The first volume of "The Annotated Sandman" was published by DC Comics in January 2012 as a large 12" by 12" black-and-white book with an introduction by Gaiman and included issues #1–20. The annotations are presented on a page-by-page, panel-by-panel basis, with quoted sections from Gaiman's scripts and insight into the various historical, mythological and DC Universe references included in the comic. The second volume annotating issues #21–39 was released in November 2012. The third volume covering issues #40–56, "The Sandman Special" No. 1 and the story "How They Met Themselves" from "Vertigo: Winter's Edge" #3 was released in October 2014. The fourth volume including issues #57–75 and the story "The Castle" from "Vertigo Jam" #1 was released in December 2015.