Comic Title: Essential Vertigo:The Sandman #19
Publisher: DC
Imprint: Vertigo
Cover Date: February 1998
On Sale Date: December 3, 1997 Direct Market Date December 3, 1997
Source: Previews, Vol. 7 #10 (#106)

Direct Market Date December 3, 1997
Source: ComicList, Diamond : New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, December 3, 1997

Shipping Date December 3, 1997
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #1255

Direct Market Date December 3, 1997
Source: Comic Shop News, #545

Cover Price: $1.95
Page Count: 32
Editor: Jennifer Lee

Title: "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Sandman (Morpheus)

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: Charles Vess
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Steve Oliff

Reprinted From:
Sandman #19 (1990)

Feature Character(s)

• Dream (last appearance in Sandman #13; next appearance in Sandman #13)

Guest Star(s)

• William Shakespeare (last appearance in Sandman #13; no further appearances)

Other Character(s)

• Hamnet Shakespeare (Will's son; no further appearances)
• Titania (queen of Faerie; no further appearances)
• Auberon (king of Faerie; no further appearances)
• Puck (aka Robin Goodfellow; no further appearances)
• Peaseblossom and Skarrow (two of the fair folk; no further appearances)
• Various inhabitants of faerie (no further appearances)
• Will Kemp, Henry Condell, Bob Armin, Richard Burbage, Dick Cowley, and Tommy (actors in Shakespeare's troupe; no further appearances)

Comments:
This story takes place on June 23rd, 1593.

Titania takes an interest in Shakespeare's son, Hamnet. She is seen giving him an apple which represents her claim upon him. Hamnet, who died in 1596, is later shown to be alive and working as Titania page in Faerie.

Puck elects to stay on Earth rather than return to the land of faerie.

Synopsis:
Will Shakespeare leads a troupe of actors to the countryside where they are to perform a play for Will's benefactor, Dream. Will inquires about the audience which Dream assures him will arrive soon. As the actor's prepare, a portal opens. From the other side come Titania and Auberon from the land of Faerie. Along with them come Robin Goodfellow and a host of other fair folk. They make up the audience.

Shakespeare and the actors are shocked. After a moment to collect themselves, they put on the first ever performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Not coincidentally, the play features Titania and Oberon. Dream explains the Titania, that the play was created to honor them and to ensure that the world will remember them.

At intermission, Puck decides to cause mischief by taking the place of the actor portraying him. Titania also takes an interest in Will's son Hamnet. When the play resumes, Puck performs as himself and finishes the play. The show concludes with Auberon leading his people back to their own realm. Puck stays behind, because he sees humans as easy targets for his mischief.

The next morning the actors awaken after spending the night asleep on the hill. Richard Burbage, who asked and received gold from Auberon, is shocked to discover that the faerie gold has turned into worthless yellow flowers.