Title: Death-At
Death’s Door
Author: Jill Thompson. Characters created
by Neil Gaiman
Series: Sandman-Death
Published: July 1st 2003 by Vertigo
Length: 192 pages
Warnings: Fantasy
violence, nudity,
Source: Bought
second hand
Summary : A
member of the Endless, a family of beings who have existed longer than the
gods, Death enjoys manifesting herself in the persona of a young Gothic girl.
Along with her siblings, she interacts and influences the lives of humans on a
daily basis. In this manga-style adventure, Death's little sisters, Delirium
and Despair, have thrown a party at her apartment for hell's escapees. But as
the festivities get out of control, it falls on Death's black-clad shoulders to
regain order and save the afterlife. Printed in black, white, and gray tones,
this trade paperback weaves an eccentric tale of danger, romance, humor, and
fun
Review: This is a book vaguely tied into Neil Gaiman's
Sandman series, with a different spin on it. It focuses on Death rather than
Dream, and has a completely separate storyline. Lucifer abdicates and gives the
key to Hell to Dream who doesn't particularly want it. And while Dream hears
from rulers of other Underworlds as to why they should claim Hell and its
inhabitants, said inhabitants leave. And end up in Death's apartment and at
some point start having a party. The story is generally Death, with sisters Despair
and Delirium, trying to work out how to send the partyers back to Hell where they should be,
and how she can save her carpet.
I read the Sandman series some time ago and didn't really
get what the plot was(don't shoot me. I only read Preludes and Nocturnes and I
don't get what happened. I'll review it another day...). However I read this
and really enjoyed it.
It's a much lighter and easier to read take on the Endless.
As well as Death, we also see a lot of Despair, Delirium and a bit of
Desire(who looks too much like a feminine Elvis for me). It's a nice way of
getting to know them.
The concept and plot was good. Any party that is literally
from Hell is, by me, worth checking out. And it was done very well.
The sub plot of Dream and his old lover was interesting,
another facet to the Sandman we didn't see in the first book.
I like the way the mythologies were woven together-Lucifer
having his domain, and then rulers of other underworlds having theirs, and when
Lucifer leaves said other rulers can come and ask for the key. Sorry if this is
hard to understand, but it was hard to explain. You'll have to read the book to
understand what I mean.
The art was good. As I said, Desire looks too much like a
feminine Elvis for me to like him, but the other character designs were good. I
like the way Thompson put her own spin on the appearances of the characters
while still keeping their distinguishing features, such as Death's ankh and
eyeliner.
Overall: Strength 4 tea to something for fans of the
Sandman comics and anyone looking for a
quick fun read.
Awesome! This is one of my favorites - Sandman was what got me into comics in the first place, and I think I've read everything that even vaguely ties in with it in some way - but this has to be one of the best.
ReplyDeleteI saw this on sale the other day, I'll have to pick it up the next time! Love the cover.
ReplyDelete