Sandman #1 introduces us to self-styled “magus” Roderick Burgess and his attempt to summon and imprison DEATH in a magical ritual held in England in 1916.
If you have been reading this blog for a while you will probably know I’m a big fan of Neil Gaiman’s SANDMAN comic. It ran for 75 issues plus one Special from 1989 to 1996. I still have the original comics. I brought them over to Japan with me. I have read the comics many times and will no doubt read them again in the future. I’m particularly fond of the first half of the series and count The Doll’s House and A Season in Hell among my favourite story arcs.
With the release of the Netflix Sandman Series, I wanted to go back to the source and reread the first issue. I recorded a kind of audio-comic of Sandman issue #1 “Sleep of the Just.” The first half of the video below is my summary of the first issue showing some of the gorgeous art from the comic. The second half of the video is me reading parts of Neil Gaiman’s essay on how he got the idea for the comic. It was originally published in the back of Sandman issue #4. I wanted to share it with you and anyone else who might stumble upon this page in the future. This was a labour of love.
As always, thanks for reading!
-Wakizashi, *listening to an approaching thunderstorm. Man it’s been humid today. I feel like the air is about to explode.*
Wakizashi's Reviews 
I NEED to READ this series! Especially now that she show is coming out. But it is so expensive I can’t believe it
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Do you prefer physical to digital because I think the digital collections are discounted at the moment.
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Physical definitely. I’m doomed.
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Will circle back to this, video looks very well made and I do like a ‘magus’ story…
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Hey, thanks mate. Will you be reviewing the TV show?
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I love the Sandman comic series, I’ve read it so many times. Been enjoying the new Netflix show too. I still have my old Sandman tarot set I got back during the comics heyday, happy times and places eh? 🙂
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I think the show started well but all the changes have kind of taken me out of the story. Not just the characters but crucial story points. I think I will stick to the comics which still hold up like you said. Thanks Paul. Glad you are enjoying it. 👍
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Is the whole book the same dark tone as the pages you posted here? Because man, that is a lot of black and shadow!
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Not all but a lot of the pages are dark. It’s a dark story. If you watch some of the video you will see the art 😉
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I haven’t read the early volumes, something I need to do fast!
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I’ve been re-reading the first 16 issues and they are still really good.
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This really is a series I’d like to read one of these days. I don’t know why I’ve never read it.
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It is a good time to read it and then compare it with the TV adaptation.
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I have always respected how well-respected The Sandman is, but had never read any of the comics. When the series became a reality, I went out and got a physical collection of the comics to read after I first watched the series. I can’t wait to dig into the source material now, because for me the series was outstanding. The story lines were compelling, for the most part every part was cast perfectly, and I can’t wait for a second season. I also feel Episode 6 is one of the best hours of television I have seen in a long time. Brilliant show.
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I grew up reading the comics and enjoy re-reading them every few years. Glad to hear the TV adaptation worked for you. After a promising start, I found it disappointing overall. Major changes to both characters and story left me scratching my head at times. Also the pacing was very very slow. Hob Gadling, the man who refuses to die, was my favourite character and performance in the show. I love his story in the comics. Thanks for your comments!
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