The Sandman, Vol. 3: Dream Country

WHY: With Sydney in lockdown again, my local library service offered an amazing free delivery service for online reservations. I was able to secure Dream Country, and continue the universal, gothic and mind-bending journey of Neil Gaiman's Sandman.
STORY: Unlike previous issues, Volume 3 presents four unlinked stories which intermittently feature Dream and his sister Death. Calliope was brutal, featuring a Muse from Greek mythology and a struggling writer who rapes her. A Dream of a Thousand Cats was really interesting, with a pet's dark perspective on humanity prompting a journey through dreaming which leads to revelations and a message. The most-acclaimed story, A Midsummer Night's Dream, was a faithful covering of “Shakespear's” play with actual Faeries from another plane being Morpheus's guests, but I found myself less emotionally engaged here. Finally, Facade takes DC's Element Girl and humanises her through depression as she adopts faces to fit into society after losing her job to an off-page corporate entity.
ART & WRITING: I've been impressed with the art and writing in Sandman from Volume 1, and whilst Dream Country lacks a singular overall cohesive narrative, the shifting gutter structure and shadowed details within the layout of different panels made this a great read visually. Even when I was less invested in the plot, the density of details comprising each issue and sheer inventiveness of Gaiman's writing and perspectives constantly kept me captivated.
WHO: Although I recommend Volume 1 for anyone into dark horror and dream mythology, Volume 3 can be read as an entry-point or even standalone to the series due to its overall design. I will definitely be continuing this tale in the much thicker Volume 4!