The Sandman - Neil Gaiman - So You Haven't Read
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You've seen the show BUT did you know The Sandman is based on an entire series of comics by Neil Gaiman? That's right! If you are interested in hearing MORE details about the Dream and the other cosmic beings in the DC universe then have a seat and grab a coffee as well tell you why YOU should be reading this graphic novel!
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#SoYouHaventRead #Sandman #NeilGaiman
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Hope you guys do a video about Gaiman's friend and fellow author Terry Pratchett. The Discworld is such a great series.
Please do: so you haven't read GORMENGHAST And if you haven't done DISCWORLD...please do
@@ArtingFromScratch Hogfather would be best, but any would be great!
Sandman is great and all. But, y'all should have done Good Omens by Gaiman and Pratchett.
"you say that dreams have no power in Hell? Tell me, what power would hell have if those imprisoned were not able to dream of heaven?” is one of my favourite lines ever written, expertly dream breaks down lucifers entire outlook.
And this concept gets explored in hazbin hotel. Charlie the princess of hell, feels terrible that so many people get slaughtered every year and annual exterminations done by heaven, so she has the idea to try and redeem some damned souls.
I've not seen what you're referring too here. My reading of the line (and the rough subtext from the exchange itself within the actual context of the conversation) is deconstructing that evil in Lucifers' form is only possible with good. That Lucifers' hatred is due to mankinds refusal to break, and that all of their power is only granted by the existence of heaven; of good and hope, not by the hate, misery, and suffering Lucifer is so very proud of. That Lucifer cannot defeat hope, what dream used to win against Lucifer infront of their "billion lords of hell". And as such their power to make others suffer is only possible due to the existence of heaven and 'goodness'
I don't think it's an accident that after eternities of life, only short years after this encounter Lucifer just... ragequits. With the illusion of dignity and purpose stolen from Hell, it's revealed not as a kingdom but as a punishment. Especially ironic considering Lucifer makes such a mocking point before that the souls in Hell could leave at any time if they stopped seeing purpose in their suffering.
@@krissybaglin9206 Something to consider... Torment doesn't work on somebody who doesn't care. Hell's entire thing is that it's a prison, denying people access to heaven... Everything else about the place basically exists to say "heaven exists, and because you screwed up, you're here instead". Heaven is both the prize they let slip through their grasp and the justification for their suffering. That falls very flat if somebody just doesn't care about heaven. That aside... Gaiman's Lucifer is rebellious, not evil, and rater pointedly hates taking the blame for all the terrible things mortals decide to do to each other. “Why do they blame me for all their little failings? They use my name as if I spent my entire days sitting on their shoulders, forcing them to commit acts they would otherwise find repulsive. 'The devil made me do it.' I have never made one of them do anything. Never. They live their own tiny lives. I do not live their lives for them.” ― Neil Gaiman, Season of Mists
It's certainly not a Christian way of viewing Heaven and Hell, but it is interesting in terms of Dream outwitting his way out of a dangerous situation. It makes me wonder if Lucifer and the other lords of Hell really could have taken Dream out, if they'd tried. Was bluffing them into an existential crisis really the best he could do?
The Sandman is one of the greatest works of fiction in the last 100 years. It's amazing. Gaiman is a God of fantasy writing....
Hey now be careful that way you'll make him an actual god is you keep saying and believing that
Yup, Good Omens which he did with the Late Great Terry Prachet was a masterpiece.
@@roneyandrade6287 I don't really see a downside to that considering Gaiman's breadth of work. He was a friend of the late Sir Terry Pratchett, and worked with him!
@@MWhaleK yep Good Omens and I also love the American Gods....
@@roneyandrade6287 Too late.
"The Sound of Her Wings" is my favorite issue of any comic, anywhere. Full Stop.
"is that all I get?" is a simple line that sticks with you for decades.
What’s that story about?
@@pendragonxt3674 read it
Sandman comic is amazing. The TV adaptation was really good too and covers the first 2 story arcs of the comic.
Don't forget the audible version, there's 3 volumes so far and they are so good.
The TV adaptation compromised on literally every element of the story. The audible is amazing, true to the source material and the narration and sound direction is so good the visuals you build up in your minds eye are better than the original book.
It is surprising how well the adaptation works, considering Sandman is famously one of the Unadaptables, and most of its merits are very specific to the comic medium. I'm not sure it's good per se, but in the context of how bad it should be it's a major success. I am interested to see if they can find their footing.
Still annoyed the crow talked in the game with satan
@@nitesy381 I know that on the comic Dream plays against a demon, but the version of Lucifer they use on the TV show also looked amazing. Although, taking into account how close Dream got to losing, if he had actually challenge Lucifer, I doubt he would have win.
