The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes-Volume 1

*SPOILERS* 
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After being dazzled by the artwork in 'The Sandman Overture', I was initially a bit put off by the artwork in Preludes & Nocturnes. To be fair, before reading Overture, it had been more than 10 years since I had last opened a Sandman comic. Since P&N picked up where the polished masterpiece Overture left off, it was not hard to notice the choppy rhythm of the storytelling at the comic's  inception. Neil Gaiman Himself admits to that. The momentum builds of course, and my eyes even adjust to the early art work style again as I begin to enjoy the descent into the astral playground. Though each issue has its gems, my favorites are (in no particular order): A Hope in Hell, The Sound of Her Wings, and 24 Hours. My overall grade (1-10): 8

Sleep of the Just-Roderick Burgess, a loosely based version of the occultist Aleister Crowley, traps Dream during a summoning ritual and strips him of his dream talismans (A pouch of dream sand, a helm, and a ruby) before locking him in a special glass cell. The world is in chaos, plagued by a "sleepy sickness" that makes people sleep their lives away. Burgess, obsessed with conquering Death, dies of old age and his prisoner is passed to his son, Alex. Alex doesn't really want the burden but doesn't know what else to do with Dream. Dream escapes after many decades but is weakened by his imprisonment and in need of his tools which were all lost over the years in a variety of destructive ways. Perhaps it is Dream's resemblance to Gaiman that enhances this but there is something very sexy about a naked Dream breaking free of his captivity and releasing his wroth in all it's splendor. He makes sure to curse his captor (Alex Burgess) to a horrible fate of constantly waking from a nightmare before beginning his search for his lost dream tools.

Imperfect Hosts-Dream now also referred to Morpheus,  goes back to find his realm, The Dreaming, in ruin because of his absence. Dream consults with the Kindly Ones (or insert synonymous name), the mythological equivalent to the goddesses of vengeance, in order to learn more on the whereabouts of his talismans. He is granted one question from each of them and this leads him to seek John Constantine, the last known possessor of the dream sand pouch. I didn't particularly love this issue as a whole but did enjoy the banter with the goddesses, because who doesn't? Truthfully, I could have done without the Batman/Justice League cameo. Not because I don't like Batman or the JLA, but because I just don't see them as making sense in Dream's particular universe.

Dream a Little Dream of Me- This issue parallels the effects of addiction, and though it was gruesome, it was also quite sad.  Dream searches for the pouch of Dream Sand with help from John Constantine, who is expecting him after being made aware of his return by Mad Hettie. They find it with Rachel, John's ex-girlfriend who has been consumed by the "joys" of dream dust. She is wasting away and has completely stopped eating and drinking. Dream, at John's plea, gives Rachel death and an beautiful endless dream. John also asks to be free of his own perpetual nightmare.  The issue ends with John walking away singing, "Mr. Sandman, bring me at dream..." It has an eerie effect. The dream/nightmare sequences in this issue are surreal, confusing, sad, and exactly what you would expect if you were looking through a window of someone Else's darkness.

The very sad effects of becoming addicted to dreams.

A Hope in Hell-This issue was my absolute favorite. Dream has to defeat the demon Choronson to get his helm back and they have some of the best battle banter EVER! Since Choronson came to possess the helm in a fair exchange, the battle style would be his to choose and he chooses Reality, thinking this is not Dream's strong suit, especially in his weakened state. A battle of wits ensues as they both try to be the bigger idea that devours the other. In the final "battle" Choronson, thinks he has Dream beat as he declares himself the "anti-life, the end of everything..." When Dream makes his move, he declares "he is hope" and knows that he has won. Hope can conquer anything as long as it isn't lost.

Dream's victory puts him on Lucifer's crap list and he promises one day he will destroy him. Dream, always one for a dramatic farewell, puts a little perspective on things as he exits Hell and leaves some harsh parting words to the sea of damned souls. 

