Sandman: The Dream Hunters

Rating:
Summary: Beutiful Art, Not So Beautiful Storytelling
Review: Before any Gaiman fans decide I am worthy of being dragged off to the gallows to be hung for my stupidity, allow me to explain. I suppose after reading all of The Sandman, American Gods, and Good Omens, I set my standards of Neil Gaiman's writing pretty high. It was all entertaining, it kept my attention, and I have a pretty darn good opinion of the guy, so I have now come to expect nothing less than excellence from him. Sandman: The Dream Hunters does not have a very interesting story.

While it is a traditional oriental tale, and if I could sit through Journey to the West I can sit through anything, it was told in a manner that seemed long, dull, and uninteresting. The only thing that kept me going through it all was Amano-san's amazing watercolor pictures. While Amano-san is best known for his artwork with the Final Fantasy video game series, he has also done a Wolverine comic for Marvel and does many independent projects on his own. His artwork is breath taking and it really shows in his pieces that go with this book. I must admit his version of Dream is probably one of my favorites now.

So if you buy this, you're probably going to buy it for the art, unless you really dig boring stories. I suppose it isn't even Gaiman's fault, since it isn't originally his story or anything. Definitely not the best issue of The Sandman.

Rating:
Summary: Thanks again, Neil.
Review: Dream Hunters is more proof as to why author, Mr. Gaiman, continues to earn my loyalty and respect. His storytelling is always textured and fine, like the embroidery of a large living tapestry. The adapted tale blends highly formal Japanese style to his Sandman mythology, presenting an simply told, yet deeply moving story about love, loss, and lessons. His usual choosiness in regards to artistic representation also does not disappoint. Mr. Gaiman's research into his work shows his devotion to the idea that what is old is new and what is new is old. Thanks, again, Neil.

Rating:
Summary: Compact Magic.
Review: Effortlessly plunged into a magical world of Japanese folklore I was repeatedly distressed to be pulled out again by my wallett making sqealing noises. Heigh-ho. Gaiman's writing is on top form, as usual and his dialogue is as draconian as ever. He makes every word count which helps muffle claims that this book is too short, although I wish it could be longer. The characters are enduring and everybody's fave anthropomorphic personification makes an appearence. The art, although at first looking a little muddy, quickly wins you over. The four page spread of The King Of All Night's Dreaming is to die for. I only wish it could have been a bit longer and a little cheaper. Ah well, have an extra star Dream Hunters, and best of luck to you.

Rating:
Summary: Dream Hunters
Review: From the first few words of this story, you are immediatley taken away. The wonderful way that Gaiman has written this tale, and the beautiful artwork by Amano create one of the best things I have read all year. It is by far the best in the Sandman stories yet.

Rating:
Summary: a very adult fairy tale with very pretty pictures
Review: Gaiman is at his best in this droll folky/fairy tale for adults --- while this is not ADULT in terms of content, I really think a lot of the more subtle aspects would be lost on those who have not had considerable life experience. The lean and lyrical prose matches well with very indeed! Klimt-esque illustrations. Portraying Dream in this Eastern milieu just so vividly points up again the truly universally mythical nature of the character. I wonder at my fellow reviewers here who say they finished the book in a half-hour or less; I spent that much time per each illustration. This is a book to relax with and at great leisure, savor. Well worth the price and absolutely essential for any collections of fantasy, Gaiman, literary fairy tales, and graphic novels. A good introduction to Gaiman's other work from American Gods to the earliest Sandman collections. An elegant confection of literary and artistic matrimony.

Rating:
Summary: Eh...
Review: Gaiman plus Amano? Hells, yes! *Brilliant* idea! Really, it's such a perfect match that it's a wonder that it actually, you know, happened. Unfortunately, the results are not as dazzling as one might hope. The artwork is great, for sure, and I freely admit that the King of Dreams never looked so good, but the actual narrative...well, there's just not much there. I'm as big a fan of Eastern folklore as anyone, and this is indeed a cool story, but I just don't feel like this it alone is enough to sustain an entire book, much less one that you'll finish in under an hour. I left feeling unsatisfied: that's all there is? For twenty bucks, that's kinda hard to swallow. Still, unlike the regular Sandman comics, this could probably be considered sorta kinda almost acceptable for small children, so if you want to indoctrinate your kids, this is the place to start.

Rating:
Summary: Exelent!
Review: Great story told in a fascinating way. As good as the comic books but written in a completly different way. I have enjoyed reading this book several times.

Rating:
Summary: Touching Story, Lush Illustrations
Review: Having bought this book expecting a story created by Gaiman (as opposed to adapted from a Japanese myth) the storyline disappointed me at first, but Gaiman's magic touch quickly drew me in. I shed a tear by the end. Amano's illustrations are, as always, incredible, and lend the book an appropriately dreamy quality. Gaiman and Amano compliment each other very well, and hopefully the future collaborations hinted at in the foreword will come to fruition.

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful book!
Review: I am a huge Sandman fan and to see Gaiman put out a book with Morpheus in it is just brilliant. I mean the writing and the artwork is just stunning i mean its truly a breathe taking piece. I just enjoy reading this book and for people who love Sandman should definitely read it.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating and Beautiful...
Review: I am absolutly delighted that Neil decided to write another Sandman story. The story is just flawless and poetic. The artwork is awesome and it fits the story like a glove.