Comic Title: Sandman #21
Publisher: DC
Imprint: Vertigo
Cover Date: December 1990
On Sale Date: November 6, 1990 Copyright Date November 6, 1990
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1990

Direct Market Date November 1, 1990
Source: Comic Shop News, #175

Shipping Date September 25, 1990
Source: Previews, #19

Shipping Date September 25, 1990
Source: Amazing Heroes, #183

Direct Market Date September 27, 1990
Source: Comic Shop News, #167, #168

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

Title: "Season of Mists:A Prologue"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Sandman (Morpheus)

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Penciller: Mike Dringenberg
Inker: Malcolm Jones III
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Steve Oliff

Reprinted In:
Sandman:Season of Mists HC (1992)
Sandman:Season of Mists TPB (1992)
Essential Vertigo:The Sandman #21 (1998)
Absolute Sandman Vol. 2 HC (2007)
Annotated Sandman Vol. 2 HC (2013)
Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2013)
Sandman:Season of Mists 30th Anniversary Edition TPB (2019)
Sandman:The Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 HC (2021)
Sandman Vol. 2 TPB (2022)
Sandman Vol. 2 TPB [Variant] (2022)

Feature Character(s)

• Dream (last appearance in Sandman #18; next appearance in Sandman #22)

Supporting Character(s)

• The Fates (last appearance in Wonder Woman #45; no further appearances)
• Endless (first appearance as a group; no further appearances)
• Destiny (last appearance in Captain Atom #42; no further appearances)
• Death (last appearance in Sandman #20; no further appearances)
• Desire (last appearance in Sandman #16; no further appearances)
• Despair (last appearance in Sandman #10; no further appearances)
• Delirium (first appearance; no further appearances)

Comments:
Season of Mists 0

This story marks the first depiction of the Endless as a group. Destruction (still called the Prodigal) remains absent.

Synopsis:
Destiny, the oldest of the Endless, meets with the Fates in his garden. They deliver a prophecy which prompts Destiny to call for a family meeting. The other Endless arrive. Destiny reveals that he brought them there to talk as was destined, but he does not reveal the reason. Despair misses their absent brother, while Delirium rambles. Soon Desire stirs up old trouble by teasing Dream about his love life, including his treatment of Nada. Dream storms off in anger.

Death follows her brother outside. She tries to calm Dream, but she admits that, in this case, Desire is correct. Dream treated Nada unjustly. Dream is initially outraged, but he listens to his sister's council. Eventually, he commits to setting things right. He departs with the intention of returning to Hell to release Nada.

Death returns to the meeting and suggests resuming the discussion without Dream. Destiny reveals that there is no need. The purpose of the meeting has been fulfilled. Dream is going to Hell.