This collection had a different feeling to it, which reflects the fact that it essentially takes place over like 2 days? Roughly, if time moves the saThis collection had a different feeling to it, which reflects the fact that it essentially takes place over like 2 days? Roughly, if time moves the same way in the Dreaming as it does in the waking world. But it was fascinating to see what exactly Lucifer decided to do with Hell and how that was done with the intention of screwing with Dream and the Dreaming.
I’m glad that Morpheus rescued Nada from Hell. That is a hell of a punishment for someone who essentially told Dream “no” so I’m glad that she was rescued and was able to move on to another life. Which is an interesting idea that she has been reborn in a different body now in Hong Kong.
I like the expansion of the universe that Gaiman has created here but it was a little off putting to suddenly come face to face with Thor, Loki and Odin. Although, I don’t know why particularly. It would make sense for other gods to be included. ...more
I can’t believe it took me so long to actually get around to reading this. I’ve seen the film a couple of times so probably that’s part of the reason I can’t believe it took me so long to actually get around to reading this. I’ve seen the film a couple of times so probably that’s part of the reason why, but it’s still quite surprising to realise that I had never actually sat and read the comic.
The story is so well known that I’m not going to go back over it all again, but I will say that I was quite surprised by how dark the comics were. I know that the storyline is very dark but I wasn’t expecting that to actually translate over to the illustrations that were included.
It also keeps surprising me that this was written in the 90’s. Although I don’t know why that surprises me so much. ...more
And so, I have come to the end of my time in the Dreaming with Lord Morpheus. And I am a little sad about it!
I can definitely see why this has been cAnd so, I have come to the end of my time in the Dreaming with Lord Morpheus. And I am a little sad about it!
I can definitely see why this has been called Gaiman’s masterpiece, because this is a series of stories that I think will stay with me until the end of my own days. It’s also a collection of stories that I don’t think I will mind going back to again and again which wasn’t entirely unexpected but is quite nice to have confirmed.
The new personification of Dream of the Endless took a little bit of getting used to, but I ended up being quite enamoured with him. Which I think makes me a little bit like Matthew the Raven, which I did not see coming but oh well. ...more
Oh god, I did not expect this one to affect me as much as it did! I knew this was coming but still, what a gut punch it was. I can definitely see the Oh god, I did not expect this one to affect me as much as it did! I knew this was coming but still, what a gut punch it was. I can definitely see the comments saying that this particular collection is too long but I think that helps to draw the suspense out and to bring all of the characters together for the climax of the collection.
I’ve grown very fond of Morpheus since starting this journey so it was really hard seeing the destruction of the Dreaming and his eventual death. I did like the reintroduction of the Furies and how Gaiman wove them into the story after the death of Orpheus, but it was quite brutal to see they way they just went after the Dreaming and it’s inhabitants.
Also, did I expect a Corinthian redemption arc?! No I did not. Am I surprised by how fond I became of him with this redemption arc? Yes. Yes I am.
I think this isn’t the norm but I really enjoy the collections where each issue is a different short story that doesn’t have a major impact on the oveI think this isn’t the norm but I really enjoy the collections where each issue is a different short story that doesn’t have a major impact on the overall story that Dream and the others move through. I like these little self contained worlds and their characters and I never feel like their stories are unnecessary.
Especially when it comes to a collection of stories like these, where Dream is not a central focus but has only touched the stories or their narrators. It makes the characters fit more into the universe as a whole as Gaiman has created a world where everyone can have a moment of connection with the Sandman but not everyone will have much to do with him otherwise.
I think my favourite story of the collection was “Hob’s Leviathan”. I liked seeing Hob again but it was quite sad to realise that the story takes place before Morpheus is captured and held hostage by Roderick Burgess. ...more
This was a really nice little contained story, following Dream and Delirium as they travel to try and find their brother, Destruction, who apparently This was a really nice little contained story, following Dream and Delirium as they travel to try and find their brother, Destruction, who apparently turned away from the family and his role within the Endless and asked them to never come for him.
