(Comic) Don't let your dreams be dreams....a look at the Sandman Vol. 1

Neil Gaiman's work can be found just about everywhere.

He's written kids books, books for adults, modern takes on fairy tales, tv series and comics.

Each of these has their own Gaiman flair, with anthropomorphic personifications, old gods and demons and humour that is very dry and British.

Sandman tells the story of the personification of dreams (Who looks remarkably like Mr. Gaiman in his younger years,) who goes by Morpheus or Dream.

In a case of mistaken identity, a cult has captured him and stolen his artefacts to sell off or protect themselves with.

For the longest time he was sealed and interrogated for the whereabouts of his sister.

The audience follows Morpheus on his journey to retrieve his items of power. This includes battling demons, meeting a member of the Justice League and going on an adventure with John Constantine.(The British one, not Keanu.)

Gaiman has this ability to take your hand and drag you into a different world with his storytelling. Sandman feels like a preface to his acclaimed novel, American Gods. (Which is also getting a tv adaptation. I'm not going to gush about that here though.)

Morpheus goes through his journey seemingly nonchalant, though any emotions he seems to express are heavily subdued, as though he were expressing them while half asleep. Depending on the situation, this could be incredibly hilarious or dangerous.

Though his sister is only in there for a moment, you can't help but hope that some day you'll meet her so that you can be excited rather than disappointed. Considering her task, she embraces life. Under normal circumstances, this would not work, but I'm reminded of Markus Zusak's character, who has the same task and is often tired. (Seeing these two characters interact with each other would be beautiful to behold.)

While this review has been awfully tangental, if I'm to be frank, the story is not one I've heard before, and though there's a character in the DC universe named Sandman (Apparently he's a member of the Justice League,) I much prefer this incarnation; an old god who looks like an amalgamation of Gaiman and David Bowie and wears dreams like a punk rocker.

The art style is compelling in that it feels as though it's half finished, like a dream. A construct made for you where you fill in the blanks. While other artists would do this and it would probably be shot down in flames, given the circumstances, it fits the story and only adds to it.

Such was the immersion that I had to put it down so I didn't devour it too quickly, but also so I could process everything that was going on.

Gaiman grabs you by the head and shoves it headfirst into a universe that, while already established, is as in depth as one of Clive Barker's novels.

It's a fantastic read and I implore you to read it if you love mythology, demonology and superheroes (There's a pinch in there.)

Sandman is worthy of 5 stars and a promise to continue reading. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Thus ends this review!

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