written by Neil Gaiman
cover art by
Dave McKean
other art
by various*
edited by Karen Berger
lettered by Todd Klein, John Costanza, & Kevin Nowlan
published by Vertigo
reviewed by Adam Armstrong
6.22.09
Something to haunt your dreams.
In 1916, a powerful magician, Roderick Burgess,
is obsessed with immortality and attempts to capture Death in order to live
forever. Instead Burgess captures Morpheus, The Lord of
Dream. After 70 years Morpheus escapes and has to
rebuild his lost kingdom and deal with the world that has moved on without him.
We get a chance to go throughout time and look over the good and the terrible
things that Morpheus has done with his endless life,
and we see what happens to being that is bound by perceived rules when he is
given the option to change or die.
This was simply amazing! Gaiman
weaves history, mythology, religion, and fantasy to bring us something that has
never been attempted before. The artwork (and artists, see below) varies quite
a bit and that is really the only grip I have about it. The constant changing
of artists was a bit distracting, though it is an interesting concept to see
different artistic interpretations of the same idea.
The
Sandman is available in 10 paperback
collections or 4 Absolute editions for those of you with extra money.
Read it and be amazed: 5 out of 5
*Pencillers: Sam Keith, Mike Dringenberg, Chris Bachalo, Michael Zulli, Kelly Jones, Charles
Vess, Colleen Doran, Matt Wagner, Shawn McManus, Bryan Talbot, Stan Woch, Duncan
Eagleson, John Watkiss, Jill Thompson, P.Craig Russell, Kent Williams, Alec Stevens, Michael Allred, Shea Anton Pensa, Gary Amaro, Kevin Nowlan, Marc Hempel, Glyn Dillon, Dean Ornston, Teddy Kristiansen, Richard Case, and John Ridgway
Inkers: Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones
Colorists: Jon J Muth, Daniel Vozzo, Lovern Kindzierski, Digital Chameleon, Sherilyn van Valkenburgh, Steve Oliff, and Robbie Busch