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Death of the Endless #1
Death: The High Cost of Living
From the pages of Neil Gaiman's SANDMAN comes the young, pale, perky, and genuinely likable Death. One day in every century, Death walks the Earth to better understand those to whom she will be the final visitor. Today is that day. As a young mortal girl named Didi, Death befriends a teenager and helps a 250-year old homeless woman find her missing heart. What follows is a sincere musing on love, life and (of course) death.
104 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 649 reviews
August 30, 2020
The feeling when you are sure that Death could be your best friend... #friendshipgoals
I'm slightly confused by this development but still #friendshipgoals.
I absolutely love what Neil Gaiman did with his representation of Death. She's fun, nice and cheerful. Things we do not necessary connect with death. Can you be a best friend with Death?
I'm slightly confused by this development but still #friendshipgoals.
I absolutely love what Neil Gaiman did with his representation of Death. She's fun, nice and cheerful. Things we do not necessary connect with death. Can you be a best friend with Death?
May 14, 2015
Deadly brilliant!!!
This is a collected edition of the story “Death: The High Cost of Living” which includes “Death talks about Life” which is a health pamphlet about how to have safe sex, and also there is a brief guide-like about the appearance of “Death” in the pages of “The Sandman”. Also it has an introduction written by the musician Tori Amos.
Creative Team:
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Illustrators: Chris Bachalo (main story) & Dave McKean (additional health info)
Letterer: Todd Klein (since he is easily the best letterer in the business, always it’s relevant to mention that he was involved!)
THRILLED TO DEATH
That girl. I’m tellin’ you. That girl will be the death of me.
Neil Gaiman, the author, certainly made an epic run while writing The Sandman but once he introduced “Death”, one of the sisters of “Dream”, she became the most popular character in the series, easily even more popular than Morpheus himself.
I think what made her irresistible was that instead of being a tall scary guy with a scythe and a skull for face, or even some depressed and/or somber person, Gaiman created her as a beautiful girl with an endless smile on her lips.
But we don’t know where we’re going.
Ah, that’s just part of the human condition. Isn’t it neat?
Certainly she wears black goth-like clothes but that’s a fashion decision, you don’t have to be angry with life or having glum mood just for wearing that kind of attire.
Death is always smiling, and it’s not a creepy malicious grin, she is genuily happy with her role in the balance of the universe and she likes to meet people and experience new things.
DANCE WITH DEATH
If you know someone really well it’s hard to be mad at them for very long... ...I know everybody really well.
In this story, Death lives a day as a normal human being. Really alive, breathing, eating, and experience as much as possible in those 24 hours.
This is something that Death does one day, each century.
And today is the day in the 20th Century.
Sexton Furnival, a young boy of almost 16 and a half years old, with grim attitude about life will be the companion of Death during this day, and thanks to Death, Sexton will start to watch anew about life.
Death and Sexton will meet odd characters like Mad Hattie, a 250 years old homeless woman looking for her heart, and a weird tall man without eyes obsessed about getting Death’s Anhk.
And you’ll discover that you don’t need much money to have one wonderful day, with ten dollars and two cents is plenty enough, and...
It always ends. That’s what gives it value.
This is a collected edition of the story “Death: The High Cost of Living” which includes “Death talks about Life” which is a health pamphlet about how to have safe sex, and also there is a brief guide-like about the appearance of “Death” in the pages of “The Sandman”. Also it has an introduction written by the musician Tori Amos.
Creative Team:
Writer: Neil Gaiman
Illustrators: Chris Bachalo (main story) & Dave McKean (additional health info)
Letterer: Todd Klein (since he is easily the best letterer in the business, always it’s relevant to mention that he was involved!)
THRILLED TO DEATH
That girl. I’m tellin’ you. That girl will be the death of me.
Neil Gaiman, the author, certainly made an epic run while writing The Sandman but once he introduced “Death”, one of the sisters of “Dream”, she became the most popular character in the series, easily even more popular than Morpheus himself.