Passengers-John Dee (Doctor Destiny) escapes Arkham Asylum after his mother Ethel Cripps (the once mistress of Rod Burgess who ran away with his bestie/partner), gave him a certain gift of protection. He then carjacks a woman named Rosemary at gunpoint forcing her to drive him to claim the ruby that had once belonged to Morpheus. Meanwhile, Dream is also on his way to get his ruby back. When he finds it, he has a bad reaction to it since Doctor Dee had altered the ruby during his previous possession making it so he was the only one who could use it. Dee calls the ruby a Metriopticon and he uses it to control dreams and the minds and actions of other people. Doctor Dee thanks the kindly Rosemary for the ride with a bullet in her head, and thus begins his psychotic rampage.  There is a brief cameo by Scarecrow (an inmate at Arkham with Dee) in this issue. It didn't bother me nearly as much as the appearance of Batman and the Justice League in 'Imperfect Hosts'. That being said, I am still not a huge fan of merging that aspect of DC Universe in this story.

24 Hours-This issue should have come with a warning. It is the most terrifying story in Preludes & Nocturnes. This is the stuff nightmares are made of. I read this one through a couple of times and was more unsettled each time. I loved it.

It takes place in a diner where a waitress, a secret writer who creates alternate stories for all her regular patrons, notes a stranger sitting quietly at one of the tables. This is of course, Doctor Dee. Using the ruby, or Metriopticon as Dee calls it, he begins to bend the patrons minds to his "amusement" and the entropy begins. The next 24 hours are documented in a journalistic style with each hour more horrific than the last. Dee is a malignant narcissist and takes great pleasure in controlling the patrons into complete devotion for him.  He is bringing the madness out of everyone and they are killing, raping, and confessing. They are the darkest parts of themselves. A lot can happen in 24 hours. Dream arrives at the end of the macabre and walks through the gruesome scene of decapitated heads, entrails, and mutilation and confronts Dee.

They worship him and carry him around like he just scored the winning point in a game.

In a ridiculous display of consideration, Dee licks a finger cut off in sacrifice, as not to seem an ungracious god.

Sound and Fury-We open with the world gone mad, an Armageddon that most people don't anticipate in their doomsday prepping. Doctor Dee and the ruby are wreaking real havoc in the world. Dee seems surprised to learn that the fire in the heart of the ruby is Dream's soul and realizes how weak Morpheus must be without it.  Still, Dream challenges Dee, declaring that since Dee has stolen a thing of Dreams that he will have to battle him in the Dreaming. Once in the Dreamworld Dee is a bit disoriented by the surreal landscape and distracting visions. He eventually gets his wits about him and remembers he is there to kill Morpheus. A brief appearance of Dream's brother Destiny "afraid to turn the page" is exceptionally placed. In Dee's arrogance he taunts Morpheus with the ruby's power and in his effort to kill Dream breaks the ruby in his hand.  He thinks he has succeeded but finds himself small and defeated in the hand of Morpheus. Neither Dee or Dream anticipated that when the ruby broke, Dream's full power would be unleashed and returned to him. Morpheus takes pity on Dee understanding the power the ruby had on his mind and also because if it weren't for Dee shattering the ruby, he may have never came into his full potential again. Instead of killing Dee, he returns him to Arkham Asylum.

The Sound of Her Wings-After Morpheus regains his power, he falls into a depression. His sister Death comes to visit him in a park where he is feeding pigeons and brooding. Dream laments about how empty he feels now that he has succeeded in getting his tools back. Death listens patiently while he speaks and when he is finished she gives him a crack over the head and tells him to snap out of it. As 1 of 5 siblings, I have experienced similar conversations with my siblings and I just loved how normal this conversation was all things anthropomorphic considered. Dream also explains that when he was captured by Burgess, that it was her he was really after. She knows this and they both know that things would have gone far worse if Burgess had succeeded in her capture. Dream accompanies his sister as she tends to her "responsibilities" and is grateful for the perspective Death has given him. The introduction to Death in this issue is a bubbly and friendly treat (and a perfect way to end P&N.)

Cool things I listen to (and so should you) Part 1

In my long spans of transport to my workplace destination it is essential that I find meaningful ways to pass my time. Audiobooks and podcasts are my roadway companions and help me squeeze in so many awesome stories I might not have time to read otherwise. If you are looking for a great way to pass your time on the road here are my recommendations:

 

Beneath Ceaseless Skies is not only a great podcast, it is also a great literary online magazine that has been nominated for a Hugo award several times.  What I like best about this podcast is that the featured short story is usually told in less than an hour. Great for my commute as my ride is one hour to work and one hour home. Sometimes I can squeeze 3 stories into one day. Obviously, some stories are much better than others but recently I have listened to the following gems: "A Salvaging of Ghosts" by Aliette de Bodard (I also recommend listening to "The Breath of War" by the same author), "Whale Oil" by Sylvia Victor Linsteadt, and "The Sweetest Skill" by Tony Pi.

