The Dreaming Vol. 2: Empty Shells
by Simon Spurrier, writer; Bilquis Evely & Abigail Larson, artists; Mat Lopes & Quinton Winter, colorists
DC Vertigo, 2020
Abigail Larson takes over on art for the first arc here, which revolves around Rose Walker spending time with her dying mother in the hospital. But she is also recalling her time at Fawney Rig (the manor owned by Roderick Burgess which played a role in the beginning of The Sandman). She met a dream-like man, and passed him off to her daughter Ivy. Of course the man was Daniel, moonlighting in the mortal world to learn about love. She also meets Lucien, although she doesn't know it is him. Daniel takes a sleeping Ivy with him into The Dreaming.
Back there, the new AI being that is in charge has concluded that bringing Dream back is the only hope of achieving stability. Dora heads off on a hunt for him, riding a dream-eating baku and accompanied by the raven Matthew. It is an epic Sandman-style quest, taking them to Fairie (where they meet Nuala and Queen Titania); Hell (where they meet Balam The Blind and an ancient serpent god); and The World's End (the pub between worlds - since stories are currency there, it offers interesting stories-within-stories).
In the end they do not catch up to Daniel, who has apparently left our reality forever. Dora does return with Lucien, who the new Dream Lord (a moth now calling itself Wan) promises to tend to. It also thinks itself to be insane, and has already made some beings disappear from existence. Abel writes himself a note on his hand so he will not forget: "Dark Moth Dangerous." Last but not least, back in reality an underling visits an ailing old man--shades of Roderick Burgess again--and informs him that the project has succeeded, and "The Dreaming is ours." Crazy as the idea of an AI being Morpheus is, the series is making it work, and the story possibilities seem rich. Larson's artwork is a good contrast to Evely's: pastel impressionism, perfect for portraying a dream-like romance.
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