Blue Moon Atelier Journal

I've never been into comic books much. I've read the occasional one found lying around the house (probably my brother's), or I may have purchased an interesting one on a whim with my weekly allowance money, but otherwise, I've not been an avid reader, let alone an avid collector. This may come as a surprise to those who know I'm a Neil Gaiman fan. After all, 'The Sandman' has gone from the realms of myth to be nearly synonymous with Neil Gaiman. Usually when you hear someone say 'Neil Gaiman', the words 'The Sandman' are sure to follow, and vice versa. So, I have a vague memory of the frenzy surrounding the release of some comic called 'The Sandman' and it's association with a Neil...somebody or other. I discovered Mr Gaiman through his novel 'Neverwhere', which I thought was a brilliant piece of modern fantasy and later learned was an expanded version of a teleplay he'd written a few years earlier. At the time I purchased the paperback, I still wasn't very familiar with Mr Gaiman...I seem to remember thinking the synopsis on the back looked interesting, and I thought I'd seen the name somewhere and figured it might be nice for light reading. I was instantly hooked. Over the next several years, I began reading more of Mr Gaiman's work, but until today, I'd still not read even a single panel of 'The Sandman'.

Today, Todd (my friendly neighbourhood UPS delivery bloke), delivered a package for me from Amazon. I'd splashed out and got Neil Gaiman's The Absolute Sandman Vol. 1, the first of a four-volume set - this one containing issues 1-20 with bonus materials - initial concepts and proposals and the like. I nearly pulled a back muscle when I lifted the box. Good grief, I thought - have they sent me a brick as well?! Indeed, they had not sent me a brick, but instead, I opened the box to reveal a huge hardbound volume with exquisite cover art inside a sturdy cardboard slipcase. It was as if I'd just been handed an ancient (albeit, very well-preserved) volume of magic - not to be viewed by the novice, but a tome of spellbinding visions fit only for the most devout. My heart skipped a beat. Strange tingling sensations travelled from the cover through my fingers. I opened the cover and became enrapt by the text and images that greeted me. I find I am having a most difficult time drawing myself away from this book. Just coming to the computer to type this has been a challenge. So,

'...if you need me, me and Neil'll be hanging out with the Dream King'*

*From Tori Amos's 'Tear In Your Hand'