The Loaded Couch is a fun variety show that talks about a lot of the things I love: beer, movies, TV shows, video games, and general nonsense. You can always count on these guys to talk intelligently without taking themselves to seriously. They keep me on top of what's new in the video game/console world while making me laugh at the same time.  There are 5 guys on the cast and they have a great dynamic. I especially enjoy the host-with-the-most, ScotchHound. He is so articulate in his opinions and provides meaningful insight, not to mention he is a total babe. He is also my husband but I would think that even if he wasn't.

Tales to Terrify is nothing short of a treasure trove of fantastic stories. You can reach in again and again over a span of years, and you just never know what kind jewel you will get. Over the last few weeks, they have been posting the short stories currently nominated for a 2016 Bram Stoker Award. So far the featured nominees include: "Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers" by Alyssa Wong, "The Algernon Effect" by Gene O'Neill, and my personal favorite, "Sing Me Your Scars" by Damien Angelica Walters.  Not to say the others weren't worthy nominees, I really loved Alyssa Wong's story as well but "Sing Me Your Scars" just captured the essence of what I love in a good horror tale at it's most classic.

History of Westeros is basically a podcast hosted by a couple of superfans obsessed with George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series.  Naturally I love it.  Some of the shows can be a little long winded (2 hours or more) but they also have a great cache of shorter episodes. The hosts clearly do their research and love getting carried away talking about the series. Another thing we have in common. I am always up for a good theorycrafting and predictive analysis and there is plenty of that to go around in this podcast for the ASOIAF obsessed.

The Wicked Library is another treasure chest full of scary/strange little stories.  As a huge fan of The Twilight Zone, this podcast played on all the things I find pleasing.  Listening to TWL gives me a sense of nostalgia, like tuning into an old radio show. There are so many more stories worth listening to but I definitely recommend listening to: "The Screenplay" by Chuck Rakiecz, Et al, "Christmassacre" by Various Authors (there are a few of these), and "Wicked Things" featuring Neil Gaiman's, "The Price" (as well as stories by Daniel Foytik and Nelson W. Pyles). 

Just because it's awesome, here is some great cover art

I will follow this post up with a recommended audio book listening list. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and go subscribe to these awesome podcasts. You may even thank me for one or two of them. :)

Because Jeremiah

The word pragmatic sounds ugly doesn’t it? I always thought so. It reminds me of gray metal filing cabinets, organized with little colored tabs that say Electricity, Gas, Investments. It also reminds me of the path of least resistance, of doing what is practical all the time.

So what does it really mean?

(From Vocabulary.com)

The opposite of idealistic is pragmatic, a word that describes a philosophy of "doing what works best." From Greek pragma "deed," the word has historically described philosophers and politicians who were concerned more with real-world application of ideas than with abstract notions.

The part of this definition that speaks the loudest to me is “doing what works best”.  Jeremiah and I together work best. We knew it at the inception of our relationship when certain people in our lives tried to influence the outcome of our togetherness.  We knew it when their interference drove us closer together.

I am all feelings. I often “feel” myself into a slew of unproductive hypothetical laments. In my need to make Jeremiah more real to me, I would babble in a frenzy about all the “what ifs” that could have led us to a different outcome…what if our “friends” had succeeded in their interference? What if all the things they accused me of had driven him away? Jeremiah is sure and tangible. He didn’t ponder these things. He would respond to me with practical, comforting answers like (I paraphrase), I am not easily influenced or I wouldn’t be the person you were meant to fall in love with if that was the case.

In his mind, he loved me and the only logical thing to do with his feelings was to focus on our relationship. I didn’t make it easy on him; he swam against the current of my depression and anxiety. I didn’t feel that way all the time but the uncertainty of a new relationship made me a bit nuttier than usual. In the early days, I was always testing him. I suppose it was my way of asking, how much trouble am I really worth to you?

