"New York Times" best-selling author Neil Gaiman's transcendent series "SandMan" is often hailed as the definitive Vertigo title and one of the finest achievements in graphic storytelling. Gaiman created an unforgettable tale of the forces that exist beyond life and death by weaving ancient mythology, folklore and fairy tales with his own distinct narrative vision. In "Preludes" and "Nocturnes", an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life traps her younger brother Dream instead. After his seventy-year imprisonment and eventual escape, Dream, also known as Morpheus, goes on a quest for his lost objects of power. On his arduous journey Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman. This book also includes the story "The Sound of Her Wings", which introduces us to the pragmatic and perky goth girl Death.
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About the Author
Neil Gaiman is the most critically acclaimed comics writer of the 1990s and is the author of numerous books and graphic novels. He is the New York Times No. 1 bestselling author of American Gods and Anansi Boys, and won critical acclaim for his first feature film, Mirrormask, with long-time collaborator Dave McKean.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Tasha S.
Format:Paperback
I'm a big fan of Neil Gaiman's novels and television work, so I decided to branch out and give his Sandman series a go. I'm not a comic book/graphic novel reader at all - the last time I picked up a comic, it was an Archie one, if that tells you anything? - so I started reading Preludes and Nocturnes without any real idea of what to expect. Hopefully if you're in the same boat as me - comic book ignoramus with an interest in reading more of Gaiman's work - this review may be helpful to you.
First off, Sandman is just as fantastic as everyone has told you it is. It's macabre and madcap and thoughtful and sometimes just flat-out, unashamedly poetic. I hadn't realised comics could be so thoroughly lyrical, but there are times I've sat there reading and just been blown away by how beautiful it all is. Sandman reminded me a lot of American Gods and Anansi Boys, at times, but it also stands on its own as an original and really excellent piece of work. If you can get hold of the whole series and bunker down for a long reading session, I highly recommend that you do. You won't regret it.
That said, I've got to be honest: I didn't like Preludes and Nocturnes.
Preludes and Nocturnes plants the seeds of the bigger stories that follow. It also introduces us to our main protagonist Dream of the Endless, reveals the tragic and eerie world of the series, and also gives us our first meeting with Death (who is awesome, so awesome). But as a whole its the weakest volume of the series. The writing is really hit and miss - Gaiman admits in the volume that he thinks is a lot of it is not his best work, as he was still getting the hang of writing a serial comic, and he's dead right.... Read more ›
First off, Sandman is just as fantastic as everyone has told you it is. It's macabre and madcap and thoughtful and sometimes just flat-out, unashamedly poetic. I hadn't realised comics could be so thoroughly lyrical, but there are times I've sat there reading and just been blown away by how beautiful it all is. Sandman reminded me a lot of American Gods and Anansi Boys, at times, but it also stands on its own as an original and really excellent piece of work. If you can get hold of the whole series and bunker down for a long reading session, I highly recommend that you do. You won't regret it.
That said, I've got to be honest: I didn't like Preludes and Nocturnes.
Preludes and Nocturnes plants the seeds of the bigger stories that follow. It also introduces us to our main protagonist Dream of the Endless, reveals the tragic and eerie world of the series, and also gives us our first meeting with Death (who is awesome, so awesome). But as a whole its the weakest volume of the series. The writing is really hit and miss - Gaiman admits in the volume that he thinks is a lot of it is not his best work, as he was still getting the hang of writing a serial comic, and he's dead right.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Lark
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I was aware before I opened this comic and read the introduction that The Sandman was among some of the principle writing which established Neil Gaiman's profile.
On the other hand I would not describe myself as that knowledgeable about comics and sometimes avoid more popular or cult following material from the comics scene.
As I had been advised (and almost allowed to put me off) the comic does feature the Sandman of fable, who brings sleep and dreams, in appearence he resembles a slightly stereotypical goth but also, I thought, some of the pictures which I've seen of Gaiman himself.
The story begins with some occultists during one of the world wars attempting to trap death himself in a ritual, they manage to accidentially trap Morpheus AKA The Sandman. There is some good story telling about the immediate consequences, the sleeping sickness which is the subject matter of non-fiction accounts such as Awakenings among other things is ascribed to this action. The passage of years experienced the same but none the less not meaning the same to mortals as immortals and a certain kind of entropy result in Morpheus' escape. The story is then taken up with his struggle to recover from his captivity, to retreive his lost tools of his trade and re-establish himself and the role he plays.
There is a real element of Gaiman standing on the shoulders of giants when it comes to his writing, similar to Alan Moore. There are a lot of great references to other and older DC universe subjects or material.... Read more ›
On the other hand I would not describe myself as that knowledgeable about comics and sometimes avoid more popular or cult following material from the comics scene.
As I had been advised (and almost allowed to put me off) the comic does feature the Sandman of fable, who brings sleep and dreams, in appearence he resembles a slightly stereotypical goth but also, I thought, some of the pictures which I've seen of Gaiman himself.
The story begins with some occultists during one of the world wars attempting to trap death himself in a ritual, they manage to accidentially trap Morpheus AKA The Sandman. There is some good story telling about the immediate consequences, the sleeping sickness which is the subject matter of non-fiction accounts such as Awakenings among other things is ascribed to this action. The passage of years experienced the same but none the less not meaning the same to mortals as immortals and a certain kind of entropy result in Morpheus' escape. The story is then taken up with his struggle to recover from his captivity, to retreive his lost tools of his trade and re-establish himself and the role he plays.
