The Absolute Sandman: Special Editions 50 cent version Review
This Review Was Submitted by The Dude:
Ok, so if anybody knows me they know my general stance on the Sandman series can best be summed up as "Eh". I had read book nine of the series, The Kindly Ones, and not only did I find it kinda confusing, I almost felt like I was working to keep myself interested. Little advice to people out there, READ THE SANDMAN BOOKS IN ORDER. I read nine by itself based on the bad advice that all books could be read separately and still hold up, this is WRONG. How you may wonder did I finally come to this conclusion? A fifty cent edition of part of Gaiman's Sandman came out this week.
Fifty cents for Sandman...yeah I know what your thinking. it's crap right? Negatory. The two quarters & tax you pay for this edition will be the best you've spent all year. For those not familar with any of the series, this story starts out with a group of occultists for better part of a word, looking to obtain immortality and power by capturing Death through way of magic, of course things don't go as planned and they capture the master of dreams instead aka Sandman. The story interweaves the imprisonment of Sandman with the effects of his absence from dreams on people throughout the world. Some individuals sleep decades upon decades only awakening momentarily, others do not sleep and over time have grown almost mad from this persistant insomnia. The artwork is both dark and fluid, never too distracting from the story itself but yet adding to it, in a perfect fusion of sorts between colors and words. I could go on and on about this but, would likely not be able to do the story contained herewithin justice. One of the things that makes this issue even better is the fact that it contains portions from the ABSOLUTE EDITION of Sandman in it (foreward from Gaiman, sketches and the like after the intial story). I think what amazed me most about this issue is the pure and simple fact that you get about five or ten bucks worth of content for the price of a coke, what can I say I am a tightwad and appreciate the value, lol. In short even if you don't think Sandman is your bag, shell out the 2 or 3 quarters for this issue, at the most you'll have lost less then a dollar, at best you'll have found something of incredible value that you might wanna read more of. I give this issue an A+
Glad you liked it, Omar! I read all the Sandman trades in order, and loved them. Do you think you'll read them now, based on this special?
I really do love Sandman, but this was Nick's review. I have been telling him for sometime to read them in order and they will make more sense. I really hope he finishes the series. It's a shame he read volume 9 first, so many spoilers. Good thing he didn't pick up volume 10.
I picked up this at the comic shop and was very very happy.
My favorites issues were the Corinthian storyline (and the "Cereal Convention") and the issue where Lucifer abandonns hell leaving Morpheus with the key. This and his stint on Miracleman were the highlights of Gaimen's storied career IMHO.