Il Gioco della Vita (Sandman Deluxe Vol. 5)

The artwork here is so distinctive—did the illustrator's choices shape the mood more than the script? I wonder what inspired the visual direction for this volume.

The themes of self and reality felt more layered than previous volumes. How did others interpret the way characters grapple with who they are?

The stories felt interconnected but also standalone. I'm curious about how the author and artist decided on this sequence and focus.