Call number
GRAPH N GAI
Collection
Genres
Publication
Vertigo (2006), Edition: 1St Edition, 612 pages
Description
The Sandman, written by New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman, was the most acclaimed comic book title of the 1990s. A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, The Sandman is also widely considered one of the most original and artistically ambitious series of the modern age. By the time it concluded in 1996, it had made significant contributions to the artistic maturity of comic books and become a pop culture phenomenon in its own right. Now, DC Comics is proud to present this comics classic in an all-new Absolute Edition format. The first of four beautifully designed slipcased volumes, The Absolute Sandman Vol. 1 collects issues #1-20 of The Sandman and features completely new coloring, approved by the author on the first 18 issues, as well as a host of never-before-seen extra material including the complete original Sandman proposal, a gallery of character designs from Gaiman and the artists who originated the look of the Sandman, and the original script for the World Fantasy Award-winning THE SANDMAN #19, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," together with reproductions of the issue's original pencils by Charles Vess. Also included are a new introduction by DC President and Publisher Paul Levitz and an afterword by Gaiman.… (more)
Media reviews
The repackaging strategy that works so well to sell multiple versions of films on DVD, packed with more "extras," also works with comic books. Lately, DC Comics has gone back to the well by reissuing best-selling backlist titles in bigger-than-ever Absolute editions, ready for die-hard fans' coffee
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tables. Show Less
There is probably no other comic that has done as much for the industry as The Sandman. Sure, comics like Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns and Swamp Thing have all been important and are great comics unto themselves, but none have been as well received by the non-comic world as well. The Sandman has
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been labeled as the comic that brought women into comic stores. Show Less
Neil Gaiman's Sandman was originally released in 1989 to massive critical and commercial success. It is one of the graphic novels that helped DC Comics launch its hugely popular Vertigo imprint, and redefined the genre.
It begins not with a dream, but with a man's unhealthy desire to conquer death. An arcane cult, believing it has a spell to capture and imprison the personification of Death, casts a spell that instead materializes Morpheus, prince of dreams. Morpheus is held captive for 70 years. His escape from
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captivity launches Neil Gaiman's 75-issue epic The Sandman. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member PhoenixTerran
Neil Gaiman's award-winning and critically acclaimed Sandman was my introduction to comics which quickly grew to border on an obsession with the genre. I devoured the series, borrowing the trade paperback collection from a good acquaintance, knowing that eventually I wanted to have my own set. When
DC's Absolute editions are gorgeous, hardbound, oversized volumes that come with sturdy and handsome slipcases, supposedly of archival quality. The comics are often recolored or otherwise restored and are usually accompanied by a substantial amount of additional material. The Absolute Sandman, Volume One consists of the first twenty issues of the series, which corresponds to the first three trade collections: Preludes and Nocturens, The Doll's House and Dream Country. The first volume also collects a new introduction and afterword, Gaiman's original proposal for the series, additional artwork, the afterwords from the trade paperbacks, and the full script and sketches for the (in)famous issue #19, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (which won the World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction in 1991, the only comic to ever win the award. Rumor has it that the rules were changed after the win, prohibiting comics from qualifying, though this is denied by the World Fantasy Convention. However, while it does look like comics have been restricted from the Best Short Fiction category, they may still win in the category for Special Award: Professional.)
The primary story arc of the first volume focuses on the capture and eventual escape of Dream of the Endless (aka the Sandman). Both he and the world have changed dramatically due to his imprisonment, and the widespread ramifications are great. Dream must struggle to regain control of his powers and his realm. Through this quest we are introduced to most of the other Endless, his siblings: Destiny, Death (with whom I'm not just a little in love), Desire, and Despair. In addition to the main story line there are several other related but separate side issues that grant further insight into the world that Gaiman has created.
For the most part, the artwork itself doesn't do much for me in this first volume. For me, its really the storytelling that does it. Of course, the illustrations are an integral part of that. Seeing as different artists worked on the different issues, I don't necessarily expect the artwork to be consistent from issue to issue, but I do expect it to be within a single issue, which is unfortunately not always the case. However, I do appreciate the different "feels" and visual interpretation that the various artists bring to the series.