I think what made her irresistible was that instead of being a tall scary guy with a scythe and a skull for face, or even some depressed and/or somber person, Gaiman created her as a beautiful girl with an endless smile on her lips.
But we don’t know where we’re going.
Ah, that’s just part of the human condition. Isn’t it neat?
Certainly she wears black goth-like clothes but that’s a fashion decision, you don’t have to be angry with life or having glum mood just for wearing that kind of attire.
Death is always smiling, and it’s not a creepy malicious grin, she is genuily happy with her role in the balance of the universe and she likes to meet people and experience new things.
DANCE WITH DEATH
If you know someone really well it’s hard to be mad at them for very long... ...I know everybody really well.
In this story, Death lives a day as a normal human being. Really alive, breathing, eating, and experience as much as possible in those 24 hours.
This is something that Death does one day, each century.
And today is the day in the 20th Century.
Sexton Furnival, a young boy of almost 16 and a half years old, with grim attitude about life will be the companion of Death during this day, and thanks to Death, Sexton will start to watch anew about life.
Death and Sexton will meet odd characters like Mad Hattie, a 250 years old homeless woman looking for her heart, and a weird tall man without eyes obsessed about getting Death’s Anhk.
And you’ll discover that you don’t need much money to have one wonderful day, with ten dollars and two cents is plenty enough, and...
It always ends. That’s what gives it value.
February 13, 2018
Gaiman’s Sandman is such a brilliant and creative series; yet, for all that Dream does not have much personality. Death is a far better character.
“It's no harder to be nice than it is to be creepy. And it's much more fun.”
I love what Gaiman has done with her. Death is the end, but she is also something we will all have to accept with open arms. There’s no escaping her and perhaps that’s why she is so welcoming here. It is fate that we will one day meet her. And she’s so likable; she has a big smile and an even bigger heart. The people she meets cannot resist her charm and easy going manner. They like her. They want to be around her and one day they will be forevermore.
In these issues a young boy wishes for her. He is a typical teenager, broody, moody and full of self-loathing. He hates his life and he wants it all to end. Death appears. Instead of taking him she makes him realise that life is, in fact, worth living. His attitude was wrong. He failed to see beyond his own situation and understand that others were far more unfortunate than him. Death taught him a lesson: she taught him that life must come first.
"It always ends. That’s what gives it value."
So I have only good things to say about this: it’s wise, funny and perfectly balanced- go read it!
“It's no harder to be nice than it is to be creepy. And it's much more fun.”
I love what Gaiman has done with her. Death is the end, but she is also something we will all have to accept with open arms. There’s no escaping her and perhaps that’s why she is so welcoming here. It is fate that we will one day meet her. And she’s so likable; she has a big smile and an even bigger heart. The people she meets cannot resist her charm and easy going manner. They like her. They want to be around her and one day they will be forevermore.
In these issues a young boy wishes for her. He is a typical teenager, broody, moody and full of self-loathing. He hates his life and he wants it all to end. Death appears. Instead of taking him she makes him realise that life is, in fact, worth living. His attitude was wrong. He failed to see beyond his own situation and understand that others were far more unfortunate than him. Death taught him a lesson: she taught him that life must come first.
"It always ends. That’s what gives it value."
So I have only good things to say about this: it’s wise, funny and perfectly balanced- go read it!
October 31, 2025
That Death would come to 'live' with us as a goth teenage girl is pure genius - that 'she' could teach a depressed young boy how to 'live' - genius to the nth power. This is a very deep story of how we can learn to live - and how death (paradoxically) can be an example of a life well lived. Neil Gaiman has given us one of the truly icon characters in comics - highest recommendation.
May 7, 2023
There is a whole thing out there, and it's all part of living.
The good bits, and the bad bits, and the dull bits, and the painful bits...
Death walks the earth in mortal form one day each 100 years.
The Target is for her to try life and to try death, to feel compassion for humans.
To eat and breath (yeah turns out the endless don't breath!) and live one day only each 100 years.
