Rating: 
Summary: Everybody must start somewhere... even Gaiman
Review: Forget the depths of Sandman and the great writing of Gaiman's novels and stories. These are grunt works, done with all the grace and passion a fanboy can have, and the respect any newbie writer in the publishing business is supposed to show. No more, no less. Get it only if you're a Gaiman fetishist, otherwise stick to more mature works (or more mainstream ones by other authors, if you're still in the "who'd win between the Thing and Superman" phase).
Rating:
Summary: A nice sampler of both what Vertigo and Gaiman have to offer
Review: Genius only rarely appears at the height of its powers. The Napoleon of the siege of Toulon merely hinted at the glory to come. Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus is B-movie theater, especially compared to the majesty of "Hamlet" or "The Tempest". Unfortunately, the same is true of the man who reinvented the comics medium, Neil Gaiman, late of Sandman fame. The stories in this collection show the early evolution of this great fantasy writer, and those expecting Gaiman at the top of his game will be disappointed. "Jack in the Green" is a Swamp Thing story which comes across as well-meaning fan-fiction. "Brothers" is a hippy nostalgia trip that reads like an overlong Allman Brothers jam notable only for Gaiman's unease with DC's stable of superheroes and his penchant for strip-mining the most obscure characters. "Shaggy God Stories" continues in this vein with another Swamp Thing tale, this one featuring the Floronic Man and a much more autonomous Gaiman at the helm less beholden to Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. "Hold Me" is a weak Hellblazer story beautifully illustrated. The somber, elegaic mood of the piece will be instantly familiar to Sandman fans. "Sandman Midnight Theatre," is a masterpiece. Gaiman proves his ability to seamlessly incorporate other DC characters within his milieu while retaining there inherent characteristics. Truly inspired stuff, if you don't mind wading through the rest. Essential for Gaiman completists only.
Rating: 
Summary: Early and Unpublished Neil Gaiman A Decidedly Mixed Bag
Review: Genius only rarely appears at the height of its powers. The Napoleon of the siege of Toulon merely hinted at the glory to come. Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus is B-movie theater, especially compared to the majesty of "Hamlet" or "The Tempest". Unfortunately, the same is true of the man who reinvented the comics medium, Neil Gaiman, late of Sandman fame. The stories in this collection show the early evolution of this great fantasy writer, and those expecting Gaiman at the top of his game will be disappointed. "Jack in the Green" is a Swamp Thing story which comes across as well-meaning fan-fiction. "Brothers" is a hippy nostalgia trip that reads like an overlong Allman Brothers jam notable only for Gaiman's unease with DC's stable of superheroes and his penchant for strip-mining the most obscure characters. "Shaggy God Stories" continues in this vein with another Swamp Thing tale, this one featuring the Floronic Man and a much more autonomous Gaiman at the helm less beholden to Alan Moore and Rick Veitch. "Hold Me" is a weak Hellblazer story beautifully illustrated. The somber, elegaic mood of the piece will be instantly familiar to Sandman fans. "Sandman Midnight Theatre," is a masterpiece. Gaiman proves his ability to seamlessly incorporate other DC characters within his milieu while retaining there inherent characteristics. Truly inspired stuff, if you don't mind wading through the rest. Essential for Gaiman completists only.