One thing that I absolutely love about Sandman is the fantastic mix of established mythology, legend, history, pseudo-history, popular culture, reality and fantasy with ideas and approaches that are completely new. In these earlier issues it is sometimes painfully obvious that the series is still trying to establish itself and find its niche. But, at the same time, this first Absolute volume also contains what is arguably one of the best single issues of the series ("A Midsummer Night's Dream," illustrated by Charles Vess). The stories range from horror, to fantasy, to just plain strange and are definitely meant for mature readers. Newcomers might want to read the series through before making the investment, but for fans it's a no-brainer--though hefty in size (not to mention price), The Absolute Sandman is, absolutely, the best edition out there.
Issues included: "Sleep of the Just"; "Imperfect Hosts"; "...Dream a Little Dream of Me"; "A Hope in Hell"; "Passengers"; "24 Hours"; "Sound and Fury"; "The Sound of Her Wings"; "Tales in the Sand"; "The Doll's House"; "Moving In"; "Playing House"; "Men of Good Fortune"; "Collectors"; "Into the Night"; "Lost Hearts"; "Calliope"; "A Dream of a Thousand Cats"; "A Midsummer Night's Dream"; "Façade"
Experiments in Reading
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I discovered that DC Comics' Vertigo imprint (which is probably my favorite comic imprint) was publishing an "Absolute edition of the core series, I was glad I hadn't quite got around to purchasing any of Sandman yet.DC's Absolute editions are gorgeous, hardbound, oversized volumes that come with sturdy and handsome slipcases, supposedly of archival quality. The comics are often recolored or otherwise restored and are usually accompanied by a substantial amount of additional material. The Absolute Sandman, Volume One consists of the first twenty issues of the series, which corresponds to the first three trade collections: Preludes and Nocturens, The Doll's House and Dream Country. The first volume also collects a new introduction and afterword, Gaiman's original proposal for the series, additional artwork, the afterwords from the trade paperbacks, and the full script and sketches for the (in)famous issue #19, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (which won the World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction in 1991, the only comic to ever win the award. Rumor has it that the rules were changed after the win, prohibiting comics from qualifying, though this is denied by the World Fantasy Convention. However, while it does look like comics have been restricted from the Best Short Fiction category, they may still win in the category for Special Award: Professional.)
The primary story arc of the first volume focuses on the capture and eventual escape of Dream of the Endless (aka the Sandman). Both he and the world have changed dramatically due to his imprisonment, and the widespread ramifications are great. Dream must struggle to regain control of his powers and his realm. Through this quest we are introduced to most of the other Endless, his siblings: Destiny, Death (with whom I'm not just a little in love), Desire, and Despair. In addition to the main story line there are several other related but separate side issues that grant further insight into the world that Gaiman has created.
For the most part, the artwork itself doesn't do much for me in this first volume. For me, its really the storytelling that does it. Of course, the illustrations are an integral part of that. Seeing as different artists worked on the different issues, I don't necessarily expect the artwork to be consistent from issue to issue, but I do expect it to be within a single issue, which is unfortunately not always the case. However, I do appreciate the different "feels" and visual interpretation that the various artists bring to the series.
One thing that I absolutely love about Sandman is the fantastic mix of established mythology, legend, history, pseudo-history, popular culture, reality and fantasy with ideas and approaches that are completely new. In these earlier issues it is sometimes painfully obvious that the series is still trying to establish itself and find its niche. But, at the same time, this first Absolute volume also contains what is arguably one of the best single issues of the series ("A Midsummer Night's Dream," illustrated by Charles Vess). The stories range from horror, to fantasy, to just plain strange and are definitely meant for mature readers. Newcomers might want to read the series through before making the investment, but for fans it's a no-brainer--though hefty in size (not to mention price), The Absolute Sandman is, absolutely, the best edition out there.