The world accommodates her very presence, everyone is giving her things for free, because she doesn't have much money, yeah screw that Lucifer series guy, who had infinite money, our goth girl had only 10 dollars and 2 cents, and wait till you see what the 2 cents will be used for.
As we come to expect from Gaiman we get many interesting characters.
Mad Hettie, is obviously a 250 years old witch, why is she hiding her heart?
is it being hidden from death herself so she can go on living?
Sexton, made me think of something, is it a rule or something that people who get bullied in their life, actually turn out the nicest most decent people later on?
I hate it when things become surreal.
As readers we love it when things become surreal in a story we are reading, but in real life? i don't think anyone of us would find it a good thing at all, Sexton has to go through this first hand, but among all the weird surreal things that are happening, Sexton was on the verge of suicide, so what did he have to lose? His run in with Death Herself, actually made him want to continue to live, whenever Death enters someone's life it changes it for the better, except for when she is killing babies of course by orders of the Almighty.
The macabre depressing singer was interesting, but only because i was wondering if neil gaiman was the one actually writing her songs.
We also have the mysterious Blind Eremite and his apprentice, whose goal was to steal the Ankh of Death.
I thought about this, does the Ankh really have power? like Dream's Tools?
and it did seem to have some kind of power for a while, Death seemed lost and seemed to be forgetting everything that she is without the Ankh, but then she just bought a new one, and it took on her powers immediately, The Ankh by itself is not power, the power comes from Death, she just needs an Item to channel it, and i honestly think that it could be any item.
It would be really good if death could be somebody funny and friendly and nice and maybe just a tiny bit crazy.
That's what Neil Gaiman gave us and we love him to death because of it.
December 28, 2014
It's strange. Gaiman's Sandman is a far better story overall than his death books. But I think Death herself is a much better character.
August 5, 2025
I dunno why I’m so late to this party. It’s taken me nearly thirty years to get around to reading Death: The High Cost of Living and what with Neil Gaiman as probably my favorite living writer and Death as one of my absolute favorite characters, I should have read this years ago.
So now I’ve finally got it done and under my belt and I’m a better person for it, even if it’s not really the best work that Gaiman has ever done with Death. That would probably be “The Sound of Her Wings” (Sandman #8), which also just might be one of the finest hours of television I have seen in years and years and years, courtesy of Netflix’s new Sandman series (episode 6) and the beautiful performance by Kirby Howell-Baptiste. Watch it. Seriously. Or maybe it’s “Three Septembers and a January” (Sandman #31) which tells the story of Joshua Norton, the emperor of the United States, whom Death tells at the end, “I’ve met a lot of kings and emperors and heads of state in my time, Joshua. And you know something? I think I liked you best.” Or maybe it’s even “Facade” (Sandman #20), where a compassionate Death comes to poor Urania Blackwell, Element Girl from the DC Silver Age, and gives her a hand.
Death: The High Cost of Living is a three-issue stand-alone spin-off from Gaiman’s Sandman series, and tells a tale alluded to in Sandman #21 when, speaking of Morpheus, it says of his elder sister: “He heard long ago, in a dream, that one day in every century Death takes on mortal flesh, better to comprehend what the lives she takes must feel like, to taste the bitter tang of mortality that is the price she must pay for being the divider of the living from all that has gone before, all that must come after.” And Death: The High Cost of Living tells the story of the most recent of those days when Death takes the form of a 16-year-old girl named Didi whose family has recently died and spends the day in New York with the unfortunately named Sexton Furnival, another teen who has been contemplating ending his life. The two of them have a rather busy day, and at one point Death/Didi trying to prove who she is recites that passage from Sandman to Sexton, and asks, “Haven’t you heard that before?” Sexton says “no” and wonders what it’s from. Death doesn’t remember.
Their full day eventually takes them to a deli with checkered table cloths and a portrait of Groucho Marx on the wall, and then on to the fountain in Central Park. “I had a good time today,” Death tells Sexton. “The good bits and the bad bits and the dull bits and the painful bits.” And later she says, “I met such neat people. And I heard a song and went in a taxi, and I had a hot dog and a bagel and…I wish it could have gone on forever.” Which it cannot, and that is one of the very beautiful and the very terrible things about it.
