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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Murder, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Self harm, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Neil Gaiman's now-classic Sandman came out while I was finishing up high school and at college. I enjoyed what I read then, but read far from every issue. What I read always stuck with me though, and as I've gotten into reading Graphic Novels and comics again, rereading the whole Sandman series was near the top of my list. My library actually has a really nice collection, and I borrowed this beautiful edition from them.
It contains issues 1-20, as well as some very interesting back story bits such as Gaiman's initial proposal to DC Comics, other backstory information, and a very detailed step-by-step walk through the creation of Sandman #19 "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
The stories are, of course, tremendously engaging, and the art (recolored for this edition) is an equal contributor to the effect. The interactions of the Endless (primarily Dream (the Sandman), Death, and Desire in these issues) with humans (famous and, mostly, not) throughout the ages provides a very fertile ground for great storytelling. A highly recommended introduction into the great things the graphic novel/comic genre can do.
It contains issues 1-20, as well as some very interesting back story bits such as Gaiman's initial proposal to DC Comics, other backstory information, and a very detailed step-by-step walk through the creation of Sandman #19 "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
The stories are, of course, tremendously engaging, and the art (recolored for this edition) is an equal contributor to the effect. The interactions of the Endless (primarily Dream (the Sandman), Death, and Desire in these issues) with humans (famous and, mostly, not) throughout the ages provides a very fertile ground for great storytelling. A highly recommended introduction into the great things the graphic novel/comic genre can do.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
While I've been aware of the Sandman series for over a decade now it never really grabbed me to read it until this year.
I'm very glad it did finally sink it's claws into me. The writing is superb, I've cringed, had my heart pounding, and laughed while reading this volume.
The art is dark, atmospheric, and sets each page/scene perfectly. I really enjoy the dynamic between Sandman and Death and absolutely love Sandman's dry wit.
I'm very glad it did finally sink it's claws into me. The writing is superb, I've cringed, had my heart pounding, and laughed while reading this volume.
The art is dark, atmospheric, and sets each page/scene perfectly. I really enjoy the dynamic between Sandman and Death and absolutely love Sandman's dry wit.
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I had no idea how edgy this series was. There are some gems in there, but the scripts, at least in this first collection, just did not compel me. Also genuinely shocking how frequently sexual violence shows up here. I don’t think it’s as as bad as some other comics to come from the ‘90s, but my biggest impression is that I don’t get the hype. Maybe it’s just not for me. I am the least excited about it in my reading group, but none of us are singing its praises. Maybe it gets better! I will probably not find out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Rape
One of my all time favorite books. The Absolute editions are a bit bulky to read, but the re-done colors are totally worth it, and I ADORE the leather-bound covers and how heavy they are. It's like holding the world in your hands, in a way.
Fantastic! This collects the first 20 issues of Sandman. It’s hard to describe Thai as it blends multiple genres and is sometimes difficult to follow. But the stories are so compelling and interesting. The artwork is amazing as well. Not for everybody but I loved it.
It's f'ing heavy. I'm not sure this book was meant to be read. I soldiered through anyway, although I may have a permanent indentation on my lap.
It's always dangerous re-visiting formative works. You never return to them as the same person. Apparently, it's been about fifteen years since I've read some of the comics in this collection. Perhaps longer for others. I am certainly a different person.
The first seven issues of the series worried me a little. Gaiman has said that he was still finding his way into the series with these issues, and it shows. The first seven issues feel like Gaiman doing a passable imitation of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing. They are decent enough stories, with moments of sheer joy ("Hope!" in Hell), but more often awkward stumbling through a dark DC coupon-redemption fantasy. The DC legacy is a weight that drags down this entire volume. While grappling with the grand mysteries and mythologies of mankind, Gaiman has chained himself to the most inconsequential of the super-hero myths in the DC canon.
"The Sound of Her Wings," even after all these years, blows the doors off of the set-up of the previous seven issues. Though it seems somewhat slight to me now as a standalone story, it is an excellent marker for what is coming. In many ways, it is a better beginning to the Sandman saga than the so-called "Preludes & Nocturnes". Which is perhaps why Gaiman called it "Preludes..." (if he had any input into the title).
Though the tenuous connection to the DC universe is an aspect I could do without (Moore does it better), there are several good super-hero bits in the remainder, from the Little Nemo tribute with the campy Sandman to the affecting Element Girl in "Facades".
The Doll's House storyline and the other stories that make up the rest of the book are slightly uneven in spots, but the mythology of the Endless develops further (hinting that Gaiman had planned the saga out, at least after the Preludes) and the side stories become more confident and, really, quintessentially Gaiman.
By the end of this first Absolute volume, I'm no longer worried. I'm certain that Sandman will prove to be as good this time as it was the first time I encountered it.
It's always dangerous re-visiting formative works. You never return to them as the same person. Apparently, it's been about fifteen years since I've read some of the comics in this collection. Perhaps longer for others. I am certainly a different person.
The first seven issues of the series worried me a little. Gaiman has said that he was still finding his way into the series with these issues, and it shows. The first seven issues feel like Gaiman doing a passable imitation of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing. They are decent enough stories, with moments of sheer joy ("Hope!" in Hell), but more often awkward stumbling through a dark DC coupon-redemption fantasy. The DC legacy is a weight that drags down this entire volume. While grappling with the grand mysteries and mythologies of mankind, Gaiman has chained himself to the most inconsequential of the super-hero myths in the DC canon.
"The Sound of Her Wings," even after all these years, blows the doors off of the set-up of the previous seven issues. Though it seems somewhat slight to me now as a standalone story, it is an excellent marker for what is coming. In many ways, it is a better beginning to the Sandman saga than the so-called "Preludes & Nocturnes". Which is perhaps why Gaiman called it "Preludes..." (if he had any input into the title).
Though the tenuous connection to the DC universe is an aspect I could do without (Moore does it better), there are several good super-hero bits in the remainder, from the Little Nemo tribute with the campy Sandman to the affecting Element Girl in "Facades".
The Doll's House storyline and the other stories that make up the rest of the book are slightly uneven in spots, but the mythology of the Endless develops further (hinting that Gaiman had planned the saga out, at least after the Preludes) and the side stories become more confident and, really, quintessentially Gaiman.
By the end of this first Absolute volume, I'm no longer worried. I'm certain that Sandman will prove to be as good this time as it was the first time I encountered it.