While this is a decent intro to the first volume, to anyone who hasn't actually read the Sandman, volume 1 is actually the WEAKEST in the series. As the story progresses, it becomes way more than a horror story. It's a story about stories, and how the tales we tell ourselves define us. I say this in case potential readers are turned off by the horror label. This really is a literary masterpiece. Honestly? I'd say it's the greatest single work of art, of any kind, that I personally have been exposed to.
do you say that its the weakest just lightheartedly because comparing it to the others or is it actually bad? just wondering because im thinking about buying the books but i dont know if itd be more worth it to just start with the other ones rather then go through the whole series
@@daysixtyIt's not bad by any means. In fact, it's freaking amazing. It's just that it's just the intro to the others explorations of deeper themes because they don't have to continually introduce you to the characters and universe. That's the purpose of the first arc and you'll miss a lot by not having established that foundation.
This is one I HAVE read. I bet that Zoey particularly enjoyed "A Dream of a Thousand Cats".
Yeah, that one was fun. But please don't tell it to any cats.
A fun consideration about that story...she was told what humans did, and saw the 'soft underbelly'. But if you flip the story on its head *again*, you realize that it's also a message for us humans. If you want a better world, dream of it, and share your dream with others. It doesn't take that many people to affect real change.
@@mortaneus Wasn't the condition for the cats that they all need to share the draam? Can't check right now Anyway I like that interpretation.
Whenever I would catch my wife looking at me from across the room, I'd ask her if she wanted something. She replied, "A cat may look at a king." I just thought it was a saying of hers. It wasn't until we watched the Netflix series together that I found out where she got it from.
"A cat may look at a king" comes from earlier stories than Sandman. Puss in Boots, at least. Gaiman borrows a lot of ideas from earlier stories and myths.
Emperor Norton's story is one of my favorites in comics
Same here!
That was the first one I read. Set the tone nicely.
The best thing is that Emperor Edward Norton I of the United States of America was a real person. And they really threw him a state funeral.
If you want to read more about him (in a fictionalized form), check out the writings of Robert Aton Wilson (the Illuminatus Trilogy, etc).
It's by far my favourite take on the "two gods have a challenge about a man" story archetype after the story in elder scrolls about Mora and sheogorath
I also recommend listening to the audible version, with McAvoy and Neiman, really awesome
Part three recently dropped a couple weeks ago.
Not only is it really good, but it really makes it a lot more accessible to those who'd find the comic difficult to read.
@@DaveJoria it’s the art style I’m really not a fan of- as much as I adore the story and how it’s told, I find it just crass and unpolished :/
My favourite story in all of comicsdom is the one where Sandman brings a date to a party where the fellow party-goers are anthropomorphic representations of stars... the superman tie-in blew my mind
"Sweet Beans are made of these" is, regardless of actual level of appreciation, wildly under appreciated.
What’s that about?
The Diner issue was the darkest thing I ever read. I wondered how they would approach it in the Netflix show and it ended up great, though a bit tonned down.
I believe it was toned down due to timing, that episode squeezed in two issues into one episode.
Nah, it was more than timing. Dr D's entire motivation and personality were different from the comic.
Personally I did feel that the tv show was sort of better. Coz D's madness was so much more realistic and nuanced as opposed to the DC supervillainy of the comics. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore how dark the comic gets there and the show doesn't come close. But as a narrative arc, the show wins for me.
@@stevejakab274 Because Dr. D is a DC villain, and the Netflix series is not. All of the DC elements were removed, and I honestly think the story works better for it.
I experienced both. I prefer the show vs comic. The comic diner is…eh. It’s cartoonish. Didn’t unnerve me AT ALL the way the show diner does. The diner scene needed Dream’s Speech to really tie it to the rest of the Narrative, which show has, but cannot recall if comics did at all There’s poignancy to the “toned down” brutality in the show, vs “eh. Dark vision I guess” in the comics
1:43 We don't want to give you Vertigo I GOT THAT REFERENCE
When i saw the tv series Calliope's story followed the Prophet's. When Dream told her that her imprisonment was worse than his, i believed it. The rest of the series followed his imprisonment and the retrieval of his sand gem and mask, and you saw how bad it was and the effect it had on him. You do get an understanding of the horrors of Calliope's imprisonment, they never hid it. But its effects were reinforced after you saw Dream's whole journey
There are three primary works in my mind that have proven that western comics can be high art. Alan Moore's The Watchmen, Allison Bechdel's Fun Home, and Neil Gaiman's Sandman.
I've not actually heard of Fun Home. What is it?