Rating:
Summary: Some great rarities from the master of storytelling
Review: he perfect companion to Smoke & Mirrors, Neil Gaiman's Midnight Days collects some short stories written in comics form for DC's Vertigo line, ones that were not part of the masterpiece Sandman series that Vertigo ran between 1988 and 1996. The stories in this collection are unique, because they show Neil writing at a very early stage, and for DC characters that aren't his own - which is rare for him. For Gaiman fans, needless to say, the book is essential, even if some of the stories are weaker, and I also recommend it for fans of John Constantine, because it includes one of the finest Hellblazer stories ever written. In the first part, we see Neil struggling with the classic character that originated the Vertigo line - Alan Moore's revamped Swamp Thing - in three short stories from early stages of his career. Jack In The Green is apparently the second comics story Neil had ever written, and it remained a pictureless script until it was drawn especially for this collection. It's unique because it sees a reunion of the original Swamp Thing artistic team, who worked with Moore on the now classic first issues - Stephen Bissette, John Totleben and Tatjana Wood. Neil's writing is clearly in very early stages of its development, and the story is good, if nothing else, as a curiosity for loyal Gaiman fans. The other two stories, which were released as Swamp Thing Annual #5 in 1989, don't actually feature the Swamp Thing himself: Brothers is a story that could have just as easily been made into a Sandman issue, though it has quite a lot in common with the Prez story (I'm not quite sure what the story's name was or which Sandman volume it was on). It's a pretty good story, but not quite worthy of Neil's genius. The third, very short story, titled Shaggy God Stories, is easily the best in the bunch, and it deals with the Swamp Thing's great nemesis, Jason Woodrue AKA the Floronic Man. It's a beautiful story that shows Neil at his best. The entire thing is well worth buying for the Hellblazer story - Hold Me - alone. It was originally published as Hellblazer #27 in 1995, several months before Garth Ennis took over the series and turned it upside down, and is now a rare and precious collectors' item for fans of Gaiman and/or Hellblazer. This beautiful, touching, chilling ghost story was drawn by none other than the great Dave McKean, who also worked with Neil on classics like Black Orchid, Mr. Punch, Coraline, The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish and Violent Cases. Dave's artwork is expressive and surreal and his portrayal of both the Ghost and John Constantine are incredible. This is, without doubt, one of the best Hellblazer stories ever written - in direct competition with the classics of the early Ennis period, Dangerous Habits and Fear & Loathing - and arguably one of Neil's finest writings. The last story in this volume is the longest by far - too long by half. It's a rather predictable collaboration between Neil and Matt Wagner, which allows for the inevitable crossover between Neil's Sandman - Morpheus of the Endless - and Matt's Sandman, Man of Mystery Wesley Dodds (reincarnation of the DC hero from the 40s). More than that though it's a story about Dodds - please remember that Morpheus is well locked in a glass prison during the time of Dodds's stories (as you'd remember if you've read the first Sandman volume, Preludes & Nocturnes. The story does involve Morpheus, though to a lesser extent, and the events occurring in Preludes & Nocturnes). The story does have its flashes of genius though it's exceedingly and unjustifiably long, but it's salvaged by brilliant artwork by Teddy Kristiansen. By the way, a story which is missing from this collection is the brilliant short A Black & White World, the Batman story which was published on Batman: Black & White. If you're a Gaiman completist, I recommend trying that one too.
Rating:
Summary: Like Gaiman 101
Review: I remember my early philosophy classes covering the beginnings, the origins -- the ancient Greeks. As you got to higher course numbers, you got to read contemporary authors, people who had built upon the foundations of Plato and Aristotle, continuing a "call and response" dialogue with them and adding new concepts of their own. At least that's how it's supposed to work. I did it backwards, taking some 300 and 400 level classes before I decided to major in the subject. I'm rather glad it worked out that way -- and that's how it'll work for most readers of Midnight Days. This compilation is like Gaiman 101 because you get to see the foundations. I'd imagine that most buyers have already read Sandman. I found it fascinating to see little gems of what was to come twinkling through the growth. The "Brother Power" story I especially liked, as the Prez issue of Sandman was one of my favorites. "Hold Me" has been and always will be one of my favorite pieces -- McKean's art and the poignance of the writing make it Primary Gaiman, as far as I am concerned. It's the best piece in the collection, though I also enjoyed the last story very much. I really enjoyed it. It was a pleasure to watch the process and feel the author finding his way in some of the stories. I highly recommend it, especially for those who are waiting for his next offering to come out, and need a "Neil feeling" fix. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go read Sandman, and then come back and talk with me. :)
