Sandman Midsummer Night's Dream

I just recently decided to get into a classic, Neil Gaiman's Sandman. I got volumes 1 and 3, and while I have just started reading them, I did get through Midsummer Night's Dream the only graphic novel to win a the World Fantasy Award for short story. Rumor has it that once the committee behind the award changed the rules to make sure no comic book ever won again, although they claim they nevr changed the rules, it's just that no other comic was ever found worthy of a nomination. Knowing this legend, I had to read it to find out what the hoopla was about. I have to say, with all due respect to Mr. Gaiman and the community that gave him the award, it's not quite worth the hype. Don't get me wrong, it's a good story, but nothing about it stands out as being so unique as the legend that surrounds it would suggest.

The story itself is something of a standalone in the saga of Dream, the personification of his eponymous abstract concept, and his collaboration with William Shakespeare on "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which is original in that Dream has the first performance presented to an audience of the actual fairies that are mentioned in the play. The story opens right before the play begins, with Shakespeare and his company of actors bringing their costumes, props and whatever set they can carry to the middle of nowhere to meet Dream who has been patronizing the Bard in exchange for two plays, the first being this one. He then brings the audience, King Auberon, Queen Titania, Puck, Peaseblossom, and the rest of the court that remains nameless. Except for Auberon and Titania who mostly appear human, the rest are vaguely human at best, yet despite their frightening appearance, they are here only to observe the play. There is quite a bit of humor to be found in the entire production as some actors are intimidated by the otherworldly fairies while others are preoccupied with how they will be paid. Dream sits between Auberon and Titania while Dream discusses the events with Titania. The real scene stealers are Peaseblossom and two nameless cohorts who heckle the players for inaccuracy and Puck who is so delighted with the play that he takes over his own namesake role just to be a part of it.

My biggest criticism of this is that the action switches between the play itself and the greater story so haphazardly that it's hard to tell the two apart and it interferes with following the story. On my first read through, I was too distracted by the pacing to enjoy what was happening and somethign was lost about the inherent farce of it all, a good concept that seemed to be poorly executed because too much of the story assumes we know everyone involved, but most of the series has dealt with Dream after this, so the assumption of familiarity is not supported since this is the first time Dream is presented with any of these characters and there is no proper background given, Dream's past with the fairies is implied but never fully explained. Maybe I just want to know too many details.

By next week I should have finished Preludes and Nocturnes and should have a review ready by then. Until then, sweet dreams.