The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1 Reviews

• Absolute WOW!

  
  By A1KGWUYXUBEMB2 on 2006-11-09
  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, 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.
  
  
  

• A Tome of Exquisite Beauty! Truly what Dreams are made of!

  
  By A2EJ270UC8HAJU on 2006-10-06
  Received mine today and it exceeds all expectations. I've always regretted not getting the original hardcovers as they were released and this surpasses those in every respect. The new coloring is gorgeous and the extras fascinating. I cannot wait to revisit this amazing story in this format. Also, its heft will assurredly stun any burglar that comes calling in the night. Sweet Dreams indeed! Cudos and thanks to all involved!
  
  

• They recolored shoddy coloring with... computerized shoddy coloring

  
  By A2TBWLOHTZNK54 on 2007-07-15
  I just heard about this book, and almost jumped for joy when I heard it was recolored. I always thought Sandman is so rich a mythology surely they could someday release a paint-over of the material as rich and artistically skilled as the material is imaginatively written. Well, this isn't it. The "recoloring" is just a bunch of Photoshop gradient color fills, and at that the job seems very amateur. If you're going to use gradients, AT LEAST know how to use them to create depth and roundness and shadows... this is just straight drops of color change... very boring. I know this won't bother everyone, people have different takes on art. For me it's a dealbreaker and I'll stick to the old versions which are cheap and have bad coloring rather than spending more money on new bad coloring.
  
  

• The most beautiful book I own

  
  By A2XH1FGIBW2KXJ on 2006-10-12
  I received mine in the mail yesterday, and it blew me away. This is a large, girthy, edifice of a volume. The black leather cover comes complete with raised flourishes on the spine and a subtle embossed key and lock motif on the front and back. The letters are embossed in silver, all in a subtle yet glorious old-style script. There is a wide, heavy black silk bookmarker anchored to the center of the spine. The pages are sturdily bound and obviously built to last. This book would look at home in any of the ancient, eldritch libraries Gaiman's artists draw so well throughout the series.
  
  Much has been made of the recoloring job in this edition, and I can now fully endorse it. I do not own any other edition (and now I'm glad that I waited to buy it), but my roommate does, and comparing my copy to his is like comparing old and new photographs. Mine is crisp, clear, and beautiful. His looks muddy and decrepit by comparison.
  
  If you have never bought an edition of Sandman before, this is the one to get. Gaiman's masterpiece in a presentation that rivals anything I've seen. Fully worth all the money spent on it. I just wish more publishers would give their masterworks this luxurious treatment.
  
  

• What you need to Know

  
  By A3PNFX3SQ99P0P on 2007-01-27
  "Oversize. The first of four slipcased volumes. Collects issues 1-20 of the comic series, with completely new, author-approved coloring of issues 1-18 (issues 19 and 20 were fine already, says Neil). Art by Sam Kieth, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones III, Chris Bachalo, Michael Zulli, Steve Parkhouse, Kelley Jones, Charles Vess, and Colleen Doran. Includes a host of never before seen 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 issue 19, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", together with reproductions of the issue's original pencils by Charles Vess. Plus a new introduction by Paul Levitz, and an afterword by Neil."
  
  
• Brilliant
  By AU8QBYK3WE1DG on 2007-04-01
  An absolutely gorgeous treatment of a brilliant series. I can't wait for the future volumes to make their appearances. I'm disappointed that Amazon once sold this volume at a discount and has now decided to charge full fare for it. Look around and you'll be able to save some serious bucks.
  
  
• Well worth the benjamin.
  By A3JOQKYZLOCIAL on 2007-01-24
  There are enough reviews and analyses of The Sandman Chronicles to warrant my cutting to the chase. I own the entire Sandman in hardcover with covers by Dave McKean. They are gorgeous. The recolouring alone is worth the price of owning this volume (and subsequent ones). Now looking better than ever, the strange world of the Endless is given extra depth. The care to the binding and slipcover as well ensures that this will live on your shelf for a very long time.
  
