welcome

A bunch of us on the 12/12 have discussed having a Sandman group read in 2013 however it was obvious that within the 13/13 this would be quite unwieldy as there are multiple collections, spin offs etc and therefore it was thought best to start a group.

So - how best to organise the group? have a different thread for each of the trades plus each of the spin offs? have a different thread for each member who wants to take part?

General thread & then spoilers for each volume? Or perhaps threads that discuss certain topics?

I have only just read the first volume of this series and don't feel like I should vote on a format but I would feel comfortable keeping my progress on my own thread and reading comments on everyone else's threads.

Like Mamzel, I have only read the first volume so far. I like the idea of a general thread, and then either threads for each volume, or everyone setting up their own threads and tracking their progress there.

A general thread and a spoiler for each volume sounds good - if then a special topic emerges somewhere, a separate thread could be created for that. Everyone who wants a personal thread could obviously create one. I think the number of participants will be such that it won't be too unruly. I'm open to any format!

I won't be reading along as I'm reading it for this year instead but I look forward to the discussions.

As I haven't read any of the Sandman books I will defer to others to figure out how best to start the ball rolling. If I read Pete's opening comment correctly, it sounds like these books are akin to an octopus if we can set up threads for, to quote Pete: "each of the trades plus each of the spin offs"

Very intrigued.... ;-)

7 - have a look at the wikipedia page (link in the group description) - theres the Sandman comics themselves, then there are a number of spin offs written both by Neil Gaiman and others such as a couple of Death comics, the Lucifer series, the Sandman mystery theatre, Sandman presents and many more

so yes very octopoid :-)

The wikipedia page is very helpful, thanks! This is going to be fun!

I'm so down for this. I suggest we go through Sandman in one thread then treat each spinoff in its own thread.

I like the Death books since I like her more than than Dream - less angsty, more self-sure, more fun to be around.

Still haven't decided if I'm in for a re-read of the whole series (so many GN series, so little time!), but it has been a decade since I read some of them, so I AM tempted... I'll make my final decision once I put my 13 thread up.

I'm in, I've read the first 4 and then got distracted. Not sure how the threads should work except that there should be a central non spoiler one and I'm presuming that we are all reading at our own pace.

I've read the whole Sandman series and several of the Death spin off comics. I don't know that I'll re-read the whole series with you guys, but I'll definitely join in for some. Maybe I can use this group as a justification for getting the Absolute Editions. Hmmm. . .

- 13 and of course the new one that Neil Gaiman is writing currently...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GndnR7oSYYk&noredirect=1

I have decided to devote a category for the ten original books in my 13 in 13. Won't be going for the spin-offs though :)

>14 psutto: EEEeee! I didn't know about this, so exciting! Yay!

I saw new posts so I thought I would poke my head back for a look around.

> 14 - Thanks of posting the link Pete!

... and before I disappear to continue with my 2012 challenges, welcome to all new comers to the group!

Count me in. Loved the series, and the Death spin-offs.

I can as well join in - it's a favorite series

They've been on my to-read list for a while, and a group is always great motivation to get on with it! I'm looking forward to the discussions.

I'm afraid to read the Wikipedia page for fear of spoilers. Is there a reading order somewhere, for both the original and the collections or something? Or an explanation of what is what without too many spoilers?

They are ordered in volumes so you start at volume 1.

This is a pretty clear list: http://www.librarything.com/series/The+Sandman+TPBs

Thanks, I'll have a look

I think that we should start a thread for each volume as people start reading them so feel free to start the threads as you go!

Right I'm probably not going to have much internet access over the next few weeks so Merry Xmas & Happy New Year to you all - see you in 2013!

> 25 - Happy Holidays Pete!

Hi all - Kerry/avatiakh introduced me to this thread (knowing I'm a big Neil Gaiman fan I should think! witness this list) and I'd love to join you. I've read them all several times and can't wait for the new one, although I should think it'll be a little while yet.

