Absolute Sandman, Vol. 2 (DC) [collects #21-39]
w. Neil Gaiman; a. Various
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Non-comics reader? | |
I tend to by paperback/softcover collections of most of my graphic novels and TPBs. But for some things I find it worth spending the money on hardcover (which, to be honest, has gotten not all that much more incrementally expensive vs. paperback). And for a very few things … volumes like DC’s Absolute editions — oversized (to show off the art), slip-covered, extra thick (19 issues here), plus supplementary materials.
This volume includes the Seasons in the Mist story, which not only introduced the Endless more fully, but gave us Lucifer leaving Hell (and Morpheus having to decide what to do with the place). It is, to my mind, the place where Sandman really hit its stride. Elsewhere we get Joanna Constantine, the Emperor Norton, Werewolves, Marco Polo, and the creepy-scary Game of You.
Triffic stuff. Worth the price, and high on my list of rereads.
Sandman Mystery Theatre, Vol. 6, “The Hourman and The Python” (Vertigo) [collects #29-36]
Sandman Mystery Theatre, Vol. 7, “The Mist and The Phantom of the Fair” (Vertigo) [collects #37-44]
w. Matt Wagner, Steven Seagle; a. Guy Davis
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Non-comics reader? | |
The continue dark-underbelly-of-society adventures of Wesley Dodd, the gas mask-garbed crime-fighter of the 30s known as the Sandman. He encounters spies and sabateurs, mass murderers, science heroes and villains, prejudice, corruption, and a shadowy truckload of noir elements — all the while driven by Dreams, and trying to reconsile his secrets with his love for Dian Belmont.
Good stuff — if brutal as the era was. The whole series has been excellent, and I’m glad they have resumed collecting them.
Serenity, Vol. 2, “Better Days” (Dark Horse) [collects #1-3]
w. Joss Whedon, Brett Matthews; a. Will Conrad
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Non-comics reader? | |
An example of a TV tie-in done well, “Better Days” gives us the Serenity’s crew coming, unexpectedly, into a huge pay-off, with much (amusing) fantasizing ensuing. Until, that is, someone comes gunning for Mal, and the crew has to band together to save him.
A decent plot, reasonable art, and a true ear for the characters. Shiny!
Listening to: Shore, Howard, “The Prophecy” (LOTR1: The Fellowship of the Ring))