Sister? Where should we start?

Here?

Very good. We are here. Where should we travel to now?

...somewhere that's not here?

That was the idea. Yes.

Neil Gaiman's comic book masterpiece, the 75 issues that practically made him into the author he is today, are collected into 10 TPB (trade paper backs). The seventh, entitled 'Brief Lives' collects issues 41-49 of this amazing series. In this one, Dream (the Sandman - the main character, if Sandman even has one) is enlisted by his youngest sister, Delirium, to go in search of their prodigal brother. Dream and Delirium are part of the Endless - the seven brothers and sisters who are older than and will outlive the Gods. What ensues is Dream and Delirium searching through the waking world for their brother Destruction, meeting gods who left their posts to become dancers in strip clubs and important travel agents. And in the end, Dream meets up with his estranged son Orpheus (yes, that Orpheus) and does something that will change the Endless forever.

Um. What's the name of the word for things not being the same always. You know. I'm sure there is one. Isn't there? There must be a word for it... the thing that lets you know time is happening. Is there a word?

Change.

Oh.
I was afraid of that

I had never read comic books before I picked up The Sandman. My boyfriend gave the set to me as a present for my high school graduation. I read the over 2000 pages that make up the library in a little under five days. Brief Lives immediately stood out as my favorite though. I love Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother) and her artwork -- this (other than The Parliament of Rooks I think) one of the first times I got to see her art. I love her interpretation of Delirium - sort of crazy and always changing. Wild. I like Delirium a lot as a character in general, and this arc has Del galore. You could read this as part of the Sandman saga, in a row, like I did, though I think that Brief Lives could also serve as jumping off point to get into the books as well. It could stand on its own as an arc, which is very nice.

I cannot say enough good things about Gaiman's writing though. He truly is an amazing, amazing man. He wrote every single issue of The Sandman - something quite uncommon in the comic book world. And Sandman is a great way to get into comic books as well - it's more fantasy based than spandex based, though there are a few references to the DC Universe. I had never read a comic book before Sandman and the books really got me hooked on them - as well as Gaiman. I don't know if that's a good thing though.

If you're hesitant, give Brief Lives a try. It truly will be the start of an obsession.

Recommended: Yes