Fun Home is about growing up in a funeral home, and it is about coming to terms with the father you were close to but never truly knew, and it is about being queer, and such
Sandman is an experience. For anyone that hasn't experience it yet either hunt down the books OR grab the audiobook. It's a masterpiece and like nothing you've ever heard before.
It's less of an audiobook, and more like a highly produced radio play. I've never heard another audiobook with such high quality production values. When listening to it, it helped me clearly remember comic panels I hadn't seen in so many years.
Fun fact, the Lucifer he pissed off is The Lucifer Morningstar, from the Live Action Show Lucifer, staring Tom Ellis.
Although that one is a pretty loose adaptation. It gets Lucifer's character pretty well IMHO though.
More like the TV show character comes from Gaiman's Sandman.
@@stevejakab274 Po-tato po-ta-to
My favorite thing about Sandman is that Morpheus is a real person. If one person ever had a dream with Morpheus in it, ever, then he's exactly as real as he was in the books. Neil Gaiman is such a good writer that he wrote his main character into existence.
This! He makes regular cameos in my dreams which makes the series all the closer to my heart
"...since we don't want to give you vertigo..." That's too clever by half, Matt...
The sand man is one of my favorite books
I think Pratchett works should also be done. They are fantastic.
Start with Good Omens as a lead-in from this one, then go Discworld...
@@GaldirEonai Agreed
🎶Sweet beans are made of these, who am I to disagree? In al seriousness I’m so glad you’re doing this episode. I loved the show so much.
I just love the phrase "sequential art". Very good way to describe the medium of graphic novels and comic books. (And animation, for that matter, although I think animation has fewer issues being accepted as a "relevant" or "real" artistic/storytelling medium, compared to the graphic novel.)
I forget who said it, but one good description of comics I read is "the bastard child of art and commerce."
I LOVED how you worked in every Endless name like Despair Desire Destiny etc… niceee
Huh, had no idea this was actually part of the DC universe. Hard to imagine that Batman could end up fighting this guy.
More accurately, it was published by Vertigo Comics, which was under the umbrella of DC, but with a more occult/horror vibe and allowing for more adult themes. Hellblazer (John Constantine) and Preacher were also published through this, as was The Swamp Thing. That being said, Batman and Green Lantern both make a single-panel appearance in Preludes & Nocturnes when Morpheus is questioning the Hecateae about his missing tools.
Dream did pop in one time to help Bats out iirc. It was an interesting interaction. I think comics explained covered it if you want to check it out.
Batmetal. Batman calls out to Dream by name.
Batman Superman and John Jonzz came to Dream's funeral
In the first storyline, Master of Dreams, Morpheus visits Scott Free (Mister Miracle) and J'onn J'onzz (Martian Manhunter) while searching for his ruby held by our favorite insomniac, John Dee (Doctor Destiny).
About time someone added Sandman to their list of great literature. Also, could you do Dante's Inferno someday?
I actually watched the series made of it on Netflix. Loving it.
I actually started reading The Sandman thanks to my local library recently, and yeah, this series is A Lot, but a good kind of A Lot.
I know it’s not a super well-known book, but the Imaginarium Geographica does so much amazing things with literature and mythology. Each character and every line of dialogue is a reference to some other work
Wow, they actually mention Wesley Dodds, nicely done.
Thank you for covering one of my favorite influential pieces of the media of all time. Highly recommended. Love the art of this vid btw
Fun fact about John Constantine since he is mentioned: his physical appearance is based on sting, the former frontman for the police.
And Lucifer is based on David Bowie.
Sandman is the first time I read a comic that was not just good, but special - one of those things so elegant that it's not just the result of artistry and craft, but some luck, that might not have happened even with the exact same people in the same way. The standalone stories are exceptional, and the standalone Ramadan is for my money the best ink put to paper in the medium.
The series managed to weave so many fantastic standalone and tangential stories that stick with you just as much as the main plot does. They are poetic and magical.
I remember waiting every month for the next issue to release…I used to have all the single issues until I was robbed…the people took the steamer trunk I kept them in. Still have all the graphic novels though and I read them regularly
My favorite sobriquet for Dream Of The Endless, and what makes The Lord Of Dream And Nightmare a staunch ally of the Tribunal Of The Imagination? "The Prince Of Stories."
Didn't expect to hear the name Sam Keith today. The Maxx fan over here.
Keith's art worked much better on Maxx than Sandman. There's a reason he was replaced after the first issue.
my mom will definitely love this she is a fan of both DC and marvel, can't wait to share this roller coaster with her and see her reactions to all these characters.
I've loved this series ever since I read the 1rst issue, the story, characters, art, everything is amazing! Thank you for making this episode!