Issues included: "Sleep of the Just"; "Imperfect Hosts"; "...Dream a Little Dream of Me"; "A Hope in Hell"; "Passengers"; "24 Hours"; "Sound and Fury"; "The Sound of Her Wings"; "Tales in the Sand"; "The Doll's House"; "Moving In"; "Playing House"; "Men of Good Fortune"; "Collectors"; "Into the Night"; "Lost Hearts"; "Calliope"; "A Dream of a Thousand Cats"; "A Midsummer Night's Dream"; "Façade"
Experiments in Reading
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LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: The first volume of the Absolute Sandman compilations includes the first twenty issues of the Sandman comics, enlarged and re-colored, in a beautiful (if huge and heavy) faux-leather-bound tome, complete with built-in silk ribbon for page-marking. The first twenty issues also correspond to
In Preludes & Nocturnes, we first meet Dream, one of the Endless, as he is imprisoned by a secret occult society who had been hoping to bind Death. For 70 years he was kept prisoner, while a strange sleeping sickness emerged worldwide, and the Dreaming fell into decay. He finally escapes, but before he can regain his full power, he must track down his possessions that had been stolen from him - his bag of sand, sold to John Constantine; his helm, in the possession of a demon; and his ruby, which is being used by the insanely murderous Doctor Destiny.
In The Doll's House, while the Sandman works to repair the Dreaming after his long absence, a mortal girl named Rose Walker is off in search of her younger brother, who is being held captive - both physically, by abusive relatives, and mentally, by demons who have sequestered his mind into a twisted pocket of the dreaming. Rose, too, is more than she seems - not only does she have to face a convention of serial killers in real life, but she can't even escape into her dreams - for she is a Dream Vortex, with the power to destroy the Dreaming permanently.
Dream Country, in contrast, isn't a single story arc with one or two one-offs added in; rather, it's a collection of four independent tales showing Dream - and his sister Death - interacting with people, animals, and gods across time.
Review: I've been putting off writing this review, because I'm having a hard time deciding exactly how I feel about the Sandman series. To start with, I didn't realize until I was about halfway through this volume that it was a collection of one-offs as well as several longer story arcs instead of one continuous story, and that every 25 pages or so, I would be thrown into a completely new plot. (Consequently, I spent the first half of this book rather befuddled. Smart, I know, but I'm new to this whole comic books thing.) The stories (and the overarching Story) are sprawling and ambitious, bringing in elements of classical and modern mythology, horror, literature, history, and other bits of the DC universe (Arkham Asylum, for one), while simultaneously inventing much of the characters and the world they move through from whole cloth. On the one hand, this gives Gaiman a huge range of stories to tell; on the other, it means that any individual piece might never be fully explained or integrated.
I'm similarly unsure how I feel about the artwork. It's incredibly creative and beautiful in its way, especially in the large, re-colored format: sprawling across the page, frequently breaking away from traditional angles and standard panel format. At the same time, it's "sketchier" than I'm used to, relying on pencil-hashing to convey dimensionality and shading. It's absolutely a preference thing, but I think I like art with cleaner lines a bit better, although I can't quite say why. Less smudgy-looking, maybe? In either case, this is not a comic to read right before bed - its horror roots show up quite prominently in the artwork, which does not shy away from the disturbing or gruesome, which this series has in spades. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Whenever anyone talks about the modern age of comic books/graphic novels, The Sandman invariably comes up, and I'm glad to have finally read some of the series. I enjoyed it, and while I've been converted into a Reader - I'm definitely going to go find the next volume in the series - I don't think I've yet been converted into a Fan.
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the first three previously-published trade paperbacks: Preludes & Nocturnes, The Doll's House, and Dream Country. This collection also includes Gaiman's original proposal for The Sandman characters and stories, some early artwork and character sketches, and the original script and sketches for "A Midsummer Night's Dream", the only comic book to ever win the World Fantasy Award for Best Short Fiction. In Preludes & Nocturnes, we first meet Dream, one of the Endless, as he is imprisoned by a secret occult society who had been hoping to bind Death. For 70 years he was kept prisoner, while a strange sleeping sickness emerged worldwide, and the Dreaming fell into decay. He finally escapes, but before he can regain his full power, he must track down his possessions that had been stolen from him - his bag of sand, sold to John Constantine; his helm, in the possession of a demon; and his ruby, which is being used by the insanely murderous Doctor Destiny.
