The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 3 [Hardcover]

Neil Gaiman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2008

The third volume collecting Neil Gaiman's seminal, award-winning series starring the Dream King in deluxe format.

ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL. 3 presents several key SANDMAN tales in a slipcased hardcover edition, including "Brief Lives," in which the Sandman's sister Delirium prevails upon her older brother to help her find their missing sibling, Destruction. But their journey through the Waking World has dramatic repercussions for their family and also for the relationship between the Sandman and his wayward son, Orpheus.

Also included is the spectacular short story "Ramadan," a tale of a young king of ancient Baghdad and the deal he strikes with The Sandman to grant his city immortality, with spectacular illustrations by P. Craig Russell (Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, The Jungle Book).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 616 pages
• Publisher: Vertigo (June 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401210848
• ISBN-13: 978-1401210847
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 2.4 x 15.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I make things up and write them down. Which takes us from comics (like SANDMAN) to novels (like ANANSI BOYS and AMERICAN GODS) to short stories (some are collected in SMOKE AND MIRRORS) and to occasionally movies (like Dave McKean's MIRRORMASK or the NEVERWHERE TV series, or my own short film A SHORT FILM ABOUT JOHN BOLTON).

In my spare time I read and sleep and eat and try to keep the blog at www.neilgaiman.com more or less up to date.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the $$Money$$, July 24, 2008

By 

Jason A. Anderson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 3 (Hardcover)

I have the Sandman trade paperbacks 1-6. I decided I was willing to take a gamble with the Absolute edition. It was a great choice. The Absolute edition surpassed my expectations. It is significantly larger than the trade paperbacks, which makes it instantly more fun to read, and the text being larger means it is easier on your eyes. The colors look a lot more vibrant. The paper is thick and feels good to touch. The price is the only undesirable portion of this book, but even with that being what it is, I think it is worth it.

And, just to make an attempt to justify the price, consider this:
A hardcover graphic novel that is the size of a Sandman trade paperback usually costs around $20. Absolute Sandman Volume 3 includes about 2.5 trade paperbacks (Brief Lives, Worlds End, and part of Fables & Reflections). 20 times 2.5 equals $50. And then you factor in the extras, the larger size, the higher quality coloring and paper, the impressive cover, and the slipcase...which more than justifies the other $14. So, is this really expensive? Yes. Is it unreasonably expensive? No. Is it worthy purchasing? ABSOLUTELY!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful third installment in the "Absolute Sandman" series., June 24, 2008

By 

Cathy Buksar - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 3 (Hardcover)

This book is a joy to read, just as wonderful as the previous two. Bryan Talbot's pencil details pop out the in larger scale volume and McKean's covers shine. "Ramadan" is in this addition with P.Craig Russell's beautiful illustrations as well as the "Brief Lives" run, the "Death Gallery" stand-alone issue, "Fear of Falling" and more. Enjoy!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Stories and, again, Excellent Price, July 31, 2008

By 

J. Gladwin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 3 (Hardcover)

The Sandman is a series so unbeatable in storytelling (maybe a little of an overstatement) and so beautiful to look at that it should be read by anyone who's a comic fan, or a great literature fan for that matter. There's more random short stories in this section, but the stories that follow the main Endless family canon are amazing.

It's just as good as the 2 preceding, with beautiful art and a story script for Ramadan as bonus material, and will keep you reading for a bit. The price Amazon asks for is very reasonable, and is about 35 bucks cheaper than I could ever get it anywhere else. Buy it, and buy it here. (Now I sound like I'm an advertisement....)

Unless you can get it cheaper somewhere else. (Does that make up for it?)