But as it's written by the exceptional Neil Gaiman, it doesn't take long to get back up to speed with Sandman: Overtures.
It follows the title character (we call him Dream) as he embarks on a mysterious journey to the City of the Stars to solve the secret behind his "death."
Along the way he meets some familiar (terrible) faces, makes a new friend, and is accompanied by an alternate version of Dream - this one in the shape of a giant cat.
There are adventures and encounters aplenty along the way, and a special bedtime story. It's all clever and wonderful and pure magic.
The art by J.H. Williams III is a pure delight, evoking alien, stunning landscapes, odd creatures, storybook settings and framing it all with unique, intelligent page designs and layouts like no others. Wonderful stuff!
Look, I'm a mark for this kind of stuff - part fairy, tale part horror story, imagining a reality like no other (watch for the Easter Eggs, true believers)!
I suspect most casual readers will find it easier to digest once it's all done and collected - but each issue is a gem, and longtime fans (like me) will be fine with waiting when the quality is so high.
Highly recommended!
Grade: A
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