when she was known as Delight. But things had changed. Destruction came to her, and told her that the time had come for change, and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Dream interrupts her, and, surprisingly, agrees to help her find Destruction.
Lucien challenges Dream on his decision, warning that it may not be wise. Dream admits that he doesn't expect to find his brother, and he and his sister leave.
Featured characters
Supporting characters
Villains
Minor characters
- Destruction (In flashback only)
- Fashion Thing
- Goldie
- Taramis
Organizations
Races & Animals
- Cosmic beings
- Flying horses
- Gargoyles
- Gryphons
- Wyverns
Locations
- Ghost Castle
- House of Secrets
- Threshold, The
Items
Vehicles
Powers
Miscellaneous
Notes & Trivia[]
- The character of Dream, also known as the Sandman, was created by English writer Neil Gaiman and artists Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg. He first appeared in The Sandman, Volume 2 #1 in January, 1989 in a story titled "Sleep of the Just".
- This series is suggested for mature readers.
- This issue shipped to retailers on August 20th, 1992.
- This issue is reprinted as the second story featured in the Sandman: Brief Lives trade paperback collection, released in January, 1995. This edition went to multiple printings including a February, 2012 edition and a June, 2019 edition. It is also reprinted in the Absolute Sandman, Volume 3 hardcover collection, published in August, 2008.
- This is Lisa Aufenanger's first professional comic book work as an assistant editor.
- The Fashion Thing appeared last in Sandman #22.
- The song that Abel is singing to Goldie is "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag, and Smile, Smile, Smile", which is a marching song written by George Asaf and published in 1915.
- This issue includes a flashback of Delirium back when she identified as Delight.