In The Doll's House, while the Sandman works to repair the Dreaming after his long absence, a mortal girl named Rose Walker is off in search of her younger brother, who is being held captive - both physically, by abusive relatives, and mentally, by demons who have sequestered his mind into a twisted pocket of the dreaming. Rose, too, is more than she seems - not only does she have to face a convention of serial killers in real life, but she can't even escape into her dreams - for she is a Dream Vortex, with the power to destroy the Dreaming permanently.
Dream Country, in contrast, isn't a single story arc with one or two one-offs added in; rather, it's a collection of four independent tales showing Dream - and his sister Death - interacting with people, animals, and gods across time.
Review: I've been putting off writing this review, because I'm having a hard time deciding exactly how I feel about the Sandman series. To start with, I didn't realize until I was about halfway through this volume that it was a collection of one-offs as well as several longer story arcs instead of one continuous story, and that every 25 pages or so, I would be thrown into a completely new plot. (Consequently, I spent the first half of this book rather befuddled. Smart, I know, but I'm new to this whole comic books thing.) The stories (and the overarching Story) are sprawling and ambitious, bringing in elements of classical and modern mythology, horror, literature, history, and other bits of the DC universe (Arkham Asylum, for one), while simultaneously inventing much of the characters and the world they move through from whole cloth. On the one hand, this gives Gaiman a huge range of stories to tell; on the other, it means that any individual piece might never be fully explained or integrated.
I'm similarly unsure how I feel about the artwork. It's incredibly creative and beautiful in its way, especially in the large, re-colored format: sprawling across the page, frequently breaking away from traditional angles and standard panel format. At the same time, it's "sketchier" than I'm used to, relying on pencil-hashing to convey dimensionality and shading. It's absolutely a preference thing, but I think I like art with cleaner lines a bit better, although I can't quite say why. Less smudgy-looking, maybe? In either case, this is not a comic to read right before bed - its horror roots show up quite prominently in the artwork, which does not shy away from the disturbing or gruesome, which this series has in spades. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Whenever anyone talks about the modern age of comic books/graphic novels, The Sandman invariably comes up, and I'm glad to have finally read some of the series. I enjoyed it, and while I've been converted into a Reader - I'm definitely going to go find the next volume in the series - I don't think I've yet been converted into a Fan.
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LibraryThing member brianjayjones
No need for me to review the contents of this book -- because if you're even just a casual SANDMAN fan, you've probably got them all in either their original comics form or in paperback. No, chances are, you're thinking of getting this book because you're a SANDMAN addict and are wondering whether
It is.
The stories are presented in an oversize format, beautfully colored and presented on glossy stock. That sort of classy presentation alone should be worth the price of admission -- but there's more here than that.
Also included are Gaiman's original pitch to DC Comics (attention writers: See? Even Neil Gaiman had to pitch editors in his day!), which includes his vision of the character, an outline for the first story arc, and some potential future stories, some of which never saw light of day. The pitch also includes rough sketches by Gaiman of the look of the character, as well as more polished drawings by Leigh Baulch and Dave McKean.
The real gem in here, though, is Gaiman's complete script for "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the first (and only) comic to win the World Fantasy Award. Like Alan Moore's script for WATCHMEN (included in both the Graffitti and Absolute editions of WATCHMEN), Gaiman's script -- a "full script", with action and dialogue broken down panel by panel -- is full of literary asides, inside jokes, commentary on what CD he's listening to, and observations on mythology, character motivation, and backgrounds.
It's not only a peek behind the scenes, to give you an idea of how complicated it is to write a comic, but also a great look at the creative process, as you'll see how -- and why -- Gaiman breaks down some scenes the way he does, and why he has characters act the way they do.
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an ABSOLUTE version of Gaiman's classic is worth all the hubbub, bub. It is.
