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The Sandman Presents: The Thessaliad #1-4+
Sandman apresenta: Contos Fabulosos
Bill Willingham recebeu a missão de mostrar aos reles mortais os bastidores do Sonhar, o mundo criado por Morfeus na série Sandman. E fez isso magistralmente em três aventuras. Em Merv Cabeça de Abóbora, Agente do S.O.N.H.A.R., o faxineiro trapalhão recebe a missão de capturar um sonho foragido… mas nem sempre as coisas saem como ele planeja. Em As Novas Aventuras de Danny Nod, O Heroico Bibliotecário-assistente, Bill nos apresenta a um novo personagem do Sonhar. E, finalmente, em Tudo que Você Sempre Quis Saber Sobre Sonhos… Mas Tinha Medo de Perguntar, são respondidas diversas dúvidas (algumas pertinentes, outras nem tanto…) sobre o fabuloso Sonhar. Seus sonhos jamais serão os mesmos após ler essas histórias…
132 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
4 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Bill Willingham
993 books2,817 followersIn the late 1970s to early 1980s he drew fantasy ink pictures for the Dungeons & Dragons Basic and Expert game rulebooks. He first gained attention for his 1980s comic book series Elementals published by Comico, which he both wrote and drew. However, for reasons unknown, the series had trouble maintaining an original schedule, and Willingham's position in the industry remained spotty for many years. He contributed stories to Green Lantern and started his own independent, black-and-white comics series Coventry which lasted only 3 issues. He also produced the pornographic series Ironwood for Eros Comix.
In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables
In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 15, 2015
Not bad. But nothing like FABLES!!!
August 17, 2007
I learned how important Neil Gaiman's sensibility was to the sandman universe.
Bill Willingham's work is simplistic and rough where Gaiman's was nuanced. He even introduces a cute kid character(junior librarian Billy Nod) to have gee-whiz neato adventures.
Reading this felt like watching a hollywood adaptation of a favorite book. Strike that, a WB network tv adaptation of a favorite book. Willingham's "Fables" stuff is nice and fluffy, but I don't think that's what I was looking for in the sandman universe.
Bill Willingham's work is simplistic and rough where Gaiman's was nuanced. He even introduces a cute kid character(junior librarian Billy Nod) to have gee-whiz neato adventures.
Reading this felt like watching a hollywood adaptation of a favorite book. Strike that, a WB network tv adaptation of a favorite book. Willingham's "Fables" stuff is nice and fluffy, but I don't think that's what I was looking for in the sandman universe.
December 12, 2024
Zbiór około Sandmanowych historii napisany przez Billa Willinghama. Dlatego kupiłem, choć „Baśnie” tegoż są serią nierówną i przeciągniętą. Te historie powstały dwadzieścia lat temu i nic się nie zestarzały. I również są zbiorem nierównym. Ale są tu dwie historie, które zasługują na wyróżnienie. Bohaterami są dwie fajne, drugoplanowe lub trzecioplanowe postacie z głównego cyklu. Pierwszy to mój ulubiony, czyli Marv, na codzień konserwator powierzchni poziomych w siedzibie Sandmana. 😄 Druga opowiada o Tes, potężnej tesalskiej czarownicy. Czysta przyjemność czytania. Pozostałe również można przeczytać bez bólu - ale naprawdę nie zapadają w pamięć.
Generalnie, można czytać bez znajomości głównego cyklu. Tylko po co?
Generalnie, można czytać bez znajomości głównego cyklu. Tylko po co?
December 3, 2025
I bought this book a few years ago, as a recommendation from a seller as the Amadora BD, and because a friend of mine and I were reading the Fable comics at the time... I had put it off for years, in case we would read it together, but this is not Fable, and we have way more things to read together!!!
This did not live up to the expectations, but it's better than the first story made me think... I did not like the first one at all, not the plot or the characters... it wasn't for me... now everything else was a bit better!!!
I really enjoyed the second tale and most parts of the following tale (divided in 4 chapters), most of all I like how it is about literature and storytelling, I like the nods and winks to characters, arcs and tropes you know - they are stories about stories and writing, and that's something appealing to me!!!