It was interesting to see the relationships between the different siblings and how there are always little games being played out between them but how they can come together when they do need it. Even though there are pairings between the siblings, such as Desire and Despair, Delirium is able to move between the siblings without any real impact to her.
I would like to know more about how Delirium was able to change from her previous form of delight, but I shall have to wait and see if that is something Mr Gaiman is going to expand on in other issues. Also, a sad little cameo from Orpheus but at least he is at peace now? I know I would be after thousands of years being a head without a body!...more
This is another collection of unconnected stories that follow different characters, either from history or mythology, as they come into contact with tThis is another collection of unconnected stories that follow different characters, either from history or mythology, as they come into contact with the Dreaming and it’s ruler in a number of different ways. With various outcomes and lessons to be learned.
While this doesn’t have a cohesive arc that moves across all issues, each issue is well contained within their own storyline and gives the reader quite an interesting view into the world of the Endless in fun little anecdotes.
I think this is a collection that might not necessarily be everyone’s favourite, but I definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I would at the beginning. I liked seeing all the different people that Dream comes into contact with and their adventures. I especially enjoyed The Song of Orpheus, because despite knowing the story from the original myth, it was quite interesting to see Gaiman’s take on it. ...more
This one took a little more getting into than some of the other collections that I have read, I don’t know whether it’s just that I wasn’t expecting iThis one took a little more getting into than some of the other collections that I have read, I don’t know whether it’s just that I wasn’t expecting it or the story itself, but it didn’t grab me as instantly as some of the previous ones have done.
That isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy it because I did. Once I got into the swing of the story, I found myself getting really invested in it which was quite interesting. I did think that I wouldn’t want to finish it but I’m glad that that managed to be wrong.
It was nice seeing Barbie again, and seeing more of the land that she inhabited in her dreams. It was also quite interesting to see how holding on to those childhood dreams may have impacted her as an adult. Plus a brief Rose Walker mention was quite nice to see.
But Wanda stole the show for me. She was beautiful and lovely and I wish she had made it to the end of the story. But seeing Wanda written on her tombstone in bright pink lipstick is exactly the image you should have of her. ...more
A bit of a shorter collection here which I don’t really mind, as it contains two of my favourite stories; Calliope and Dream of a Thousand Cats! I didA bit of a shorter collection here which I don’t really mind, as it contains two of my favourite stories; Calliope and Dream of a Thousand Cats! I did also enjoy the Midsummer Nights Dream story but wasn’t a massive fan of Facade. Although it was nice seeing Death again and seeing how some of her powers work.
I think it’s nice that we got to see a variety of different sides to Dream in the three stories that he was in. I think that’s why my particular favourite was Calliope, which is a lot darker and more brutal than even the show went on to show us.
I’m now firmly in uncharted territory as far as the rest of the comics go, so it will be good to see how I react to those stories compared to one’s that I was already familiar with thanks to the show.
This collection took me a little longer to get through but I think that was more down to me feeling so tired recently that I’ve not wanted to do much This collection took me a little longer to get through but I think that was more down to me feeling so tired recently that I’ve not wanted to do much reading once I’ve finished work. But, I did finish it and that is the main thing!
I’ve always loved Gaiman’s writing, and I love how he can craft a story that is compelling and wonderful. Especially when you add in the fantastical elements like in these stories. But that just adds to everything instead of detracting from it.
Again, I also really appreciated how close the show kept to the original comics in terms of storyline. But I suppose that’s what you get when you have the writer of the comics working on the show as well.
I’m intrigued to see where the rest of the run goes, as this is uncharted territory for me at least. Bring it on, Mr Sandman!...more
Well, I really enjoyed this. I think because I was already familiar with the story that these issues cover, due to the Netflix show that I absolutely Well, I really enjoyed this. I think because I was already familiar with the story that these issues cover, due to the Netflix show that I absolutely devoured, I was able to enjoy them a lot more rather than spending my reading time trying to work out exactly what was going on in them.