There is a real element of Gaiman standing on the shoulders of giants when it comes to his writing, similar to Alan Moore. There are a lot of great references to other and older DC universe subjects or material.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By dapto9
Format:Paperback
Having never been much into the strange world of "graphic novels" and despite being massively into the novels and short stories of Neil Gaiman, I've always put off giving the Sandman a run.
But then (one glorious day), after discovering some unused gift credits in my account, I decided to give it a go...
And i certainly wasn't disappointed.
Definitely something different... and quite disturbing in parts... but amazing stories told by an incredible story teller... What's not to love?
But then (one glorious day), after discovering some unused gift credits in my account, I decided to give it a go...
And i certainly wasn't disappointed.
Definitely something different... and quite disturbing in parts... but amazing stories told by an incredible story teller... What's not to love?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By R. Martin
Format:Paperback
Better things are to come for Sandman the series becomes far more like a childhish fantasy typical og Gaiman reflected mainly in the artwork. The early issues are pure horror at it's best with a ridiculously imaginative character and a beautifully crafted opening arc. In short AMAZING the art is exquisite and the tales do come across as a little akward in some parts. This doesnt affect my enjoyment. I have had books hyped up o me before but nothing will ever come close to the feeling i got when i read this bad boy for the first time. It only gets betetr from here. It starts pretty normally and heads into an unorthodox path. I envy you if you are reading for the first time.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The world of comic books was a very different place before the Sandman came into being. Neil Gaiman revolutionized the graphic novel with "The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes," an exquisite story filled with shadowy realistic art and strange magical beings. This is one of those rare stories that tantalizes you with beauty and chills you to your core, all at the same time.
A group of occultists are attempting to summon and trap Death... but instead, they capture Dream and lock him in a glass orb. Decades pass, and countless people are locked in slumber -- unable to dream, unable to wake for long. One day, Dream escapes his prison and reenters the world, but loses the last of his power with his final act of revenge.
His Dreamworld palace has fallen into ruin, and his magical items have been scattered. To regain his power, he must get back his helm, his pouch of sand, and his dreamstone. His journey to regain them will take him across worlds -- to John Constantine and a woman destroyed by dreams, to the depths of Hell at a demonic club, and a ghastly madman who drives various people to depravity and death.
The world of "The Sandman" is a strange one -- it lightly interlocks with other graphic novel series, effortlessly slips from one world to another, and exposes both the beauty and ugliness of our own world. "Preludes and Nocturnes" is an excellent introduction to Neil Gaiman's strange, expansive world -- as well as his hollow-eyed anti-hero.
At its core, the story is rather simple, since it's basically a quest for Dream's three magical "tools." But Gaiman paints it with foreshadowing, nightmarish grotesqueries (flesh melting off bones, John Dee's drooling lipless face), and some zanily macabre humor (the Hellfire Club... in hell!).... Read more ›
A group of occultists are attempting to summon and trap Death... but instead, they capture Dream and lock him in a glass orb. Decades pass, and countless people are locked in slumber -- unable to dream, unable to wake for long. One day, Dream escapes his prison and reenters the world, but loses the last of his power with his final act of revenge.
His Dreamworld palace has fallen into ruin, and his magical items have been scattered. To regain his power, he must get back his helm, his pouch of sand, and his dreamstone. His journey to regain them will take him across worlds -- to John Constantine and a woman destroyed by dreams, to the depths of Hell at a demonic club, and a ghastly madman who drives various people to depravity and death.
The world of "The Sandman" is a strange one -- it lightly interlocks with other graphic novel series, effortlessly slips from one world to another, and exposes both the beauty and ugliness of our own world. "Preludes and Nocturnes" is an excellent introduction to Neil Gaiman's strange, expansive world -- as well as his hollow-eyed anti-hero.
At its core, the story is rather simple, since it's basically a quest for Dream's three magical "tools." But Gaiman paints it with foreshadowing, nightmarish grotesqueries (flesh melting off bones, John Dee's drooling lipless face), and some zanily macabre humor (the Hellfire Club... in hell!).... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Odd on kindle
I enjoyed this well enough but was confused at first by the broken page run. I understand the reason for it, to show the whole page, but this is not the format for me. Read more
Published 5 days ago by bellowsmain
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
So dark but colourful. A must read. Gaiman knows how to capture his audience with gripping story telling. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series
Published 7 days ago by thomas martin kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Sandman Vol.1
After watching Oblivion at the cinema I have become interested in graphic novels. I did some reading of reviews and product description and settled for The Sandman. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Smart Jake
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Always liked the series after reading it at uni some 10 years ago. Haven't been disappointed with this revisit. Good condition too.
Published 1 month ago by scottyhews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible Art and Engaging Story
Having read this volume right before Preacher, I inadvertently compared the two. Sandman is a lot more eerie, and has a lot less sex appeal, which works very well. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Priyanka Hutschenreiter
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just starting the Sandman adventure....
I've been really wanting to get into the Sandman series but not wanting to shell out £20 a piece per issue, I found they are perfect in kindle format on my ipad! Read more
Published 2 months ago by GE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sandman volume 1
New to the Sandman series, initial thoughts a little weird, dark, horror or mythology - definitely both and certainly thought provoking, I feel its still with me now even after... Read more
Published 2 months ago by paul nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!
I realize this has been reviewed to death everywhere but I've only just read it for the first time so thought I'd stick up a quick review anyway. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Smokey
4.0 out of 5 stars
The start of a great adventure
A diverting start to the great series. Just bought the edition for Kindle Fire. I still think Amazon are over charging for all their final books.
Published 3 months ago by Pat
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brief praise
Loved it, couldn't put it down, friends and family enjoyed it too, has circulated my house quite a few times
Published 4 months ago by Ashleigh
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