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Title: Death : The Time of Your Life (Death) by Neil Gaiman, Chris Bachalo, Mark Pennington, Mark Buckingham, Clare Danes ISBN: 1-56389-333-9 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 December, 1997 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.83 (24 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: Death pales a bit with this series.
Comment: Having just wrote a glowing review of the first Death series, The High Cost of Living, I must now relate my rather deep dissapointment with this second series. While the first was a jaunty tale of Death's adventures in Manhattan, this series rapidly becomes a plodding study of quick fame and the subsequent relationship fallout.
For the lead characters, Neil Gaiman takes two minor players from the first series, who were much more interesting there in two pages than three whole comics here. Foxglove (a name that somehow grated at me as I read it) is a wildly successful folk (???) singer, and Hazel is her lesbian lover who has struck a deal with Death. This same-sex dynamic is the only really interesting aspect of these character's lives, but while their feelings for each other is the supposed crux of the story, the relationship is never fully fleshed-out. And normally chipper Death is relegated to sitting on rocks in purgatory, sullenly listening to Hazel's droning story of life as a kept woman.
I said that the first series was a meandering tale that somehow hit its targets; here the tale merely meanders, goes nowhere, and ends perfectly predictably. While there are some nice jabs at celebrity culture and a few interesting periphreal characters I was wishing would kick these whining nobodies out of the frame and take over, it's not enough to drag these comics up from mediocrity. Go read The Preacher series. They won't put you to sleep.
Rating: 4
Summary: Revisitation is a comforting thing.
Comment: While "Death: The High Cost of Living" had a more intriguing storyline, I still loved "Death: The Time of Your Life." The story features Foxglove, a minor character in the first Death graphic novel, and her lover, Hazel. Their trials and tribulations--including Foxglove's sudden rise to fame and the dynamic of having a son, Alvie--are illustrated (no pun intended.)
While the story isn't fleshed out as much as it could be, it was still a very enjoyable, engrossing read. The illustrations are beautiful and the emotions were dead-on and lacking in cliche, usually a given in Gaiman & co's work.
Foxglove must have been modeled on Ani DiFranco (another reason to love her!) but we don't really learn enough about Hazel. And as mentioned in other reviews, Death is far from the main character here. However, as I've stated, there is a lot to like here, and I do believe this qualifies as a must-have for Death--and Sandman/Gaiman--enthusiasts.
(Also an excellent introduction for those not familiar with Gaiman's world, or the world of comics at large.)
Rating: 3
Summary: At least Death isn't as dumb in this sequel
Comment: I wasn't particularly impressed with "Death: The High Cost Of Living", which is the prequel to this book. The only reason I read this sequel is that I purchased both at the same time. Actually, I wound out liking this "Death" book better than the first, though it is less about Death and more about living.
Death has a little more power in this book, and is not as silly or giddy as before. Taking the side characters Foxglove and Hazel from "THCOL" and centering on them, this book continues with Foxglove's career taking off at a phenomenal pace. Hazel's baby Alvie is now born, and Hazel stays at home while Foxglove is out making appearances and records. On top of which, Foxglove has been advised by her manager not to reveal the nature of her lesbian relationship with Hazel.
But unknown to Foxglove, Hazel has made a deal with Death in her attempt to save Alvie's life. Foxglove is now not only going to have to choose between her family and her career, but also between life and death.
Three stars is still as high as I can go for this tale, and that is purely out of respect for Neil Gaimen. In all honesty, I dislike "touchy-feelie" books and this one has "syrup" written all over it, along with more cheesy song lyrics to be subjected to trying to finish the storyline. Gaimen's other works are much better, and if you like his books and his Sandman series, save these little "Death" graphic novels for last. They are not worthy of his other works and should be purchased only to fill in the holes in your collections.
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Title: Endless Nights (The Sandman, Book 11) by Neil Gaiman ISBN: 1401200893 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 17 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: The Wake (Sandman, Book 10) by Neil Gaiman, Mikal Gilmore, Michael Zulli, Jon J. Muth, Charles Vess ISBN: 1563892790 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 July, 1997 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Worlds' End (Sandman, Book 8) by Neil Gaiman, Stephen King ISBN: 1563891719 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 July, 1995 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The Kindly Ones (Sandman, Book 9) by Neil Gaiman, Frank McConnell ISBN: 1563892057 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 September, 1996 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Brief Lives (Sandman, Book 7) by Neil Gaiman, Jill Thompson, Vince Locke, Peter Straub ISBN: 1563891387 Publisher: DC Comics Pub. Date: 01 January, 1995 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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