Absolute Sandman Vol. 1

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Science Fiction & Fantasy
Author:	Neil Gaiman

[This review is being written with those who are already familiar with the Neil Gaiman's Sandman mythos in mind. (So if you don't understand this review, that's okay.)]

At first glance, there seems to be very little incentive in purchasing Absolute Sandman Vol. 1. Before this, the Sandman series has gone through numerous printings - from the earliest individual issues format to the hard-bound/softcover multi-volume format - and has firmly established itself as the 10-volume masterpiece that we know today. It has come to be expected that any later editions will retain this format, each volume with a separate title and an introduction by an esteemed author.

The problem with the projected 4 or 5 volume Absolute Sandman series is that it completely disregards this format. For example, volume 1 contains the first three volumes in the regular run, but does not contain dividers that mark the titles of each sub-volume, nor does it contain the scholarly analyses that were made by the different authors (such as Peter Straub, Clive Barker and Stephen King) who made the introductions for each volume. For those long-time Sandman fans who have read the series over and over again, the commentary has become a necessary part in understanding the universe occupied by Dream and the rest of the Endless.

There are, however, plus points in the "Absolute" volume. The most salient of which is the major effort to overhaul the atrocious coloring that the earliest issues were accomplished with. In particular, the dark and dreary "Preludes and Nocturnes" was given a new look that, while enhancing the liveliness of the scenes, nevertheless did not take anything away from its "unrealism". The issues that compose "The Doll's House" had much better coloring in the original run, but was nevertheless re-colored to fit the work done with the immediately previous issues. One could imagine that when it gets to the point of "Brief Lives", Delirium's eye colors will finally get the correction that it will need.

The physical appearance of the book is also worth mentioning. While previous editions already came in hard-bound format, the present Absolute series is the best-looking hard-bound series yet. It retains the gothic theme that the early series was known for and it is designed with symbols associated with Dream to fit the overall feel of the Sandman series.

The paper used for the pages is also of sturdier and glossier quality, unlike in earlier editions - both hard-bound and softcover - where the pages easily tore and yellowed/discolored as a consequence of age. The oversized format also complemented well the "larger than life" character of Dream.

Had this been a series where they retained the 10-volume format instead of the "Absolute" format, then it would have been the perfect edition ever. As it is, collectors would have to make do with the unsatisfactory re-categorizations of the issues. Just to be clear, the "Absolute" series is a good volume, and excellent in many ways. It's just that it's missing a crucial element that Sandman fans are already very familiar with.

4 out of 5 stars.