Daniel Hall: The Sandman (New Age)/Issue 1

The first issue of the series Daniel Hall: The Sandman. Upon experiencing the birth of a new universe, The Sandman finds himself at the beginning of time and experiences as the universe slowly forms around him. But he can't help but wonder, was it worth it to wipe out a world, or even worlds just to replace it immediately after?

Plot
A black void.


 * Daniel Hall (thinking): In the beginning, there was nothing. And then God said "let there be light".

An explosion erupts from the void. It's glorious, the colours dancing and the fires crackling. With each up burst of flames, an asteroid, a star, and even an entire world is created. One after the other until the entire universe is filled.


 * Daniel Hall (thinking): ...And then God said "let there be light" again.

A light that glows black creeps from the back of the universe, engulfing all of the worlds and stars. Only for another explosion, just as beautiful, to come from inside of the blackness, birthing more worlds.


 * Daniel Hall (thinking): And he said it again. And again. And again.

Worlds live. Worlds die. With every word he says, the universe is reset. Then, when it finally stops, we find ourselves on a planet. It resembles Earth, but there is no grass or vegetation to speak of.


 * Daniel Hall (thinking): I can't help but wonder...

A being crashes from the atmosphere. In the crater left behind from the impact stands the titular Sandman, Dream of The Endless. His clothes are burning on his back and he's rubbing his head as he gazes around at the environment he finds himself in. He simply allows his clothes to burn off of his back, the fire not seeming to hurt or even faze him in the slightest.


 * Daniel Hall (thinking): ...Why does he keep rebuilding the universe? Was he not satisfied with his first attempt? Or is it like a child playing with building blocks and he simply keeps breaking everything apart just for the sake of remaking it again, with only minor alterations...?

The Sandman crawls out of his crater and gazes at the world before him. One made of dirt and stone. He wanders for some time, the sun in the sky slowly setting behind him. He's been walking for hours. Then, he finally finds it. A single insect on the ground. He crouches down, his hands hesitantly hovering above it as he stares at the being in awe, acting as if it's the most impressive thing he's ever seen in his life.


 * Daniel Hall (thinking): This. This is what brought me into existence. The first being in the known universe to have the ability to dream... On the planet Oa far away, the first living beings, a reptile-like species born in the planet's deserts, were born. And on Mars, much closer, the cells that will eventually evolve to be the Martian people slowly form. But here, on Earth... they manage to evolve the first being to truly be able to dream.

He lowers his hand, picking up the insect with a gentle hand and staring down at it.


 * Daniel Hall (thinking): I do love Earth. So much...

More will be added soon.