Sandman Special #1: Orpheus

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Sandman Special: Orpheus
Issue: 1
Date: 1991
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Penciler: Bryan Talbot
Inker: Mark Buckingham
Colorist: Daniel Vozzo
Letterer: Todd Klein
Editor: Alisa Kwitney, Karen Berger

Neil Gaiman adapts the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus to the comic book mythology of the Endless in this pre-Vertigo DC Comics special from 1991. Here, Orpheus is the son of Dream, and the favorite nephew of the rest of the Endless.

This is a powerful adaptation with some interesting revelations about the Endless in the earlier parts of the story, with more of a straight-up retelling of the myth for the middle parts, followed by a very intense and original ending.

I particularly liked Orpheus' interactions with Charon, Hades, and Persephone in some of the story's key scenes.

This was a really good adaptation, and a nice addition to the Sandman's backstory.

Rating: 8.5/10

Sandman #5

Title: Sandman
Issue: 5
Date: November 1975
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Michael Fleisher
Artist: Jack Kirby, Mike Royer
Editor: Joe Orlando

An old fisherman and his grandson are out on the ocean when a sea monster attacks. The Sandman, looking on from his Dream Dome (No,really! In case you didn't notice the date, this is not Neil Gaiman's Sandman; this is the original!), arrives in time to save apprentice fisherman Jed, but not his grandfather.

Cue the arrival of the evil family members. Jed's aunt and uncle could use some help around the farm, and Jed's bully cousins are in need of a new victim. Jed is soon living a life much like Harry Potter before the Hogwarts invitation, but when he falls asleep on the wood-chopping job, he finds himself in Sandman's dreamscape, fighting alongside his hero to defend an island of cute winged folk against an army of invading... Well, they kinda resembled bully wigs from D&D.

Jed even gets to use his fishing knowledge to help save the day.

Nothing in this story is particularly subtle, least of all Jack Kirby's artwork, but it still manages to be entertaining, with a reasonable logical flow, fun scenes at the right moments, and a sprinkle of surrealism from the King.

Rating: 7/10

30 Day Comic Challenge Day 24

Day 24 - Dream Character Team Up.

Harley Quinn teamed up with Delirium of the Endless.



Admittedly, the resulting story would probably be almost entirely incoherent, but it would also be totally awesome.

From My Creations

I'd love to see Ramult from Perils of Picorna team up with Rebecca from Kaeli & Rebecca.



They would make a great swashbuckling combination with fighting skill, scrappiness, and style to spare. This is a team that would face down overwhelming odds with a wink and a smile.

The 30 Day Comic Challenge Page on Facebook is here. Here is the complete list of daily topics:

30 Day Comic Challenge
Day 01 - Your first comic book.
Day 02 - Your favorite character.
Day 03 - A comic that is underrated.
Day 04 - Your guilty pleasure comic or character.
Day 05 - Comic character you feel you are most like (or wish you were).
Day 06 - Most annoying character.
Day 07 - Favorite comic couple.
Day 08 - Best series being published right now.
Day 09 - Most touching comic book/comic book scene.
Day 10 - Dream versus match.
Day 11 - Favorite comic book cartoon series.
Day 12 - A comic everyone should read.
Day 13 - A book you’ve read more than five times.
Day 14 – Most awesome single comic book image
Day 15 - A Picture from the comic you’re reading right now.
Day 16 - Funniest comic book/comic book scene.
Day 17 - Most useless Villain.
Day 18 - Favorite B-list character.
Day 19 - Comic book city/universe you wish you lived in.
Day 20 - Favorite super power or skill.
Day 21 - Favorite writer.
Day 22 - A series that you liked but stopped reading
Day 23 - Your favorite artist.
Day 24 - Dream character team up.
Day 25 - A book you plan on reading.
Day 26 - A comic you wish they would make into a movie.
Day 27 - Favorite comic book movie.
Day 28 - Favorite comic publisher.
Day 29 - A comic you thought you wouldn’t like, but ended up loving.
Day 30 - Your favorite run or series of all time.