Death: The Time of Your Life - Definition and Overview

The story Death: The Time of Your Life was written by Neil Gaiman, and is one of many spinoffs from his graphic novel series The Sandman. This story brings back characters Donna Cavanagh (who prefers to go by the name of Foxglove) and her lesbian partner Hazel from a previous Sandman comic, A Game of You.

As the story opens, Foxglove is a very successful singer-songwriter currently on a very important tour. Her relationship with Hazel is slowly unravelling, due mainly to the building pressures of her newfound fame. One night, Hazel's son, Alvie (an accidental result of Hazel's one and only heterosexual encounter), has a fatal accident. When Death, a cheerful reaper personified as a cute gothette, shows up to take him, Hazel makes a promise in desperation. The promise is that either Hazel or Fox will take Alvie's place when Death returns, if only she will let Alvie live for a while longer. The story touches upon the pressures of living private and public lives, as well as fidelity, love, and duty.

"The Time of Your Life" was originally published in three issues, which have since been collected into a single book. It was illustrated by Chris Bachalo and Mark Buckingham, and features an introduction by Claire Danes. Other Sandman Spinoffs:

• Death: The High Cost of Living
• Destiny