Rating: 
Summary: Great Story and Great Ideas - Literally Myth in the Making
Review: I never wanted to touch Off-Stream comics. I was happy and content with Supes, Bats, Spidey and the X-Men. Still while on vacation my Mom let me get some books - and I was pondering wether to get Sandman. I looked at the first page, wondering and began reading some of it. Before the first page even ended, I felt that I would love this book. And I did! It is literally our Myths taking form!I always thought "For Mature Readers" meant that it was "Adult" Stuff that a kid wouldn't be suitable to read. That, off my head, made me think of sex, violence and gore. Thats why I love Mainstream Comics so much, they are safe to read. Still I took the risk, going on a hunch that it would be good. It isn't mainly about any of the stuff I thought a "Mature" title would have. Though there is some gross and violent stuff that you'd want to keep away from little kids, still this book is just that good! It's safe for anybody who doesn't have the mind or inclination to go stab your eyes out with spikes. Though only violance of that nature is small and not used without reason. Death is my favorite character - cute and cheery! Sandman himself is an impressive character, who we see lost his Kingdom and now has to rebuild. This series was so good, reading, that I went ahead and ordered the rest of the series. Like one of my favorite series "Starman" Sandman has a begining and end, like any serious novel would have. Interesting fact I heard: A future issue won an award for Fantasy. Some people were mad becuase they thought a comic wasn't serious enough to be considered. This book is mature in it's intelligence and ellagance that it can match any "serious" novel anyday!
Rating: 
Summary: A fairly good start...
Review: This is not the best part of the true masterpiece that the Sandman series is, but it is a good beginning.
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat disappointing
Review: Don't get me wrong, Gaiman is one of the best writers alive. Most of the Sandman comic books are better written then most "serious" literature. This one is a tad disappointing, at least compared to the other comics. Still, you might as well begin here.
Rating:
Summary: four stars only in comparison to the rest of "Sandman"
Review: I can admit when I've been an idiot. I had heard praise for Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" series for years, and avoided it out of an irrational resistance to following recommendations. I was an idiot; I admit it. Finally, in early October, I gave in and bought "Preludes and Nocturnes." Two days later, I bought two more "Sandman" volumes, and, over the next three weeks, all the others. I would still be buying the rest of Gaiman's work, but I have no more money. "Preludes and Nocturnes" introduces Dream, called Morpheus, who is both lord over and incarnation of dreams and stories. This first volume contains eight issues or chapters; the first seven describe a quest and the eighth is an epilogue of sorts. Dream is imprisoned at the beginning of the 20th century; he escapes in 1988 and must retrieve three powerful tools that were stolen from him. The overall tone is quite dark and more influenced by horror than much of the later series. "Preludes and Nocturnes" is undoubtedly the "Sandman" volume that fits least well with the others, but I wouldn't call it weak. Gaiman's stories have a peculiar ability to take up space in my imagination; they have an almost physical presence and demand to be reread. It is not surprising that this book is not the most accurate representation of the series. After all, "Sandman" was written as serial fiction. It's hard to find the heart of a story until part of it has been written, often with a lot of floundering for tone and style; in serial fiction, the writer has no chance to erase or edit that experimentation. Think of "Preludes and Nocturnes" as Gaiman groping for the heart of his story. He finds it near the end of the book, particularly in the epilogue, which has nothing to do with quests and battles but much to do with life. However, the uncertain beginning chapters are well-written and powerful in their own right, and their events, though perhaps not their tone, are an integral part of the later series.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best of Sandman, but still...
Review: This first arc presents the main character of the series: The Sandman. There is not a real description of Morpheus. However, as the story goes, conjectures are formed in the reader's mind about the lord of Dreams and his world. Neil Gaiman has a interesting way to weave tales and some people might not like it (I doubt it, though). Although this is not the best of the Sandman's arcs, I would advise you to read it, before starting to read the whole series... It is truly far from been a bad story!
Rating:
Summary: Good Things To Come
Review: The first volume of the Sandman series is definitly haunting, and intriguing, especially for a first time reader. But as stated by so many people (including Gaiman himself), this book is generally regarded as the weakest book of the series, and is basically a set-up for the rest of this incredible series. Sam Keith's art is lacking, and the art in the latter half of the book improved tenfold from Keith's work. Nevertheless, it's a great, easy, intriguing read.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, though sometimes tedious
Review: I found this book to be interesting and well written. Really its strenghth lies in the first "chapter", i.e. the Sandman #1. Still, the rest of the book, while still above 99% of the rest of the comic world, seemed at times tedious. It mainly focused on Dream regaining his tools which he had with him when he was captured. The central thing which bothered me was the mention of other DC characters. I think that graphic novels stand best on their literary merits when they are removed from an annoying "crossover world" found in DC and Marvel comics. Oh well. Still an interesting read, and sets up most of the stories which follow till the end of the series.
