User:ChrisGriswold/sandbox matthew

Matthew Cable, also called Matthew the Raven, is a character in both the Swamp Thing and The Sandman comic series, published by DC Comics and later its Vertigo imprint.

Matthew Cable first appeared in Swamp Thing (vol. 1) #1, pursuing Swamp Thing, believing the creature to be the murderer of Linda Holland. He is married to Abby Arcane Cable. Cable was revealed to be an alcoholic who achieved the ability to control otherwordly demonic beings,

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, offering the position to people who died, usually while dreaming, 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. In the The Dreaming series Matthew plays a more important role and was often teamed with the Corinthian (comics). He died twice more during the series, once as a result of being tricked by the Coyote (mythology), and for a final time by an accidental shot from Lucien during a fight with Echo and Eblis O'Shaughnessy. He came back briefly to tell Daniel Hall (comics) to not let Lucien blame himself.

Notable predecessors as the Raven are Lucien, who was the first Raven, as well as the last white Raven and Aristeas of Marmora who, centuries later, returned to his life as a man for a year. Other predecessors who are mentioned are Jessamy, Francois, Jehuda, Vivien, Ming-Ti, Dechtire, Hatshepsut. After he died Daniel Hall (comics) created a new white raven, Tethys, to serve him.