An’ I say, “Aw come on now

You know you knew about my my debutante”

An’ she says, “Your debutante just knows what you need

But I know what you want” (Bob Dylan, ‘Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again’)

Desire is probably one of the least popular of the Endless, the family of beings older than gods at the centre of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series. And, objectively speaking, Death or Destruction would have to be the ‘best’ family members, the ones you’d like to know or be related to. And of course, there’s Dream, the main character, as well as poor, confused Delirium. And while it is true that Desire is kind of a villain who does some things that can’t be defended, I see Desire as a character who, like the rest of the Endless, is all too human and relatable.

In the Sandman Companion, Desire is described as “the least likeable member of the Endless – almost a bad guy.” To which, Gaiman responds, “What should be kept in mind is that Desire really, really didn’t like Dream; and Dream didn’t like Desire at all, wither. They had a massive personality clash. So while appearing in a series centred around the Sandman, Desire did indeed come across as a bad guy; but she got shortchanged. If I were to write the same story from the perspective of Desire Comics, readers would see the extent to which Desire perceives the Sandman as unbearably stuffy and irritating; and Dream would start to look like the bad guy.”

Clearly, Desire is someone constantly looking for fun and amusement, consequences be damned. Considering the nature of the Endless, Desire is kind of a joker on a cosmic scale, doing or taking whatever it wants, treating humans as dolls/toys to be manipulated, and doing anything it can to get a reaction, especially from its older brother Dream. For instance, this panel from the Doll’s House; Dream: “Was I to take the life of one of our blood, with all that that would entail?” Desire: “Does it matter? It didn’t work.”

Dream’s relationship with Desire is key to the series, as they clash intensely. Originally, they were close, as seen in the prequel Overture. As Dream says, “My love, you must meet Desire. My favourite sibling, if such a thing is possible. So funny and so kind.” But, looking for some fun, Desire meddles and it results in this exchange: “Enough! You find this funny?”

“Actually, yes.”

“I see. Then we are not friends, you and I, sibling. Not any longer. Do not interfere further in my affairs.”

“It was a joke. Doesn’t he have a sense of humour?”

(The answer is no, he does not)

After this, and presumably some more jokes, they come to despise each other, quick to protest at the mention of the other. “Am I dreaming?” asks a woman in Endless Nights. “Not a bit of it. Quite the reverse if anything” Desire responds. Or this exchange between Dream and his mother: “Desire and I… we have disagreements.”

“Yes. You two are too similar.”

“We are nothing at all alike. Desire is manipulative, selfish and single-minded. It cares nothing for its responsibilities. It is the opposite of me in every way.”

“You and Desire were close once.”

“I will not be made to look a fool. Not even by Desire.”

There is definitely justification for their mutual dislike. One key point, also from Overture, is the fact that Desire ends up assisting Dream in saving the universe. But the way things play out means that Desire won’t remember this, and Dream will only remember saving it by himself. Before losing its memory, Desire swears to make him spill family blood, something which will lead to an Endless’ demise, setting up various plot points for the rest of the series.

However, as Desire itself says, getting what you want and need are two different things. The nature of living in the moment means that regret is not far away. “It’s strange, my twin. I thought I’d be delighted to see this day… he’s humiliated me. He’s been rude and boorish. He’s stuffy and stupid and thinks he knows everything. And there’s just something about him that gets on my nerves… but I can’t help feeling sorry for him… he was like a disaster waiting to happen… you know, I swore an oath once. I swore I would make him spill family blood. And now he has. I should be triumphant…”

Desire was designed as a mix of Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics and Patrick Nagel’s prints which were popular in the 80s (most famously appearing on the cover of Rio by Duran Duran). Its realm is called the Threshold, which is a gigantic replica of itself. This is because desire (the emotion) lives under the skin (personally, I feel it right in my stomach). According to Gaiman, “Desire is male and female because Desire represents… well everything one might desire.” I love the fact that Desire is completely androgynous, often referred to as they, or it, or sibling, or sister-brother. Desire’s wardrobe is wonderful, mostly comprised of sharp suits, or just plain t-shirts and pants. While sinister and spiteful, I find Desire to be a very engaging and human character whose actions are understandable. Also Desire just looks so amazing. If I can’t be with Desire, I want to be Desire.

Here is the description of Desire from Season of Mists: “Desire is of medium height. It is unlikely that any portrait will ever do Desire justice, since to see her (or him) is to love him (or her), – passionately, painfully, to the exclusion of all else.

Desire smells almost subliminally of summer peaches, and casts two shadows: one black and sharp-edged, the other translucent and forever wavering, like heat haze. Desire smiles in brief flashes, like sunlight glinting from a knife-edge. And there is much else that is knife-like about Desire.

Never a possession, always the possessor, with skin as pale as smoke, and eyes tawny and sharp as yellow wine: Desire is everything you have ever wanted. Whoever you are. Whatever you are.

Everything.”