  
• A beautiful presentation of a remarkable story!
  By A3QQH0LQ37N9AF on 2006-10-24
  I am completely geeked out over this super-awesome tome. It's huge, heavy, thick, and has that great new-book smell. It's leather bound, features high-quality, glossy paper, and comes in a sturdy cardboard slip-cover. It's a beautiful book that's built to last, and it damn well better be with a cover price of $99.00.
  
  The Sandman is the respected, literary-minded, award-winning comic book series that ran 75 issues from the late 80's to mid 90's. Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1 collects the first twenty issues, the first eighteen of which have been completely re-colored. Three more volumes are to follow that will collect the rest of the series.
  
  Sandman is the first major project by Neil Gaiman, who has become well-known for his best-selling novels, including American Gods and Anansi Boys. The story follows Dream of the Endless, also known as Morpheus and the Sandman, a powerful entity who rules the Realm of Dreams. Gaiman blends history, classic legends and myth, religion, philosophy, fantasy, comedy, horror, and drama to weave his epic tale. The story takes us all over the world we know, in times both past and present. We also travel within the many realms of Dream, shifting places shaped both by Morpheus and our own subconcious minds. Briefly, we visit other realms as well, such as Faerie and even Hell itself.
  
  If you enjoy dark fantasy, horror, or just heart-felt human drama, you do yourself a disservice by not checking out Sandman. This book is beautiful but pricey (although it's a lot cheaper on Amazon.com). The story is available in smaller collections that are much more affordable.
  
  In short, read Sandman... you won't be sorry.
  
  
  
  
• This is a masterpiece!
  By A1POFVVXUZR3IQ on 2007-02-15
  I have been reading Neil Gaiman's works for more than a decade now, and have the original Sandman comics. However, they were suffering a bit of wear and tear, and so when I saw this set for sale, I had to purchase it! It comes in a beautiful leather like slipcase, and I was lucky as I bought it a discounted rate which was value for money given the amazing set that this is. It is quite hefty, but a beautiful work of art, and a collector's dream come true. Highly recommended!
  
  
• A cause of envy
  By A33JHIU4QWEU8Q on 2006-10-19
  After two weeks in the black hole that is international postal services, an undamaged Amazon box arrived this morning.
  
  Within 10 minutes of opening it two people in my rather small office have ordered copies for themselves. Neither of them are comic book fans.
  
  
• Note for customers in the UK
  By ASXHE0SH9TPI3 on 2006-11-03
  Beautiful, stunning absolutely gorgeous.
  
  A quick note to fellow Brits, this was ordered on October 22nd and arrived on November 1st and is much cheaper here than on amazon.co.uk or anywhere else in the UK!! I've ordered stuff domestically that has taken longer in the post!!
  
  
  
• Mesmerized...
  By A1J0FDJTQD6UO2 on 2006-11-06
  I have never read The Sandman series. Actually, I only just finished my first Neil Gaiman book, Neverwhere. Excellent. Dark, humorous, visual. I looked at The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 1. And now here it sits on my coffee table. I can smell it, the beautiful thing. I may not totally get the story yet (I'm only on page 152) but I'm thinking does it really matter? This book is drop-dead gorgeous, the pages are a joy to turn, the colors are stunning, the leather boards are deeply grained, the raised spine--for heaven's sake, those used to be the rule rather than the exception I'm sure. I don't really know that I will like the story, too soon to tell, but I know that I don't care. This book is beautiful. By the time I would purchase 3 hardcovers I would have the cost of this book (after discounts)and this one is definitely a standout for any library. You can sit and read something else when you get tired of the heft of the thing on your lap, but even reading a paperback you can smell it and it beckons to be opened. Probably all rather mysterious and compelling, sort of like the Sandman himself I expect. Get your hands on this thing and I can assure you total fascination will be the result. The true bookie lover's scratch and sniff....
  
