The Sandman: Overture #2

The Sandman: Overture

by Neil Gaiman, J.H. Williams III (Artist)

Daniel enters Mad Hettie's dream and Morpheus discovers why he has been summoned and what he has been summoned to do.

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Horror, Fiction

17 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2014

Reviews

[Melissa Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have now read Volume 1 of the Overture (again I am sorry for the wrong book review guess that is what happens when you stay up too late reading and doing emails).

I LOVED THE FIRST BOOK INSTALLMENT IN THE NEW SANDMAN SERIES! The art work is beautiful and I do mean 'art work' I am going to do some research and check out some of his other work. The story is wonderful...getting to the Sandman's beginning. Guess after I read the Overture I will have to reread the whole series. Can't wait for this to be out.


This is a review on The Dolls House done in error.
I read this series when it first came out. It was great then and it is still great today...that should say something about the greatness of the series. I wonder how many times it has been reprinted? Guess it is something I will have research...I will let you know.

Can't go wrong with any of Neil Gaiman books he is one of the best.

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the first issue of Overture, I felt like I waited months to read the second issues. It was indeed literally months. I bought this comicbook online and I had to wait additional weeks until I got it in my hands and it was worth the wait.

Just in time too, with its bimonthly (?) schedule, a new issue is due soon. It seems that DC is taking its time with this miniseries and only releases an issue when it needs a sales spike to impress its stockholders.

This is a visually impressive comicbook, with J.H. Williams showing us his inventive layouts and ability to switch in between art styles. I d can't wait for the third issue.

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little council of Dreams? That was fantastic. Just fantastic.

Issue 2 sets off Dream to a journey to find some answers. And the answers lead him (and a cat aspect of Dream) to a place that even the Endless dare not to go to.

As with the first issue, this one has a lyric and nonlinear narrative that is perfectly complemented by the flowing and colorful artwork.

Issue 2 swims on new waters as it fills the pages with sweet exposition while filling the realm with more mystery. This is something exciting and new even for fans of the original masterpiece.

[Diego Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Segunda parte de una precuela maravillosa sobre Sueño y todos sus hermanos. Se nota el cuidado y el esfuerzo tanto por el guión como por la ilustraciones que en ocasiones dejan sin palabras. Todo un homenaje a la estrella de Vértigo que no te dejará indiferente

[Erin Hartshorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is gorgeous; the story -- disjointed, nonlinear, dreamlike -- which means rather appropriate, I suppose. It was an enjoyable enough read, but the story didn't seem to advance very much, which was a touch disappointing after waiting so long for the second issue.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to rate a single comic. I want to give it 5 stars, because it's beautiful and confusing and creepy and nonsensical, just like a dream ... but it's not complete. And I am sad that #3 isn't even listed by GR yet - HOW LONG will we have to wait??? The Mary Sue tells me I'm going to have to wait until JULY. "While Vertigo’s solicit for Sandman Overture #3 still quotes its release month as April, in an interview with CNN, writer Neil Gaiman says that it’ll arrive in July." Ugh. But it's worth waiting for.

Maybe I need to go back and re-read the first one, because I thought the white guy was just another aspect of Morpheus, but the blurb is calling him Daniel. Daniel/Morpheus walk through a house that is a body, with heart and brains oozing through the walls. Then Morpheus meets up with himself and they have one crazy conversation. I'm totally not doing this justice here.

I read it in a barely awake state, and then I went to sleep, and I wondered if I would have dreams inspired by Gaiman. I did not (not that I remember) but I woke up to hear all about my 8 year old's dream. And it demonstrated, better than anything else could for me, just how WELL the Sandman combines the feel of a dream with the epic story it is telling.

Her dream, because it is interesting to me ...

I was being chased by bees, and I had to run through an obstacle course, and there were toys at each obstacle, and you [Mom] had some really amazing toys. I wanted to say they were my toys. And then all these people I knew showed up! Voldemort, Selena Gomez, David Boreanaz, Taden[boy she has crush on], Ponyo, Totoro, Elephantie, Tiny Tim [our stuffed elephant & turtle], Anthony Stewart Head ... Everyone I loved was there. And they were all holding a little baby that was a tiny version of them. (Boreanaz's baby had little fangs.) And when you pushed their head, the baby grew, and the POP! it turned into pieces of candy. I was upset because they told me I had to eat the candy from Voldemort, but what if it's filled with blood? ...

