If this ain't literature..., 24 Sep 2003

Neil Gaiman was once asked to summarize The Sandman in one sentance, and his reply went something like this:
"The Lord of Dreams learns that he must change or die, and he makes his decision"
Brief Lives is a road trip, and such tales are essentially about self-discovery. What Dream discovers about himself in this story, as he travels the waking world in the company of his youngest sister, the adorable, fizzy princess Delirium, is two-fold.

The first thing he learns is that life and change are inseperable. Dream is travelling with Delirium, who embodies Change, in search if their absentee brother Destruction, who quit his position 300 years ago. Delirium wants to see her most beloved brother again, and find out why he left. Dream is just looking for some distraction after the end of his latest doomed romance. The answers they find say more about Dream's emotional immaturity, his inability to change and his stubborn obsession with his duties as Lord of Dreams, than he is comfortable with hearing.

Which leads us to the second thing Dream learns; that his duty to his work is far less important than his duty to the ones he loves and who love him, and to his own heart. This understanding leads Dream to a course of action that is at once the finest act of kindness and mercy we have seen him perform (at a huge emotional cost to himself), but which has enormous consequences in later stories.

Throughout the story, Neil Gaiman's writing shines. His grasp of character, story and dialogue has never been better. The underlying themes of his magnum opus come into focus as it turns towards the home strait, and I for one was left breathless.

I can't finish this review without mentioning the artwork. Jill Thompson is one of my favourite comics artists, as well as a fine writer in her own right. Her work in this book sparkles and crackles with energy, but also has the depth to portray the many and varied moods of the tale convincingly. She is the perfect illustrator for Delirium, and my choice for top Sandman artist.

Kudos also to Danny Vozzo, one of the finest colourists in the medium, who does some of his finest work here, especially the vibrant, candied palette he uses for Delirium.

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