Rating:
Summary: The First Book in the Greatest Graphic Series
Review: Many people describe the Sandman books as Gaiman's greatest work. I have to agree with that assessment. Over the course of the series, Gaiman brings together a wealth of his interests, from Jewish mysticism to Shakespeare. The sheer scope makes it one of the most ambitious group of books ever written. Indeed, like the best of fantasy, the author creates an entire new world for us to explore and enjoy. I agree with those who say that this is the weakest of the long series. That said, it is the first and sets the stage for what comes after. For those who have not read the series and want to, I suggest reading season of the mist first (book four) and then read from Preludes forward. Alternatively, you can start here. The important thing is to not simply read this, get confused and stop. Remember, Gaiman builds on his work towards the end of the story. Each book adds important characters and facts that recur later. What seems minor may play a crucial role later in the story. The series is a must for serious fantasy fans. If you have never read a graphic novel, here is a great place to start.
Rating:
Summary: Getting ready for what's yet to come
Review: An occult sekt performs a ritual meant to trap Death itself but it goes horribly wrong and instead they wind up with Death's younger brother Dream as their prisoner. For over 70 years Dream remains captured. The sekt, who's leadership along the way is passed from father (who grows old) to son, try everything they can think of to make Dream give them unbelievable powers. Dream however never speaks a word to them, waiting for his chance to break free. He has time. When Dream finally frees himself he returns to his kingdom only to find it shattered in pieces, and he realizes what he's to do now. The start of the road back. This book can in my opinion best be seen as a prequel to the actual Sandman tale, that starts in "A Doll's House". It isn't really the actual story yet but more a way to get people used to the way of storytelling, some of the characters and what they are made of. What's being done mostly here is laying out some of the dots that are later to be connected. You get introduced to some (later on) vital characters, like Death, Dream, Lucifer, Cain and Abel, whose importance only will become clear later on in the Sandman tale. You learn a little about who Dream is, what his powers are and what they are based on, while he goes on his way to retrieve the items he needs to restore his powers, and later rebuild his kingdom. Items which swerved over existence ever since he was captured and stripped of them. The book contains the first 8 issues of the series but is basically divided in three parts. The first part, that runs from #1-4, is about Dream being captured and about his time of imprisonment. It shows that the story is still being build-up and the art of Sam Keith in these issues is really trying itself out to see if it's suitable. It isn't really great but it's sufficient, something Keith himself later admitted. The second part, that runs from #5-7, is about Dream in his quest to retrieve the missing items. The story is much better already, more detailed and intertwined with things to come. Especially the part where we get to witness what can be done with Dreams powers when it falls in the wrong hands (really wrong !) is a great read (especially for horror- fans). The art which is taken over by Mike Dringenberg shows to be an improvement and the 'feeling' of the book is starting to build. The third part, #8, is the part where we first get to meet Dreams older sister Death and is really an intermission issue between "Preludes & Nocturnes" and "A Doll's House". Dream has done what he was supposed to and now he doesn't have a clue where to go from here. His sisters aid is needed to put him back on the right track. Good solid art by Dringenberg and a fluent read, but not really an important issue storywise. I myself consider Sandman as one (if not THE) best comicstories so far and despite my maybe not overly enthousiastic sounding tone in this review, it IS a very nice read. Not as good as the later issues/TPB's but that says more about them than about this book. "Nocturnes & Preludes" is really a great, and probably even neccesary, introduction to the tale later to be unraveled. There are some things being explained here that shouldn't be missed for a maximum enjoyment of the tale that's coming. People who's main-interest is not superheroes but something more of a realistic/dramatic/horrorized Fantasy tale (think of things like Hellblazer and Saga of the Swamp Thing) will surely have a good time with this book, and even more with the following books after that.
Rating:
Summary: The Beginning of a Dream
Review: Gaiman's incredible Sandman series starts with this collection. While trying to capture the personification of Death (a tried and true fantasy convention) a magician captures instead the King of Dreams, who remains his prisoner for seven decades until he (Dream) is finally given an opportunity to escape. Comic book conventions come into play at the beginning with guest appearances by John Constantine and Etrigan as Dream pursues his lost tools of office. But when Dream finally confronts the man,(a minor DC villain,Dr. Destiny)who possesses the last of these tools the series enters a different realm far from the typical comic book. Taking his lead from Alan Moore's work on Swamp Thing, Gaiman creates an atmosphere of real horror as Dr. Destiny warps the lives of a few unlucky diner patrons, driving them to madness before he is finally stopped by Dream. It is in the scenes at the diner Gamain's talent really comes to the forefront and you realize that this is no typical comic book experience. By showing the gradual destruction of these characters Gaiman give the reader a peak at what becomes the theme of the entire series; the power of dreams in our lives.
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