The last one was a bit weaker again, I didn't really love the plot or story, but I liked the different styles of art in it, and I liked the questions posed and the answers for it - it's a fun analysis of the dream world (a darker version of the Inside Out's inspired show, Dream Productions).
This turned out to be a higher 3 star than I first thought, but not what I wanted... and this why I think books can definitely expire (even though I've said they don't a lot...)
This did not live up to the expectations, but it's better than the first story made me think... I did not like the first one at all, not the plot or the characters... it wasn't for me... now everything else was a bit better!!!
I really enjoyed the second tale and most parts of the following tale (divided in 4 chapters), most of all I like how it is about literature and storytelling, I like the nods and winks to characters, arcs and tropes you know - they are stories about stories and writing, and that's something appealing to me!!!
The last one was a bit weaker again, I didn't really love the plot or story, but I liked the different styles of art in it, and I liked the questions posed and the answers for it - it's a fun analysis of the dream world (a darker version of the Inside Out's inspired show, Dream Productions).
This turned out to be a higher 3 star than I first thought, but not what I wanted... and this why I think books can definitely expire (even though I've said they don't a lot...)
March 18, 2021
Whew. Willingham's come a long way since this mess. Poor Thessaly. You deserve better.
November 6, 2024
Most authors attempting to revisit the Dreaming try but fail to capture the magic that Neil Gaiman created with The Sandman. Here, instead, Bill Willingham doesn’t really try, going for laffs and light-hearted parody of Gaiman’s material, and the results are understandably mixed, although this collection reads as well as most of the others by the various pretenders to the throne. His Merv Pumpkinhead pastiche of James Bond is hilarious; not so much his treatment of Thessaly, who should not be played for comedy. The shorter pieces in the final section, Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Dreams… are fun and showcase a range of various artists, but they’re a mixed bag.
September 20, 2023
A book of diminishing returns.
The first story, "Merv Pumpkinhead, Agent of D.R.E.A.M." is a noir satire with the titular character embarking on a mission to catch a criminal who stole some of the Daniel (the "new" Sandman)'s sand is exactly the amusing fluff I'd hope would come out of another author playing in Neil Gaiman's sandbox. It's not trying to be deep, it's just an adventure with a very minor character in the overall story acting as a protagonist to a story with little consequence. 4/5*
"The Further Adventures of Danny Nod, Heroic Library Assistant" is in the same vain but isn't as succesful. It's about a young library assistant and Goldie (Abel's gargoyle from Sandman) tracking down books that have disappeared from the library. It's harmless fun but it's not as engaging as the previous story. 3/5*
I was initially really enjoying the four part story "The Thessaliad", which revisited Thessaly from the main story, as a group of weakening gods sought to suck out her immortal soul in order to stay alive as their followers wained. It was a cute premise, and Willingham seemed to be having fun both with the character and dropping some Sandman Easter eggs throughout the book, as well as alluding to the Lucifer series, which not many Sandman spinoffs did. Alas, the climax was pretty boring. Many of what should have been amusing interactions between Thessaly and her opponents happen off-screen, and we just see her explaining them to Fetch (a being supposedly created from all of the people Thessaly has previously killed). It's a really dull way to tell the story. 3/5*
The one to two page entries making up "Everything You Always wanted To Know About Dreams But Were Afraid To Ask" were ... I hate to use the word "boring" or "dull" again, but that's what they were. They added nothing to the collection, and fell short of being either funny or insightful. 1/5*
If you ever see this in a library, you should read the first story and then leave the book on the reshelving cart.
