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kat_sanford's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Gore, Suicide, Murder, Self harm, and Injury/Injury detail
starbeam_sundust's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, and Incest
lonelyghostsclub's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicide and Self harm
fionamatilda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Homophobia, and Suicide
cleansky7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Animal death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gun violence, Mental illness, Gore, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Self harm, Torture, Death, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Blood
iane_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Classism, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Self harm, Ableism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Car accident, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Sexism, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Vomit
birthisacurse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Suicide, Gore, Murder, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Self harm
soumil_da_vinci's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Car accident, Homophobia, Murder, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Mental illness
bea_evans's review
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The story, of the accidental imprisonment of Dream, his eventual escape, and his quest to get back his tools, makes me wonder what the rest of the series is about. “The sound of her wings” is perfect, to me, because I thought, “okay what now,” and Morpheus was at the same place.
The other episodes are occasionally very violent and sometimes sexual. Definitely not for younger viewers, as they say. I’m sure the genre affected the storytelling. The inclusion of other DC characters was odd, to me. And, since I’m not a comic reader, I wasn’t always sure who was who. The myth and classical allusions are more my speed.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Addiction, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Confinement, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Self harm, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual assault, Blood, Child death, Rape, Gun violence, and Domestic abuse
leona's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There are definitely moments of extreme horror and gore (think cannibalism, nails in hands, suicide and extreme self harm) particularly in the story 24 Hours, which is a chilling story revolving around magic used by the lonely and mistreated John Dee, previously an inmate at Arkham Asylum. (Yes, the same Arkham from Batman.) Some of the stories made me feel a bit sick or unsettled, this was one such story.
My favourites in this first volume were the hell story and the final story with Dream's sister Death. I found them to be particularly touching and the thematic elements were addressed beautifully.
I had watched the adaptation before attempting to read this first comic, which I actually think for the most part was a rather faithful adaptation. There were obviously a few casting changes and gender-swaps, but I don't think this had any impact on the effect of the stories told. But it is always interesting to see the original material, and I can understand why this series in particular has such a cult following of devoted fans. I mean, who doesn't love Neil Gaiman? This is practically where he started out.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed reading the Sandman and would definitely recommend it (to older readers and those who have read its content warnings), even to those who have watched the adaptations. I look forward to reading some more of the comics in future, and I assume they will only get darker, (we haven't even met the Corinthian yet!).
Graphic: Cannibalism, Self harm, Suicide, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Death and Rape
Minor: Child death and Violence