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Neil Gaiman’s Newest ‘Overture’

This program was originally broadcast on November 25, 2013.

Norman Mailer called it “a comic strip for intellectuals.” Best-selling author Neil Gaiman joins us with his dark, new series on the origins of “The Sandman.”

A image from the first volume of the "Sandman" series, written by Neil Gaiman. (Courtesy Vertigo/DC Entertainment )
A image from the first volume of the "Sandman" series, written by Neil Gaiman. (Courtesy Vertigo/DC Entertainment )

“The only people who inveigh against escape are jailers,” J.R.R. Tolkien famously said.  The world’s premier artist of escapism today may be Neil Gaiman. Neil Gaiman wrote “The Sandman,” the dark, epic fantasy praised by connoisseurs as the greatest comic book – 75 issues long – ever written.  He’s heaped with sci-fi and horror prizes – the Hugo, the Nebula, the Bram Stoker – but also with children’s prizes, the Newbery and more.  He’s a literary rock star who also takes the stage – and mines our deep, dark veins.  Up next On Point:  storytelling rock star, Neil Gaiman.
-- Tom Ashbrook

Guest

Neil Gaiman, Best-selling author of the acclaimed graphic novel series, "The Sandman," including the new prequel, "The Sandman: Overture." Also author of "American Gods," "Coraline," "The Graveyard Book" and "The Ocean At the End of the Lane." (@neilhimself)

From Tom's Reading List

The New Republic: An Interview With Neil Gaiman, the Internet's Favorite Fantasy Writer -- "Gaiman is perhaps the world’s best-known fantasy writer. The internationally bestselling author of 'Neverwhere,' 'Coraline,' 'American Gods,' 'Stardust' and many other books, graphic novels and film adaptations is rich, famous and married to a rock star. He has millions of devoted fans who eat his every word like air. He has won every major award going for science fiction, fantasy, and children’s literature, including the Hugo, the Nebula, the Bram Stoker and the Locus, many times over. He spends most of his time flying around the world between homes and fancy hotels, being celebrated and signing an improbable number of books."

Paste Magazine: 'The Sandman: Overture' by Neil Gaiman & J.H. Williams III — "I have absolutely no hesitation calling 'The Sandman' the best comic book ever written. I don’t consider it hyperbole or exaggeration: it’s a universal truth in my head, as unwavering as gravity or male pattern baldness. Other comics have certainly come close, but did 'Watchmen,' 'Blankets,' or 'Maus' deliver sublime graphic literature over seven years for 75 issues?"

The A.V. Club: Neil Gaiman’s classic comic-book series returns with 'The Sandman: Overture #1' -- "Stories never really end, do they? Even after the final word on the page or the last shot on screen, stories live on in the imagination of the audience and, in more recent times, the limbo where narratives ferment until they’re ready for prequels and sequels. When Neil Gaiman ended 'The Sandman' in 1996, he emphasized the idea that these characters and this world would live on after the end of the series, and the nature of mainstream comic books ensured that Gaiman’s concepts would stick around for a while."

See A Gallery Of Images From  Both The New And Original 'Sandman' On Our Blog

This program aired on December 26, 2014. The audio for this program is not available.

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