The first story, "Merv Pumpkinhead, Agent of D.R.E.A.M." is a noir satire with the titular character embarking on a mission to catch a criminal who stole some of the Daniel (the "new" Sandman)'s sand is exactly the amusing fluff I'd hope would come out of another author playing in Neil Gaiman's sandbox. It's not trying to be deep, it's just an adventure with a very minor character in the overall story acting as a protagonist to a story with little consequence. 4/5*
"The Further Adventures of Danny Nod, Heroic Library Assistant" is in the same vain but isn't as succesful. It's about a young library assistant and Goldie (Abel's gargoyle from Sandman) tracking down books that have disappeared from the library. It's harmless fun but it's not as engaging as the previous story. 3/5*
I was initially really enjoying the four part story "The Thessaliad", which revisited Thessaly from the main story, as a group of weakening gods sought to suck out her immortal soul in order to stay alive as their followers wained. It was a cute premise, and Willingham seemed to be having fun both with the character and dropping some Sandman Easter eggs throughout the book, as well as alluding to the Lucifer series, which not many Sandman spinoffs did. Alas, the climax was pretty boring. Many of what should have been amusing interactions between Thessaly and her opponents happen off-screen, and we just see her explaining them to Fetch (a being supposedly created from all of the people Thessaly has previously killed). It's a really dull way to tell the story. 3/5*
The one to two page entries making up "Everything You Always wanted To Know About Dreams But Were Afraid To Ask" were ... I hate to use the word "boring" or "dull" again, but that's what they were. They added nothing to the collection, and fell short of being either funny or insightful. 1/5*
If you ever see this in a library, you should read the first story and then leave the book on the reshelving cart.
June 10, 2021
Uma revisita ao Sonhar leve e divertida. A melhor história é a envolvendo Merv Cabeça de Abóbora, mas as demais também são interessantes. O ponto alto com certeza são as inúmeras referências que rendem trocadilhos divertidíssimos com diversas obras da cultura pop e nerd. Aqui e ali temos várias alfinetadas aos valores da sociedade não chega a ter a profundidade do material fonte, não é essa a proposta, mas também não são só historinhas divertidas e sarcásticas.
March 27, 2020
Eh, veste kako je to, svet Sandmana, samo da to ni svet Sandmana, ampak so vzel stranske like in poskusili nekaj narest? Gaiman ni niti podpisan zraven, and it shows. Mal ta filing, LOTR film vs. Hobit film.
May 29, 2023
Book 44/100 for 2023. It's a testament to Gaiman's conception of the Dreaming and how spectacularly the original run of Sandman was executed that the various spinoffs and sequels based on it are always good and entertaining no matter which creators are involved.
November 23, 2018
this book left me with a smile
August 12, 2019
The book is really wonderful.
May 21, 2020
The story at times was predictable. Thessaly as a character could be improved. Enjoyable story, however no real surprises.
August 21, 2022
Divertidinha. Arte bem legal e dá pra conhecer mais personagens do Sonhar.
December 16, 2022
It was so much fun to immerse myself in The Dreaming with some of the quirky unique characters and see what they are up to! Bill stayed true to the Sandman Universe.
August 19, 2024
This was all enjoyable, but the first story involving Merv was by far the best. Of all the characters used in this volume, Merv was the one Willingham seemed to have the most fun with.
November 11, 2024
Odd but beautiful artwork. The stories were sometimes a bit thin, but overall a fun read.
March 7, 2025
This is definitely one of the first examples of the Sandman universe becoming a cash cow and not just a series by Neil Gaiman, you don’t need to read this, Thessaly is not at her best here at all, but Merv Pumpkinhead certainly is
Merv Pumpkinhead, Agent of DREAM: 4⭐️
Feels too long for sure, but Merv is so lovable despite his best efforts
Danny Nod: 4⭐️
This character was created by Fables writer Bill Willingham I believe but he fits in well, he’s like newspaper comic strip wholesome, it was a cute story. He also rolls around with Goldie the whole time so that was lovely
The Thessaliad: 3⭐️
This is the biggest example for me of this is Sandman characters for sure but it’s almost Uncanny Valley because something feels so not right
We even get lots of beloved dead characters cameos to try to offset that feeling and it kind of works, once it gets rolling it’s enjoyable
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dreams… But Were Afraid to Ask: 2.5 ⭐️
I kinda hated this one but it was kinda cute
Merv Pumpkinhead, Agent of DREAM: 4⭐️
Feels too long for sure, but Merv is so lovable despite his best efforts
Danny Nod: 4⭐️
This character was created by Fables writer Bill Willingham I believe but he fits in well, he’s like newspaper comic strip wholesome, it was a cute story. He also rolls around with Goldie the whole time so that was lovely
The Thessaliad: 3⭐️
This is the biggest example for me of this is Sandman characters for sure but it’s almost Uncanny Valley because something feels so not right
We even get lots of beloved dead characters cameos to try to offset that feeling and it kind of works, once it gets rolling it’s enjoyable
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dreams… But Were Afraid to Ask: 2.5 ⭐️
I kinda hated this one but it was kinda cute
June 5, 2025
The kind of derivative nonnsense only Willingham can produce. Oh, and it's trying so hard to be funny it's pathetic.