I was also amazed at how much the Netflix show stuck to the original storylines. There were some pretty big changes that I could get behind but overall it’s a pretty faithful adaptation. I am glad they did away with the whole “Justice League of America” and “Arkham Asylum” bits, that wasn’t necessary in the show.
I’m excited to move on to the next volume and see how much this lines up with the show. Again, they did manage to cover two volumes worth of material so it will be a good look over.
Although it does make me want to go back and watch the show again. Maybe I will do once I’ve finished the whole collection? Who knows. ...more
So, this is the second volume of the Maus graphic novel and it was just as heartbreaking as the first volume.
This volume focused a lot more on VladekSo, this is the second volume of the Maus graphic novel and it was just as heartbreaking as the first volume.
This volume focused a lot more on Vladek’s experiences in Auschwitz and how he survived but it also showed him in his declining health and how that impacted him as an older man. There was a really interesting bit where Art is shown speaking to a counsellor about his depression and it mentions that Vladek suffered from survivors guilt and how that was being taken out on those around him. And I hadn’t even considered how hard that would be to see and even to come to terms with.
We always assume that after the end of the War and the liberation of the camps that everyone just went on with the rest of their lives, but we don’t ever see the focus on those who did survive the camps. What do you do with all that guilt? Where do you put it? And sadly, I think maybe for a lot of people it comes out in their relationships with their families.
It’s definitely given me a new appreciation for survivors of the Holocaust and I’m grateful that I have had the opportunity to read this graphic novel. ...more
So, I had seen pieces of this graphic novel around before but I had never actually read it in it’s entirety before, so I decided to rectify that.
Now,So, I had seen pieces of this graphic novel around before but I had never actually read it in it’s entirety before, so I decided to rectify that.
Now, I have to say that initially it wasn’t all that I was expecting it to be. I think I expected it to focus more on Vladek’s time in Auschwitz but instead, it focuses on his life leading up to the moment he is sent to the camp with his wife Anja. I don’t know why I expected it to start there rather than end there, but I quickly got over that surprise and focused on the novel as a whole.
And I don’t think I will ever read or watch any piece of media about the Holocaust and the lead up to it without being truly horrified and upset by what happened and how ordinary people were being treated by those who had previously been their neighbours and friends. I will never understand it.
The illustrations within this graphic novel also really added to the experience of seeing the lives of Vladek and Anja unfolding. They were so emotional even though you are essentially looking at a picture of a mouse, it just pulls at you in ways that you don’t expect until you are right in the middle of it.
It’s also interesting to see Vladek as an old man telling this story to his son, especially juxtaposed with his interactions with his new wife about money and things like that. You can see the connections forming between what he went through and the person he became, and realise that he never really lets go of the trauma, which again is understandable.
I’m approaching the second instalment with a little bit of trepidation as I’m sure it’s going to be just as impactful and harrowing. ...more
So, this instalment in the lives of Nick and Charlie focus on much darker themes than the volumes that came before, but also manage to do so with the So, this instalment in the lives of Nick and Charlie focus on much darker themes than the volumes that came before, but also manage to do so with the same light quality of the previous pages.
The topics covered include mental health issues such as depression and OCD, eating disorders especially anorexia, as well as also focusing on transphobia especially in the older generations as well as in countries such as Egypt.
I’m always amazed at how many topics Oseman can fit into these pages, and they never feel like they are forced in or are focused on for gratuitous reasons, everything has its place and its reasons and that makes it more meaningful and impactful. I’m also always amazed at how quickly I fly through these volumes, but the format does mean that they are very easy to get through. ...more
Nick, Charlie and friends go to Paris! I’m so happy that I picked up these books, they are just so heartwarming and I’m literally smiling at almost evNick, Charlie and friends go to Paris! I’m so happy that I picked up these books, they are just so heartwarming and I’m literally smiling at almost every page.
This one does deal with some heavier topics such as eating disorders, mental health and self harm. As well as still showcasing all the different relationships that Oseman has created with these characters. You can tell that these were published online because of the little warnings that appear at the top before any mention of anything potentially triggering. Not that there is anything wrong with that but it did surprise me a little bit the first time I saw one.