Rating:
Summary: Like Gaiman 101
Review: I remember my early philosophy classes covering the beginnings, the origins -- the ancient Greeks. As you got to higher course numbers, you got to read contemporary authors, people who had built upon the foundations of Plato and Aristotle, continuing a "call and response" dialogue with them and adding new concepts of their own. At least that's how it's supposed to work. I did it backwards, taking some 300 and 400 level classes before I decided to major in the subject. I'm rather glad it worked out that way -- and that's how it'll work for most readers of Midnight Days. This compilation is like Gaiman 101 because you get to see the foundations. I'd imagine that most buyers have already read Sandman. I found it fascinating to see little gems of what was to come twinkling through the growth. The "Brother Power" story I especially liked, as the Prez issue of Sandman was one of my favorites. "Hold Me" has been and always will be one of my favorite pieces -- McKean's art and the poignance of the writing make it Primary Gaiman, as far as I am concerned. It's the best piece in the collection, though I also enjoyed the last story very much. I really enjoyed it. It was a pleasure to watch the process and feel the author finding his way in some of the stories. I highly recommend it, especially for those who are waiting for his next offering to come out, and need a "Neil feeling" fix. If you don't know what I'm talking about, go read Sandman, and then come back and talk with me. :)
Rating:
Summary: It's Neil Gaiman
Review: If I'd known what was in this book, I probably wouldn't have been so quick to spend so much money on it. But there it was on the shelf, and Downtown Comics was giving me a special discount because they like me, and it had the most gorgeous cover art. So I bought it. It's not a great book. Still, I can't say I'm sorry I bought it. It'll probably go out of print very quickly, and then I'll be glad to have it. I'm a Gaiman fanatic, you see. This is probably not a book for non-Gaiman fanatics. Certainly not a book for anyone who's just starting on Neil Gaiman. The stories. There were a couple of Swamp Thing stories. I'm not, other than Neil Gaiman's stuff, a comics-literate person: I'm a total stranger to Swamp Thing, although I may remedy this situation someday; but as it is, I was unable to appreciate these stories. They were OK, but I was mostly lost. Then there was a story called Brothers. I'm also unfamiliar with whatever comic this originally came from, and quite a lot of it passed over my head. But I still liked this story. It was more like the Gaiman I know; moving, with lingering images. Reminded me of some of the most mediocre Sandman (which is still a good thing). Then there was a story called Hold Me. Hmm. I think that I should read it again; I'm sure there was something I missed. It's a little hazy in my mind. Still, it was a wonderful story, with really gorgeous artwork. Lastly there was Sandman Midnight Theater. Dream's only in here for about 3 pages, but it was a very good story otherwise, if a little long; the best part was the artwork, quite breathtaking. Neil Gaiman has written an introduction to each of these stories as well, which is a definite bonus. All in all, a moderately good collection, though for Gaiman fans only. If you're not a fan, check out Sandman (Preludes and Nocturnes is the first) or one of his novels before this. The cover art helps make it worth the price--I'm in love with that picture. And the title. _Midnight Days_. Isn't that beautiful? Little things. The stories were generally pretty good. But I'd still like to see the one about the things living in John Constantine's fridge... :)
Rating:
Summary: It's Neil Gaiman
