A Pretty Good Week of Sports

Lexi was able to cheer a bit at her J.V. game, which was an improvement. Her legs continue to heal, and we're hopeful she'll be fully cleared soon.

Cami had a volleyball match, and her team split the games 1-1. She got all but one of her serves in and had some other good hits. Next week, her volleyball season finishes up. She also had two travel basketball games, and this week she won both. The first game was a close one, with Cami scoring 4 points, grabbing some rebounds and playing pretty good defense. She also took two free throws, but missed them both. The second game was a more decisive win, and again Cami had 4 points. This time, though, she had multiple assists and a steal or two. I also think she blocked a shot. It was a good day for her on the court. The next set of games is in two weeks.

Griffin had two football games this weekend. The first game was the last regular season game. The team picked up its first win, which was cool. However, Griffin was a madman on defense (I would've named him defensive player of the game). He forced a fumble to stop a drive inside the 10, he intercepted a pass and returned it about 10 yards, he knocked down a pass in the endzone, and twice he held his ground at corner and made a tackle to stop a reverse from going big (including one awesome solo tackle for a loss). He also tackled the QB for a loss/sack. On offense, he blocked well, including one crack-type block where he would've planted the kid if Griffin weighed more. The second game was the first round of the playoffs and was against the other team from our school. We ended up losing 2-0 on a safety with under two minutes left. It was disappointing, but the team, and great, showed a lot of improvement over the season. Griffin finished up with 3 tackles, including one on a sweep that saved a touchdown as part of a goalline stand. He also did a fine job on offense. I'm really proud of him, particularly his heart and effort. I'm thankful I had the opportunity to coach him. Next up for Griffin is basketball tryouts in about a month.

The high school lost a tough one and will look to bounce back this week.

Heroes in Crisis #1 by Tom King - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: There’s a new kind of crisis threatening the heroes of the DC Universe, ripped from real-world headlines by C.I.A.-operative-turned-comics-writer Tom King: How does a superhero handle PTSD? 

Welcome to Sanctuary, an ultra-secret hospital for superheroes who’ve been traumatized by crime-fighting and cosmic combat. But something goes inexplicably wrong when many patients wind up dead, with two well-known operators as the prime suspects: Harley Quinn and Booster Gold! It’s up to the DC Trinity of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman to investigate—but can they get the job done in the face of overwhelming opposition?

Lately, everything Tom King has written has turned to gold. He writes intriguing stories with interesting characters, and often lends an emotional depth that the reader didn’t realize the character had (see: Batman, Vision, Mister Miracle, etc.). Heroes in Crisis #1 is his first (I think) event series, and it looks to be another entertaining and thought-provoking story.

So our story goes like this: At some point, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman established Sanctuary, a safehouse/hospital for heroes who need a place to go or someone to talk to when they have been affected by the battles they’ve been in and the consequences they’ve seen. As issue #1 opens, we have Booster Gold and Harley Quinn in a conversation about “something” happening, and just who is responsible. At the same time, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman come upon Sanctuary, where there has been a tragedy: a group of patients/heroes has been murdered. Who did it and why appears to be the focus of the series.

The idea of Sanctuary is fascinating to me. There have been a handful of writers who have approached superheroes from a realistic viewpoint (I’m thinking of Kurt Busiek’s Astro City in particular), but I don’t know that anyone has come at it like Tom King. To place Sanctuary at the center of a murder mystery just turns up the intensity, because Sanctuary is no longer a sanctuary for the heroes. King has also placed to very different characters at the center of the story: Booster Gold and Harley Quinn. Harley appears to be at her most psychotic in this issue, but Booster has always been sort of a joke as a hero (his team-ups with Blue Beetle were full of wacky antics). He doesn’t seem like a natural fit for this role, but King writes him with a deep weariness and melancholy that is far from the way Booster normally presents himself. I’m curious to see where King takes both Booster and Harley.

As far as the murder investigation, Batman is considered “The World’s Greatest Detective”, so I would anticipate his skills coming in handy. I’m not totally sure how Superman and Wonder Woman will fit, but I trust King to make it all work. I’m also hopeful to get some background on Sanctuary itself; when was it created? What prompted its creation? Are there other stories to tell about the patients who visited in the past? King also excels at writing complicated characters, and this series should have plenty of opportunities for him to use this skill.