  
• Exquisite Sandman: Absolute Sandman Vol. 1
  By A3DP64H0HQ61Y0 on 2007-01-12
  I've had the pleasure of working with beautifully bound books on a regular basis. Also have had the pleasure of reading Sandman (now a classic) in the individual issues of the original series. The new material alone is worth the price of admission. The book's format and binding is a treat. Fine bindings are almost a lost art, but to have an exquisitely bound and slipcased edition of the comic that brought a revolution in the perception and understanding of comics is a testament to the respect and dignity that the Sandman series has given to all comic lovers. For those new to the series, this is an opportunity to enjoy the legendary stories in the optimal edition. It's simply beautiful. The stories, of course, have become classics in their own time and are worth reading in the original, perhaps dog-eared editions, as well as this exquisite volume.
  
  
• Holy Wow
  By A1ATLT2SNBP60T on 2006-10-10
  Received mine today too, and it blew my wildest hopes out of the water. I already have the hardcovers, softcovers and the complete individual issues, so I thought maybe buying this would have been oversaturation. After seeing it though, I know that if I hadn't bought one and then seen a copy of it later I'd have spazzed. Now the only question is when does the next volume come out? Thanks Neil and Vertigo for your attention to this spectacular edition.
  
  
• Well worth your hard-earned cash!
  By A78FRUSWLX15A on 2006-10-20
  Frankly, I've thought that most of the "Absolute" editions were overpriced and a little too self-aggrandizing. Sometimes a good comic book is just a good comic book. I think that's enough. It doesn't have to be a seminal moment in the history of Western literature.
  
  But "The Absolute Sandman" is a little different. The art seems to be clearer (maybe it's just larger) and the coloring has been "sweetened" or maybe "fine-tuned" would be a better term. The book doesn't look like it has been re-drawn; it looks like the same art, only better.
  
  The Special Features are also quite good, showing the history of the development of Sandman and the genesis of the "Midsummer Night's Dream" Story.
  
  This book is worth every penny.
  
  If you are looking for a Christmas gift for the comic-book geek in your life (whether he/ she is into superheroes or art comics) this is the perfect gift. [It is for "Mature" Readers, though]
  
  
• Sandman at its finest (re-read 10/10)
  By A2QDYGI5OETYV3 on 2007-01-09
  As a longtime Sandman reader, I found this volume to be everything I could ever desire in an Absolute Sandman. This book collects all of the first 20 issues of the landmark series, has re-colored 18 of the 20 issues (this is a HUGE upgrade) from and of the old trades. Trust me, if you are reading anything but the Absolute Edition, you are missing out on a lot of detail and pleasant art. And if you don't care about art (like I don't), you will still find the stories more enjoyable. This book will look good on your shelf, the spine will not break when you lay it flat, and if you ever enjoyed Sandman at all, you will love this series. Just think, these are the weakest issues of the series. Can't wait for Vol 2 and 3!
  
  Re-readability: 10/10
  
  *I always put re-readability in my reviews for people who like to keep their TPB to re-read*
  
  
• A book only as Oversized as the Series itself
  By AIVBI539W6WX4 on 2007-09-28
  Anyone who wants to start with Sandman I think should start by heading to the library and borrowing several volumes first. Anyone who's a fan should own this.
  
  Neil Gaiman's Sandman is a wonderful series; a mythos that encompasses many other cultural mythologies into one nifty little setting. Anyone can pull up a short little synopsis about the series, but that would be an understatement of a task, for the series is so much more than just that. For the series is itself a mythology, a fantasy, and a reality, and anyone who comes across it, with a little patience, will immediately be swept away by the unfathomable truths contained within these tomes, and for once, being lost in a desert of dreams won't be such a bad idea.
  
