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GHM Online Columnist - Steve Higgins |
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| LATEST NEWS .: |
.MAY 2003.
Steve's Column Debuts! |
| COLUMN PICS & LINKS .: |
.Sandman.
.Seasons.of.Mist.
by Neil Gaiman
and Various
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.Sandman.
.Preludes.and.Nocturnes
by Neil Gaiman
and Various
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.Sandman.
.A.Dolls.House.
by Neil Gaiman
and Various
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.Sandman.
.Dream.Country.
by Neil Gaiman
and Various
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Feedback is always appreciated!
E-mail me at vacuumboy9@hotmail.com
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September 12, 2003
"SANDMAN - SEASONS OF MIST"
It boggles my mind sometimes when I hear from someone that they've never read any of Neil Gaiman's magnificent tale Sandman. I'm not referring to people who've never read comics before, mind you. I'm talking about actual comics fans who've somehow never immersed themselves in the world of the Endless. It seriously is beyond my understanding that someone who calls themselves knowledgeable about comics might not have read any of what is arguably the best comic book series of the past decade, if not of all time.
These strange people who've never tried this book tell me that fantasy isn't their thing, or they're under the mistaken impression that "Sandman is for Goths." But they couldn't be more wrong. Sandman has something to appeal to everyone. It has elements of fantasy, yes, but there are also horror stories, realistic stories, even romance. Sandman would appeal to aficionados of literature, history, religion, practically every discipline there is. Sandman essentially is the best kind of comic: an intelligent well-crafted book that has mass appeal to non-comics readers and comic fans alike.
So why do these people still feel reluctant to approach Sandman? Is it because that reputation the series has as an epic is intimidating to them and they don't know where to begin? If so, then I have the answer: start with Season of Mists, the fourth collection in the series. It might seem odd for me to suggest beginning in the middle of the run, and some people might think it's simply personal bias that makes me tell people to begin here since it's my personal favorite as well as the first Sandman book I ever read myself. However starting after the story is well under way really makes perfect sense, for a number of reasons.
The first two collections, Preludes and Nocturnes and A Doll's House, are almost solely composed of introductory material and origins. The third book, Fables and Reflections, is simply a collection of short individual tales that, once removed, do not necessarily take away from the overall arc Gaiman was crafting. Season of Mists however is one cohesive tale that both stands alone very well while also providing vital pieces of the puzzle that will become significant in future arcs.
As a stand-alone tale, Season of Mists is an incredibly accessible book. Very few of the preceding tales affect the way these stories unfold, and those few that do, the small amount of information we need to know before the story proper begins, is provided for us brilliantly in the prologue. There we meet the Endless, the physical manifestations of the aspects and emotions that control our lives, including the main character Dream (or Morpheus) and his sister Death. We are told that once upon a time Dream fell in love with a mortal woman who spurned him, and he condemned her to Hell for it. As the prologue begins, Dream has very recently entered into a conflict in Hell that he barely escaped from, during which he saw this mortal woman again, and now his guilt over mistreating her is sending him back there to free her, no matter what the cost.
The backstory now having been cleverly laid out for us, the story then moves on from these humble beginnings to unfold into a richly woven tapestry that mixes characters from many mythologies from all over the world. When Morpheus enters Hell, he finds it empty, Lucifer unexpectedly having closed up shop and set everyone free. In part because he's tired and in part to punish Dream, Lucifer leaves his kingdom and hands the key to Hell over to Morpheus, leaving him to decide what shall be done to one of the most valuable pieces of "psychic real estate" ever dreamt of.
Writer Neil Gaiman hit his stride with Season of Mists, telling a tale that perfectly blends philosophical introspection on the nature of the gods with beautiful fantasy imagery in a tale that ostensibly is simply about a man who has been granted a gift he never wanted. Such gifts can seem wonderful yet turn out to be an incredible burden, a lesson that Dream learns all too quickly as he is accosted by gods and spirits, fairies and ghosts, who all desire what he has.
If you are one of those few who have always heard of Sandman but always thought it just wasn't for you, Season of Mists will prove you wrong if you give it a chance. It is fantasy for those who hate fantasy, a deep and thoughtful work for those who are reluctant to explore their own psyches. Sandman is the type of comic that makes you feel smarter for having read it, the type of comic everyone should read.
All Content ©2003 Steve Higgins, All Rights Reserved.
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| :. ABOUT STEVE |
Steve Higgins is an English instructor who loves comics so much he offers a class on them in the spring. His wife Sarah hates comics with a passion and wishes Steve would stop spending so much money on them each week.
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| :. ABOUT STEVE ( CONTINUED) |
Favorite Comics: Doom Patrol, Y the Last Man, Alias, Queen and Country, X-Statix, 21 Down, Paradigm
Favorite Movies: The Fisher King, Heavenly Creatures
Favorite Bands: Radiohead, Counting Crows, Weezer
Favorite Writers: Kurt Vonnegut, John Irving, Russell Banks
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| © 2003 - Gray Haven Magazine & All Authors. |
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