The Absolute Sandman Vol. 4

The Absolute Sandman Vol. 4
By Neil Gaiman (writer), Marc Hempel, Michael Zulli, Charles Vess, Teddy Kristiansen, Kevin Nowlan, Glyn Dillon, Dean Ormston and Jon J. Muth with D’Israeli, Richard Case and Dave McKean (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released November 2008

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $99.00
Format: Hard cover, color, over-sized
ISBN 1401210856

Synopsis from publisher:
This final volume includes behind-the-scenes extras plus issues #57-75 and a story from VERTIGO JAM #1. Don’t miss the end of what Playboy called “a modern myth, as well as a précis on why the stories we tell matter so much“.

Notes:
This over-sized hard cover publication is the fourth and final in this series, reprinting the next seventeen issues of the second Sandman comic book series. It is essentially a recolored or “remastered” version of the contents of The Sandman Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones and The Sandman Vol. 10: The Wake, but without those publications’ introductions.
All material reprinted in this publication was written by Neil Gaiman. Art was created by Marc Hempel for issues #57 to #61, #63 and #65 to 69. Inked art was provided by D’Israeli for issues #58 to #61 and Richard Case for issues #65 to #68. Issue #62 was drawn by Glyn Dillon, Dean Ormston, Charles Vess and D’Israeli. Teddy Kristiansen illustrated issue #64. Michael Zulli illustrated issues #70 to 73, as well as the 3-page sequence originally published in The Dreaming #8. The art for issue #74 was by Jon J. Muth and #75 by Charles Vess. The story from Vertigo Jam #1 was illustrated by Kevin Nowlan. The slipcase cover was created by Dave McKean.
This publication also includes 3 “lost” pages that were first printed in The Dreaming #8. The sequence takes place after page 16 of Sandman #72 but is printed in the correct sequence in this publication.

Reprints:

1. Sandman #57 (1994)
2. Sandman #58 (1994)
3. Sandman #59 (1994)
4. Sandman #60 (1994)
5. Sandman #61 (1994)
6. Sandman #62 (1994)
7. Sandman #63 (1994)
8. Sandman #64 (1994)
9. Sandman #65 (1994)
10. Sandman #66 (1995)
11. Sandman #67 (1995)
12. Sandman #68 (1995)
13. Sandman #69 (1995)
14. Sandman #70 (1995)
15. Sandman #71 (1995)
16. Sandman #72 (1995)
17. The Dreaming #8 (1997) (3-page “lost” Sandman sequence only)
18. Sandman #73 (1995)
19. Sandman #74 (1996)
20. Sandman #75 (1996)
21. Vertigo Jam #1 (1993)

The Sandman Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones

The Sandman Vol. 9: The Kindly Ones
By Neil Gaiman (writer), Marc Hempel, Teddy Kristiansen, Kevin Nowlan, Glyn Dillon, Dean Ormston, Charles Vess with D’Israeli, Richard Case and Dave McKean (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released September 1996

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $19.99
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563892057

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $34.95
Format: Hard cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563892049

Synopsis from publisher for soft cover edition:
Distraught by the kidnapping and presumed death of her son, and believing Morpheus to be responsible, Lyta Hall calls the ancient wrath of the Furies down upon him. A former superheroine blames Morpheus for the death of her child and summons an ancient curse of vengeance against the Lord of Dream. The “kindly ones” enter his realm and force a sacrifice that will change the Dreaming forever.

Synopsis from publisher for hard cover edition:
Neil Gaiman’s “The Kindly Ones” is collected for the first time in one incredible 352-page hardcover book, reprinting issues #57-69 of THE SANDMAN and “The Castle” story from VERTIGO JAM. With pivotal events that laid the groundwork for the final 75th issue of THE SANDMAN (also offered this month), THE KINDLY ONES features art by Marc Hempel, Richard Case, D’Israeli, Teddy Kristiansen, Glyn Dillon, Charles Vess, Dean Ormston and Kevin Nowlan, as well as a cover, dustjacket and interior design by THE SANDMAN cover artist Dave McKean, and an introduction by Rolling Stone writer Mikal Gilmore.

Notes:
The ninth collection of the second Sandman comic book series. All material reprinted in this publication was written by Neil Gaiman. Art was created by Marc Hempel. Hempel was joined by D’Israeli for issues #58 to #61 and Richard Case for issues #65 to #68. Issue #62 was drawn by Glyn Dillon, Dean Ormston, Charles Vess and D’Israeli. Teddy Kristiansen illustrated issue #64. The story from Vertigo Jam #1 was illustrated by Kevin Nowlan. The cover was created by Dave McKean.
Despite what the publisher’s synopsis says, Mikal Gilmore did not provide an introduction for this publication. Frank McConnell instead supplied this introduction. Gilmore’s introduction appeared in The Sandman Vol. 10: The Wake.

Reprints:

1. Sandman #57 (1994)
2. Sandman #58 (1994)
3. Sandman #59 (1994)
4. Sandman #60 (1994)
5. Sandman #61 (1994)
6. Sandman #62 (1994)
7. Sandman #63 (1994)
8. Sandman #64 (1994)
9. Sandman #65 (1994)
10. Sandman #66 (1995)
11. Sandman #67 (1995)
12. Sandman #68 (1995)
13. Sandman #69 (1995)
14. Vertigo Jam #1 (1993) (8-page Sandman story only)

Bonus material:

1. Introduction by Frank McConnell
   

Hellblazer: Tainted Love

Hellblazer: Tainted Love
By Garth Ennis (writer), Steve Dillon and Glenn Fabry (artists)
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo
Originally released July 1998

Availability: Amazon.com
Cover price: $16.99
Format: Soft cover, color, standard-size
ISBN 1563894564

Synopsis from publisher:
A dissolute wizard with a nasty habit for getting his friends killed, John Constantine has let himself go. While struggling to climb back to respectability, or at least a reasonable facsimile thereof, John is forced to confront a vampire who has stalked the Constantine family for generations, deal with his recently returned ex-girlfriend, and settle an old score left over from his teen years. From the lowest point in his life and on through the struggle to regain control, John Constantine’s is a tale of redemption and revenge in true Constantine fashion.

Notes:
This is the eighth collection of the Hellblazer comic book series. This is the fourth collection of Garth Ennis’ run on the series. All reprinted material was written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Steve Dillon. Glenn Fabry painted the cover to this publication.

Reprints:

1. Hellblazer #68 (1993)
2. Hellblazer #69 (1993)
3. Hellblazer #70 (1993)
4. Hellblazer #71 (1993)
5. Hellblazer Special #1 (1993)
6. Vertigo Jam #1 (1993) [13-page Hellblazer story only]