Classic Sandman (Wesley Dodds):
* The Dream Gas: In the Golden Age, Wesley Dodds' Sandman was a vigilante who used a gas that induced sleep, called the "Dream Gas." He developed this gas himself, though its exact origins are shrouded in mystery. He often used a gas mask to deliver the gas, giving him a unique look.
Modern Sandman (Dream):
* The Endless: In Neil Gaiman's iconic *The Sandman* series, Dream (also known as Morpheus) is one of the Endless, ancient beings who embody fundamental concepts. He is the personification of dreams and the subconscious mind.
* Inherent Powers: Dream's powers are intrinsic to his nature as an Endless. He has the power to manipulate dreams, shape reality within the Dreaming (the realm of dreams), and control aspects of the waking world related to dreams and subconscious thoughts. He also possesses vast knowledge and ages slowly.
* The Dreaming: His powers are closely tied to the Dreaming, a vast and ever-changing realm that is a reflection of the collective subconscious of humanity.
Other Sandman Versions:
* Other Sandman characters throughout comics history have had various power sources, ranging from magical artifacts to scientific breakthroughs.
Therefore, the origin of Sandman's powers is rooted in:
* Scientific invention for the Golden Age Sandman.
* Cosmic existence for the Modern Sandman.
It's important to note that the origin of a character's powers can evolve and change over time depending on different writers and storylines.