The Sandman: Overture #4 - A Review

The most interesting aspect of The Sandman: Overture is the paradox of the title. As this story is set immediately before the start of The Sandman, it would seem a fitting name as an overture is "an introduction to something more substantial." But this story is just as substantial as Neil Gaiman's earlier series. And as far as introductions go, readers who have yet to discover The Sandman (presumably there are still some out there somewhere in The Dreaming) would be better served to get to know the original series before introducing themselves to Overture.


As The Sandman: Overture #4 opens, we find Dream of the Endless continuing his journey to save all of reality. Accompanied only by a lost child and another aspect of himself in his guise of the Lord Of The Dreams of Cats, Dream must travel far and further still. He will seek the wisdom of his father and journey to the legendary City of Stars. While this story is interesting as an abstract tale, it will mean far more to those readers well familiar with the story of The Sandman who will know the significance of The City of Stars or why Dream recalls the tale of the first time he had to kill in the line of his duty.


The artwork by J. H. Williams III is as wondrous as one would expect the artwork for any chapter of The Sandman to be. Indeed, I fear I do Williams' contribution to this collaboration a disservice with my choice of scans to share. The best bits of the artwork involve intricate two-page spreads that my scanner could not manage. And a composite image would fail to capture the scale and grandeur of the artwork.  So please believe me when I say that Williams' art matches Gaiman's script in eloquence and splendor.

The Sandman: Overture #3 - A Review

Reviewing The Sandman: Overture is quickly becoming a difficult task.  Not because I have any difficulty articulating my feelings about the book but because it is impossible for me to find good images I may use to showcase the artwork of J.H. Williams III.  Most of the artwork in this volume is spread across two glorious pages and the layout of my blog does not lend itself well towards such dimensions.  Thankfully, there are some pages with an even break between panels, so I can share some of this excellent work with you as I speak on how great it is.


This particular volume offers much that will please long-time fans of the series.  The Three Graces (or Fates or Furies or whichever mask they wear at this moment) make an appearance and a few references are made to other aspects of the series lore.  Perhaps the most exciting of these involves us discovering the origins - or at least one version of the origins - of Dream's sometimes=seen but rarely mentioned lost-love Alianora.


The only reason one might have for not reading this series is having not already read Neil Gaiman's Sandman before now.  If that is the case, you would do well to travel to your closest library or bookstore and make arrangements to get a copy as soon as possible.  Then, once you are all caught up and have ceased thy wailing about how foolish you have been to have lived so much of your life without experiencing such bliss, you can read this series.

The Sandman: Overture #2 - A Review

The Sandman: Overture #2 continues neatly from where the first issue ended some many months ago, with Dream of the Endless finding himself.  Or its selves, since many of them are female or beyond the normal definitions of gender.  Regardless, ill omens have summoned forth these Dreams and it will fall to them to deal with a looming disaster that threatens all reality.


Those who enjoyed Neil Gaiman's previous work on The Sandman will find more of the same here.  Those who have not would do well to either track down a copy of Preludes and Nocturnes to catch-up with the rest of us or have themselves committed to some manner of psychiatric hospital.  I say this because anyone who has read The Sandman and not enjoyed it needs to be committed immediately because they are clearly insane and have no place in polite society.


The same could be said of the artwork of J.H. Williams III.  I was no great fan of the Batwoman book but I cannot deny the beauty of Williams' artwork.  There is a majesty and power to every page of this issue that seems a perfect match for Gaiman's writing style.  The final presentation combined is gorgeous.  Really, the only thing about this book that is bad is the wait-time between issues.

The Sandman: Overture #1 - A Review

Reviewing The Sandman: Overture may well be superfluous on my part.  Doubtlessly there are many lost souls who have yet to be exposed to the wonders of Neil Gaiman's writing in general and The Sandman in particular.  Just as there are certainly - even allowing for certain primitive tribes yet undiscovered by "civilized" man - some unfortunates who have yet to learn the glory of J.H. Williams III's artwork  What are the chances that my words of approval will be the catalyst to change them from heretics to disciples?

Probably next to nothing, but hell - we're already here.


Those who are already familiar with Dream, Lucien, Merv Pumpkinhead, The Corinthian and company will view this book as a homecoming.  Those who are not familiar with the world of The Sandman will find  a warm welcome waiting for them.  The book is easily accessible to new readers, being set - as it is - before the start of the original series.  So if you have yet to read the original Sandman, worry not - this is a good place to jump-in.      


Unsurprisingly, the artwork is stunningly beautiful.  One can barely believe that this is Gaiman and Williams' first collaboration together as they get along like a house on fire.  Colorist Dave Stewart and Letterer Todd Klein - equally responsible for much of the artistic look of the original Sandman - lend their expertise as toward the proceedings as well.  The final result is breath-taking.


Bottom Line: If you are a reader of comics, a lover of art and above all else a dreamer, you should be reading this book.