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hooptron's review
5.0
I used to see Sandman comics around and I'd immediately become fixated on the covers. They were always so beautiful. Then I'd flip open the comic and discover that the inside looked nothing like the outside and I would put it right back down, never going any further. I can't even tell you how many times that happened.
Later, as I became a little more aware of how comics worked (insides never look like outsides) and as I read other stuff by Neil Gaiman, I'd think about reading the Sandman comics but rounding them up seemed impossible and tedious. The combination of the library and the release of the Absolute Sandman volumes really solved my problems. I flew through all four volumes and loved every minute of it. The later issues especially have amazing artwork and the story is completely compelling.
I recommend the books highly but be warned- they are HUGE and heavy. Not to be lugged around.
Later, as I became a little more aware of how comics worked (insides never look like outsides) and as I read other stuff by Neil Gaiman, I'd think about reading the Sandman comics but rounding them up seemed impossible and tedious. The combination of the library and the release of the Absolute Sandman volumes really solved my problems. I flew through all four volumes and loved every minute of it. The later issues especially have amazing artwork and the story is completely compelling.
I recommend the books highly but be warned- they are HUGE and heavy. Not to be lugged around.
tortue_abroad's review
1.0
There were three comics I didn’t hate so maybe 1.5, but the best thing about this was finishing it. I am free and god damn this is sexist.
lalalalilili's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
azuaron's review
5.0
To understand this review, first you have to understand how I read the Sandman comics. Whenever my wife goes away for a few days, I read a volume of the Absolute Sandman. I don't quite know how I started this or why, but this is how things are. And, just over a year ago, my daughter was born. The past several days have been the first my daughter's been away from me since she was born.
This is the environment in which I've started--and finished--Absolute Sandman, Vol 4.
The arcs in Vol 4 are The Kindly Ones and The Wake. Or, to put it another way, The Death of Dream and, well, The Wake. What a positively depressing way to spend my depressing weekend away from my family. But, quite possibly the most beautiful story ever written. This is Gaiman at his best: the opposition of two unstoppable powers, very little combat in favor of deep conflict, sacrifice, grace, and transformation. I wasn't a fan of the art style for The Kindly Ones (seemed too cartoony), but it didn't distract and I particularly liked The Wake's art.
This is the environment in which I've started--and finished--Absolute Sandman, Vol 4.
The arcs in Vol 4 are The Kindly Ones and The Wake. Or, to put it another way, The Death of Dream and, well, The Wake. What a positively depressing way to spend my depressing weekend away from my family. But, quite possibly the most beautiful story ever written. This is Gaiman at his best: the opposition of two unstoppable powers, very little combat in favor of deep conflict, sacrifice, grace, and transformation. I wasn't a fan of the art style for The Kindly Ones (seemed too cartoony), but it didn't distract and I particularly liked The Wake's art.
sushai's review
5.0
Feeling melancholy to have finally finished this series. I loved the creative stories and Dave McKean's artwork.
amandapearl2's review
4.0
I was not a fan of the artwork in The Kindly Ones. It deviated way too far from all of the other books. I couldn't recognize half the characters! And then the artwork of The Wake was so different, the transition was very jarring. (I loved the art in The Wake by the way.) The story is wonderful and sad and the writing is as fantastic as ever, I just really didn't like the artist.
mannis's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
manwithanagenda's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
"The Kindly Ones" was an excellent story, a great plodding tragedy only slightly hampered by Marc Hempel's art -- never been a fan.
"The Wake"'s art, on the other hand, was so drastically different that it was a bit jarring. The stories tie together a lot of the loose threads of Gaiman's complex universe. Overall 'Volume 4' was, by necessity, more cohesive so it was an improvement over the scattered brilliance of the last one. I could see how it could have been a satisfying conclusion to the series.
But there's more!
Sandman
Next: 'Volume 5'
Previous: 'Volume 3'
"The Wake"'s art, on the other hand, was so drastically different that it was a bit jarring. The stories tie together a lot of the loose threads of Gaiman's complex universe. Overall 'Volume 4' was, by necessity, more cohesive so it was an improvement over the scattered brilliance of the last one. I could see how it could have been a satisfying conclusion to the series.
But there's more!
Sandman
Next: 'Volume 5'
Previous: 'Volume 3'
kenyuen1's review
4.0
Wait, volume 4 is THAT storyline for Sandman? I was not expecting that. I was into the mystery of who took Lyta Hall's son and everything that was related, but they never really explain why the culprits did it? Stuff just sort of happens and a side character just dies senselessly, and that's a little unsatisfying.
The story with Hob going to the Ren Faire was great.
The story with Hob going to the Ren Faire was great.