The stories are presented in an oversize format, beautfully colored and presented on glossy stock. That sort of classy presentation alone should be worth the price of admission -- but there's more here than that.
Also included are Gaiman's original pitch to DC Comics (attention writers: See? Even Neil Gaiman had to pitch editors in his day!), which includes his vision of the character, an outline for the first story arc, and some potential future stories, some of which never saw light of day. The pitch also includes rough sketches by Gaiman of the look of the character, as well as more polished drawings by Leigh Baulch and Dave McKean.
The real gem in here, though, is Gaiman's complete script for "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the first (and only) comic to win the World Fantasy Award. Like Alan Moore's script for WATCHMEN (included in both the Graffitti and Absolute editions of WATCHMEN), Gaiman's script -- a "full script", with action and dialogue broken down panel by panel -- is full of literary asides, inside jokes, commentary on what CD he's listening to, and observations on mythology, character motivation, and backgrounds.
It's not only a peek behind the scenes, to give you an idea of how complicated it is to write a comic, but also a great look at the creative process, as you'll see how -- and why -- Gaiman breaks down some scenes the way he does, and why he has characters act the way they do.
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LibraryThing member haritsa
Every fan of the graphic novel format chooses for themselves the moment at which the medium "broke out." Watchmen. Miracle Man. Dark Knight Returns. The Contract With God Trilogy. While there can be no right answer to this question, for me it lies with Sandman, Neil Gaiman's brilliant, literate,
The story begins with Dream's capture by mystics in Britain between the world wars and takes off at his release in modern times, following his struggle to rebuild his realm, shattered and abandoned for his absence. While the first few issues touch at the edges of the traditional comic universe, Gaiman quickly departs this and enters his own deep textual musings. While a thread binds all the tales here together, a passion play of rise, fall, and self realization, what one finds here most pleasurable are the stories. Dream is the keeper of tales and many are to be found here. Shakespeare's troop performing a Midsummer Night's Dream for the real King Oberon, a man gifted with eternal life, another of a writer who captures and holds bound a muse for her stories, yet another of the trials of ruling hell, and many others.
Nor does this volume stand along on its prose, for the art too may be some of the most lovely in any modern graphic novel, rich and varied. While the book comes pricey, fans will love the oversized format and those beginning the collection will quickly notice that the price is only nominally higher then buying the individual soft back volumes. Of one thing I am certain, no one will likely regret taking this fine work home.
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and highly entertaining romp through areas as diverse as pop culture, Kaballah, Freudian analysis, serial killers, Shakespeare, death, and other areas too many to number. The story follows one of the endless, creatures that exist as personifications of certain eternal forces, Despair, Destiny, Delusion, Desire, etc, in this case Dream.The story begins with Dream's capture by mystics in Britain between the world wars and takes off at his release in modern times, following his struggle to rebuild his realm, shattered and abandoned for his absence. While the first few issues touch at the edges of the traditional comic universe, Gaiman quickly departs this and enters his own deep textual musings. While a thread binds all the tales here together, a passion play of rise, fall, and self realization, what one finds here most pleasurable are the stories. Dream is the keeper of tales and many are to be found here. Shakespeare's troop performing a Midsummer Night's Dream for the real King Oberon, a man gifted with eternal life, another of a writer who captures and holds bound a muse for her stories, yet another of the trials of ruling hell, and many others.
Nor does this volume stand along on its prose, for the art too may be some of the most lovely in any modern graphic novel, rich and varied. While the book comes pricey, fans will love the oversized format and those beginning the collection will quickly notice that the price is only nominally higher then buying the individual soft back volumes. Of one thing I am certain, no one will likely regret taking this fine work home.
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LibraryThing member Fence
Where do you start when trying to review a collection like this? I really have no idea. I was going to give up before I even began; admit defeat without letting anyone know about it, but I decided, what the hell, lets give it a go.
I first read some of Gaiman’s Sandman series years and years ago.
And there are also pretty pictures to look at.
I particularly like the Cereal Convention, brilliantly evil. And the loved A dream of a thousand cats.
