The Absolute Sandman, Vol. 3

I love this series and the absolute format really does it justice. If you're a fan its a worthwhile purchase. However, I received damaged copies twice from amazon....After the second time they would only refund me. You buy these absolute books as a collectors item and having them show up all busted up etc is a bit underwhelming. Vol 1 and 2 I got were slightly damaged but I lived with it but both copies of this one were just stuffed. I live in Australia so perhaps the international shipping is at fault but while the first copy was obviously damaged in transit the second had damaged beyond that. Shipping within the US might be less prone to damage but it pretty much comes down to the fact they chucked it in a much bigger box with no packing material for it to bounce around. In short buy this book but think twice about getting it here. I must say that they did send me the second copy very quickly and customer service responded pretty well. If it does turn up damaged you wont be out of pocket I guess - just without your book.

I have the Sandman trade paperbacks 1-6. I decided I was willing to take a gamble with the Absolute edition. It was a great choice. The Absolute edition surpassed my expectations. It is significantly larger than the trade paperbacks, which makes it instantly more fun to read, and the text being larger means it is easier on your eyes. The colors look a lot more vibrant. The paper is thick and feels good to touch. The price is the only undesirable portion of this book, but even with that being what it is, I think it is worth it.And, just to make an attempt to justify the price, consider this:A hardcover graphic novel that is the size of a Sandman trade paperback usually costs around $20. Absolute Sandman Volume 3 includes about 2.5 trade paperbacks (Brief Lives, Worlds End, and part of Fables & Reflections). 20 times 2.5 equals $50. And then you factor in the extras, the larger size, the higher quality coloring and paper, the impressive cover, and the slipcase...which more than justifies the other $14. So, is this really expensive? Yes. Is it unreasonably expensive? No. Is it worthy purchasing? ABSOLUTELY!

Neil Gaiman's Sandman is a comic book + Literary genius + Great artwork + Stories from all over the world + much more. The absolute edition has new stories that were never before published. It's a visual and mental treat. If you are ever wondering whether to buy the TPB's or the absolute edition, I would suggest the Absolute edition - as all the original 75 stories from Sandman are collected in dust cover 4 volumes vs 12 TPB's. So price-wise it doesn't make a big difference. I have read this 3 times in the last 10 years and every time there is something new that I find. Like for example the library in the dream king's castle has books that famous authors thought but never wrote like in the sidelines if you you look for it. This book vol.3 introduces the "Inn at the world's end" a place where the currency is stories. The current series by Vertigo called "The house of Mystery" expounds on this concept. All in all a must buy.

Item was very nicely packaged and arrived in perfect condition.

The book was in brand new condition. This was a gift for a collector and they were very happy.

If you've got the Sandman books already, it is worth your money to replace them with the Absolute edition volumes. With the pages being so much larger, it is much easier to pick up the tiny details that you may have missed in the smaller prints. The colors are so much more vibrant on the big glossy pages that it's almost like seeing it for the first time again. Plus which, the book's hefty weight feels good in the hand for the reader who loves the feel of a book. The supplemental materials included also make it worth trading in the old books for. If you don't have the books already, this is the way to get them.

again a beautiful work of art for the best graphic mythology ever done

There is no means to further expound on what might be the greatest graphic novel series ever written. Neil Gaiman's masterwork is literature for the ages, and this is the definitive means to experience the full majesty of this work. Gorgeous cover, binding and pages, this volume adds an impressive look to any shelf, especially surrounded with the other gorgeous volumes. For any Sandman fan, these are the essential collectable volumes, all other versions pale in comparison.