Ketherian's Notebook

I read the first three graphic novels in the Sandman series in order. I've heard a lot of people talk about the Sandman, and read a fair number of reviews of Gaiman's work; but until recently I never seemd to get around to reading these very popular graphic novels.

Book 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
Format: Trade Paperback
Published: November 17, 1999
Dimensions: 240 Pages, 6.71 x 10.21 x 0.46 IN
ISBN - 10:1563890119
ISBN - 13:9781563890116

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artists: Sam Keith, Mike Dringenberg, Malcom Jones III
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Dave McKean
Recoloring: Daniel Vozzo
Introduction: Paul Wilson

When I saw the title I thought this was a pre-quel; but it's actually the first book of the series, collecting issues 1 through 8 of the comic book. The story introduces us to the Sandman, the primary character of the series, and his current predicament. We follow the Sandman, and a few unconnected inviduals who are directly harmed (or at least changed) by his predicament. The stories are slow-paced and lead the reader to question the character, his powers, and the world in which he lives.

Gaimen guides the reader through the stories, slowly building a friendship between the reader and the Sandman; an enigmatic figure who's motives should be difficult to understand, but who's predicament seems to simplify everything to the point of clarity. Slowly you learn that Morphius (the Dream, the Sandman) has limits, some self-imposed, and some not. These limits mirror those of the reader; but only in form. The Sandman is a creature that stands amonst the minions of Hell without fear; but then he is from the same universe as John Constantine--a man who has no power except the deals he strikes, and the deeds he performs.

The first book is aptly named for its purpose is one of introductions. We are introduced to the universe in which Morphius lives. This universe is higly limited at first, but slowly expands as the stories progress. We meet various people and quickly learn how much effect Morphius has on their lives; even though he doesn't know them or they him. And lastly, we learn that this is only the begining.

Book II: The Doll's House
Format: Trade Paperback
Published: September 29, 1999
Dimensions: 256 Pages, 6.48 x 10.15 x 0.44 IN
Publisher: DC Comics
ISBN - 10:0930289595
ISBN - 13:9780930289591

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artists: Mike Dringenberg, Malcom Jones III, Chris Bachalo, Michael Zulli, Steve Parkhouse
Letterer: Todd Klein, John Constanza
Colorist: Robbie Busch
Covers: Dave McKean
Introduction: Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman

The second book introduces us to a much-loved character: Death. There are almost more reviews and opinion pieces online about Death than there is about Morphius. Death is not the giant skeleton draped in black and carrying a sythe, instead she is a young woman, dressing in black with wild black hair. The character plays a very important part in Book II: namely as a sounding board for Morphius as he recovers from his ordeals experienced in Book I. This simple show of consequences to a character impressed me greatly. Serially published stories (be they comics or short stories) often do not include long-ranging consequences. And very rarely do they make stories out of the consequences.

Doll's house is an assortment of barely-connected stories. The feeling of this disconnection is made even stronger since Book I is a contiguous story; Book II is a series of short stories with the same general theme: the importance of dreaming. Each story is worth reading indvidually, but combined do not quite make a singular tale. Instead they expand Morphius's universe: introducing us to more of his family, and explaining the politics at various levels of his society.

Book III: Dream Country
Format: Trade Paperback
Published: September 14, 1999
Dimensions: 160 Pages, 6.66 x 10.18 x 0.32 IN
Publisher: DC Comics
ISBN - 10:156389016X
ISBN - 13:9781563890161

Writer: Neil Gaiman
Artists: Kelley Jones, Charles Vess, Colleen Doran
Inker: Malcom Jones III
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Robbie Busch, Steve Oliff
Covers: Dave McKean
Introduction: Steve Erickson

In Book III Gaiman takes us through time, we learn what it means to be an immortal and when compared against humans it makes the concept a cold and conceited one. In this book, Morphius is not the common element; instead it is the dream. The stories are indivudal and as disjointed as they are from Book II. By now Morphius has almost become the story teller rather than the main player in the story, and rather than relegate him to the position of narrative, he is either used to introduce the story, play some minor part, or is simply not recognizable in the story as anything more than a powerful dream.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (issue 19), one of the stories in Book III won the World Fantasy Award for best short fiction in 1991. This tale in particular shows the strong differentiation as Book III is more a series of fantasy stories than horror and suspense. While there is still something untold, the feeling of an unfinished story, Book III concentrates on providing more history for the current day Morphius while almost simultaneously giving the feeling that time is meaningless to the Morphius.

Overall

Rating: 3 stars out of 4 (Enjoyed it, recommend it, will read it again, won't buy it if I lose it/willing to sell it).

The Sandman was a 75-part comic book series which has been reprinted serveral times as a collection of graphic novels. The stories range from bizzare to touching to horrific; all told with the same care and concentration. I really enjoyed reading the first three books and have been contemplating either borrowing or purchasing the remaining 8 books in the series.

Book III of 2009: Moon Called

• Rating: 3 stars out of 4 (Enjoyed it, recommend it, will read it again, won't buy it if I lose it/willing to sell it)
• Author: Patricia Briggs
• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Ace (MM) (Jan 31 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441013813
• ISBN-13: 978-0441013814
• Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 10.7 x 2.5 cm

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs is a piece of fiction featuring the fae, werewolves, vampires and one skinwalker named Mercy Thompson. I'd classify the novel as being fantasy, but I'm sure librarians would hyphenate the genre because it's set in current day. The cover features a sexy brunette, but the novel focuses more on the personality and interpersonal relationships between one very unique and extended family and an open secret that will soon be revealed.

The story surprised me. Not only is Mercy a likable character; her family (and associated politics) makes for very interesting reading. The story begins simply enough -- a stranger comes to Mercy's car shop looking for a job. Mercy, as is later proven in the novel, likes to take in strays. She has a lot of very interesting friends, like Adam, her next-door neighbour who's also the Alpha wolf of the local pack; and Zee the gremlin from which she bought the shop.

Once the action starts in this novel; it doesn't stop. However, the novel departs from the more typical action-adventure in that she doesn't do everything herself, and she's not afraid of running away. Along the way, Mercy deals with a few longstanding personal problems that are ... somewhat unique to being a skinwalker living amonst werewolves. This romantic sub-plot tends to make the characters more real and the details of the story more ineresting.

The magic of the book is relatively subtile (if you don't count the witches); Mercy can shape change, as can the werewolves, vampires dominate and gremlins have ... a way with metal if Zee is any example of their kind. Since the novel follows tradtional steriotypes, the reader is lulled into a sense of familiarity that provides a stable background upon which to build a better plot.

The story is all about the pack; the family. The standard werewolf trope is as good as aliens for exploring the taboos and intricies of relationships. Mercy's relationship to her neighbour, Adam and his pack. Her relationship to her foster-family, and his pack. Her relationship to her birth family, such as it is. And her relationship to the community. She's well liked, and the alliances formed from being a good neighbour, and a good person, come in very handy when her life's in danger. The story is about her, and what she'll sacrifice to keep her families safe.

Werewolf Alphas (leaders) are dominant. The story teaches us that Mercy is not of the pack, not of any pack; and yet she feels and obeys (albeit reluctantly) their dominance. She is argumentative, stubborn, and definitely her own woman. That said, she also realizes her limits and actually likes the challenge and the action the story provides.