Hmmm, I think this review is beginning to show why I should have admitted defeat before starting it, because I really don’t want to spoil aspects by telling you about stuff I loved. And I’m not even going to try and offer any sort of analysis because, damn, there is a lot in there. Let’s just say that Gaiman does his usual wonderful job blending horror, fantasy, myth and history into a wonderful story with so much going on that any amount of rereads will most likely be satisfying.
Before I go, the whole “absolute” deluxe treatment, can I just say that it really works here. Although it does mean you won’t be using this for commuter reading :) Now I just have to go buy Volume 2 and get stuck in to that
I first read some of Gaiman’s Sandman series years and years ago.
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Like a genius I started with A Doll’s House rather than at the beginning, but I soon realised my mistake and retraced my steps. The first few issues never really grabbed me. But they begin the story, so you do need to start there, and then, even if you dislike them, persevere for a little while longer. Because, lets face it, the character of Morpheus isn’t really that likeable. He is an arrogant ass. But his story is interesting. And the stories and places Gaiman gets to explore through the Sandman and his sibling Endless characters are fascinating. If you like comics and myths then you should give this[1] a go.And there are also pretty pictures to look at.
I particularly like the Cereal Convention, brilliantly evil. And the loved A dream of a thousand cats.
Hmmm, I think this review is beginning to show why I should have admitted defeat before starting it, because I really don’t want to spoil aspects by telling you about stuff I loved. And I’m not even going to try and offer any sort of analysis because, damn, there is a lot in there. Let’s just say that Gaiman does his usual wonderful job blending horror, fantasy, myth and history into a wonderful story with so much going on that any amount of rereads will most likely be satisfying.
Before I go, the whole “absolute” deluxe treatment, can I just say that it really works here. Although it does mean you won’t be using this for commuter reading :) Now I just have to go buy Volume 2 and get stuck in to that
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LibraryThing member BenjaminHahn
Simply a great collection. Visually stunning and ovewhelming at times. I love the way Gaiman works in the links to the old stories and bits of folklore and mythology. It helps me understand some of his early fascinations which led to the novels he wrote later in his career.
Although I love the
Although I love the
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overarching story line, my favorites are the asides like A Midsummer Night 's Dream and A Tale of a Thousand Cats. I look forward to reading the next 3 collections. Show Less
LibraryThing member JapaG
The ultimate graphic novel even better.
First of all, I love the hefty feel of the tome. I like the leathery covers, and back-bindings. I am not that sure about the new art by McKean on the cover, even though I am a devout McKean fan...
The three major things that this book has in favor of it
The larger page size makes it easier to see the amazing art, which the new size brings out better. The new colouring is just great. You actually don't notice it that much (I even thought "what was all that fuzz about the colouring about?"), but when you compare it to the old, the difference is amazing. This is how comics colouring should be done. The last but not least is the new paper. It just feels classier when you hold it. You know that you are holding a piece of art.
Don't get me wrong - if you have never read the Sandman, please buy the paperbacks first, and see if you'll like it. But if you like the King of Dreams already, The Absolute Sandman is the only way to fly...
The only gripe I have with it is that when I read it in the bed, it weighs heavily on my lower abdomen... ;)
First of all, I love the hefty feel of the tome. I like the leathery covers, and back-bindings. I am not that sure about the new art by McKean on the cover, even though I am a devout McKean fan...
The three major things that this book has in favor of it
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compared to the old collections are the larger page size, the new colouring, and the thicker and glossier paper. And they do make up for the 100$ price tag - more than enough.The larger page size makes it easier to see the amazing art, which the new size brings out better. The new colouring is just great. You actually don't notice it that much (I even thought "what was all that fuzz about the colouring about?"), but when you compare it to the old, the difference is amazing. This is how comics colouring should be done. The last but not least is the new paper. It just feels classier when you hold it. You know that you are holding a piece of art.
Don't get me wrong - if you have never read the Sandman, please buy the paperbacks first, and see if you'll like it. But if you like the King of Dreams already, The Absolute Sandman is the only way to fly...
