Audible, out now

A further 19 episodes of the award-winning full-cast audio adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman.

As Neil Gaiman fans we always expect surprises from the author, typically through the unexpected twists and turns in his stories, but earlier this year an additional episode of The Sandman TV show appeared from nowhere. And then, this week, the third act of his Sandman audio adaptation fell from out of the Dreaming and onto our digital listening devices. No warning. No time to book a day off work to binge it. 19 episodes from nowhere. What a treat!

Of course, having to find time to catch up with the Sandman can hardly be seen as a chore, and this latest instalment continues to maintain the high bar already set by adapter/director Dirk Maggs and his all-star cast with the first two releases. Act III takes us through volumes 7 (Brief Lives) and 8 (Worlds’ End) of the graphic novels, as well as gathering one-shot The Song of Orpheus and short stories Fear of Falling, Flowers of Romance and How they Met Themselves.

James McAvoy returns as the world-weary Dream, as well as Kat Dennings as Death, Miriam Margolyes as Despair and they’re joined by other familiar members of the ensemble. Wil Wheaton makes his Sandman debut here in the significant role of Brant Tucker, and David Harewood is perfectly cast as Destruction.

It feels unnecessary to tell you what you already know – this is top-flight blockbuster audio drama that continues to bring Gaiman’s world to life in the most exciting way. Everything about it glows with authenticity, and long-time readers will immediately recall these stories from the glory days of the original comics’ run.

Verdict: If you’ve already got Acts I and II, this one is probably already sitting on your audio device ready for the weekend or your next long journey. Newcomers to this series, who may be joining fresh from the TV show, go and buy all three acts, as this will be THE definitive adaptation of the Sandman. 10/10

Nick Joy