The Sandman: The Dream Hunters #1

Ten years ago, Neil Gaiman and Yoshitaka Amano teamed up to create the illustrated novella The Dream Hunters. At the time, this book served as a celebration of the 10th anniversary of Gaiman's Sandman. Oddly enough, 10 years later, Sandman: The Dream Hunters is being adapted, as a comic, by P. Craig Russell, just in time for the 20th anniversary.

According to the afterword in the first issue, this isn't being done simply because Gaiman is out of new ideas, but because Russell has been pining away for a chance to adapt this story for the entire last decade. Based on Russell's stellar reputation as an artist, you know a book he cares about this much is going to be something special. Fans of Gaiman or Russell will certainly not be disappointed!

The best thing about this book is that it stands completely on its own, even if you've never picked up a Sandman comic in your life. Long-time fans will enjoy the subtle connections to the universe Gaiman created all those years ago, but the uninitiated will find a complete, charming, story rooted in Japanese folk tales. It is an authentic enough story that you may be tempted to look up Gaiman's sources. Unfortunately, you can't. Gaiman, with a little input from Amano, created the Dream Hunters on his own, and then made up a literary pedigree and back-story for it. He is a naughty writer!

The story itself revolves around a simple, rural, monk living on an isolated mountain in Japan. A fox and a badger decide to trick him out of his simple home, as it is much nicer than a fox's den or a badger's set. These diabolically clever critters take turns using their shape-shifting powers to fool the monk into leaving his home. Of course, the monk turns out to be far cleverer than they give him credit for, and he outfoxes them both. Even the fox. Despite the duplicitous start to their relationship, the fox actually finds herself falling in love with the monk. When she discovers that other forces are plotting against him, she realizes that she is willing to risk anything to save the monk's life.

Russell's art is, as always, absolutely gorgeous. This story, with its timeless and classic feel, is perfectly suited to his style. It reads, and looks, like a brilliant children's story, aimed at adults. The art is loaded with lush detail, and will call you back to examine it more closely, even after mutliple readings. With a chain of creators like Gaiman, Amano, and Russell all involved in the story, you know The Sandman: The Dream Hunters #1 is a special event. The fact that it is also Four Color Fantasies' guaranteed Book of the Week is just an added bonus.