The one constant in life since people have walked the earth is death. But it was a mere five years ago in, issue eight of DC Comics' "The Sandman," that the character of Death lived.

When people think of Death, they may think of a grim reaper, a walking skeleton with a scythe and a really bad disposition.

But DC's version of Death is much more fun. She's a spunky, wisecracking teen-ager type who views her job as something she has to do more than something she takes pleasure in. She's like the girl next door, who just happens to be a force as old as time itself.

"Death is portrayed in a very non-stereotypical way," said Karen Berger, executive editor of Vertigo, the adult imprint of DC that publishes both Death and "The Sandman." "She's perky and cute, you know, cool looking. She has an optimistic, pragmatic outlook on life."

On the surface, Death doesn't particularly look like the personification of fatality. Her hair is jet black, her skin is whitish pale, and she always wears black clothing. The most inexplicable aspect of her appearance is that around her neck she always wears ankh -- ironically, the ancient Egyptian symbol for life.

Death is popular because, inevitably, she comes to everyone, Berger said.

"Death is a preoccupation with everyone," she said. "There's a side of human nature interested in the moribund, interested in Death. We all deal with it in our own way."

Death and the Sandman (also called Dream) are two members of a family of seven siblings called the Endless. Other members of the family include Destiny, Desire, Despair, Destruction and Delirium.

"I like to think of them as post-modern versions of Greek gods," Berger said. "They're anthropomorphic representations of ideals of human existence or behavior."

But Death has proven to be a success in her own right, without the aid of her family. Last year, she starred in her own limited series, "Death: The High Cost of Living."

Kris Boose, owner/manager of' Comic Swap, 110 S. Fraser St. said the Death series sold "tremendously well -- it sold to the level of 'Batman' and 'Superman'."

It has since been collected in a hardcover collection with a softcover to follow in April, Boose added.

Various other products have followed, such as posters, T-shirts and a gallery of paintings of Death herself by popular comic book illustrators.

In December 1992, DC included an AIDS public service mini-comic, "Death Talks About Life" in all of its Vertigo books. The mini-comic showcased Death, who gave straightforward, frank information about AIDS, while entertaining the reader at the same time. For example, while showing precisely how one dons a condom, she used a banana to illustrate. After the example, she ate the banana.

The mini-comic was so-well received that, last December, DC reprinted it as a free handout to coincide with World AIDS month, Berger said.

"We wanted to keep AIDS awareness out there," she said. "Death seemed the logical choice to do that."

Perhaps in part because of her appearance in the AIDS story Death has become one of DC's top-selling characters -- Boose said Death's personality is the reason for her popularity.

"She's laid-back and personable, you can't help but like her," he said. "She represents something we're curious about, manifested in a tangible way we can deal with. I'm sure some people think she's cute, too."

Although "The Sandman" comic will end next year, Death will live on in a second mini-series, Berger said. The end of "The Sandman" was in the cards some time ago, she added.

"All good things come to an end," she said. "Just like Death."