  However, I do have a few issues. The wonderful facet of a comic book (in the case of Sandman, Graphic Novels or Visual Literature) is that it is a collaborative medium. While Gaiman is undoubtedly a tour de force, the art itself helps to raise the bar of that force. Initially reading the series, you get a sense of its visceral visions and its somber tones, all through vibrant background colors. In the Absolute Sandman, however, the re-colors have somehow nullified some of that mood that was so powerfully combined with the writing itself. Newcomers to the series won't notice it if they start with this edition, but fans will. If you don't believe me, just compare the print from any of the previous TPB's or hardcovers of Issue #6 "24 Hours" (a shocking high-voltage horror tribute) or Issue #8 "The Sound of Her Wings" (this is the issue which for me is the definitive beginning of the mythos) with the Absolute editions. While the writing is still strong, I miss some of the old coloring, which helped to evoke a certain mood that solidified the series place in the comic book world. That isn't to say that some of the coloring hasn't actually improved on the old. In most cases, the recoloring was actually smoother and stronger, and set the mood more proper.
  
  Newcomers should borrow from the library or from friends who have previous versions, to get a sense of the original mood (also, the book is just way too huge for carrying around), then if they see fit can buy the Absolute editions. I still think this is a wonderfully (and adequately) oversized edition, and some of the new coloring isn't bad, but bland in some cases. The large size magnifies the series in proper grandeur, and is an apt edition for fans to collect. It's not such a bad idea to own previous versions, in which there are those wonderful introductions by authors such as Clive Barker, Peter Straub, Stephen King, etc., with the Absolute editions (despite the costs), which I proudly own.
  
  
• good stuff..
  By A27JMKKYEEO48 on 2007-01-16
  I got this book for my girlfriend for christmas. (she is a huge Neil Gaiman fan) Not only do i prefer to buy books from amazon because they usually have exactly what i want, but it is nice that their stock is in such good quality. The book was wrapped in its plastic and there wasnt a ding or dent on the whole book. Oh yeah, it was also the cheapest I could find it. Good job amazon. Anyway, about the product... The book is amazing, the art top notch and the storytelling unmatched by anyone. I used to collect comics at the time that the original sandman books came out. I didnt buy them because at that time I was more into the art of books than the actual story. I regret not picking them up. thank goodness that these books are now put together in a cool hardback and not to sound too nerdy, it actually comes with one of those red string bookmark things that holds your place in the book. I am not smart enough to know the proper name of it but it is little things like that that shows that i am easy to please.. pick up the book.
  
  
• Simply Stunning
  By A23H84753NQMDS on 2006-10-20
  Sandman is such an obvious choice for reprinting in the Absolute format, I'm surprised DC took this long to think of it. Previous reviewers have hit all the right points: the full leather binding, the extra heftiness of the volume, the glorious new look to the color. Nothing seems held back. I'm already salivating over the future volumes. Here are some questions DC should consider answering: Will the final volume include the two Death series? Will any volume include the 7-page story that appeared in a DC Sampler, and was later reprinted in the Fables and Reflections HC?
  One final note: the back cover of my copy came with glue smudges from the slipcase. I guess the book was placed in the case before the glue was fully dry. Anyone else experience this problem?
  
  
• Sandman Fan
  By A2VA20RW8JRMND on 2006-11-01
  I received my copy yesterday when I got home from work. It is better than I expected. I have two of the Sandman books (Preludes and Nocturnes & Dream Country) from the second edition, and wanted to own the rest of that edition. My problem had been that I could no longer find that edition, and I did not want the new edition. However, this hardback book is wonderful, even better than the second edition that I preferred the artwork in.
  
  
• Absolute Sandman, absolutely awesome
  By A3VOYZZS2NXEVI on 2007-01-12
  I have just received my copy of Absolute Sandman Vol. 1, and I have to say, it is THE best packaging I've ever seen for a reprint.
  The effort that's been put in to make this publication ultra special is certainly not lost as you take it out of the slipcase. The recoloured artwork looks fantastic and the larger format makes every detail in the panel available to the reader. The $99.00 cover price may seem like a lot to pay (in the UK it is in some shops for £65.00) but how much would 20 'ordinary' comic issues cost you? The huge leap in quality is worth the extra money - but if you're happy with your older versions of the story then fine.
  Absolute Sandman is not an essential purchase just a beautiful one.
  