Then one day, I understood him and I no longer feared I would lose him. I trusted him.  He hadn’t been wrapped up in fear over what may or may not happen with our relationship. He didn’t fear the other shoe dropping. He didn’t care what others thought. While I nursed the selfish nucleus of my experiences, my doubts, and my fear of what others thought of us, he was busy laying down the foundation for us, making sure he was always there for me, then and now.

And I chose to do the same, not without my personal struggles, but I still chose us. We both brought necessity . We both had a lot to offer each other. Jeremiah is patient and good at everything that matters; taking care of things around the house, building things, car repairs, setting up electronics. I am good at a different kind of everything; planning, creating, organizing, staying on top of things that need to be done, remembering.  When we merged these strengths together, we became a sort of superforce. We grew unstoppably together, stubborn and determined like a trumpet vine.

Jeremiah and I work best because of what we have in common and we last because of the way we respect and respond to each others emotional climate. Pragmatic. Perhaps that word does sound boring but to see it applied to something…like when two people do what works best when it comes to something as unruly and wildly subjective as love…that is perfect.

My Dreamy Review of The Sandman: Overture

In the 90’s I was introduced to the music of Tori Amos and awakened a part of myself I never realized was sleeping. Her “Little Earthquakes” album is a confessional masterpiece as relevant to me now as it ever has been.  I remember listening to Tori’s lyrics and obsessively trying to decipher references that made absolutely no sense to me. These were the early days before the full potential of the internet was realized; there was no Google search bar for me to enter, “If you need me, me and Neil’ll be hangin’ out with DreamKing.”

Who was Neil? Who was the DreamKing? I would have to know that. 

Through interviews, CD inserts, and any other media I could get my hands on, I discovered Tori’s friend Neil Gaiman. He wrote a comic book series released by Vertigo (a DC subsidiary) called 'The Sandman'. I would, at Tori’s reverence, follow Neil down a rabbit hole that I have not yet found my way out of almost 20 years later.  

I started, apprehensively, with The Sandman. I wanted to love it because a comic book about a DreamKing and his anthropomorphic siblings known as the Endless (Destiny, Death, Dream Desire, Despair, Destruction, and Delight/Delirium) was an intriguing concept to me. I didn’t have high hopes of becoming a superfan since my respect for the graphic novel far surpasses my interest in the genre as a whole. Then it happened, I was fiercely entrenched. I had finally found my piece of the comic genre and it was wonderful.

Fast forward to present day and Gaiman is still telling me stories. Over the years, 'Neverwhere', 'American Gods', 'Ocean at the End of the Lane' (to name a few) have seasoned my literary palate for supernatural realism. Neil’s prose is unpretentious, yet fantastical. Harvesting a kitten from the earth in Neil’s world seems as possible as harvesting a ripe tomato from your  backyard garden. I love that I can share some of his stories with my 7 year old too. 'Fortunately, the Milk' and 'Coraline' are treasures to children’s literature and my son Jonas and I are both looking forward to our next Gaiman installment, 'The Graveyard Book'.

Recently, my superfriend/neighbor, lent me his copy of 'The Sandman: Overture', a prequel story (of sorts) that leads up to Dream’s capture by mortals and his imprisonment at the beginning of the original series. 

I began and devoured this masterpiece on a night that seemed made for a read like this...I even Tweeted about it and this awesome thing happened:   

In dreams and nightmares, there is hope and hope lost, there is confusion and clarity, there is happy endings and tragedy.  I had forgotten how terrifying and beautiful The Dreaming could be. Overture brought this to life in a unprecedented way with the illustrations by J. H. Williams III (artist) & Dave Stewart (color). I won’t pretend that I am an expert on comic art styles but I can say with humble certainty, that 'The Sandman: Overture' is more fine art than it is comic, though it is definitely that too. Neil’s gifted story tendrils weave themselves through the illustrations and together they create a dazzling transport into the astral plane. 

I have decided to keep going from Overture and follow 'The Sandman' through again.  After all, it was nice to see the Corinthian, Merv Pumpkinhead, and The Endless again. Things always get interesting when the mad stars are out.