Collections

The Sandman was initially published as a monthly series. As the series increased in popularity, DC comics began publishing them in collections of related stories. A total of ten collections contain the full run of the series, and all have been kept in print.

Collected editions

The series is collected in trade paperbacks.

Absolute editions

The DC Comics Absolute Edition series are large 8" by 12" prints of a considerably higher quality and price than the library edition, and include a leather-like cover and a slipcase. Many of the early stories have been extensively retouched and/or recolored with Gaiman's approval.^[1]

• The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1 collecting The Sandman #1–20, November 2006
• The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 2 collecting The Sandman #21–39, October 2007
• The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 3 collecting The Sandman #40–56, along with Vertigo Preview No. 1 and Sandman Special No. 1, June 2008
• The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 4 collecting The Sandman #57–75, November 2008
• The Absolute Death collecting The Sandman No. 8 and No. 20, Death: The High Cost of Living, "Death Talks About Life" AIDS pamphlet, Death: The Time of Your Life, Vertigo: Winter's Edge 2, "Death and Venice" from Endless Nights, "The Wheel" from 9-11 and extras from A Death Gallery, November 2009
• The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 5 collecting The Sandman: Endless Nights plus The Dream Hunters and Sandman Midnight Theatre, November 2011

The first volume of The Absolute Sandman was published in November 2006; it collected the first 20 issues (Preludes and Nocturnes, The Doll's House, and Dream Country). The volume features a copy of the original series outline and other bonus features, such as a new introduction by the president of DC Comics, a new afterword, and a reproduction of the original comic draft and notes for "A Midsummer Night's Dream".^[1] In promotion of this reissuing, DC issued a refurbished edition of the first issue of the series.