  
• Great Value for a masterpiece
  By A3AI267SJE5XSG on 2007-05-09
  This is what The Sandman deserved, a great edition in many ways. The cover is superb and the protective case too. At first I thought it was an expensive item, but now that I have it in my hands, I can see everything has been designed with an exquisite taste.
  If you have read the series, you'll enjoy having it in this format. And if you don't know anything about The Sandman, please don't waste your time and read it!
  
  
• Blend of fantasy, mythology and dreams
  By A3C409BCXIWA16 on 2007-11-26
  In Ukraine we say "like a fool with his bag" when we try to explain that someone is inseparable with some of his possession (say, Gollum & his ring :) ). That perfectly describes my past weekend - anyone who saw me saw this book. It got me :)
  
  
• Neil's Masterpiece
  By A2BHZIIY7DXGDK on 2007-12-31
  I let my husband know without a doubt that this was all I wanted for Christmas. I got BOTH volumes and I was so very pleased! They are beautiful works of art as well as an amazing journey through history, mythology, and story telling at its finest. I already have all the single volumes and it is fun to compare. They are a lot different in color and they benefit from being significantly larger. Don't hesitate to add this to your collection OR start one.
  
  
• Beautiful book!
  By A3CMMRPBM81OI8 on 2006-10-14
  All the Absolute books have been perfect so far, and I will certainly order the next three volumes of Absolute Sandman. Well worth the money, and the centerpiece of any bookcase. Actually, I would have paid more as well done as it is!
  
  
• The quintessential graphic novel
  By AE3GEUAGGMUDA on 2007-01-04
  Sandman has been printed before, both in the original comic book form and in trade paperback form. This wonderful tome blows the earlier renditions away in it's impressive size and appearance (faux leatherbound and oversized) and in the crisp and clean new coloring. Comic book coloring technology has come a tremendous way in the last decade and this book shows that.
  
  The story is inventive and original and the art expressive and fitting. Neil Gaiman is a standout in the fields of both novel and comic writing.
  
  My only warning - if you buy volume 1 you will no doubt be compelled to buy the three future volumes it will take to tell the entire story.
  
  
• This is how all classic comics should be treated
  By AS443V6IUMV24 on 2007-01-10
  This is a very high quality printing of the beginnings of the Sandman classic. The price here is a bonus because it is worth full price. I hope that they continue with the quality prints with the next nine volumes. The cool thing is that the story and the art only get better as Neil and company hone their craft.
  
  All I can say is WOW.
  
  
• Simply excellent
  By A1WHZD8TTPPC2U on 2007-01-11
  I believe enough praise has been heaped upon the Sandman series, so I will speak only about this edition.
  
  The book is superbly printed, on thick, glossy paper, on which every color and letter stands out. The binding is very high quality as well, beside having an embossed spine, and a overall 'arcane' look. It looks great, and it's very pleasant to hold in the hands. The cloth bookmark and the slipcase are also welcome. For its price, it's a great value.
  
  I've read the older 10 volume edition, and the new colorings are really a blast. The originals never had such crisp, live colors, and with the pages being about one third larger than those of the older edition, you really feel you're sucked into the book.
  
  You also get lots of extras, including some very cool Sandman images and the full script of Midsummer Night's Dream, though unfortunately it's not annotated by Neil, as the script of Calliope from the original edition was. Still, it's fun to read, and with all the other goodness, you can't really complain, can you?
  
  So, highly recommended!
  
  
• At long last
  By AM5ZWD4VTO7A8 on 2007-01-16
  These stories deserved such a high quality format. The reading pleasure is definitely enhanced by the overall package quality. It's quite enjoyable when a book that costs a lot is really worth it.
  
  
• classic
  By A1IR4EVAIHGHNH on 2007-05-08
  Amazing what more can i say till you have seen it. If you buy it you will enjoy it.
  
  

• The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 2
• The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 3
• The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 4
• Watchmen
• The Graveyard Book