Speaking of favorites, my favorite DJ, Lin Brehmer at WXRT, is taking some time off for cancer treatments. But I used to listen to him every day, and every day Lin would tell his audience, “It’s great to be alive.” And that little nugget is what Sexton figures out by the end of his day with Death, and it’s ultimately what she is reminded of on her day in New York City in mortal flesh. (8/20/22)
+++++++++++++++++++
Last night I watched the final episode of the Netflix Sandman series, and I was quite curious as to what it would be, since the events of “The Wake” and the conclusion of Morpheus’ storyline had all occurred in the penultimate episode. I was thinking it might be a tale from Worlds’ End or, even better, the one-off about Joshua Norton, emperor of these United States, but when I saw “Death: The High Cost of Living” on the screen, I realized that was a far better choice than either. Some changes have been made to Gaiman’s original story, some for the better, some for the worse, but overall it was very good. Sexton Furnival is probably better now as a morose 30-something Brit than a moody American teen. And removing the Eremite from the storyline gets rid of an annoying, unresolved plot point, although thinking an ignorant fuckboy like Theo capable of summoning and subduing Death doesn’t really hold water, now does it? However, it was nice seeing Mad Hettie again and quite the joy to have Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death take center stage here. She is a delight. And so, of course, the first thing I did today after some yardwork in the morning was give Death: The High Cost of Living a good rereading. (8/5/25)
So now I’ve finally got it done and under my belt and I’m a better person for it, even if it’s not really the best work that Gaiman has ever done with Death. That would probably be “The Sound of Her Wings” (Sandman #8), which also just might be one of the finest hours of television I have seen in years and years and years, courtesy of Netflix’s new Sandman series (episode 6) and the beautiful performance by Kirby Howell-Baptiste. Watch it. Seriously. Or maybe it’s “Three Septembers and a January” (Sandman #31) which tells the story of Joshua Norton, the emperor of the United States, whom Death tells at the end, “I’ve met a lot of kings and emperors and heads of state in my time, Joshua. And you know something? I think I liked you best.” Or maybe it’s even “Facade” (Sandman #20), where a compassionate Death comes to poor Urania Blackwell, Element Girl from the DC Silver Age, and gives her a hand.
Death: The High Cost of Living is a three-issue stand-alone spin-off from Gaiman’s Sandman series, and tells a tale alluded to in Sandman #21 when, speaking of Morpheus, it says of his elder sister: “He heard long ago, in a dream, that one day in every century Death takes on mortal flesh, better to comprehend what the lives she takes must feel like, to taste the bitter tang of mortality that is the price she must pay for being the divider of the living from all that has gone before, all that must come after.” And Death: The High Cost of Living tells the story of the most recent of those days when Death takes the form of a 16-year-old girl named Didi whose family has recently died and spends the day in New York with the unfortunately named Sexton Furnival, another teen who has been contemplating ending his life. The two of them have a rather busy day, and at one point Death/Didi trying to prove who she is recites that passage from Sandman to Sexton, and asks, “Haven’t you heard that before?” Sexton says “no” and wonders what it’s from. Death doesn’t remember.
Their full day eventually takes them to a deli with checkered table cloths and a portrait of Groucho Marx on the wall, and then on to the fountain in Central Park. “I had a good time today,” Death tells Sexton. “The good bits and the bad bits and the dull bits and the painful bits.” And later she says, “I met such neat people. And I heard a song and went in a taxi, and I had a hot dog and a bagel and…I wish it could have gone on forever.” Which it cannot, and that is one of the very beautiful and the very terrible things about it.
Speaking of favorites, my favorite DJ, Lin Brehmer at WXRT, is taking some time off for cancer treatments. But I used to listen to him every day, and every day Lin would tell his audience, “It’s great to be alive.” And that little nugget is what Sexton figures out by the end of his day with Death, and it’s ultimately what she is reminded of on her day in New York City in mortal flesh. (8/20/22)
+++++++++++++++++++
Last night I watched the final episode of the Netflix Sandman series, and I was quite curious as to what it would be, since the events of “The Wake” and the conclusion of Morpheus’ storyline had all occurred in the penultimate episode. I was thinking it might be a tale from Worlds’ End or, even better, the one-off about Joshua Norton, emperor of these United States, but when I saw “Death: The High Cost of Living” on the screen, I realized that was a far better choice than either. Some changes have been made to Gaiman’s original story, some for the better, some for the worse, but overall it was very good. Sexton Furnival is probably better now as a morose 30-something Brit than a moody American teen. And removing the Eremite from the storyline gets rid of an annoying, unresolved plot point, although thinking an ignorant fuckboy like Theo capable of summoning and subduing Death doesn’t really hold water, now does it? However, it was nice seeing Mad Hettie again and quite the joy to have Kirby Howell-Baptiste as Death take center stage here. She is a delight. And so, of course, the first thing I did today after some yardwork in the morning was give Death: The High Cost of Living a good rereading. (8/5/25)
April 11, 2008
This graphic novel seems to me to be all too typical of Gaiman’s work. It’s slick, but there’s not really terribly much to it. There are good ideas but he doesn’t do much with them. It’s not that it’s bad, it isn’t. It’s just not as good as you’d hoped it would be after reading the cover blurb. The idea is great: for one day every century Death becomes a mortal, walking among us, so that she can understand what it is that she takes away from us. The character of Death herself is marvellous – I like the idea of Death looking like a teenage goth girl, and actually being a rather sweet person. The story, though, doesn’t really go anywhere and doesn’t make the most of the idea and the character. I’ve never read anything by Gaiman that I’ve actively disliked; he just leaves me feeling like I’ve eaten a McDonald's burger rather than an actual meal.
February 19, 2013
It is nothing short of criminal that I call myself a comic reader and yet have never read any of Gaiman’s Sandman books. I actually have the first volume at home ready to read, but thanks to my involvement with a comic book discussion group, this one ended up being my introduction to the Sandman universe, instead.
Other readers have claimed this book has problems as a standalone book, but I found it to read quite nicely on its own. The book largely centers on a depressed teenager named Sexton’s encounter with Death (in the form of a perky young woman), who takes him on a strange trip through the city while two mysterious figures nip at both of their heels. By the time “Didi” leaves him—whether returned to the ether or simply and mundanely dead, Sexton’s not quite sure—he has a new perspective on living and dying.
Now, granted, the plot is rather dreamy and loose. My experience with Gaiman’s stuff thus far, however, leads me to believe that this is merely a function of his storytelling style. Well, that and the fact that this indeed is a spinoff from a larger universe, which necessitates there being pieces of the mythology that aren’t as clear to first-time readers like me. Even so, the metaphor-rich fable worked for me, and the character work is great. I understand why Death got her own spinoff, because she’s awesome.
The art is a little dated, as one might expect from a comic published in 1994. The penciling and colors are typical for their age, lending a classic feeling to the illustrations. Also, Didi’s pop-goth look, complete with shaggy hair, studded belt, and The Crow-esque eye makeup, are definite artifacts of an earlier time. The introduction by Tori Amos and the lighthearted PSA about AIDS and proper condom use complete the trip down memory lane for me. This is not a problem, as far as I’m concerned; it took me back to the last time I read comics this frequently, which is definitely a good thing. Still, these retro elements exist, so be aware.
I liked this one a lot. In fact, I’d peg it as a great introduction to the Sandman books. I got a taste of those books’ world, and now I’m ready to begin properly with it.
Other readers have claimed this book has problems as a standalone book, but I found it to read quite nicely on its own. The book largely centers on a depressed teenager named Sexton’s encounter with Death (in the form of a perky young woman), who takes him on a strange trip through the city while two mysterious figures nip at both of their heels. By the time “Didi” leaves him—whether returned to the ether or simply and mundanely dead, Sexton’s not quite sure—he has a new perspective on living and dying.