December 6, 2016
A short collection of comics set in and tied to the Sandman universe, by other authors. So none of this is Neil Gaiman's work, but many of the characters are his. It's kind of uneven, and the volume contains several different components, so I'll speak briefly to each of them.
Merv Pumpkinhead, Agent of D.R.E.A.M. - the conceit of Merv Pumpkinseed as a 007-style special agent is slightly amusing, but not really my style, so this particular story didn't do much for me. I do like Merv as a character and his perpetual use of pumpkin-and-squash-related-jokes kept me moving through what otherwise might have been a kind of dull jaunt.
The Further Adventures of Danny Nod, Heroic Library Assistant - a short one-off comic about a kid who works in Dream's library and takes his job very seriously. He wanders through a lot of classic fantasy literature gathering up errant books, and it's referential and easygoing and charming, if not super deep. I liked it.
The Thessaliad - told in four parts, this story comprises the bulk of this volume, and conveys a tale of attempted assassination and methodical vengeance. The main characters are Thessaly, who we have seen in other Sandman volumes, who is the last of the Thessalonian witches and a serious badass navigator of lore and power, together with an unspecified ghost assassin who acts as her companion as she hunts down the waning gods who are seeking her death as an energy source. It's a pretty well-woven story and well worth the amount of space it takes up in this volume.
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dreams... But Were Afraid to Ask - A short compilation of various vignettes answering FAQs about the dreaming. I didn't find much here to interest me.
Merv Pumpkinhead, Agent of D.R.E.A.M. - the conceit of Merv Pumpkinseed as a 007-style special agent is slightly amusing, but not really my style, so this particular story didn't do much for me. I do like Merv as a character and his perpetual use of pumpkin-and-squash-related-jokes kept me moving through what otherwise might have been a kind of dull jaunt.
The Further Adventures of Danny Nod, Heroic Library Assistant - a short one-off comic about a kid who works in Dream's library and takes his job very seriously. He wanders through a lot of classic fantasy literature gathering up errant books, and it's referential and easygoing and charming, if not super deep. I liked it.
The Thessaliad - told in four parts, this story comprises the bulk of this volume, and conveys a tale of attempted assassination and methodical vengeance. The main characters are Thessaly, who we have seen in other Sandman volumes, who is the last of the Thessalonian witches and a serious badass navigator of lore and power, together with an unspecified ghost assassin who acts as her companion as she hunts down the waning gods who are seeking her death as an energy source. It's a pretty well-woven story and well worth the amount of space it takes up in this volume.
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dreams... But Were Afraid to Ask - A short compilation of various vignettes answering FAQs about the dreaming. I didn't find much here to interest me.
June 28, 2008
Graphic Novel. This reads exactly like Willingham writing Fables in the Sandman universe. Since that's what it is, I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but I really couldn't get into it.
There's four stories here: Merv Pumpkinhead as the James Bond of the Dreaming; Danny Nod, an original Willingham character that irritated me (see page 77 where Danny acknowledges that "for some reason pretty girls get tied up a lot in boys' adventure fiction" and then walks off and leaves them that way); a four-part story featuring Thessaly from Game of You; and some shorts that supposedly answer such questions as "what causes nightmares?" and "why reoccurring dreams?"
Two stars because this is basically a Fables/Sandman mash-up, but instead of being something that can stand on its own merits, it just made me want to read Fables or Sandman instead. AND the art kept changing every four pages.
There's four stories here: Merv Pumpkinhead as the James Bond of the Dreaming; Danny Nod, an original Willingham character that irritated me (see page 77 where Danny acknowledges that "for some reason pretty girls get tied up a lot in boys' adventure fiction" and then walks off and leaves them that way); a four-part story featuring Thessaly from Game of You; and some shorts that supposedly answer such questions as "what causes nightmares?" and "why reoccurring dreams?"
Two stars because this is basically a Fables/Sandman mash-up, but instead of being something that can stand on its own merits, it just made me want to read Fables or Sandman instead. AND the art kept changing every four pages.