Heroes in Crisis #1 by Tom King is a terrific opening to what promises to be one of the most fascinating stories of 2018. I’m all in on this series, and I’m extremely interested to see how it all works out. I highly recommend this book!

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.

Doomsday Clock #7 by Geoff Johns - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: The critically acclaimed team of writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank continue the groundbreaking miniseries bringing the world of WATCHMEN to DC. In this chapter, the truth behind Dr. Manhattan’s curiosity with the DC Universe is revealed as the planet teeters on the edge of the Super-War.

Ah-ha! Doomsday Clock #7 by Geoff Johns pulls back the curtain a little bit, not a lot, but enough to reveal some things to the reader. There are a couple of focal points in this issue, which moves the story forward nicely.

First, we finally get some Dr. Manhattan information. At one point, we see him actively messing with DC continuity; however, he doesn’t explain why, yet. Second, Johnny Thunder and Saturn Girl meet up with Adrian Veidt and Rorschach. Finally, Mime and Marionette (with the Joker) get to spend some “quality time” with the Comedian. Eventually, all three threads intersect, which provides the most interesting part of the story. Veidt and Dr. Manhattan have a heart to heart, wherein we discover some of Veidt’s motivation and Dr. Manhattan’s present ideas.

I know that summary is rough, but there is so much going on, particularly with the dialogue, that a more detailed look would just be spoiling stuff. What I liked about this issue was Johns started to reveal more of the bigger picture, which is good because the series is past the halfway point. It’s time for the readers to be clued in on some of what is happening, or what happened in the past. Otherwise, the end will feel rushed and maybe a little hollow. And after all the buildup surrounding the mystery of “Who messed with the DC Universe” and the DC Rebirth event, a rushed or unsatisfying ending will feel cheap and empty. I want to come out of this series in awe at all the ends that are brought together to tell a fun and coherent story. Fortunately, based on my past experience with Geoff Johns stories, I’m trusting this to happen.

I still highly recommend Doomsday Clock #7, but this is not a good place to start. By now, you’ve either committed to the story or you’re waiting for it to conclude and be collected. I’m glad I’m getting it as it is released, but I wish I didn’t have to wait a month to discover what comes next.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.

Scarlet #2 by Brian Michael Bendis - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: Scarlet has declared war against those who would abuse their power against innocent people—and that war has shut down the city of Portland and brought the eyes of the world upon her. But as the revolution grows, will it slip through her fingers? Oh, and the president is on the phone. It’s another blistering chapter of a world we may one day find ourselves in from the creators that brought you the  Eisner Award-winning Daredevil and Iron Man.

Scarlet #2 by Brian Michael Bendis starts off right where issue #1 left us. A Navy Seal trooper from the US Government has parachuted into Portland with a message from the government: What are your demands? And that’s the question that this whole issue deals with.

To start out, we get a glimpse of how Portland was taken over by Scarlet and her group of followers. That was a nice peak into the backstory for those of us who didn’t read the previous series. From there, Scarlet is tasked with figuring if she wants to deal with the US Government, and if so, what exactly she hopes to get or achieve. We see her in a moment of quiet weakness, as well as summoning her courage and strength as she broadcasts to her followers/supporters throughout the country. There are also a couple of scenes with other members of Scarlet’s group that promise to have an impact as the story progresses.

I enjoyed this issue, even though it was mostly just talking. It was a great look inside Scarlet as a character, and Bendis excels at this. There is depth to Scarlet; she is not just an angry mob leader/terrorist or figurehead. Her reasons for fighting back are still warring inside her, and Bendis portrays that. She also has a chance to talk things out with a trusted friend, which provides clarity as she comes to a decision about bargaining with the government. There is definitely still room for character development, especially for the other close members of the group, but this issue did a fine job of adding layers to Scarlet.

This is an interesting series. It seems very pertinent to the conflicting ideas about America that exist in our country today, and might provide a nice vehicle to examine much of what is happening in our world. Scarlet is an intriguing character, one worth building a series around. However, I’d like to learn more about Scarlet’s fellow rebels, and maybe even what this revolt in Portland looks like to the rest of the country. I would recommend Brian Michael Bendis’s Scarlet #2. It is a good and thought-provoking read, and is still new enough that new readers should be able to jump aboard without too much of a problem.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics and Jinxworld in exchange for an honest review.

This Week Was A Little Less Busy

Due to parent/teacher conferences, Cami's volleyball games were canceled. She is also on the off week for travel basketball.

Lexi is getting closer to full health and was supporting her fellow cheerleaders at the JV game this week.

Griffin was our busy guy. His football team lost 14-7, but aside from giving up one big play, we played pretty well. Griffin didn't have any tackles this week, but he did force a fumble and nearly had another interception. On offense, we didn't really throw so he kept up his steady blocking. Next week is our last regular season game. In basketball, he had two games, both of which the team lost. However, Griffin did a nice job. He had several good shots which just didn't fall. He had a nice steal that he took coast to coast on the right side and attempted to shoot right handed (like he'd been taught). He then got his own rebound and shot again (a foul should have been called). He was all over the place on defense, playing with a lot of heart and hustle. The fall tournament is next week.

On a positive note, the varsity football team evened our record by picking up a big win.

All three kids have school basketball tryouts coming soon, so stay tuned.

Batman: Damned #1 by Brian Azzarello - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: The Joker is dead.

There is no doubt about that. But whether Batman finally snapped his scrawny neck or some other sinister force in Gotham City did the deed is still a mystery.

Problem is, Batman can’t remember…and the more he digs into this labyrinthian case, the more his mind starts to doubt everything he’s uncovering.

So who better to set him straight than…John Constantine? Problem with that is as much as John loves a good mystery, he loves messing with people’s heads even more. So with John’s “help,” the pair will delve into the sordid underbelly of Gotham as they race toward the mind-blowing truth of who murdered The Joker.

BATMAN: DAMNED is a bimonthly super-natural horror story told by two of comics’ greatest modern creators—a visceral thrill-ride that proudly puts the “black” in BLACK LABEL.

I love Batman and I've also enjoyed Brian Azzarello's books over the years, so when I saw Batman: Damned #1, I naturally took the opportunity to read it. I was intrigued by the premise: The Joker is dead, and Batman has no memory of how it happened or if he was involved. In the meantime, something mysterious or otherworldly is "haunting" Batman and he can't seem to get his mind straight. Enter John Constantine, the master of the supernatural, who tells Batman he can help him. However, with Constantine there always seems to be a catch. Mixing those two characters together has a lot of potential.

First, the artwork by Lee Bermejo fits this story perfectly. It is atmospheric and moody, and there are little hints of hallucinations around the edges. It really sets the stage for Azzarello's writing. And the writing is pretty good, too. Because this is a limited series, Azzarello drops us right into the story without any explanation, just some mysterious images and a narrator who can't seem to speak in anything but riddles and veiled references. We have to muddle our way through (not a bad thing), much like Batman has to do as he's faced with his past and the apparent death of the Joker. Constantine is his usual smart-mouthed self, always just a little untrustworthy.

I don't feel like Azzarello is trying to do anything new with Batman, in a character sense, but he's definitely putting him through his paces. My initial feeling is that this story is driven by the mystery of what happened to the Joker and whatever Batman's role in that was. And I'm alright with that. If I want more character-focused pieces, I can check out the mainstream Batman books. I'm curious enough about this story that I don't need any of that to keep me reading. In fact, the way this issue ends is enough to get me waiting for the next one.

Two things you should know about Batman: Damned, though. One, it is apparently a sequel (at least of sorts) to a book Azzarello and Bermejo wrote a number of years ago called The Joker. I'm fairly sure I read it, but I don't really remember much of it. It might be beneficial to those wanting some background on this story. Second, this book is the first from DC Comic's new Black Label, which will tell out of continuity stories that are more mature or horror-tinged in nature. If that's not really your thing, this book and imprint might not appeal to you.

I liked Batman: Damned #1 by Brian Azzarello. It was interesting, intriguing, and confusing in a good way. At this point, I'm curious about where he is going to take Batman and just how Constantine fits in with it all. I would recommend it to Batman fans who are looking for something a little different from the norm.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.

The Wild Storm #17 by Warren Ellis - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: Stephen Rainmaker was the most dangerous man John Lynch knew even before he was inducted into the Thunderbook program. So much so that nobody could quite define how Thunderbook changed him. On his trip around America to warn his old team, Lynch left Rainmaker until last— for a reason. This is the visit that Lynch always knew could kill him. Meanwhile, Marc Slayton is discovering new things about America, IO and Skywatch.

I still don't have any idea where Warren Ellis is taking us with The Wild Storm. The latest issue, #11, keeps the story moving along, but there are so many different conspiracies and moving parts that its hard to see how they are all going to come together. That said, its still a fun read and I'm committed to seeing it through.

So, this issue is basically divided into two parts. The first involves John Lynch making contact with the last of the Thunderbook experiments, a process that has been taking place over several issues. In this case, he meets up with Stephen Rainmaker, a man Lynch considers the most dangerous of them all. They basically dialogue for several pages, but what we learn could have ramifications on how this all wraps up. The second part of the issue is Jacob Marlowe and his group discussing what they believe is going on; however, they don't know that Angie Spica is listening in and she has a secret that could potentially shift the balance of power. This issue also lets the reader in on a little more information about the daemons and it has a very intriguing "post-credit" type scene.

For an action-filled series, The Wild Storm #11 was very light on action and heavy on talking, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Ellis is taking a slow approach, moving his pieces around very deliberately, sometimes even ignoring entire groups of people for several issues. I really enjoy this book, and this issue comes highly recommended. However, once again I would caution that new readers probably shouldn't start with this issue; track down back issues or collected editions. I'm looking forward to seeing how this all comes together over the next handful of issues.

I received a preview of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This Sports Update Was Late; Sorry

So over the past two weeks, we've had a bunch of events.

Lexi continues to heal from her stress fractures, and she was able to cheer for a bit in a game last week. She keeps pressing on and hanging in their.

Cami had three volleyball games, but didn't win any. However, she is still improving on both serving with an overhead, open hand and getting good hits and bumps when the ball is put in play. She also had two basketball games in travel league. The team lost both games, but they were winnable. Cami scored a total of 9 points and had multiple steals and rebounds. She went coast to coast on one of the steals, but the ball rolled out on the shot. She also plays aggressive defense. She is growing into an all-around good player. This travel league is every other week, so she will have next week off.

Griffin had two football games this week due to a weather make-up. His team lost both, but he played pretty well. In the first game, he had multiple solo tackles out at corner, stopping the jet sweep and several other plays to his side. In the second game, he had a nice tackle on a screen pass, defending a deep post and had a pick off a tipped ball in the end zone. He really had to concentrate to make the catch and was able to run it out of the end zone a little bit. He also had four travel league basketball games. The team went 1-3 in the games, and Griffin was his usual pesky self. He did have several rebounds and jump balls, plus took a couple of nice shots that just didn't fall. The highlights for me were the drive to the basket/lay-up combination that resulted in his first basket, and the final minute of a game where Griffin was told to guard a kid who was a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than him. Coach said he wanted to know what flavor of gum he was chewing (ala Hoosiers) and Griffin responded that he might not be able to see that high.

The high school varsity team lost both games, as we still are struggling with consistency and growing pains on both sides of the ball.

More action next week!

Michael Cray #11 by Bryan Hill - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: What is the price for keeping death inside your mind? For Michael Cray, it could be the lives of anyone who cares about him...and his sanity. As Michael is drawn closer to the truth of the consciousness living inside him, the brutal desires of Diana Prince threaten the entire world. After this long night in London, Michael Cray will either face the power inside of him, or succumb to its will.

Michael Cray #11 is the penultimate issue, but Bryan Hill is still dropping background information. In this issue, we see Cray get a little information about the alien in his head, and they come to an agreement of sorts. But the main focus of the story is the background of Diana Prince, or Wonder Woman as she is known in the regular DC Universe. And it's a heck of a story.

No longer is Prince a demi-god, made from clay on Themiscyra, the home of the Amazons. Nope. Her dad is trying to bring the "old gods" back, and whether they are real or not doesn't really matter. He tasks his daughter with doing everything she can to make it happen. It's in this capacity that we see several familiar DC faces, including Lex Luthor. We also learn how Diana and Constantine meet and join forces. As the issue comes to a close, Diana Prince, John Constantine, and Michael Cray are on a collision course, with the fate of the earth in the balance.

At this point, it doesn't do any good to recommend Michael Cray #11. You are either on board or have checked out. But, the story is building to an explosive climax and I'm eager to see if Bryan Hill can stick the landing. Hang on for the ride, because issue #12 should be big.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.

Batman/Catwoman: The Wedding Album by Tom King - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: It's the marriage of Batman and Catwoman! The wedding of the century is commemorated here in Batman/Catwoman: The Wedding Album, a special collector's item hardcover in designed packaging!

The day has finally arrived: the nuptials of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. But their road to wedded bliss won't be easy. With visitors from this time and beyond, the Bat and the Cat will have to undergo even more trials and tribulations before they walk down the aisle. 

The historic wedding of Batman and Catwoman is commemorated in this must-have collector's item, featuring never-before-seen photos from the wedding album, behind-the-scenes design sketches and variant covers. 

Written by the critically acclaimed Tom King, this hardcover celebrates one of the biggest milestones in DC history and features art by superstar artists Mikel Janín, David Finch, Joëlle Jones, Mitch Gerads, Lee Bermejo, Rafael Albuquerque, Neal Adams, Andy Kubert, Becky Cloonan, Ty Templeton, José Luis García-Lopez and more! Collects Batman #44 & #50.

First, I want to be clear: Batman/Catwoman: The Wedding Album by Tom King is not a collected edition of all the issues leading up to the wedding. I would guess that will be done in a different compilation. Rather, this book has a couple of stories that highlight the Batman/Catwoman relationship, hitting some important relationship high points, and then it finishes with Batman #50, the wedding issue.

The first story in this book focuses on Batman and Gotham Girl, with a juxtaposition of Batman and Catwoman. The issue is basically a discussion about why a person chooses to be a hero, and if they can make that choice and be happy in their private life as well. Bruce Wayne/Batman makes a realization that helps him make an important choice regarding Selina Kyle/Catwoman.

The next story focuses on Selina. In what appears to be Selina reverting to her old cat-burglar ways, she sneaks out from a night with Bruce, but winds up making a trip to a wedding dress store. As any married woman will tell you, picking the right dress is a very important step in getting married. I think Selina would concur.

The best part of these two stories is Tom King's focus on the personalities of Bruce and Selina. Instead of putting the "super" part in the forefront, we get a look at what an ordinary life might be like for these two. I have really enjoyed King's examination of Bruce and Selina as people, and not just Batman and Catwoman.

The final story is the wedding. There are multiple threads coming together here, and King makes the decision to tell this story through letters. It adds a personal dimension and puts us in the heads of Bruce and Selina. That adds weight to the story, allowing the reader to experience the emotions that the characters are feeling. It makes for a terrific read.

The rest of The Wedding Album (probably around a third of the book) is variant covers and pin-up tributes from a variety of artists. Each picture portrays Batman and/or Catwoman in a scene from their long history together, both as a couple and as adversaries. Much of the artwork is amazing, with quite a few being worthy of the poster treatment.

Overall, I'm a fan of Tom King's work on Batman. The Wedding Album is no different; the story of Batman and Catwoman getting to the altar is wonderful storytelling. However, I have one caution with this book. It is light on story and heavy on extras. Obviously, this book is for Batman fans, and I would recommend it as such. But, if you're not a fan of extras or want more story value for your dollar, I would hold off.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.

Cover #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and David Mack - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: Years in the making, from the award-winning team of Brian Michael Bendis and multimedia sensation David Mack, comes a brand-new graphic novel experience. And it’s all kind of based on a true story. Sort of…

Deep in the American intelligence community, someone realizes that comic book creators, who travel all over the world to sell their wares, might make the perfect cover for operatives in the dangerous, topsy-turvy world of intelligence and counterintelligence…and that’s when all hell breaks loose. This is the story of the time the world of comics and the world of international spywork smashed together—with unexpected results!

