Rating: 
Summary: The Sandman ends
Review: This collection concludes the original run of the Sandman. It is a fitting finish to the series, with enjoyable stories and some remarkable artwork.
John Muth's "Exiles" is next to last in the book, and is a real treat. Part of its topic, an extreme of loyalty, is quielty touching. The look of this piece, however, is what makes it, ink-drawing in a style inspired by Asian classics. The style is quite unlike the watercolors that Muth has used so well (e.g. in Moonshadow), except in its wonderful expressiveness.
The final piece in this book, "The Tempest" returns to an earlier story and Shakespeare and concludes it. Charles Vess illustrated this in the manner of which he is master: elegant pen work and muted color.
"Wake" is a satisfying end to the original series. Even after the series' long run, it maintains the highest standards of artwork and storytelling. If you enjoy comics at all, you're sure to enjoy at least parts of this.
//wiredweird
Rating: 
Summary: Sandman's long epilogue
Review: Throughout the course of his acclaimed comic book saga, Sandman, Neil Gaiman always worked at his own pace. Thus, it is no surprise that the falling action that follows The Kindly Ones, the grand finale of the series, should last six issues and be a story arc onto itself. No matter, though. Gaiman possesses an immaculate sense of precision and rarely did any part of his saga stretch on longer than it had to. With The Wake, Sandman's long epilogue, Gaiman continues to dazzle readers with his beautifully surreal people and places and his inspiring deliberations on life, death, family and the significance of storytelling.Sandman features a family of Greek God-like entities called The Endless, each of which have some sort of responsibility in regulating the conscious experience of mortals. In The Wake, the remaining members of the clan, Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair and Delirium hold a wake and funeral for Dream (Sandman's protagonist more often than not), who died in The Kindly Ones. Almost every character that played a part in the series attends. Meanwhile, Daniel, the child who inherited the mantle of the Dream King, prepares to meet his new family. There is a certain grace, warmth and thoroughness with which Gaiman addresses death, mourning and the welcoming of a new family member that makes this tale sure to cause readers to reflect on his or her own experiences with the aforesaid. Michael Zulli is the most grand and majestic illustrator to ever grace the pages of Sandman and his style certainly works for the story. Truly, the memorial services for Dream make-up one of the best pieces of the Sandman saga. That story only lasts for first three issues, though. The remaining three of this volume are single-issue stories. "Sunday Morning" revisits one of the series' most interesting characters, the immortal Hob Gadling. In "Exiles" a banished Chinese wise man embarks on a strange path that leads into Dream's realm. The issue, which is told in Analect-ish verse, has little to do with the greater story, yet it is always delightful to see Gaiman mesh Sandman with indigenous story-telling traditions. "The Tempest," the series' final issue, revisits William Shakespeare, whose employment under Dream was chronicled in early issues. This tale elaborates on the dream king's need of the dramatist as he writes his final play. The Kindly Ones was Sandman's riveting climax and the first three issues of The Wake are the place to say goodbye to the main characters, but as far as giving the final word on what is perhaps the most important theme of Sandman, the importance of stories and their telling, "The Tempest" is its true conclusion.
Rating:
Summary: Good Night, Sweet Prince
Review: When I heard the rumor that Dream would die, I fought against it utterly...until I picked up and read (and nearly lost to several friends after lending it out) The Wake. I knew that Dream was truly dead...though not really...just a new incarnation. But what I didn't understand before reading is how Gaiman could possibly make me love our beloved and brooding Sandman more. But he did. The new Dream is not un-Dreamlike. He is thoughtful and somewhat brooding, like his pretocesor...but unlike the old Dream, he is more capable of compassion and feeling. He is as beautiful as the old Dream, but more a Dream for a new millennium. I do wish that the story didn't have to end so soon...but at least I have my dreams. And in them the story does go on. Thank you, Neil. I'll join you and Tori in hanging out with your Dream King any time.
Rating:
Summary: A Final Farewell
Review: With appearances by most of the characters that have appeared in this series, this is a fitting epilogue to one of the greatest stories ever told in this medium. While the new personification of The Sandman waits, his family performs the final ceremony for their departed sibling. Like all wakes, it is a time for stories, for people to renew lost acquaintances, and to say goodbye. Michael Zulli's wonderful art gives the reader a clear picture of the events and Gaiman's final farewell to the character is most appropriate.
Rating:
Summary: A sad (but entirely appropriate) ending to an epic story
Review: Wow. This makes the third time I've read this series from beginning to end, and each time, I fall deeper and deeper under its spell. First of all, this is the final book in the 10 volume Sandman saga. Although the back of each book says that you can read them in any order, I would recommend that you at least read volume 9 (The Kindly Ones) before attempting to understand what is happening in this one. Better still would be to read the entire 10 volume series from beginning to end. Lots of loose ends are tied up with this book, and you'll find it far more enjoyable if you understand the subtle way that Gaiman connects everything together. Having said that, I'll say that the chapters in this volume will touch you like nothing else you've ever read. With the Sandman's death in the previous volume, those left behind must find their own path into the future. Indeed, Gaiman seems to use this volume to showcase various opinions about what happens to people after they lose a loved one. And he does this on a grand scale. Not content to merely use the characters we've grown familiar with in previous volumes, Gaiman takes every person in the entire world (including you, the reader!) into a sadly poignant dream. In this dream, the Sandman has died, and you (and everyone else) are mourners at his wake. People mill about waiting for the service to begin, talking of small and petty things, all the while wondering why they have been summoned to this location. As the wake and funeral unfold, we are treated to a unique view of how Sandman's death affects the acquaintances he has made over the years. We see happiness, sadness, confusion, disbelief, and anger, just like we would see at a real funeral. For me, however, seeing queens of fairieworld, gods and goddesses, witches, and other fantastic characters deal with their grief (or lack thereof) makes for an incredibly touching experience. It's almost as if you come to realize that yes, even the most magical amazing creatures in existence can feel emotion over the death of someone close to them. In juxtaposition to this scene, Gaiman gives us glimpses of the new Sandman trying to adjust to his new position. He's caught in a difficult situation. On the one hand, he has to take over where his predecessor left off. On the other hand, he has to deal with people and creatures who haven't quite decided to accept him. I found this a great contrast to the funeral scene. Rather than people learning to say goodbye to someone, we see everyone trying to say hello to someone new. After the funeral, my favorite chapter in the entire series takes place. Hob Gadling and his girlfriend attend a renaissance festival. Long ago, Hob was given eternal life by the Sandman, and over the centuries, the two became friends. So while attending the festival, Hob is given the choice by Sandman's sister to give up his eternal life. Hob thinks about it, realizes that he still wants to live, and says no thanks to the offer. I think I like this chapter because it shows someone who seems to be tired of everything life has to offer, yet who still wants to live, if for no other reason, than to see what comes next. The final two chapters almost seems like addendums, but they work as closing chapters as well. In their own way, these final two stories are also about endings and goodbyes. The final one, showing Shakespeare putting down his writing pen for good, seems to represent Gaiman, who became involved in a long commitment to write a series of stories, then found he couldn't stop till he had reached the end of the tale. So, do I recommend this volume of Sandman? After reading the above, do you really have to ask?
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