May 26, 2014
Took me a while to finish this. Not because it was long or hard to read but kind of boring. So boring in fact I forgot to update my goodreads to read and write the review yesterday.
So Review... The book is broken up into 4 stories. Some longer than others. All of the stories had to do with dreamdom or dreamland or however they called it. This is a land where all your dream characters and nightmares reside. These "dream" people have jobs like categorizing your dreams and making up scripts for your dream and basically running the show. We are the bystanders. We do not participate. Over all I liked the concept. I liked that their was a whole world within dream land that helped normal humans once they closed their eyes. It was fun idea but the execution was mediocre. The drawings where in the old comic book style. Fine lines and lots of detail.
Fun idea boring execution.
So Review... The book is broken up into 4 stories. Some longer than others. All of the stories had to do with dreamdom or dreamland or however they called it. This is a land where all your dream characters and nightmares reside. These "dream" people have jobs like categorizing your dreams and making up scripts for your dream and basically running the show. We are the bystanders. We do not participate. Over all I liked the concept. I liked that their was a whole world within dream land that helped normal humans once they closed their eyes. It was fun idea but the execution was mediocre. The drawings where in the old comic book style. Fine lines and lots of detail.
Fun idea boring execution.
November 3, 2016
Fablesi-mehe Bill Willinghami panus Sandmani-maailma. Eks selline päris kõva Fablesi-mekk on man, Gaimani Sandmani süngusest pole haisugi, selline ihhihhii ja ahhahhaa ainult kogu aeg ja kõvasti hollivuudlik on ka. Aga no huvitav oli ikka. Kõige parem oli vististi Bondi paroodia, Merv Pumpkinhead superagendi osas. Raamatukoguhoidja seiklusi kadunud raamatute kojutoomisel elas Willingham hiljem välja Jack of the Fables - nimelises Fablesi kõrvalsarjas ja nõid Thessaly lugu oli selline...veidravõitu.
July 23, 2012
An interesting exploration of Bill Willingham stories in the Sandman's world. Some feel like prototypes for his Fables books; there's a lot of Thessaly in the librarians in Jack of Fables (and Jack himself gets a mention). The Thessaliad I think I'd read before, but if I did, I completely missed most of its meaning. A fantastic story about stories, and very much in Gaiman's style. The other stories were enjoyable as well, but the Thessaliad was definitely the highlight.
January 30, 2013
I haven't read the sandman series yet, needless to say reading this today it has gone up to the top of my graphic reading list.
Bill Willingham is my favourite graphic writer so far, fables is still my favourite but this book is amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed it, to the point I was reading it while walking to work, something I've never done! it's a must for all fable fans!
Bill Willingham is my favourite graphic writer so far, fables is still my favourite but this book is amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed it, to the point I was reading it while walking to work, something I've never done! it's a must for all fable fans!
December 29, 2015
Good Sandman stories. Typical darkness and gore for the Sandman comics. I don't know why I am not creeped out by this in these books but I am unfazed.
It is a series of stories about secondary characters ( I love Thessally) and it is nice to see them fleshed out. Not by Gaiman but he overseas the project and it has his stamp of approval.
I do recommend this book.
It is a series of stories about secondary characters ( I love Thessally) and it is nice to see them fleshed out. Not by Gaiman but he overseas the project and it has his stamp of approval.
I do recommend this book.
May 30, 2011
Merv Pumpkinhead as an oneiric James Bond is one of my favourites. Also "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dreams" gives some insights about the realm of Morpheus. A slightly humorous relief from the dark world of Sandman.
June 3, 2011
Merv Pumpkinhead gets Five stars, if he was the orignal James Bond i would`v probably enjoyed those movies
Thessaly is one crazy bitch! she gets 5 stars very gory 3 chapters
The rest of this collection was Blah to me
Thessaly is one crazy bitch! she gets 5 stars very gory 3 chapters
The rest of this collection was Blah to me
March 18, 2013
I had a surprisingly hard time reading this. I really enjoyed the story of Nod, and the Everything You Wanted to Know About Dreams But Were Afraid to Ask series. The Thessiliad was ok, but again, just struggled caring about the other characters and the world. Maybe because I haven't read Sandman?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews