SANDMAN: OVERTURE #1

VERTIGO COMICS
Written by Neil Gaiman
Art by J.H. Williams III

Nearly two decades since he concluded his ongoing Vertigo series Sandman, Neil Gaiman is back for one more tale in Sandman: Overture. While this alone is cause for celebration in comic book and literary circles, that the six-issue limited series is being illustrated by J.H. Williams III is greater reason for excitement for this reviewer.

This is no knock against Neil Gaiman, but a compliment to J.H. Williams III’s work on both Batwoman and Promethea (which was written by the legendary Alan Moore). My only complaint about the early Sandman comics was that the art never appealed me, coming off as though more visual distortion equaled greater content edginess. My prayers have been answered with this new series.

Sandman: Overture #1 is one heck of a read! Filled with more amazing art than your imagination can even conceive of, you can easily understand why Mr. Gaiman specifically request Mr. Williams III’s artistic talents for this project that was 25 years in the making. And that’s how long this story has been simmering!

Sandman: Overture takes place prior to the events of the original series, setting out how the Lord of Dreams managed to get caught, in Neil Gaiman’s words, by a “bunch of half-fake wizards.” Time and fan reaction will be the final judge, but Mr. Gaiman has sworn that this series is a natural, organic addition to the Sandman ’verse, and not a quick money grab during the 25^th anniversary of the series.

The story in Sandman Overture #1 is rich and complex and I ended up chatting with Rob of Comics & More about first impressions of the issue. Rob had just finished re-reading the entire series, and clearly knew all the related works in detail. He was elated at how easily one could step back into the story world that Neil Gaiman had created so long ago, and especially appreciated seeing some of his favourite characters already popping up in issue #1.

I’m less recently familiar with the Sandman run, only up to Volume 5 in the first reread since encountering the original graphic novels in the mid ’90s. Have to confess I found myself a bit more confused than Rob, but also that it hardly mattered. The sheer scope and grandeur of the art, with more double page spreads than you’ve ever seen before, speaks of a collaborative synergy creating an exciting new work of true art.

Finishing the issue is a fold-out double page that perfectly sums up the allure of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman. Featuring all the different versions of Dream that can/do exist from all the cultures (and races) of the universe, the incredible energy and creativity leaping out from this page will be inspiring legions of new writers and artists this week.

If you’re a Sandman fan already, you know you’ll be reading this new limited series. The only real question is: digital, print, or wait till the GN? If you haven’t read Sandman before, perfect! While I’m thinking you’d enjoy this new story, as it is a prelude, I could be wrong. So, please let us at GEEKPR0N know what you thought of the comic, especially if you’ve never read any Sandman before! Huzzah!

Special thank you to Rob of Comics & More, which has been serving the Danforth’s comic book needs for over 25 years. 1325 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON — (416) 778-8314 — http://www.comicsnmore.ca/