Comic Title: Sandman #8
Publisher: DC
Imprint: Vertigo
Cover Date: August 1989
On Sale Date: June 27, 1989 Shipping Date June 27, 1989
Source: Previews, #4

Shipping Date June 27, 1989
Source: Amazing Heroes, #167

Direct Market Date June 29, 1989
Source: Comic Shop News, #102, #104

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

Title: "The Sound of Her Wings"
Pages: 24

Feature(s):
Sandman (Morpheus)

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Penciller: Mike Dringenberg
Inker: Malcolm Jones III
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Robbie Busch

Reprinted In:
Sandman #8 [Variant] (1989)
Sandman:The Doll's House TPB (1990)
Sandman:Preludes and Nocturnes TPB (1991)
Sandman:Preludes and Nocturnes HC (1995)
Essential Vertigo:The Sandman #8 (1997)
Absolute Sandman Vol. 1 HC (2006)
Absolute Death HC (2009)
Annotated Sandman Vol. 1 HC (2012)
Death:The Deluxe Edition HC (2012)
Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2013)
Death TPB (2014)
Sandman:Preludes & Nocturnes 30th Anniversary Edition TPB (2018)
Sandman:The Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 HC (2021)
DC Through the '80s:The Experiments HC (2021)
Sandman Vol. 1 TPB (2022)
Sandman Vol. 1 TPB [Variant] (2022)

Feature Character(s)

• Dream (last appearance in Sandman #7; next appearance in Sandman #10)

Guest Star(s)

• Death (Dream's older sister; first appearance; last appearance in Sandman #13; next appearance in Captain Atom #42)

Other Character(s)

• Franklin (a soccer player; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Harry (a New York jew; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Esme (a comedian; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• A mother and her baby (the baby dies in this story; no further appearances)

Comments:
This issue contains an 8-page preface which includes quotes of praise for the Sandman. It also includes a text piece recapping the events of previous issues.

Synopsis:
Following the retrieval of his tools, Dream visits a park and feeds the pigeons. His fowl mood is interrupted by the arrival of his cheery older sister, Death. After exchanging pleasantries, Dream tells her the story of his captivity and escape. He explains that he now that his quest is over, he lacks purpose. Death chastises her brother for being self-centered and whiny. She even tosses a loaf of bread at his head.

Death invites Dream to come along with her as she works. He follows her as she makes several stops. Death's obligation is to ease the transition of the newly deceased. Death refers to the afterlife as the sunless lands. Dream accompanies her as she sees to the final moments of an old man, a female comedian, and even a small child. Along the way he is reminded of his own role and responsibilities.

Their journey together comes full circle as they return to the park where Dream was feeding the pigeons. There, Death has a fateful meeting with a soccer player who is hit by a passing car. Dream then parts way with his sister, uplifted by her visit.