The only gripe I have with it is that when I read it in the bed, it weighs heavily on my lower abdomen... ;)
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LibraryThing member elmyra
Just in case I needed a reminder of how much the colouring can make or break a graphic novel. Having the first 15 or 20 issues recoloured from scratch was the main reason I bought the entire Absolute Sandman collection, and it was definitely worth it.
Re-reading this has been enormously fun.
Preludes and Nocturnes, even with all of its DC baggage is still a surprisingly good piece of literature. A Doll's House is also excellent.
It occurred to me that when I first read Collectors, I had never been to a convention, and rereading it having been to several makes it both funnier and more tragic.
I still don't really get A Midsummer Night's Dream, even having now re-read the play. Yeah, it's alright, but I don't really get why it's meant to be so brilliant. Though having the script has helped me appreciate it a bit more.
Neil's original outline for Sandman, published in its entirety at the back of this volume, is also quite enlightening. Did you know that the Etrigan's dialogue was meant to be a sestina? I would have been very impressed had he managed to pull it off.
Finally, the introduction to the volume is one of the poncier introductions to Sandman I have read.
Re-reading this has been enormously fun.
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Preludes and Nocturnes, even with all of its DC baggage is still a surprisingly good piece of literature. A Doll's House is also excellent.
It occurred to me that when I first read Collectors, I had never been to a convention, and rereading it having been to several makes it both funnier and more tragic.
I still don't really get A Midsummer Night's Dream, even having now re-read the play. Yeah, it's alright, but I don't really get why it's meant to be so brilliant. Though having the script has helped me appreciate it a bit more.
Neil's original outline for Sandman, published in its entirety at the back of this volume, is also quite enlightening. Did you know that the Etrigan's dialogue was meant to be a sestina? I would have been very impressed had he managed to pull it off.
Finally, the introduction to the volume is one of the poncier introductions to Sandman I have read.
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LibraryThing member knitcrazybooknut
Gorgeously bound, meticulously printed edition, collecting Neil Gaiman's graphic novel The Sandman. These stories are literate, compelling, and full of engaging characters. It's a privilege to read such wonderful stories in such beautiful editions.
LibraryThing member SatansParakeet
If you've read and liked any other Sandman story then this book is for you. Even though this volume contains mostly the first few Sandman issues that are the weakes t in the series, the large page size, original coloring, and classy binding make this a must own voolume.
LibraryThing member kristenn
I could have sworn that when this was coming out in single issues, I read as far as '24 Hours' and then quit. Because that was just too gruesome for me. My college roommate was buying them. But every story in this volume was familiar. (Although I skipped 24 Hours this time. I'm certain I still
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can't stomach it.) It's hard to say anything about the series. I mean, it's Sandman. It's like finding anything to say at this point about Watchmen. I guess I am reading the series now more because I really ought to, rather than for pleasure. And I wouldn't be reading it at all if my boyfriend weren't the one bringing home the volumes (his first time through and he's much more enthusiastic than I). It is taking me years to get through Preacher for the same reason -- because it's just so frequently ... icky. The worst of human nature and some nightmarish creepy crawlies to boot. But there's no question they're brilliant. Show Less
LibraryThing member Radaghast
A tour-de-force. Sandman is more than a comic book, it is one of the finest stories of the century.
LibraryThing member shimra
Excellent, but so imprinted in my mind that its hard to reread and enjoy. The eminent modern fantasy series.
LibraryThing member jgv6442
Naturally, I had read the stories reprinted in this volume before. I'm a Sandman fan from way back and already had the first three hardcover collections, but when I saw that DC was releasing an Absolute Edition, I knew I wanted it. Once again, the Absolute Editions don't disappoint. The stories, of
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course, are as good as ever, and the oversize format does a fabulous job of showing off the art. The extras are fun, too. Included is the original proposal for the series as well as the script and original pencils from the "A Midsummer Night's Dream" issue (the script was included in the previously printed Dream Country collection, but the inclusion of the pencils here is an especially nice touch). The Absolute Sandman is a thoroughly satisfying package. Show Less
LibraryThing member BirdBite
The story is great! I read most of this in one sitting. Some of the art isn't the best it could be, and there were one or two panels I found to be of distractingly poor quality (granted, I am a bit of a snob about art quality), but for the most part I didn't mind because I was so deeply into what
Plus, the edition I've seen looks really, REALLY nice on a book shelf!