Now, granted, the plot is rather dreamy and loose. My experience with Gaiman’s stuff thus far, however, leads me to believe that this is merely a function of his storytelling style. Well, that and the fact that this indeed is a spinoff from a larger universe, which necessitates there being pieces of the mythology that aren’t as clear to first-time readers like me. Even so, the metaphor-rich fable worked for me, and the character work is great. I understand why Death got her own spinoff, because she’s awesome.
The art is a little dated, as one might expect from a comic published in 1994. The penciling and colors are typical for their age, lending a classic feeling to the illustrations. Also, Didi’s pop-goth look, complete with shaggy hair, studded belt, and The Crow-esque eye makeup, are definite artifacts of an earlier time. The introduction by Tori Amos and the lighthearted PSA about AIDS and proper condom use complete the trip down memory lane for me. This is not a problem, as far as I’m concerned; it took me back to the last time I read comics this frequently, which is definitely a good thing. Still, these retro elements exist, so be aware.
I liked this one a lot. In fact, I’d peg it as a great introduction to the Sandman books. I got a taste of those books’ world, and now I’m ready to begin properly with it.
January 15, 2019
B.R.A.CE. 2019
Μετά τον Χάρο του Terry Pratchett, η αγαπημένη μου απεικόνιση του Θανάτου είναι τούτη εδώ!
September 12, 2023
A fantastic spin-off of the Sandman stories. Really this could have just been apart of the Sandman comics - I mean a good chunk of those don't have Morpheus featured at all.
This shows Death spending one day as a human. She's in the body of a 16 year old girl Didi who goes on an adventure with a suicidal teenage boy. "You can't commit suicide just because of ennui", Didi says to him. They help the Mad Hettie find her heart and get in trouble as two people attempt to steal Death's power by robbing her of her silver Ankh, reminiscent of Sandman being robbed of his Ruby.
I really enjoyed Gaiman's musings on life, death and the human condition. It never comes across as didactic or preachy, which is impressive.
This shows Death spending one day as a human. She's in the body of a 16 year old girl Didi who goes on an adventure with a suicidal teenage boy. "You can't commit suicide just because of ennui", Didi says to him. They help the Mad Hettie find her heart and get in trouble as two people attempt to steal Death's power by robbing her of her silver Ankh, reminiscent of Sandman being robbed of his Ruby.
I really enjoyed Gaiman's musings on life, death and the human condition. It never comes across as didactic or preachy, which is impressive.
March 19, 2021
Death is, arguably, the best character in the Sandman universe. High Cost of Living follows her adventure as she traverses the mortal plane to better understand those to whom she will be the final visitor which occurs once in every century.
The artwork is great, and the writing is near-perfect. The "graphic-novella" has its fair share of humorous and bittersweet moments. The characters have depth and have a sense of purpose, and we also get to see some guest appearances from the ones in Sandman series.
High Cost of Living is an entertaining read, especially for the fans of Death, which will make them fall in love with her, even more.
The artwork is great, and the writing is near-perfect. The "graphic-novella" has its fair share of humorous and bittersweet moments. The characters have depth and have a sense of purpose, and we also get to see some guest appearances from the ones in Sandman series.
High Cost of Living is an entertaining read, especially for the fans of Death, which will make them fall in love with her, even more.
April 11, 2019
Η Θάνατος είναι μια από τους καλύτερους χαρακτήρες τις σειράς και προφανώς και τις άξιζε μια δικιά της ιστορία! Θα ήθελα όμως να ήταν λίγο μεγαλύτερη.
η άποψη μου για όλη τη σειρά εδώ:
https://wordpress64426.wordpress.com/...
η άποψη μου για όλη τη σειρά εδώ:
https://wordpress64426.wordpress.com/...
October 1, 2015
Mindless multiple gasporgasms.
July 8, 2021
La historia de Muerte pasando un día como mortal está bastante bien y hace que, de ser posible, te enamores todavía más del personaje.
Ya el folleto final en el que te ella te habla del como prevenir el sida en plan folleto educativo de los 80 puees... algo menos.
