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The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 2 |  | Author: Neil Gaiman
Creators: Shawn McManus, Kelley Jones, Mike Dringenberg, Bryan Talbot, John Watkiss, Matt Wagner, Stan Woch, Colleen Doran, Dave McKean
Publisher: Vertigo
Category: Book
List Price: $99.00
Buy New: $57.99
as of 9/8/2010 03:09 CDT details
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Seller: CheapGraphicNovelsDotCom
Rating:  27 reviews
Sales Rank: 23678
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 616
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 7.4
Dimensions (in): 15.8 x 9 x 2.5
ISBN: 140121083X
Dewey Decimal Number: 741.5973
EAN: 9781401210830
ASIN: 140121083X
Publication Date: October 10, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
THE SANDMAN, written by New York Times best-selling author Neil Gaiman, was the most acclaimed comic book title of the 1990s. A rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy in which contemporary fiction, historical drama and legend are seamlessly interwoven, THE SANDMAN is also widely considered one of the most original and artistically ambitious series of the modern age. By the time it concluded in 1996, it had made significant contributions to the artistic maturity of comic books and had become a pop culture phenomenon in its own right. Now, DC Comics is proud to present this comics classic in an all-new Absolute Edition format. The second of four beautifully designed slipcased volumes, THE ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 2 collects twenty tales of THE SANDMAN and features completely new coloring, approved by the author, as well as never-before-seen extra material.
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
Irresistibly beautiful -- I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! December 4, 2007
J. A Magill (Sacramento, CA USA)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
Few comics deserve such an extraordinary loving treatment as Gaiman's Sandman is receiving in these irresistible Absolute editions (this being volume 2 of what I believe is projected to be 4). Not only does it include wonderful extras ( a bonus story, bonus art, original scripts and pencils) but the volume itself is lovely. The faux leather case with its Mickean cover lends it a wonderful air, as a volume in Lucien's Library. The art, with its recoloration under Gaman's direction and oversized, likewise gives the reader a level of clarity never before enjoyed in the original.
One can go on and on about this volume, but I found it, in a word, irresistible. If you or someone you love is a fan of Sandman, this volume and/or the first in the Absolute Sandman series is a gift that will surely not disappoint, indeed it will surely be treasured for years to come.
"Everybody Has a Secret World Inside of Them" November 13, 2007
Dream's Raven (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In this amazing volume, we see more of Morpheus and learn about his subtle character traits and flaws. The majority of the volume consists of two storylines. The first is "Season of Mists," in which Dream descends to Hell in hopes of freeing a soul he sent there unjustly, and Lucifer's reaction to his coming is very unexpected and leaves Dream in a difficult situation. I won't say anymore; I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it yet. The other storyline in this volume is "A Game Of You," in which Barbie, a character who was introduced in an earlier issue, becomes trapped in a dangerous dream in which she must contend with a mysterious foe called "the Cuckoo." There are also some issues not part of either story, some of which act as stand-alone stories, others that give hints and sow seeds for future issues. My favorite of these issues is "Three Septembers and a January," which tells the story of the endearing self-appointed Emperor of the United States.
Neil Gaiman shows in this volume that he is a master of both plot and characters. The stories are so adventurous, so complex, and so entertaining one can't help but be drawn in, always wanting to know what comes next. And the characters are amazing. From the various gods and other supernatural beings who vie for power, to the eccentric neighbors of Barbie, to the strange and aloof person of Morpheus himself, I found myself either loving or loving to hate every actor on the Sandman stage.
At the end of "A Game of You," Barbie says "everybody has a secret world inside of them. ... Inside them they've all gut unimaginable, magnificent, wonderful, stupid amazing worlds ... . Not just one world. Hundreds of them. Thousands, maybe." In The Sandman, it is purely a pleasure to get a glimpse of the worlds within Neil Gaiman.
The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 2 November 16, 2008
A. Lynch (Autumn Mists, Honalee)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Sandman was unquestionably the finest piece of work to come out of comics in the 1990's. Neil Gaiman managed to craft an entire universe within its pages, a comprehensive mythology so complete and flawless in its execution that, at times, I find it hard to believe what I'm reading was the work of one mind. It's a conglomeration of all the world's mythologies, and he uses this tremendous microcosm as the backdrop for some astonishing stories.
Volume 2 of Absolute Sandman is when the comic starts to go down the rabbit hole, so to speak. There are moments of pure darkness and terror, as well as humorous one shots, and curious side stories. But what ties it all together is Gaiman's peerless mastering of the art of story telling. He knows how to draw you in, and he knows how to hold you there. A massive tome like this shouldn't prove so absorbing that I could read it in three sittings. It's not a quick read by any means, but once I'm in, I don't want to leave.
And no review of an Absolute release would be complete without mentioning the luxurious packaging. Beautifully bound, the book alone would be an impressive looking addition to any library. That it comes with an attractive slip case simply adds to the already considerable appeal. Even if you already own all the Sandman trades, it's well worth the cost to buy these, if you can afford the price. The over-sized art looks gorgeous, and the printing quality is superb. The extras in the back, particularly the complete script of an issue, only serve to seal the deal.
An Amazing Series June 7, 2010
K. B. Culliton (Sacramento, CA, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A beautiful series, both graphically and lyrically. I originally read this story from a friend's old set of 10 graphic novels, and it is worth the extra money to buy this new edition.
More sandman! November 2, 2007
Jahan (USA)
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
First, let me say, Neil Gaiman is one of the most thoughtful, reflective writers there is. In this book, he's teemed with some very moody artists as well, for some great stories.
I assume if your looking at this, you don't need to be sold on the story. While buying the Absolute volumes (there should eventually be four, in order to collect the entire series) is roughly twice the price of the paperbacks, the quality cannot be beat. Each page is blown up larger than any other oversized hardcover, and the binding is sewn tight, so no worries there.
The book can be a little heavy to read, but the hardcover looks amazing, and there's about fifty pages of extra scripts, proposals, and sketches.
This volume collects Season of Mists, where Dream inherits Hell, and saves Nada, A Game of You, with Barbie and the Porpentine, and Fables and Reflections, single issue tales from Dream's past.
While some of the best sandman stories (Brief Lives, The Kindly Ones) are yet to come, these stories shouldn't be missed.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 27
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