Death comes in many forms. Whether you know them as the Angel of Death, Azrael, the pale rider, Santa Muerte, the Grim Reaper, or several more, every rendition has a different name. Mythology, literature, and the cinematic space are up to the brim with countless depictions of Death. But the one that stands out from the rest is Death from The Sandman.

Neil Gaiman’s vision shows Death as Dream’s elder sister, who is a gem of a being. Distinct from all the interpretations of the reaper, Death in The Sandman is a tender, benevolent and thoughtful celestial. She acts as a guide to every mortal on their death bed in their journey into the Beyond and does it with a genuine smile on her face.

Neil Gaiman’s retelling of a fearful entity

Neil Gaiman’s forte is reinterpreting mythology. His artistic yet grounded retelling of fantastical, larger-than-life celestials makes The Sandman and all his other works into masterpieces. And he definitely couldn’t pull this off without being an expert in legends and folklore from around the globe. Recently, Neil Gaiman did an extremely educational and entertaining video for Wired where he answered mythology questions posed by fans.

The award-winning author also delves into the “adorable” portrayal of Death in The Sandman. “I wanted to create the kind of Death that I would like to meet when my life is over,” revealed Neil. He wanted “a Death who is practical, a Death who is sensible, and a Death who is, above all, kind.” Neil’s delightful vision ended up being one of the unique depictions of Death in the comics as well as in the latest Netflix adaptation.

Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death in The Sandman

Death had a huge impact on avid fans of The Sandman ever since her first appearance in The Sound of Her Wings from Preludes and Nocturnes. And Kirby Howell-Baptiste does a splendid job of bringing dignity to death on the screen for the Netflix adaptation. While some people did not agree with the casting and accused the creators of forcing diversity, Death became one of the most loved characters after the premiere of the show.

From being a perfect big sister to the existential Morpheus to being the best “friendly face” a human could ask for in their final moments, Kirby was phenomenal. “For some folks, death is release, and for others, death is an abomination, a terrible thing. But in the end, I’m there for all of them.” She is not just a jovial figure in goth attire going about her day. Death, in contrast to her other Endless siblings, values the lives she takes. In an attempt to understand their worth, she dies one day every century like a mortal. 

What do you think about Neil Gaiman’s version of Death and Kirby Howell-Baptiste’s embodiment of the compassionate grim reaper? Watch The Sandman, now streaming on Netflix, and let us know your thoughts.