Price history & market evidence
Price observations belong to this edition. Guide estimates, catalog references and completed sales are separate kinds of evidence.
| Grade | Amount | Evidence | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | $31.07 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_2_valueguide | 1991-02-01 |
| 9.4 | $12.88 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_4_valueguide | 1991-02-01 |
| 9.6 | $142.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_6_valueguide | 1991-02-01 |
| 9.8 | $128.73 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_8_valueguide | 1991-02-01 |
| RAW | $6.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · ungraded_valueguide | 1991-02-01 |
| 10.0 | $167.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_10_0_valueguide | 1991-02-01 |
| 4.0 | $2.27 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_4_0_valueguide | 1991-02-01 |
| 6.0 | $14.06 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_6_0_valueguide | 1991-02-01 |
| 8.0 | $17.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_8_0_valueguide | 1991-02-01 |
Reading this edition’s market
Compare the same cover, printing and grade before setting a bid. A raw guide or a higher-grade price does not establish a slab’s value. Include selling fees, shipping and the depth of completed-sale evidence when assessing an exit price.
The table includes 9 guide observations and 0 catalog references. These are reference values, not guaranteed sale proceeds.
Graded population
CGC records 68 graded copies for Sandman #23 (1991). Population is the number recorded by this grading source, not the total print run or all surviving copies.
Season of Mists: Chapter 2
Prepared to do battle with the hordes of Hell, if necessary, Dream) makes his way through the front gates of Lucifer)'s domain. However, he finds the place strangely empty.
Seeking out Nada), so that he can apologize and free her, he finds her cell empty. He realizes that it is not just Nada who is missing, but the entire population of Hell is in Absence. He calls out for Lucifer by name until finally he hears the fallen angel's response.
Dream demands answers as to what's happened, and Lucifer responds simply that he's quit. As a result of this decision, he has freed everyone imprisoned in hell, and they have dispersed to any number of places. There are, however, a few stragglers, and Dream accompanies him to send them away.
One such straggler is Breschau, who believes that his punishment is justified for all of the horrific crimes he committed nearly 1100 years ago in the now obsolete region of Livonia. Lucifer explains that Breschau and his crimes are entirely forgotten by the mortal men of the present, and as such, there is no need for more punishment. Breschau resists, but after more convincing ultimately disappears.
Two more demons remain behind. They disbelieve that Lucifer is truly the same fallen angel who ruled Hell for eons, feeling that the true ruler of Hell would never give up his position. Angrily, Lucifer responds that he will do as he pleases, and the demons are sent away.
Now alone, Lucifer explains to Dream that he thinks his fall from Heaven was not so much a rebellion as an event orchestrated by God; merely a destined outcome to be played out. Now, he has decided that he is done with his lot, and he takes up the key to lock each of the gateways to Hell. As they travel around sealing each gate, Lucifer explains that it is not his influence that brings people to hell or places them in torment. It is the mortals' inner desire to be punished for wrongdoings, and they demand punishment of him.
With the final gate closed, Lucifer is surprised to be accosted by a young demon woman named Mazikeen. She professes that she will not leave him, because she loves him. Though he is thankful of her love, Lucifer kisses her and sends her away like all the others. Taking the girl's knife, he passes it to Dream and asks that he cut off his wings for him.
As Dream performs his bloody task, he asks after Nada. Lucifer does not know what happened to the woman, but he is sure that she is in some dimension. He wishes Dream luck in finding her, and then bequeaths the key to the gates of hell to him. Grinning, he announces that Dream is now the sole monarch of a locked and empty hell, and he expects that this new role will bring the Dream Lord nothing but trouble.
| Appearing1 = **Featured Characters:** * Dream) **Supporting Characters:** * Lucifer Morningstar) **Antagonists:** * Demons ** Ketele ** Rimmon-My-Petal **Other Characters:** * Damned souls Only as spirits ** Breschau * Mazikeen) Real name revealed * Angels ** Raguel) ** Sandalphon) * The Endless * Lilith) * Nada) **Locations:** * Heaven * Hell ** Gates of Hell ** Nine Circles of Hell *** The Fifth Circle of Hell **** River Styx **** The Slab of Breschau **** Weep-Not * Interdimensional Limbo * The Dreaming * Waking World ** Earth *** Livonia * The Silver City **Items:** * Dream's Helm * Flaming Sword * Key to Hell * Mazikeen's Knife **Events:** * War in Heaven **Concepts:** * Magic
| Notes = * This issue was directly adapted into an episode_Episode%3A_Season_of_Mists_-_Chapter_II) of the Sandman audio drama), and partially adapted in an episode_Episode%3A_The_Ruler_of_Hell) of the *Sandman* Netflix series). * This issue is reprinted in: ** Essential Vertigo: Sandman Vol 1 23; ** Sandman: Season of Mists (Collected); ** The Absolute Sandman Vol. 2 (Collected); ** The Sandman: Deluxe Edition, Book Two (Collected); ** The Sandman, Book Two (Collected). | Trivia = | Recommended = | Links =
Creative credits
Writers: Neil Gaiman
Interior art: Kelley Jones
Color: Daniel Vozzo
Source records & attribution
Panel Profits keeps each source identity attached to its edition record.
COMICBASE: comicbase:946702
GCD: 49209
PANEL PROFITS: 2403602