I'll probably re-read the Death pair too. Were you all aware that there's another one about all of the Endless - Sandman: Endless Nights? It's sort of a stand alone, but I'd read it after all the others.

I've slowly bought the Absolute Sandman editions to add to my original paperbacks, but haven't got round to reading them yet, so looking foward to that.

->27 flissp:
Welcome!!!!

I'll have to see timewise what I read in addition to the 10+1(forthcoming) of the "canon." I'm planning on reading the Death pair at least, but may continue with both Endless Nights and The Dream Hunters.

I so crave the Absolute Sandman editions, but the wallet says to buy stuff I don't already own in another format... :)

Hi flissip & welcome. I did plan on squeezing in Sandman: Endless Nights, I have only read it once & cant remember much about it about it.

Hi! Not sure if I'm going to reread the series again, but I've really enjoyed reading everyone's comments here and on the individual threads for the first and second volumes, so I'm joining the group just so I can keep up with what everybody is saying.

->30 Storeetllr:
Welcome to you too!! Always good with more people to join in the conversation. With our collected knowledge, we'll get a lot farther than each on our own.

welcome!

I am planning on reading the spin off Mike Carey Lucifer series once I've completed the collected Sandman, might also re-read the Death stories, the Dream Hunters and Endless nights... depending on time etc

Lucifer's great too! Going to have to look into the Dream Hunters, Endless Night and Death stories too.

#29 Hi Eva & clfisha, thank you!

I always forget about Dream Hunters - I found it a little bit disappointing to be honest, so probably won't reread it this time round, unless I have Sandman pangs.

Re the Absolute Sandmans, it took me a long time to get them all (and I don't have the Absolute Death - maybe one day) - I vigilantly waited around for discounts for all of them, so none of them were full price (in fact only one was more than half price, so they actually end up cheaper than the equivalent in paperbacks I think - graphic novels are so expensive!) - I was probably very lucky...

Hmmmm, Lucifer - I've not read that yet...

>34 flissp:

You should. It is a great series :)

Hi! I'm a little late to the party, but I've decided to dive in anyway. I bought up to volume eight last year and never got around to reading them. This group is the perfect excuse to read them all. Hopefully by the time I get to book eight I'll have picked up nine and ten.

>36 Mephestophelesx: - glad to have you along - I'm guessing you've not read them before?

#35 OK! Shall look it out ;o)

For those who haven't seen it, here's Gaiman's wife's picture of him working on the new Sandman!!

>39 -Eva-: Yay!

I'm just starting the series (borrowing from the library, just got Volume I : Preludes & Nocturnes) . Looking for any general advice, things to look for, things you wish you had realized when you started, etc. . . .

>41 LucindaLibri: Not really any advice necessary, I think. I say relax and trust things will fall into place along the way - don't cramp over characters and events you don't "get". The big arc of the series is well constructed and there aren't many loose ends.

One of the things I spent a lot of energy with in the beginning was trying to spot all mythological references. Since Gaiman fairly effertlessly blends in such elements in his stories, it's easy to think every peculiar character is an allusion. Which led me to think there was something I "missed" when it came to The Corinthian or Matthew the Raven, instead of enjoying them for the Gaiman originals they are.

I second Anders comments about just relaxing. Approach the stories with an open mind and get ready for stuff that makes you go "what?". I gave up trying to understand all of the subtle references Gaiman makes and just sat back and let the stories wash over me, enjoying the references I did get and letting the rest remain as part of the fabric of the stories.

Thirding what Anders said in #42 - for a first read, I would just go ahead and enjoy the story for the wonder it is and not worry too much about allusions or connections. Hope you come back and comment on each collection's thread as you go through them!

Will do . . . THANKS!!

A Sandman movie seems to be moving closer to getting made

http://mobile.theverge.com/2013/12/17/5218830/the-sandman-movie-confirmed-direct...

Hmmmm. Half excited by that, half apalled - not convinced that Sandman would translate very well to film....

I think most people feel the same