[Kurage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This art *____*

[Vittorio Rainone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tutto molto aulico e onirico. Peccato che questo numero affonda nella nebulosità che invece brillantemente mancava nel precedente. Col risultato di non capire bene dove si vada a parare. Certo i disegni sono belli, però tutta questa voglia di essere letterari forse va oltre la decenza.

[Jose Granados · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigue siendo muy deslumbrante el arte, pero la lectura es muy densa se debe leer con mucho detenimiento

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sandman, and Overture is the best complete storyline, in my opinion.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about the Sandman series that I probably haven't already said? It's the only series of Graphic Novels that I've, actually read all the way through. All the Characters of the Endless are memorable and fascinating in their own way. Dream, the main character of the series is,egotistical and arrogant but at the same time he has his weaknesses and failings, like any creature. It's refreshing to read about the characters again in this Overture series. It's almost like seeing a good friend after years apart. Though this issue doesn't explain much, it leaves the reader at a good ending and introduces different aspects of the entity that is,Dream, such as the dream of Cats hah. Also we see Daniel again who still appears to be ruling the kingdom of Dream. Needless to say I cannot wait for the third issue to be released.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The multiple Morpheus scene is really interesting. It's also nice to see the continuity in the art (something we never got in the previous ten volumes, to interesting effects) from the first to the second comics, some repetition of images and strategies of presentation. Williams is really terrific, pulling out all the stops. That said, there's so much philosophical work here being accomplished (and within a dream state!) in order to help us understand the Dream world, that it tends to be a bit talky. In other words, we get to understand things a bit better, but it's mainly exposition, not enacted in story. Not much happens. But it's still visually impressive, and I know it's setting up what will happen. I'd say five stars for the art, for sure, amazing, and just okay for the prose/philosophizing, which could be done more poetically and efficiently.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say the best thing about this series of Sandman is the art. J. H. Williams just does an amazing job. Every page is simply gorgeous and I find I'm spending a lot more time absorbing the pictures than I am the story. I am finding it difficult reading this in the short comic format. I normally devour graphic novels in a single sitting so having to read something so short is difficult. I find the plot just gets started and then it ends and I'm spending half the time remembering what happened before. I'm definitely going to have to get the graphic novel version when it's released. But I'm still going to keep collecting this as it comes out as it's just so gorgeous and I'm really happy Neil's gone back and written more Sandman.

[JM · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a somewhat shaky start with issue #1, I felt this one found its rhythm. Daniel makes an appearance, along with Mad Hettie, and Dream has a conversation with his many aspects. I got a kick of seeing Kryptonian Dream in the crowd, and it was a cool twist to see the Great Old One's Dream make an appearance. Gaiman hasn't lost it, I see. The final line, where Dream of Cats refuses to merge with Dream (cats don't do as told) and rather walks with him to a place Dream described as forbidden caught my attention for sure: "Do you think Father will be pleased to see us?" I don't know, but I sure as hell was pleased to read this issue, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Fren Carillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gaiman ha sempre questo potere di scrivere storie oniriche di una grazia perfetta. Ritrovare Morfeo - e anche il nuovo Sogno, insieme a tutti i Sogno dell'universo - è stato quanto mai bello, in una storia che si preannuncia sempre più interessante. Il tutto accompagnato da disegni che riescono a sottolineare, estendere e potenziare la magia di una storia in cui si respira un'aria antica, mitica e ricca di sorprese e rivelazioni - come quella buttata lì, con noncuranza quasi, all'ultima pagina, pronta per essere ripresa nel prossimo volume.
Non mi stancherò mai di Sandman e del suo mondo, dei suoi personaggi e dei sogni.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The new Sandman story continues, in which all of the aspects of Dream discover why they have all been drawn together. A new threat to the universe has been unleashed, and apparently, once again, it's all Dream's fault.