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was happening. Neil Gaiman is an extremely talented writer. Plus, the edition I've seen looks really, REALLY nice on a book shelf!
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LibraryThing member pratchettfan
One of the best graphic novels I've ever read.
LibraryThing member capetowncanada
Made an impulse buy on The Absolute Sandman after reading how great people thought this was and looking at all the cover artwork on the internet. When it came in the mail and I opened it up it looked awsome!! But then I opened it up, the look on the inside is not nearly as good as the all the
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cover's are. Also, my fault but for other people like myself not familiar with the series, it was always referd to as a graphic novel. So I was expecting someing between a novel and a comic book.....it's a comic book. But it will look great on a shelf. Show Less
LibraryThing member Daumari
Accidentally stayed up way past my bedtime reading this in one sitting. Gonna hold off on the other volumes until later this week.
LibraryThing member calmclam
I don't read comic books frequently, but I'd heard so much about Sandman that I had to give it a try. I was not a huge fan of Dream--it's difficult to get into his head--but the story is epic and the side characters are very compelling.
LibraryThing member takieya
For fans of The Sandman or anyone interested in checking it out, this is a beautiful volume which collects issues 1 to 20 of the original comic books, as well as a host of other bonus materials. The pages look stunning, and this edition is well worth the price.
LibraryThing member ScoLgo
Easily the best thing I have read by Gaiman. The artwork is beautiful and the layout is very creative. But the stories. Ahh, the stories are wonderfully dark and troubling, yet enlightening and uplifting all at the same time. They all carry a common thread; how the waking world might just be less
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real than the dream-worlds where The Endless reside. I can't wait for volume 2 to become available at the library. Show Less
LibraryThing member Chris_El
"Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot. The best in this kind are but shadows; and the worst are no worse, if imagination amend them." Neil Gaiman
Dark, myth, disturbing, at times very much
I would not recommend this to everyone. Has some disturbing images. The art gets better as the story goes on.
Dark, myth, disturbing, at times very much
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disturbing, gory, odd, weird, chilling, fantasy. Epic in scope (though not apparent at the very beginning). Winner of many awards. It has deep thoughts but sometimes I realized that I had slipped right past them in the thrall of the story. I would not recommend this to everyone. Has some disturbing images. The art gets better as the story goes on.
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LibraryThing member godinpain
The rating is for the entire Sandman run. It was a tremendous narrative, with incredibly evocative and moving worldbuilding, characterization, and art. I think perhaps some of its parts are better than it is as a whole, but it's still a worthwhile story to take in.
LibraryThing member jawalter
What is there to say? Sandman is magnificent, dark, epic storytelling, and it has never looked better than this. The only thing I could possible say against it is that I almost feel guilty touching it. And while I found myself wishing I'd held on to my smaller, more portable trades for
As for the book, Gaiman is always at his best when humanizing concepts and ideas (usually, quite literally). Dream and Death are great characters who have been surprisingly well-indoctrinated into popular culture, despite hailing from a critically-acclaimed, but not terribly popular comic book.
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ease-of-reading purposes, I don't think I would ever be able to read them again, any more than I could watch the theatrical releases of the Lord of the Rings movies.As for the book, Gaiman is always at his best when humanizing concepts and ideas (usually, quite literally). Dream and Death are great characters who have been surprisingly well-indoctrinated into popular culture, despite hailing from a critically-acclaimed, but not terribly popular comic book.
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LibraryThing member whatsmacksaid
Didn't live up to my expectations at *all.* I enjoyed the Rose Walker arc, but the rest were so tedious.
Awards
Eisner Award (Nominee — 2007)
Eagle Award (2007)
Pages
612
ISBN
1401210821 / 9781401210823
UPC
001401210821