Neil Gaiman's return to Sandman is part of DC Entertainment's subtle relaunch of its imprint, Vertigo, along with five other new series to be released by the end of 2013.

Gaiman's prequel to his original 75-issue series has been retitled from Sandman Zero to The Sandman:Overture.

Fans can get their hands on the six-issue mini-series starting October 30.

"Neil Gaiman returning to the lush, evocative world he created with Sandman is a literary event," Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment president, said. "We're honored to have Neil back for a story only he and J.H. can tell. It's a testament to the lasting power of Vertigo, Sandman and Neil's amazing creativity. "

Artist J.H. Williams will illustrate The Sandman:Overture. He has previously worked with other well-known writers, including Alan Moore.

"Sandman" began in the late 80s but was picked-up by Vertigo in 1993 and became one of its biggest successes.

This helped shape Mr Gaiman's career, and he went on to become one of the most popular and important fantasy writers today. He has over two million followers on Twitter.

Other titles included in the six new series by Vertigo are The Dead Boy Detectives, also by Mr Gaiman and connected to the Sandman mythos; Hinterkind by Ian Edginton and art by Francesco Trifogl; The Discipline by Peter Milligan and artist Leo Hernandez; Suiciders by writer/artist Leo Bermejo and Coffin Hill by Caitlin Kittredge and illustrator Inaki Miranda.