Artist David Mack, follows his Emmy-nominated work on Jessica Jones and his critically acclaimed video work for Dashboard Confessional and Amanda Palmer, brings another completely unique vision to this driving comedic spy story that is also a beautiful Valentine to all those creators who sit alone and make beautiful stories.

Close to 20 years ago, artist/writer David Mack had a very interesting mini-series/ongoing series called Kabuki. It's hard to sum up in a few words, but it had a secret agency, Japanese assassins, and a deep storyline with beautiful art. In the meantime, one of Brian Michael Bendis's first books was called "Fire" and told the story of a college student recruited into the CIA (if I remember correctly). Combine these things together, and you have the general idea of Cover #1 by Bendis with art by Mack.

Presented as "based on a true story. Sort of...", Cover tells the story of a comic book artist who is recruited to work for the CIA. This premise alone was enough for me to give it a chance, but I'm a fan of most of Bendis's work, and loved Mack's Kabuki series and his art on Daredevil, among other things. The first issue introduces us to Max Field, the artist/creator and very reminiscent of David Mack himself, and Julia, a CIA analyst and recruiter. Their introduction at a comic convention leads to another "coincidental" encounter in London. It is there that Max and Julia have the conversation that sets the stage for the rest of the series going forward. And I for one am looking forward to seeing how this story develops.

As for the writing, Bendis just has a way with words, especially with this type of crime/noir/espionage book. There is a slow approach to the plot that allows all the players to find their place. Bendis is a master at characterization, and you can see the beginnings of that in Cover #1. He is also adept at putting in some humorous dialogue, and the character that seems to be based on him is pretty funny. The art is gorgeous and is typical Mack. It adds to the overall atmosphere of the story.

I highly recommend Cover #1 by Bendis and Mack. It hearkens back to some of the early work of both, but with the benefit of their many years of experience. Of the new Bendis books DC Comics is putting out under the Jinxworld imprint, this is my favorite so far. I'm really looking forward to seeing where the story goes. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.

I received a preview of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.

The Dreaming #1 by Simon Spurrier - Comic Book Review

From the publisher: From the upheaval of THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE #1 rises THE DREAMING—a kingdom in chaos.

There is a place where stories are born. Today its walls lie slashed and bleeding. Dream has abandoned his realm, and until he is found, its residents must protect its broken borders alone. But the most senior storysmiths are tormented by invasive secrets, the warden Lucien is doubting his own mind—and beyond the gates something horrific waits with tooth and talon.

 Only Dora, the monstress, finds opportunity in madness, stealing dreams for the highest bidder. But she has no idea how deep the danger lies.

Meanwhile, in Dream’s gallery, something new is growing...

The Dreaming #1 takes us back to the land of Dreams and the mythology of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. Simon Spurrier opens this first issue with Dream aka the Sandman aka Daniel missing from The Dreaming and the protective wards that keep out all manner of creatures failing. Lucien, Dream's trusty librarian, is left in charge but he is slowing forgetting things, both little and important.

While much of this story focuses around Lucien and Matthew the Raven's efforts to discover what is going on, the rest deals with Dora, a mysterious woman with wings coming out of her head. Dora is hurt and angry at Dream for "rescuing" her and then forgetting about her. Unlike most citizens of The Dreaming, Dora still has many fleshly needs and appetites. She also has the ability to step from realm to realm, or dream to dream. In the process of doing this, a demon discovers that the walls surrounding The Dreaming are weakening, and takes action.

I have long been a fan of Dream and his story, having read all of the Sandman series and subsequent graphic novels, etc. I've even read a chunk of the original The Dreaming series. I find this newest contribution to be right in line with the earlier stories. I believe Spurrier is setting up the current storyline, and maybe even future stories, with this opening issue. And while I'm currently as baffled about Dream's whereabouts as Lucien and the others (although Dream did make an appearance in an issue of Dark Nights: Metal, I think, or maybe it was in Doomsday Clock), I trust that all will be explained. There is always so much going on these stories, both above and below the surface.

I highly recommend Simon Spurrier's The Dreaming #1. Longtime Sandman fans will definitely want to pick this up, and it's a nice jumping on point for new readers, if they will be patient. I'm glad to have the chance to revisit these characters and look forward to Spurrier's story slowly rolling out.

I received a preview copy of this book from DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.