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Summary: Literary Storytelling at its best
Review: Neil Gaiman's artistic exploration of sin and redemption in Sandman: Season of Mists is a wonderful example of the literary excellence that can be achieved with a graphic novel format. Gaiman blends traditional literary techniques, surreal art, and evocative storytelling in order to create a unique work of literature.Sandman is a seventy-five issue comic book series which follows Morpheus, a divine being known also as Sandman, as he explores the dreams of humanity and deals with other divine creatures in order to better understand mankind. Season of Mists, the third story arc in the series, begins with the Sandman, Lord of Dreams, journeying into Hell in order to forgive a woman he condemned nearly ten thousand years ago. Things quickly become complicated, however, when Lucifer decides to resign as king of Hell, and leaves the Sandman with the key to his kingdom. As the story progresses, the Sandman finds himself debating what to do with an empty Hell, as well as contemplating what it would mean to forgive the woman he condemned. Gaiman writes the above story in a poetic narrative that incorporates a variety of literary techniques. The divine beings the Sandman encounters speak in an almost musical pattern that uses a lot of alliteration, and one scene, in which the Sandman speaks to a group of historical writers, is even written completely in iambic pentameter. The style works extremely well, since it also serves as an allusion to the poetic works of Shakespeare (who even makes a brief appearance in the tale), Dante's Divine Comedy, and John Milton's poem Paradise Lost, all of which are classic literary works that explore similar themes of sin and redemption. The majority of Gaiman's literary techniques, however, are incorporated into the story through the art. Most of the figurative language, such as metaphors, allusions, and imagery are made literal by the visible depictions of characters and locations. In one scene, all the divine beings the Sandman encounters are each drawn according to the art styles of the cultures from which they originate. In another scene, we see the horrors occurring at a boarding school for troubled boys. Flip back a few pages to the depiction of Hell, and the similarities between the two locations become clear. Most effective, however, is the scene in which Lucifer congratulates God on the beauty of a sunset. The painting which accompanies the statement conveys that beauty far more effectively than words ever could. Neil Gaiman's Sandman: Season of Mists is a fantastical and intelligent tale that belongs in any literary collection.
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Summary: I'm sick of Gaiman... can't he write anything bad???
Review: No comments. This man is a genious, and these few pages divided into little squares are more than enough to prove it. As a matter of fact, I could say the same about most of Gaiman's work, particularly in the Sandman stories. If you like comics and have never read Gaiman's, do so. And if you don't like comics, give it a try. You won't regret!
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Summary: Probably the best fiction writer alive, in any medium.
Review: O.k., so why do you need to read yet another review singing the praises of Season of Mists? You probably don't have to, but I need to tell you this book is nothing short of incredible. The dialouge, art and story are simply fantastic. Mr. Gamien weaves ancient mythology and psychological archetypes with remarkable dexterity. Warning:once you read Season of Mists, it's very likely you will never look at the world in the same old mundane way. Truly a master at the peak of his form
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Summary: The most intelligent piece of literature I've read
Review: One can't look at this story as "simply" a comic book. It's shapeless magnificence can't be shoved into that dry old category. Truthfully, this is the reason that I stopped collecting comic books. Instead of going to the comic book store and picking up the latest round of mundane drivel that Marvel is trying to shove down my throat, I now might only buy one book a year. I now realize that the volume of comic books one may own is possibly the least important characteristic of a good collection. The story of this book is what sets it apart from others, and is indescribably detailed and superb. The intricacies contained within must have been the result of countless hours of Mr. Gaiman studying mythology. From the detailed description of Odin to the differences in which the seperate factions of mythalogical figures speak, no miniscule point goes unnoticed. It's uncanny really. I've tried to find somthing that was left out, only to be met with futility of course. The art, although not as flashy as some popular comics of today, does a remarkable job of getting the details of the story across. At first glance, I assumed that the art would be a trade in for a great story. The art, however, works hand in hand with the story to leave an imprint on your mind the way I've never expirienced before. I especially like the first and last chapters, as they lead into and out of the story in an incredible way. Mike Dringenburg puts that extra touch on Morpheus the way only he (and possibly P. Craig Russel) can do. Kelly Jones and Matt Wagner also do an undescribable job of taking you from begining to end.
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Summary: LET HIM COME INTO YOUR DREAMS
Review: So far I have read 1 to 6 in this series.And each time I have found a connection with my life.Each time I read ,I forget my existence in this world, find myself one of the dreams.Each time I learn something,I remember something,I dream something...
Neil is really good,he combines his knowledge of history,myths,art,language with his imagination so well.I like most of the comics,but this is special ,you can enjoy X-men or Spiderman,but you can never ever compare it with sandman.Let the lord of dreams welcome you.Let him come in to your dreams :)
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Summary: a Multitude of Merging Mythologies
Review: This book depicts the Dream going through various trials to free a former lover whom he is punishing in hell. This prompts Lucifer to flee hell, and he gives the key to Dream. This prompts a land rush between dieties to obtain hell, which makes for some interesting writing when gods interact. This also opens up the way for the wonderful "Lucifer" book series from DC-vertigo. This is one of the better sandman novels
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Summary: A turning point in a fantastic maze.
Review: This book is absolutely incredible. It calls into question any assumption, any certainty, any declaration you could make. It begins with a conclave of the Endless, where the reader sees a portrayal of the forces of Destiny, Death, Dream, Desire, Despair, and Delirium. The interplay of cruelty and compassion in this portion of the story sets the stage for the rest of the book. A charming Lucifer adds flair to the story, as do the varied emissaries of the pantheons of world religions, modern and ancient. This particular book, of all the Sandman books, is a turning point for the story. Dream of the Endless, the hero but not a superhero, truly begins the process of his humanization, by learning regret and forgiveness, and gains a kind of nobility in this. The only complaint I could make about this book is that one episode, Episode 4, is slightly overdone, and has less relevance to the story than most of the others. Even this, however, is masterfully written, and makes the skin crawl with the horror of living dead. Definitely worth reading, one of the best. Also a good introduction to the series, even though it's the fourth book. I read this one first, before even Preludes and Nocturnes, and it's a satisfying intro to a satisfying series, an epic within an epic.
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Summary: My favorite of the Sandman collections
Review: This collection varies more widely in the scope of its artwork, the richness of its characters, and the depth of its story than any other Sandman collection. Neil Gaiman is, of course, on his own level of story, and I think we should save a place on the 'classics' shelf for this beautiful, colorful, emotional tale.
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Summary: Sandman : Season of Mists
Review: This story is one of the most compelling and engaging stories to find a new population of readers in quite awhile. Simply put, the story reminds us that no one sends you to Hell, that all Hells are self imposed and that the key to freedom lies within the mind of those trapped there. No one else can forgive you till you forgive yourself. Mixed with mythology and ideas fom many cultures, this book creates a blending of ideas that shows how similar we all are rather than how different. Most people will find the story entertaining and thought provoking on many levels. The entire series of Sandman Books is one big story that simply says, "We are, what we dream we are."
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Summary: Gaiman is brilliantly
Review: Uhm...this guy is like really really good. Favorite book of the series. Thank you.
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