Some tales you by no means wish to finish.
Sandman is a kind of for me. The unique run contained such a font of creativeness that its potentialities are as infinite as Dream’s household. Whether penned by Neil Gaiman himself or a cadre of equally creative creators, the Sandman Universe delivers entertaining and enthralling tales. From the Sandman Presents minis by means of to right this moment’s Nightmare Country and Dead Boy Detectives. Though there’s nothing as particular as when Gaiman comes residence.
“What’s your best one?”
“My best what?”
“Story. You’re prince of stories. Tell me a story.”
Sandman Overture is one thing particular.
From Gaiman, JH Williams III, Dave Stewart, and Todd Klein, the sequence is a prequel to the unique and a little bit of a sequel. Although it does take care of what occurred earlier than Morpheus discovered himself caged by Roderick Burgess, it’s one thing that you simply do wish to learn after the unique. It primarily offers with the unusual demise of a side of Dream, a quest to the City of the Stars, and the query of duty and penalties of motion and inaction.
And household. And a cat. Because there should be cats.
It’s fascinating to see the themes and motifs of the unique sequence introduced up right here, condensed, performed with, hinted at, giving a glimpse of the way to probably re-contextualize and re-frame understanding the narrative that’s to return. As an ending and a new starting.
“There’s a cat with him? I wasn’t expecting that, my truffle-dumpling.”
All fantastically realized by means of the art work from JH Williams III, Dave Stewart, and Todd Klein. Like with Promethea, Williams actually crafts a masterpiece right here. The thought and a spotlight to element in how he tells the story, how the visuals change to go well with the themes and content material, the shifting kinds, are completely beautiful. From pages formed just like the Corinthian’s mouth eyes by means of pages out of Time, a gathering of Dreams, the City of Stars, and the breakdown of actuality, it’s very straightforward to see how Williams earned himself one other Eisner right here.
The line artwork is splendidly embellished by Dave Stewart’s colors. Like Williams’ shifting kinds, so to do the colors change. Working with the washes, the scratchy bits, and the intent of a few of the pages. Like changing into flat through the sequences with Time.
And there’s Todd Klein’s letters. Lettering, normally, is an intrinsic a part of the design of a comedian. Sometimes greater than others. Here it’s a shining instance of the artform. It captures the fluid nature of the characters extremely properly. Klein develops distinctive phrase balloons and fonts for a number of audio system. And it rotates and adjustments itself as a part of the narrative.
“It begins, as we all begin, in darkness.”
Sandman Overture from Gaiman, Williams, Stewart, and Klein is a treasure. It’s a shining jewel representing simply how magical comics storytelling might be. It supplies a compelling fantastical quest journey on the floor and a treasure chest of that means hidden inside. It marvels within the complexity of a twist within the story, with a story altering years down the street with a retelling.
Classic Comic Compendium: SANDMAN OVERTURE
Sandman Overture
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artist: JH Williams III
Colourist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Todd Klein
Publisher: DC Comics / Vertigo
Release Date: October 30 2013 – September 30 2015
Available collected in Sandman Overture – Deluxe Edition, Sandman Overture – 30th Anniversary Edition, and Absolute Sandman Overture
Read previous entries within the Classic Comic Compendium!
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