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A review by meggietothemax
The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman

4.0

This is more a review of the series overall than this one volume.

Let me start out by saying, this isn't going to be a huge review. I probably can't say anything better than so many have already said. Instead, I'm going to mention a couple aspects of the series that I am particularly fond of.

I first started reading Sandman when I was a teenager. I snuck and got a copy because at the time, you had to be 18 to even look at them in the comic stores I frequented. I don't think that's the case now, as they are just at Barnes & Noble along with all the other graphic novels, but back then, this was on the risky side.

- Gaiman's use of mythology -

But one of the things that truly drew me in was his heavy use of mythological elements. I think my love for mythology started with the Sandman series. He made these figures from Edith Hamilton's book seem so much more lifelike than anything I had ever read before. Even now, I have to double check the myth of certain characters to make sure my memory is based more on Bulfinch than Gaiman.

- Gaiman's use of Shakespeare -

It's pretty clear to me that Gaiman was fond of Shakespeare. If I ever wanted to introduce a reluctant reader to Shakespeare, I might consider having them check out Sandman. Gaiman lovingly approaches Midsummer Night's Dream in a way that made me want to read and watch as much Shakespeare as I could find.

Recommended to readers of graphic novels such as The Walking Dead, Fables, Y: The Last Man. They are pretty dark with a large amount of violence depicted, and themes of rape.