10 DC Graphic Novels You Must Read Before You Die

7. Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes

You don't even have to be a comics fan to know that Neil Gaiman is the real deal.

One of the finest fantasy and horror writers of all time, Gaiman has lent his talents to DC on numerous occasions, none of which are more famous than his stint on Sandman. When it was originally published, the comic transcended stereotypes about the medium's readership, pulling in an audience who - for the most part - weren't all that concerned with the costumes and capes that occupied the big two's universes.

The comic itself was suitably atmospheric, with Gaiman having tapped into something special with the series' protagonist, Dream of the Endless. Further to that was the writer's masterful use of mythology, fantasy and horror, which in-turn elevated the book to new story-telling heights altogether.

It really is one of the finest novels of our time, and with ten volumes to collect, you'll find yourself hooked in no time, and totally invested emotionally. You don't make it onto the New York Times Best Seller list for nothing, after all.