Ya el folleto final en el que te ella te habla del como prevenir el sida en plan folleto educativo de los 80 puees... algo menos.
August 23, 2022
3.5/5
June 14, 2016
I would date Death.
September 18, 2020
I wanna be friends with Sandman’s Death so bad 🥺
March 20, 2022
La más maja de las muertes. Me gusta pensar que parte de mi educación sentimental se la debo a Neil Gaiman (leí este comic por primera vez con 15 años), y la verdad, es bien bonita.
July 18, 2011
“It would be really neat if death was somebody, and not just nothing, or pain, or blackness. And it would be really good if death could be somebody like Didi. Somebody funny, and friendly, and nice, and maybe just a tiny bit crazy.”
Sexton Furnival, one of the main characters of Death: The High Cost of Living, shares this sentiment with me—and perhaps also with legions of other Sandman readers when they meet Death of the Endless for the first time in Preludes and Nocturnes. It’s a nice thought, or a profound wish if you will, and it only proves that Gaiman created one of the best unconventional characters that touch the readers’ hearts.
Death: The High Cost of Living is a spin-off of the Sandman series. I just finished rereading the sixth volume, Fables and Reflections, and I would have reviewed it and gone on to Brief Lives…except that I’m craving for a lot of Death perkiness and peachiness that I decided to skip to this novel first. It contained no spoiler for the rest of the graphic novels anyway.
This triple-issue miniseries tells one of those “days”, when Death walks the earth as a mortal so she could taste the “bitter tang of mortality”, some kind of a requirement for being the divider between life and afterlife. Here, Death takes on human flesh as a girl named Didi, and she literally stumbles upon Sexton Furnival, a suicidal boy. In a whole day they spent together, both took from each other important lessons about life and the value of it.
There is nothing much to say about the plot; even if there is an antagonist of sorts in the form of the Eremite, the spotlight is on the Death incarnate and Sexton. Didi clearly treats the requirement of being a mortal as a gift, as she seems to enjoy the company of people, the food, the music, and other trivialities that most humans take for granted. Sexton wants to commit suicide because—of all the other deeper reasons he could possibly think of—he is bored. He doesn’t love anyone, doesn’t hate anyone, he isn’t a hero and there isn’t a bad guy out to get him; in short he thinks there isn’t anything interesting happening in his life and he might as well be dead. What I find amusing is that Sexton, deep inside, must not really want to die. The first thing he ever does when a refrigerator falls on him in the garbage dump is scream for help.
In the end, after interacting with Didi/Death, he admits to thinking of life so much after the day they spent together. In such a short time, he matures and values life more. Didi on the other hand admits to wishing her one-day life could have never ended, but her Death-self (which enigmatically exists in another plane) says that’s what gives life value: its ending.
All in all it’s a very interesting read, an account in a day-in-a-life-of-this-someone format. The premise, as I’ve said, isn’t really meaty at all, but the witty banters and the extreme charisma of Didi give the story a sheer gravity. Plus the art is gorgeous too. :)
Sexton Furnival, one of the main characters of Death: The High Cost of Living, shares this sentiment with me—and perhaps also with legions of other Sandman readers when they meet Death of the Endless for the first time in Preludes and Nocturnes. It’s a nice thought, or a profound wish if you will, and it only proves that Gaiman created one of the best unconventional characters that touch the readers’ hearts.
Death: The High Cost of Living is a spin-off of the Sandman series. I just finished rereading the sixth volume, Fables and Reflections, and I would have reviewed it and gone on to Brief Lives…except that I’m craving for a lot of Death perkiness and peachiness that I decided to skip to this novel first. It contained no spoiler for the rest of the graphic novels anyway.
This triple-issue miniseries tells one of those “days”, when Death walks the earth as a mortal so she could taste the “bitter tang of mortality”, some kind of a requirement for being the divider between life and afterlife. Here, Death takes on human flesh as a girl named Didi, and she literally stumbles upon Sexton Furnival, a suicidal boy. In a whole day they spent together, both took from each other important lessons about life and the value of it.
