Give the Devil His Due!
This issue is simply outstanding. After preparing us for a fire-and-brimstone type showdown between the King of Dreams and the King of Hell, we get thrown a curveball, a cerebral conflict at most, and deeper intrigue in the relations between the immortal presences that control the universe. Lucifer Morningstar proves to be a much more complex character than the Devil is usually portrayed. By the issue's end, you cannot wait to find out how all this will turn out.
The downside is the art (as usual) doesn't match the heights of the story - this isn't due to failings on any one person's part, so much as it's the fact that D.C. treated the art team on this book as a revolving door with new pencillers, inkers, and colorists coming and going nearly every single month!
But that just means the art is uneven. At times it's quite good, like the two page splash pages of the gates of Hell, which is one of the most impressive pieces of art in the entire Sandman series.
Top notch storytelling.