This isn't as late as it seems; I actually gushed about it
on my Instagram already (I just forgot to do the same here).
I actually read The Sandman comics decades ago. The whole experience was life-changing. Neil Gaiman instantly became one of my favorite writers and 'til today I hold him in the highest regards.
At the time, I felt the same as other fans (and critics) did, that this masterpiece was unfilmable (and in my humble opinion, uncastable), so I was fine with not seeing it become a film or a show.
When Netflix first announced the adaptation, I was filled with dread, despite confirmation that Gaiman himself would be involved in every step of the way. I simply believed the comics wouldn't translate. Yes, we have all sorts of incredible special effects now, but surely we all know adapting a story for the screen goes far beyond that.
As Netflix began to announce the actors' names--Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer, Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death--I grew increasingly more intrigued. Suddenly, it felt like this might actually work out after all.