The Sandman 10: The Wake

First up, all of the 10 volumes of The Sandman novels deserve 5 stars. They are a phenomenal acheivement in not only graphic novels but in storytelling itself. The story is complex and cerebral and the characters so well developed that Sandman is one of my favorite stories period. The novels are intensely violent and often disturbing but everything that happens serves a purpose, and nothing happens by chance or just for the sake of things happening. Something that happens in one volume may become vitally important 3 or 4 volumes later. By the end of the 10th volume everything has come full circle with an appropriate and satisfying end.With regards to Volume 10 itself it is not my favorite volume but it is still very good. This volume concludes the Sandman storyline and ties up the loose ends that remained from previous volumes. It is a fitting and appropriate ending to the series.As far as the volume's content on the Kindle Fire - I was hesitant to abandon the volumes in print worried that the Kindle Fire might provide a more difficult viewing experience. That hasn't turned out the be the case. The novel is easy to read, you can scan in to specific boxes, and the colors are vibrant.

I read the series as it was first released on a month by month basis. Later I had the trade paperbacks and red one then another sometime later. This is the first time I’ve read the entire series from start to finish if not in one sitting then without reading anything else in between.That is how this should be read. It’s strange to say that for something that was initially a monthly series but The Sandman like many of the Vertigo titles of that time offered more complete storytelling then most comics (I say that as a lifelong comic fan superheroes Batman in particular were always my favorite but the Vertigo line open other doors).This series shows what the medium can do AnyWho doubt should be handed the first volume and told to read on.

The final volume of "The Sandman" (not counting the self-contained, limited stories), in which Neil Gaiman and his readers say goodbye to Morpheus, the Lord of the Dreaming. The first part of the story resolves the events from the previous volume, "The Kindly Ones", after which Gaiman presents three self-contained stories, one about Hob Gadling and another William Shakespeare. "The Wake" is a satisfying conclusion to the regular "Sandman" series while leaving enough in play that Gaiman could return if he chose to revisit this world."The Sandman" series is nothing short of modern mythology writ large and exemplifies everything to which the comics medium aspires. Its thematic range and Gaiman's unique voice ensure that it will remain a staple of graphic storytelling for years to come. It deserves to be mentioned in the same awed tones as "Watchmen", "The Dark Knight Returns", and Jack Kirby's work.

Well, here we are at the end of the series. If the Kindly Ones was the action climax of the series, the Wake is the emotional climax.It's tough to talk about this book without giving spoilers, so I suppose I'll keep this brief. This book contains a huge number of heartfelt speeches and character moments, some of the best in the entire series. Gaiman obviously put a lot of work into this wrap up. My only complaint was that we couldn't have more details on some of the minor characters in the stories. But, the idea of 'there are no endings' has been a big theme of Sandman since the second collection, so what are you going to do.For comparisons sake, I would rank all of Sandman collection from best to least good as: 6, 7, 2, 10, 9, 4, 1, 5, 3, 8. Happy reading!

As a comic book fan I know most people probably imagine the world of comics as being about super heroes or Sunday Funnies. But, the comic medium is worthy of so much more.Sandman is that "much more". The story is excellent, and is wonderfully executed. You're going to want to get all of these at once, because they can't be put down.If you're already a comic book fan, you've likely heard of Sandman. So what are you waiting for? Read this already!Excellent Story. Highly recommended for a reason.If you aren't already a comic book fan, maybe it's time to give it a chance. If any story is going to change your mind about the possibilities of this art form, this is the one.

I must admit that I feel more compelled by the stories where Dream and the Endless are more marginal than central. Gaiman has such an endless well of storytelling in the most wonderfully classical sense – thoroughly knowledgeable and referential without appropriation, as his use of the styles of Asian tales to Shakespeare show such profound respect. His mythology of how Dream filters through the lives of mortals are his best stuff.

It doesn't get any better than Gaiman writing Sandman. This is world-class literature. As distinct from the rest of the Sandman oeuvre, this book has a dark inevitability about it which perfectly suits its role as a coda to the main story.This review is, in a way pointless (except for what small good it does Gaiman's Amazon account). If you haven't read the rest of Sandman, for God's sake don't start here. And if you HAVE read Sandman, you already own this.

The Wake is an incredible swansong to the core run of The Sandman. Many questions left unanswered are addressed, such as the other play Shakespeare was commissioned for, who of the Endless had a predecessor, many tie-ins from World's End, and much more. After the reductionist art of the Kindly Ones story arc, this volume is refreshingly packed with beautiful and complex images by various artists. The ending is perfect.

This is it. It's over. It feels strange that after all the time, I'm finally done with the series.This was a short book, quick, to the point. The Wake was the perfect way to say goodbye to all the characters we've grown to know throughout the series. They all come back to attend The Dream Lord's wake, remembering him, telling stories, some good, some bad - a sense of loss hugely palpable in the air.The Dream Lord himself has been reborn and is witnessing his own wake. I'm not sure I liked that part very much, not sure he should have been reborn. The idea of having really lost him would have been a lot more powerful, in my opinion.After the wake, the book goes on to tell 3 different stories about characters we've met before. They were good stories, but again, I wasn't sure of the relevance of having them to finish off the Sandman series. I understand the parallels drawn from Shakespeare writing his last ever play for Morpheus, and Neil Gaiman writing the last installment of the series, but I kind of wished for a different ending. One where we got to see more of his siblings, more of the loss felt, more of this new Dream Lord, who some have accepted and others haven't.Good ending, not the greatest though.

Obviously I won't spoil the plot, but any devoted Sandman follower knows what's coming in Volume Ten.All I can really say is prepare yourself for one powerful emotional rollercoaster, and three excellent short stories following it; all allowing a certain King to say goodbye.Never cried reading a book before, but Matthew's speech just ripped me apart. So really, definitely get this book if you want to [and you should] finish the series, but just...be ready.

The Tempest Shakespeare story - 40 pages to finish the Sandman series; an awesome ending, brilliant. The rest of The Wake: the time when people from diverse parts of the life come together to remember. After a second reading, and submerging myself in these characters, this ios a brilliant, fitting conclusion.

So, I wasn't sure about getting this volume. It was former library and I presumed that meant it was well read. Apart from a removable plastic cover and the obligatory stamp page, it is in excellent condition. I am delighted with my purchase but it is a second hand book, not a new book.

"The Wake" is something I have been looking forward to for months, ever since I started my "Sandman" read-through back in January 2012. Waiting for this new edition to be published was well worth it, though.I highly recommend these new editions over the original TPs because the colours are so much better and there is more additional content with editor letters and so on throughout.Story-wise, "The Wake" was the perfect ending to the the series. Bittersweet and whimsical, it is Gaiman at his finest.