Comic Title: Sandman #4
Publisher: DC
Imprint: Vertigo
Cover Date: April 1989
On Sale Date: February 28, 1989 Shipping Date February 28, 1989
Source: Direct Currents, #13

Copyright Date February 28, 1989
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1989

Shipping Date March 2, 1989
Source: Amazing Heroes, #160

Shipping Date March 2, 1989
Source: Advance Comics, #2

Cover Price: $1.50
Page Count: 32
Editor: Karen Berger

Title: "A Hope in Hell"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Sandman (Morpheus)

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Penciller: Sam Kieth
Inker: Mike Dringenberg
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Robbie Busch

Reprinted In:
Sandman:Preludes and Nocturnes TPB (1991)
Sandman:Preludes and Nocturnes HC (1995)
Essential Vertigo:The Sandman #4 (1996)
Absolute Sandman Vol. 1 HC (2006)
Annotated Sandman Vol. 1 HC (2012)
Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2013)
Sandman:Preludes & Nocturnes 30th Anniversary Edition TPB (2018)
Sandman:The Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 HC (2021)
Sandman Vol. 1 TPB (2022)
Sandman Vol. 1 TPB [Variant] (2022)

Feature Character(s)

• Dream (last appearance in Swamp Thing #84; next appearance in Sandman #5)

Villain(s)

• Lucifer Morningstar (first appearance; next appearance in Demon #5)
• Doctor Destiny (last appearance in Sandman #2; next appearance in Sandman #5)
• Squatterbloat (guardian to the gates of Hell; no further appearances)
• Azazel (a co-ruler of Hell; first appearance; next appearance in Sandman #24)
• Beelzebub (a co-ruler of Hell; first appearance; next appearance in Swamp Thing #96)
• Choronzon (a duke of Hell; no further appearances)
• Agony and Ecstasy (last appearance in Hellblazer #12; next appearance in Swamp Thing #96)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Demon (last appearance in Spectre #23; next appearance in Detective Comics #603)

Other Character(s)

• Nada (Dream's former lover; first appearance; last appearance in Sandman #9; next appearance in Sandman #22)
• An Arkham Asylum guard (no further appearances)

Comments:
Hell is ruled by a triumvirate which includes: Lucifer, Azazel, and Beelzebub.

Synopsis:
Morpheus travels to Hell to find his stolen helmet. When he arrives, he is guided on a tour by Etrigan. The Sandman finds that Hell has changed since his last visit. Ultimately, Morpheus is taken to meet Lucifer Morningstar, Hell's ruler. However, Hell is now a triumvirate. When Lucifer's co-rulers Azazel and Beelzebub arrive, Dream requests the return of his helmet.

Lucifer summons a gathering of the demons from Hell. Morpheus identifies the one in possession of his helmet, Choronzon. The demon claims to have acquired the helmet fairly, so Dream must issue a challenge. The demon and Dream Lord then square of in a battle of wits. If Dream loses, he will be forced to remain in Hell. When he prevails, the helmet is returned.

Dream prepares to leave Hell, but Lucifer and the demon horde bar his path. Morpheus asserts his power by forcing the arrayed army of demons to admit that without the dream of Heaven, Hell would have no power against those imprisoned within.