Review: If I'd known what was in this book, I probably wouldn't have been so quick to spend so much money on it. But there it was on the shelf, and Downtown Comics was giving me a special discount because they like me, and it had the most gorgeous cover art. So I bought it. It's not a great book. Still, I can't say I'm sorry I bought it. It'll probably go out of print very quickly, and then I'll be glad to have it. I'm a Gaiman fanatic, you see. This is probably not a book for non-Gaiman fanatics. Certainly not a book for anyone who's just starting on Neil Gaiman. The stories. There were a couple of Swamp Thing stories. I'm not, other than Neil Gaiman's stuff, a comics-literate person: I'm a total stranger to Swamp Thing, although I may remedy this situation someday; but as it is, I was unable to appreciate these stories. They were OK, but I was mostly lost. Then there was a story called Brothers. I'm also unfamiliar with whatever comic this originally came from, and quite a lot of it passed over my head. But I still liked this story. It was more like the Gaiman I know; moving, with lingering images. Reminded me of some of the most mediocre Sandman (which is still a good thing). Then there was a story called Hold Me. Hmm. I think that I should read it again; I'm sure there was something I missed. It's a little hazy in my mind. Still, it was a wonderful story, with really gorgeous artwork. Lastly there was Sandman Midnight Theater. Dream's only in here for about 3 pages, but it was a very good story otherwise, if a little long; the best part was the artwork, quite breathtaking. Neil Gaiman has written an introduction to each of these stories as well, which is a definite bonus. All in all, a moderately good collection, though for Gaiman fans only. If you're not a fan, check out Sandman (Preludes and Nocturnes is the first) or one of his novels before this. The cover art helps make it worth the price--I'm in love with that picture. And the title. _Midnight Days_. Isn't that beautiful? Little things. The stories were generally pretty good. But I'd still like to see the one about the things living in John Constantine's fridge... :)
Rating:
Summary: Good collection of Gaiman's odds & ends
Review: Neil Gaiman is definitely one of the modern masters of the comic book. He has taken the medium to new heights with his writing on DC's Sandman. While he crafted beautiful stories and a very rich cast of characters for that series, after a while, I got tired of it. I found myself wishing that the series would wrap up 10 or 20 issues sooner than planned, just so Neil would have the chance to concentrate on other characters in the DC Universe. This trade collection is just a sample of what could happen. Contained in this trade paperback, you get a collection of the few stories he wrote outside of the regular Sandman series. The biggest selling point for me are the 3 Swamp Thing stories. They fit well with Moore & Veitch's work on that series. The first incorporates the myth of the Green Man/Jack-o-the-Green. The second features the return of Brother Power, the Geek, showing that he and Swamp Thing have more in common than anyone thought. The third is the first part of the "Shaggy God Stories", which was to have done for the plant-related characters of the DCU what Books of Magic did for the mystics. "Hold Me", from Hellblazer, is one of the best, if not THE best, stories of that series. Darkly drawn by Dave McKean, it is a simple ghost story that is far more effective than the myriad tales of demons and psychos that make up the bulk of John Constantine's adventures. The final story involves a crossover of sorts between Sandman Mystery Theater and the Sandman of the Endless, titled "Sandman Midnight Theater", with art by Teddy Kristiansen. While it reinforces the relationship between Wesley Dodds and Morpheus, the story tends to drag, and I feel it's the weakest one here.
Rating:
Summary: Good collection of Gaiman's odds & ends
Review: Neil Gaiman is definitely one of the modern masters of the comic book. He has taken the medium to new heights with his writing on DC's Sandman. While he crafted beautiful stories and a very rich cast of characters for that series, after a while, I got tired of it. I found myself wishing that the series would wrap up 10 or 20 issues sooner than planned, just so Neil would have the chance to concentrate on other characters in the DC Universe. This trade collection is just a sample of what could happen. Contained in this trade paperback, you get a collection of the few stories he wrote outside of the regular Sandman series. The biggest selling point for me are the 3 Swamp Thing stories. They fit well with Moore & Veitch's work on that series. The first incorporates the myth of the Green Man/Jack-o-the-Green. The second features the return of Brother Power, the Geek, showing that he and Swamp Thing have more in common than anyone thought. The third is the first part of the "Shaggy God Stories", which was to have done for the plant-related characters of the DCU what Books of Magic did for the mystics. "Hold Me", from Hellblazer, is one of the best, if not THE best, stories of that series. Darkly drawn by Dave McKean, it is a simple ghost story that is far more effective than the myriad tales of demons and psychos that make up the bulk of John Constantine's adventures. The final story involves a crossover of sorts between Sandman Mystery Theater and the Sandman of the Endless, titled "Sandman Midnight Theater", with art by Teddy Kristiansen. While it reinforces the relationship between Wesley Dodds and Morpheus, the story tends to drag, and I feel it's the weakest one here.
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