GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: The Sandman: Overture Deluxe Edition

THE END/BEGINNING

The long wait is over. The Sandman: Overture Deluxe Edition has finally arrived! This beautifully crafted book collects the entire The Sandman: Overture #1-6, clocking more than 220 pages of some of the most breathtaking masterpieces of literary and artistic executions by the maestros themselves, Neil Gaiman, J.H. Williams III and Dave Stewart. It features fantastic cover art variants by some of the comic industry’s top artists, including perennial The Sandman cover illustrator Dave McKean. It even includes some additional features like Williams III’s artworks and Gaiman’s thoughts. Plus, the paper used here is glossy, high quality type, a perfect treatment to one of comic’s most influential series ever.

The Sandman: Overture is the prequel of the entire The Sandman saga, most particularly its premier volume, Preludes and Nocturnes. It naturally explains how the titular character ended up in such pathetic position in the abovementioned chapter. But before that historic moment, most of the story circles around on the impending annihilation of the existence as we know it, which may or otherwise have connections to the Dream god himself. Hence, it is up to him how to deal with that so-called inevitable. Readers of The Sandman saga have no problem reading this critically and commercially acclaimed run because it possesses anything Gaiman-esque fantasy we finally dreamed upon. Full of hidden treasures of anything superhero to beloved characters we can easily relate with. Furthermore, this volume shows the first appearances of Morpheus’s “parents” whose attitude are not far behind with some of our parents around. Moreover, Gaiman’s lyrical and elegiac prose is abundant and very memorable, if not quotable, making this deluxe edition a “must” in every comic book shelf around. In other words, this volume alone is essential.

Aside from Gaiman’s majestic prose, the most prominent thing in this hardcover edition is the art department, particularly the series’ main illustrator, J.H. Williams III. The Sandman saga is equally known for its fantastic and breathtaking illustrations from start to finish. Artists like Sam Keith, Dave McKean, Mike Dringenberg and Todd Klein were/are some of these craftsmen who pushed/push their artistic limitations to new heights, and even responsible for making this epic run one of the epitomes of collaborative synchronization in the comic-fantasy genre ever. And the multi-award Eisner’s winner never ever fails to disappoint us readers and fans. He even exceeds our greatest expectations and his artworks simply blow away most of the industry’s competitions. Please be reminded that he previously worked under some of the best of the best in the comic industry before the prequel series, namely Alan Moore in Promethea (highly recommended), Grant Morrison in Batman series (great read), and Greg Rucka in pre-Flashpoint/New 52 Batwoman (one of the best runs of the character); and he proved himself along the way. From his cover arts up to the very last page of the story, he transcends his artwork to the higher level of consciousness. Traditional comic readers and probably newbie around may find his visual storytelling so unorthodox, if not confusing to follow. BUT, that’s the ultimate beauty of his signature postmodernist non-linear sequential and angular perspective visual narrative, matching only to Gaiman’s incredible script. Indeed, his interiors are mostly psychedelic, phantasmagoric, and psychologically mesmerizing even without taking any hallucinogen at all. His work is orderly chaotic, almost nihilistically dreamlike. No wonder this masterpiece, like all The Sandman volumes, demands repetitive readings to gain the full benefits of the Sandman experience. Todd Klein’s lettering art is always incredible, proving his reputation as one of the best comic letterers ever. Dave McKean’s cover arts are simply hauntingly astonishing, often leading readers to go to the interiors to connect the connectivity of his patented collage and photographic illustrations to the story’s messages. And, Dave Stewart’s colors further magnify the already mind-blowing illustrations of Williams III. Simply put, the artistic team is THE BEST ever!

Aside from some minor nitpicking along the way, this deluxe edition is still no different from the rest of the Vertigo/DC hardcover titles: binding. As I said in other DC/Vertigo hardcover title reviews, this one needs holding of many pages. Moreover, I strongly believe that this series will be treated sooner than later the ultimate treatment ever: The Absolute version, similar to the previous five The Sandman volumes (and one Absolute: Death), containing in-depth annotations, additional artworks and features, and slipcase that is worth saving/investing and waiting. However, pragmatic types can surely enjoy this latest deluxe treatment. And as always, not everyone is “suggested” to read this one (duh!). These critical points are merely asterisks, thus never diminishing the overall impact of this book.

Nonetheless, The Sandman: Overture Deluxe Edition is another great addition to The Sandman epic series. It closes the entire series, completing its full circle. The creative team’s respective duties are some of the fines yet, from Gaiman’s prose, Williams III’s interiors, Stewart’s colors, Klein’s lettering, to McKean’s cover arts. This is THE BEST PREQUEL in the comic series EVER! THANK YOU, GAIMAN ET AL!