I liked the bit in the beginning between Mad Hettie and Daniel, and I love the return of the Dream of Cats. I think I'd rather read everything all together, and not have to wait for the other four issues, but patience is a virtue, and I've got plenty of other things to read.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic installment from Neil Gaiman, I can't wait to read the next one, even though it is months way. The art work is truly amazing and epic on every level. If your new to Sandman you can still jump in here, but if your a long time fan this is like crack! AMAZING Thank you again Neil Gaiman for creating this amazing world for all to lose themselves in.

[Patrick Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad to be able to read this as they come out. Loving that the Sandman is back. I've been reading them on iPad and on my laptop, and the art is amazing. And the bit where Morpheus sets off at the end of the issue? Chills. I actually started to hear bits of the "I Am the Doctor" leitmotif from Doctor Who in my head as I read it. Great stuff!

[Jeff Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After months of delays, the second volume of Sandman: Overture is finally here! Like a dream, the story of the Dream Lord is disjointed, bizarre, and difficult to comprehend. Unfortunately, the story doesn't advance much in this issue. The art work is astounding. Gaiman's words, as always, are perfection. Now the long wait for the next issue . . .

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I"m enjoying the return of the Sandman!

So far, these Sandman stories are great! I feel they successfully recapture the eerie feelings that made me fall in love with the original Sandman! Can't wait for the next installment! I just wish I could enlarge some of the images on my Kindle Fire!

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to pick up the third comic in Sandman overture and found they'd re-released nos 1 and 2 in glorious black and white. I ended up buying these as the art work was just SO GORGEOUS. Reading them again this way was wonderful. The layout the beauty of the panels was so much more striking without the colour. I will definitely be getting the rest of the "special editions".

[Arsnoctis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I disegni di J.W.III sono ottimi e i colori di Stewart sono un guizzare surreali di sfumature inaspettatamente equilibrate, ma ho trovato che i capitoli 2 e 3 presentassero una storia leggermente più debole, ecco perchè ho voluto segnalare un voto leggermente più basso. Mi sarà utile come promemoria. ★★★★✩

[Joseph Gagnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, it's apparently Dream's own fault an aspect of him has died. I wonder what that dude meant about a star going mad and dying ... I wonder if he meant an actual star. It's going to be interesting finding out. I'm not sure all of what is happening yet. I'm hoping to get some clarification in the next issue.

I love Dream of Cats. He's cute. I want more of the story to follow him.

[Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But as for telling the time ... sometimes what time tells us is for it alone to know."

Mad Hettie's backstory is explained! A nice cameo. Dream finds out what is causing a star to go mad, and now he has to fix it. The art is just bonkers! Bonus points for the cat version of Dream, it looks like a surreal Dream Cat - a kitty you just want, but is unfortunately Unobtainable.

[Lena Barsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The multiple-Morpheus scene was incredible, and then there was DANIEL DANIEL DANIEL DANIEL. I can't wait to see where this goes. Thank god Neil Gaiman is writing this limited run; it's really rather incredible to have new Sandman stories to read.

[Raisa R · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.H. Williams III's art sends chills up my spine & Neil's words are everything <3
The suspense between issues is killing me.
"Oh, Neil Gaiman, I forgive you for the delay."
After the last page: "I take that back until issue 3.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one confused me a bit. Talking to a friend, neither he nor any of his Sandman fan friends knew who the bad guy was. Guess we'll have to wait and find out. Also, given the length of time between issues, I need to read from the beginning each time probably.

[Elizabeth Judd Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally had a chance to buy Issues 2 & 3; loving the series so far. Gaiman is a good author but I really do vastly prefer his graphic novels work as I think it allows him to ramble a bit more and play with ideas and plots.

[S.M.M. Lindström · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yesss, Daniel!Dream, I'm so happy he gets to be Dream and act his part! Even if it's still a story focused on Morpheus!Dream. The many versions of Dream gathered in one place was wonderful and I'm glad we're getting to keep cat!Dream along for the ride.

[Ali Hasan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, it's becoming thrilling! The council of dream, That "Three in one / We who are three" parts were really interesting.

But one thing for sure is that mere English man is not a mere Englishman , dear Sandman . Everything can possibly wrong against that man . Hehe