dichotomy :: The Sandman

The Sandman #75, pg. 17 - Foreground

Artists: Charles Vess (All) , Todd Klein (Letterer) , Neil Gaiman (Writer) , William Shakespeare (Writer)

8 Comments - 394 Views - 17 Likes

The Sandman #75, pg. 17 - Foreground Comic Art

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My baby, my little girl.

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The Sandman #75, pg. 9

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Artwork Details

Title:	The Sandman #75, pg. 17 - Foreground
Artist:	Charles Vess (All)
Artist:	Todd Klein (Letterer)
Artist:	Neil Gaiman (Writer)
Artist:	William Shakespeare (Writer)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	394
Likes on CAF:	17 18
Comments:	8
Added to Site:	4/5/2022
Comic Art Archive:

Description

I suppose all good things must come to an End, so here I present a page that means the world to me.

It's funny how something so perfect can make it's way into my grubby paws. Like a needle from a haystack, one person's bauble becomes another person's treasure.

The influence of Shakespeare as a storyteller and impish wit is undeniable, and Gaiman embraces that wholeheartedly, incorporating the character into the fabric of his 75 issue masterpiece.

Despite being a white man with Syphilis, Shakespeare had quite an impact on me as well, particularly as a young wastrel at University. Later my son, Liam, would be named in homage to the Bard.

Back to the story - Morpheus' story is already done - now we need to decompress this massive, massive story. What better way to connect with your late 90s audience than an allegorical tale set in medieval England? Sometimes I am very, very scared of what it must be like inside Gaiman's head.

The page picks up as Will pens his final play, The Tempest (unabashedly my favorite).

Prospero is recanting his origin, chaffing under the yolk of his teacher/master. Klein's lettering on the Master! What a treat.

Then we see Shakespeare himself, writing this gorgeous story, and stopping to take a moment with his young daughter, who makes a lovely stand in for my own young daughter. My baby, my little girl. And she most certainly is not dull!

Of course, the art - delighted to add a piece from this issue and by the Venerable Vess to the collection. Woodcut perfect pencils and inks. I LOVE that top panel.

Thanks again, new friend!

William Shakespeare died April 23rd, 1616, after paying his taxes.

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About the Owner

	M L ( 2 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	August 2015
Last Login:	September 2025
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	M's Classifieds M's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Victor Bracamontes
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

These pages are amazing, and you're absolutely correct, that top panel is just perfect!

Tyler T
Member Since 2020

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

I always thought Vess was amazing and would be very happy to have a an original from him. It's awesome to see you get a page that has so much meaning to you. Congrats M L!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

You can look at the pictures, but she just can't read
You can feel the emotions, but Morpheus' complete
You can dip Vess' quill in ink pool, but you can't sing a hymn
You can feel Klein's lettering, but money commit is fin
And bank transfer, CAF art debut
We want Neil Gaiman
And you want Vess Sandman fortune
No one, no one, no syphilis is to blame

Migs DC
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Stop already.

J H
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Vess makes my eyeballs happy. Yep, I wrote that...eat your heart out, Writer Willy! There's something about the quality of Vess' line, and how he finely renders images, that just strike a chord in me. The Raven Banner was a personal favorite, and that carried over to all his work. And I love your clever write-up, too. It's a beautiful page, and now I'm going to go do my taxes. Congrats!

Christopher Daley
Member Since 2019

1 - Posted on 4/5/2022

Wowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowowow

Michael Kenyon
Member Since 2008

1 - Posted on 4/8/2022

The talent involved in this creation penetrates the base of the skull and shudders the heart's confidence. It's beyond glorious to taste the gifts of God blessed artists. Not to mention the enthusiastic and well writ description....methinks this entry to your gallery is most worthy.

Take a bow M L

Timothy Finney
Member Since 2006

1 - Posted on 4/17/2022

Gaiman gave us a Shakespeare, who, as a family man, views himself, with good reason, as a great failure, but, who, despite his faults and inability to change, cares deeply for his wife and daughter and feels a deep and abiding regret for the death of his son. The "dichotomy" between Shakespeare's humanity and Morpheus' Endlessness was revealed to be far closer than either would care to admit.

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