My favourite story in it is Men of Good fortune. I just love the idea two immortals bonding over the progress of human history
Way back in the 1990s, The Sandman series got me into comics (those Dave McKean covers!!), along with other mature DC / Vertigo titles like Hellblazer & Swamp Thing (which would probably explain why I've just never been into superhero comics). Currently on a re-read of the comics and loving them all over again. I'd forgotten how dark, horrific, funny, deep, mysterious and enchanting it can be. I've also really enjoyed the Netflix show and the Audible audiobooks too - definiitely adaptations done right! Different ways to consume something that is simply superb and highly recommended if you haven't before.
I was very much into superhero comics when I was young. Then I read the Sandman, and it kind of ruined superhero comics for me. There were some good comics and stories before and after Sandman, but Gaiman raised the bar so much on the medium that it caused me to lose interest in a lot of the stuff I had read before it.
Aw, I loved the little *sounds of wings*; That issue will always be one of my favorites
I would have an interesting suggestion for the "So You Haven't Read" for this Halloween, I hope they can be stimulating: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson, 1886), island of Dr. Moreau (H. G. Wells, 1896), The Lost World (Arthur Conan Doyle, 1912) and also Journey to the center of the Earth (Jules Verne, 1864) 🤞
For something more "modern", The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirley Jackson. People that only know it from the Netflix series will be in for a big surprise.
I've heard rumors that Netflix won't be doing another season of The Sandman because the people that watched it did not generally binge watch it.
Yeah, Netflix's financial model is messed up.
I haven't watched this video or the show yet, but seeing your tick of approval has convinced me to put it on tonight.
2:37 What a perfect transition!
More graphic novels please! 😺👍
Maus
@@stevejakab274 ☝ Yes, Maus would be a good choice. Extra Credits have handled sensitive subjects in the past.
Long have I waited for you guys to cover this.
Just saying that if EC wants to talk about Sandman more, I'll be here for it.
art, both in the comic and this very video is amazing.
Did I catch a sly reference to Vertigo comics in that "don't want to give you vertigo..." comment?
I feel like summarizing Sandman is impossible. Most of what stuck with me wasn't the overall arc, but the many many MANY various side character side stories.
I love the Sandman comic book series and especially the story with its plot. I was amazed with the tv series when it came out. You all should try reading the comic book.
All of these are fantastic but this one hold a special place in my heart.
I finished the first act two days ago. It's such a awesome story. Can't wait to get the second act.
Thank you so much, this video got me to buy the set on a whim during a yard sale and I can’t imagine my life without those stories (a dream of a thousand cats in vol 3 is my favorite chapter but volume 3 is overall a certified banger highly recommend after volume 1)
One of my favorite stories was the one about the captured muse. Every time I read a really good series I ponder to myself if the author is keeping a muse captive.
I liked what they did with the Dr. D character in the Netflix adaptation of Sandman. Dr. D in the comic was not sympathetic in the slightest. The Netflix series gave him a very interesting motivation for why he uses Dream's ruby.
Absolutely. The Netflix version gave such more interesting and compelling version. Connecting with Rosemary and sparing her was the right call as well.
ah yes, Sandman. a story about stories.
Whoa whoa whoa slow down, was that coffee shop called sweet beans are made of these? Love that.
Who am I to disagree?
Now that comic books are on the table, I hope EC covers the original running of The Watchmen
“Give you vertigo” heh, nice one
My husband is a hige fan of Sandman. He's got the whole series in trade paperback. I read them when we first started living together.
This came out to e day after my birthday, thanks for the awesome vid
I've only listened to the audiobook and seen the TV show (both great overall), but the energy in this video makes me super-duper looking forward to reading the original. And, since manga/comics/animation has been a big part of my life since I was a kid, big thanks to all the artists etc. who contribute to such an underrated art form (even though most people love some of it).
Highly recommend it, but heads up, it does get grisly at times.
@@alexbrewer9930 This is true. As I understand it, it was actually pitched to DC as a horror comic.
The 10-part graphic novel series is an absolute highlight of writing and art. I can’t recommend it enough.
Kinda wanna see Extra Mythology return
You should do a video (series?) On The Wheel of Time, and Brandon Sanderson's many works. Both are fantastic, and they kinda flow into each other, since Sanderson finished The Wheel of Time.
nice to see this covered as well
There's a lot I've forgotten about the comics (so time for a re-read), but that Diner issue, I'll never forget.
