A review by noranorasolosolo
The Annotated Sandman, Vol. 1 by Leslie S. Klinger, Neil Gaiman

informative reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

Folks who complain about this book clearly aren't taking into account Les Klinger’s unparalleled work annotating Sherlock Holmes and Dracula being at the top of its game. I think they simply wanted Gaiman’s scripts for Sandman which he won’t release (as indicated in this book). Gaiman does offer some insights (through the scripts which Klinger uses as ‘his’ commentary) but many of the facts reiterated are often simply from The Sandman Companion by Hy Bender & Neil Gaiman. I love the sheer depth of citation that comes with the annotations. All of the “the following page is an ad” complaints are met with Klinger’d inclusion of Gaiman’s conscious knowledge of where ads sat in the publications, the way television writers know where the commercial breaks are so they can control pacing and the shock(s) of being reminded capitalism exists. The pages and panels which have been chopped up and refined away from their pages (and ads) for volume productions are also noted, which makes the graphic novel edge-art more appealing in my opinion. I hope I can find adequately-priced editions of the other three volumes.