I’m quite sad that I’ve only got Volume 4 left now but I’m having to fight the temptation to just read it now and not sleep. But I have to sleep so I will resist until after my 8 hours. ...more
Aw this one was also so cute! This volume follows on from the disastrous party where Nick and Charlie first kissed and Nick left abruptly. And it follAw this one was also so cute! This volume follows on from the disastrous party where Nick and Charlie first kissed and Nick left abruptly. And it follows them all the way up to Nick deciding he’s ready to come out.
Again, I wish that these volumes had been around when I was in school. I definitely needed to see someone my age going through the panic around being bi and showing how that would go for them. Obviously I’m aware that not everyone gets the supportive family and the chance to come out safely, but I think seeing yourself represented like this would give anyone the courage to take that step to being their true selves.
I will say that while this is bringing back a lot of high school memories, I don’t remember my high school being as idyllic as the one in this graphic novel. Maybe if it had been I would have more fond memories of it!...more
Aw, I’m so glad I decided to give this a go! I don’t know what it was about this that was putting me off reading it, but I took a decision to give it Aw, I’m so glad I decided to give this a go! I don’t know what it was about this that was putting me off reading it, but I took a decision to give it a go and now the only thing I regret is that I did not pick this up earlier! I haven’t seen the Netflix series yet so I don’t know exactly how it compares with the graphic novel, but the bits that I have seen have a very similar feel to them.
This is exactly the type of story that I could have done with while I was in school. Something that would allow me to try and work through some of the confusing feelings that come with growing up and figuring out who you are and how much space you want to take up. I definitely related to Nick in this one, it’s all a bit confusing at first.
Also, for some reason it did not click with me that this was set in a British school? Like I was fully convinced that it was American and it wasn’t?! How refreshing! ...more
So, this is a continuation of the story first started in Road to Perdition, and shows Michael O’Sullivan Sr and Jr, still trying to bring down the LooSo, this is a continuation of the story first started in Road to Perdition, and shows Michael O’Sullivan Sr and Jr, still trying to bring down the Looney and Capone gangs whilst still travelling to Perdition to where they have family.
I’ll be honest and say that I didn’t remember a whole lost about the first graphic novel, my memories coming more from the film which I think I have watched about 100 times because I love it so much, but I found this one really easy to get into, and I was able to follow what was going on with ease.
But, I’m still very fond of these characters and the story that Collins has created here and I’m pleased to have been following along again on their journey.
The illustrations are immaculate and I found myself lingering over certain ones because there was just so much to take in that I wanted to be sure I had seen everything. I don’t know whether it is a coincidence or not, but some of the illustrations looked like the actors who played those characters in the film. Especially John Looney, who looked more and more like Paul Newman with every appearance on the page. ...more
I’m so disappointed that this one wasn’t as good as the previous volumes. I think because I’ve read them all together quite close to each other it wasI’m so disappointed that this one wasn’t as good as the previous volumes. I think because I’ve read them all together quite close to each other it was easier to see the drop off in this volume, rather than if I had read it when it first was released and I might not have noticed it so much.
I’ve seen other reviews say that there was 10 years between Dallas and Hotel Oblivion and you can kind of tell which is quite sad, because I actually really loved the first two volumes.
It does set it up for a follow up volume which I am quite interested to see more of, but I worry that if there is a gap between them like there has been in the past, then we might have a similar issue with the quality. ...more
This was my first ever introduction to the world of comic books. And I enjoyed it. It did take me a little while to get used to the layout of the comiThis was my first ever introduction to the world of comic books. And I enjoyed it. It did take me a little while to get used to the layout of the comic but once I got used to that, it was incredibly easy to read and enjoy.
I loved the take of the older, embattled super heroes who actually just want to move away from their pasts and live their ordinary lives but something pulls them all back together. There is something dark and gritty about the comic that I still remember to this day. ...more
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