I just started rereading this series! I love the sandman
If anyone here wants to only read one issue of sandman(maybe to gauge the quality), you should be reading Ramadan. It is just soooooo beautiful and really reinforces exactly what Gaiman wants to say about the nature of the endless and the nature of dreams as a whole. This is one of the few IPs that are consistently good in any form. The comics are legendary. The audiobooks are excellent. The TV series was really freaking good. The special editions of the comics are absolutely beautiful. When you make a story about stories you're bound to get good outcomes
I hope to see a episode on Terry Pratchett's Diskworld since you did one on Gaiman.
Thank you for the video.
Yes I have its the best comic ever
Yay! Is it my birthday? Literally just finished re-reading the whole thing. And yeah, its excellent, make sure you read Overture and the Death mini-series: The Time of Your Life and The High Cost of Living.
For anyone that is going to start reading the Sandman, be aware that it was originally going to be a horror comic. Due to this the first book has some gore. I am not a fan of gore but I kept reading and (without exaggerating) my life is better for continuing to read it. On a side note, when my bbf’s dad died he took great comfort in death saying “you got what everyone gets, you got a lifetime“. The Sandman is one of the best pieces of writing ever done, no matter the medium. Do yourself a favor and read it.
7:33 "Sound of wings" 🖤
1:41 "Vertigo." I see what you did there.
One of my favorite stories in all fiction is "Men of good fortune" a really good take in a classic theme of immortal
The issue with Dee is horrifying. Fantastic story but would never be allowed today as it features a lesbian couple who are unhappy and the actions of Dee drawing out their worsr leads to a horrific ending My favourite arc is Fables & Reflections, a series of one shot stories of prophecy, destiny, etc. The two best are August (Emperor Augustus) and Three Septembers and a January (Emperor NOrton)
What do you mean? I don't understand what about a lesbian couple would never be allowed today. Didn't the show a few months ago feature the same lesbian character, making the same confession that she physically abused her girlfriend, and that girlfriend appeared to have left her as a result? EVERYTHING in the diner was toned down a little for the show, but I don't recall anything being particularly toned down about her.
Endless delights. Indeed.
Have you considered covering another work by Gaiman, maybe The Graveyard Book, Stardust or American Gods?
Gaiman is one of my favorite authors! I think sandman was the first graphic novel to win a literary award
Is there a Patreon video where it's you going through the entire story? Cuz we need to nerd about about delirium
My all time favorite. best chapter that define what dream is the one with the cats. Dream of the thousand cat.
Yep - short, but it sticks with you
2:43 Left to right: Destiny, Death, Despair, Desire, Dream, and Delirium. Destruction is absent.
He was banished due to not being interested in his work.
"Sweet beans are made of these." Well, who I to disagree? 🤷♂️☕️
When are you going to cover his American G-ds books & Good Omens? Neil Gaiman is a majorly great writer everyone needs to read.
So you're doing comic book series now? Alright then... Bone, by Jeff Smith.
Do Coraline next! It's also by Neil Gaiman!
Have not experienced the written work but the streaming series was well done
The audiobook takes this story off the charts!
Wife and I enjoyed the Netflix adaptation, though perhaps part of that was having not read the graphic novel prior. I heard some grumblings about the adaptation, but from what I'm hearing in this summary, they mostly played it scene for scene, if a bit toned down from the worst content. Definitely will consider finding a copy and punching through it eventually.
The 10-part graphic novel series is an absolute highlight of writing and art. I can’t recommend it enough.
6:33 24 Hours was amazing! I had to read it twice when I read it. And I had to watch the Netflix episode twice when the show came out.
You've . . . convinced me . . . I had watched the show already and now just bought the books . . . First time actually reading a comic book . . . c:
I LOVE SANDMAN I red it for the first time just before they annonced the tv show and I was hyped up hahaha
Yes, The Sandman has great art, but you know who has REALLY great art? Extra Credits
when you said "everything will transport you to the wonderful terrifying world of dream" it's so true, once you read one panel in, you suddenly in a weird beautiful majestic new world that gaiman made, every panel, every story will stuck to your memories 🤍 and can we talk about your doodle of neil gaiman himself? it's truly one of the cutest thing I've ever seen 😂
Stop it, you're making us blush. :> So glad you've had a chance to read it!
@@extrahistoryI'm so glad I found it! This comic has become my comfort reading right now, although sometimes the story manages to unsettle me 😅
I'm not that into horror/scary stories 😅 but the beauty of the sandman can make me stay, I'm totally in love with the story, the characters and the arc, neil gaiman's storytelling is so beautiful 🥲❤️
The Corinthian arc still creeps me out.
This is definitely a passion project, I can tell. Loved watching this episode! :D
Maybe you should try longer stories, divided up into parts. Epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time, maybe even Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere