Sorry to bump and old thread, I've just gotten into reading comic books (started with media tie ins, and have since read Watchmen, Batman Year One, Astonishing X-Men, and some Hellboy) and want to try out the Sandman. I'm not really into collecting (so the Absolutes are out), so just getting the books is most important. Do you think the new release of the TPB is worth 2x the cost? (just checking right now and I can buy the old version used for about 6.50 used and the new for about 13.50) The coloring change example on Amazon doesn't really look 'better' just different, but it's different on print I know.

The coloring and the print quality is much better on the new paperback editions. The new books are printed on slick glossy paper and utilize the recoloring from the Absolute editions. I think they've only redone the first three volumes (which benefited from being recolored) with the other seven presumably to follow in the coming months.

But, on the other hand, the old paperback editions aren't terrible by any stretch, and if it's easier to read the whole run by getting the older versions, by all means do so. And this is coming from someone who owns all the Absolutes (even Absolute Death), and is about to fly to Wisconsin for an American Gods-themed event.

Thanks guys. I think I'll just order the new one, as it looks like it's only V1 I can get for the really cheap cost anyway at this time. I'll keep an eye out for the absolutes though too, as it looks like that cost isn't too much higher when it's all said and done. (Is it a must to read these in order? I'm seeing the reviews for the first volume suggest that it might be a little sluggish to begin with)

I would strongly recommend reading the books in order... there's a really cool twist in issue eight (the final story in the first book) that, if you don't already know about, is something you probably wouldn't want spoiled.

Be aware that the first storyline, issues one through seven, is pretty much an attempt to mimic Alan Moore's Swamp Thing run, from Sam Kieth's organic, stylized art (reminiscent of Bissette and Totleben) to the array of guest stars. Issue eight, the final story in that book, takes a completely different tone than the first seven issues that will continue and expand throughout the rest of the run.

Thanks Josh, will do. I'm pumped for this series.

I'd be curious to hear how the event went?

It was absolutely fantastic! Friday night Gaiman did a reading from American Gods (the chapter about The House on the Rock, obviously), answered questions, and did a signing. I made a pinky swear with him about something I'm now not allowed to talk about.

The House on the Rock itself is crazy. Took me over 4 hours to get through all of it, and I took about 2600 pictures over the two days. On Saturday night was a costume contest and a party where they opened up the house to us and had bands playing, tarot card readings, magicians, and other cool stuff. I got Shadow's fortune card from Esmerelda (the "Your lucky number is Dead" one) and met some great people. Wisconsin was also wonderful, and I'm going to have to go back there and stay longer next time.

I think that only the first eighteen or twenty issues of Sandman were recolored for the Absolutes, so the next seven books should have the same coloring, but, presumably the new editions of them will be on the glossier paper.

Another thing to consider is, if you're concerned about having a matching set of books, then buying used might make it difficult to do so since there have been four or five different designs used.

(I'm one of those people who absolutely hates it when publishers switch design elements on books mid-run. Come to hink of it, the original run of Sandman TPBs didn't have any kind of unifying design, did it? My original run of hardcovers didn't... two of them even came without dust jackets!)

I hope it's that he's going to do that Sandman prequel and Endless miniseries sometime in the near future.

ETA: Shit, I forgot about MiracleMarvelman... and finishing up the Silver Age and Dark Age.

Well...I can't say.

Thanks

I went to the House when I was a kid, but really don't remember much about it.

It's still weird to know my favorite comic book writer lives in the same state as I do.

Yeah, it is a bit bizarre to think of Neil living in Wisconsin. If anything you'd think he'd be living in the English countryside, but there's obviously something about America that he finds fascinating. And I have to say, from my short time in Wisconsin, I can understand.

Come back in January and you'll probably change your mind.

Yeah, well, coming from Los Angeles you're probably right about that. During the Q&A Neil mentioned the winters. "Are we mad?" I think was his response to living in Wisconsin in the winter.

So I finally got Preludes and Nocturnes. I noticed there is an introduction. Can anyone tell me if there are any spoilers in that?

play it safe and skip the intro

Thanks David.

I did. I've read volumes 1 and 2 so far and am loving it (though it's more disturbing than I imagined, I really went into this blind). Can't wait for vol 3 to get here (I have 4 and 5 on my shelf already) Sadly, hastings canceled 4 of the books I ordered so I need to do some piecing together of the later part of the series.

which ones do you need, I have a few of the old HCs i found on a bookshelf at my mom's the other day, that i had forgotten i had...and i have the 4 absolutes now, so Ill probably either ebay them or trade then at the LCBS...

I need 6,7,9, and 10. So would be interested in those (I have a limited amount of things to trade, but PM me if you have those and maybe we can find some common ground).