Matthew (DC Comics)
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Matthew is a character in Neil Gaiman's The Sandman comic series.
Matthew is "the" Raven of Dream of the Endless. His purpose -- and the purpose of any of the Ravens that Morpheus has had previously -- is somewhat questionable. Morpheus seems to keep the Ravens around out of some sort of unspoken need for companionship. The Ravens are created by Morpheus, but if Matthew is any example, Morpheus offered the position to people who died, and released them from service if they so wished. Matthew lives with Eve in Dream's domain. It was eventually revealed that, before his death, he was Matthew "Matt" Cable, a long-time Swamp Thing supporting character.
Matthew is irreverent and somewhat crude, with a questionable life behind him. However, he served Morpheus loyally during his short time as a Raven. His loyalty extended so far that when Morpheus was slain, he at first was going to seek release from service to Daniel, who had taken Morpheus's place as Dream. He eventually decided to stay on as Daniel's Raven.
It has been suggested that one of Matthew's predecessors as Raven was Lucien. Another was Aristeas of Marmora who, centuries later, returned to his life as a man for a year.