There is nothing much to say about the plot; even if there is an antagonist of sorts in the form of the Eremite, the spotlight is on the Death incarnate and Sexton. Didi clearly treats the requirement of being a mortal as a gift, as she seems to enjoy the company of people, the food, the music, and other trivialities that most humans take for granted. Sexton wants to commit suicide because—of all the other deeper reasons he could possibly think of—he is bored. He doesn’t love anyone, doesn’t hate anyone, he isn’t a hero and there isn’t a bad guy out to get him; in short he thinks there isn’t anything interesting happening in his life and he might as well be dead. What I find amusing is that Sexton, deep inside, must not really want to die. The first thing he ever does when a refrigerator falls on him in the garbage dump is scream for help.
In the end, after interacting with Didi/Death, he admits to thinking of life so much after the day they spent together. In such a short time, he matures and values life more. Didi on the other hand admits to wishing her one-day life could have never ended, but her Death-self (which enigmatically exists in another plane) says that’s what gives life value: its ending.
All in all it’s a very interesting read, an account in a day-in-a-life-of-this-someone format. The premise, as I’ve said, isn’t really meaty at all, but the witty banters and the extreme charisma of Didi give the story a sheer gravity. Plus the art is gorgeous too. :)
June 12, 2017
Loved it. Gaiman's portrayal of Death is truly unlike any other, friendly, kind, and funny. It's not hard to see why she's kinda becoming more popular than Morpheus himself. Personally, while Sandman has better story, I like Death more tham Dream. Too bad there isn't more of the story.
November 14, 2018
"One day in every century Death takes on human flesh, better to comphrehend what the lives she takes must feel like, to taste the bitter tang of mortality."
I love the Sandman series, and Death is my second favorite of the Endless. I liked this graphic novel installment, and while not great, it's an interesting story and the art is good. The "Death Talks about Life" pamphlet at the end of the book endorsing safe sex is brilliant. I love Gaiman's take on Death. She is so much more appealing than the Grim Reaper model. A sexy, always smiling, genuinely interested in people, and always dressed in black female version has my vote.
In this installment Death meets Sexton Furnival, a jaded, suicidal sixteen year old, and they spend an odd and rather alarming day in New York City. "Because from sixteen to sixty and beyond we all need to be reminded of the cost - and value- of living."
I love the Sandman series, and Death is my second favorite of the Endless. I liked this graphic novel installment, and while not great, it's an interesting story and the art is good. The "Death Talks about Life" pamphlet at the end of the book endorsing safe sex is brilliant. I love Gaiman's take on Death. She is so much more appealing than the Grim Reaper model. A sexy, always smiling, genuinely interested in people, and always dressed in black female version has my vote.
In this installment Death meets Sexton Furnival, a jaded, suicidal sixteen year old, and they spend an odd and rather alarming day in New York City. "Because from sixteen to sixty and beyond we all need to be reminded of the cost - and value- of living."
November 25, 2018
While this short story is fun, it's pretty much standalone in the Sandman universe. I would have preferred some reference to Dream and his rich universe. Most of this story happens in the real world, with little use of magic. Most of the focus is on Death and her wonderfully positive attitude. Other than than, it's skippable.
Every 100 years the spirit of Death must experience the mortal world for one day to gain a better understanding of life. This time around she touches on the lives of many people that embrace her open, friendly attitude. Even though she has a single day in this world, she will leave a lasting impression on a handful of people, will encounter an enemy of hers and will gain an appreciation of the thing she has to take from the living.
16-year-old Sexton is going through a bad patch in his life. He considers suicide when a young goth girl who calls herseld Didi shows up. She has a very positive attitude, is friendly with everybody and gains free stuff wherever she goes. He has no idea that the girl is Death.
Every 100 years the spirit of Death must experience the mortal world for one day to gain a better understanding of life. This time around she touches on the lives of many people that embrace her open, friendly attitude. Even though she has a single day in this world, she will leave a lasting impression on a handful of people, will encounter an enemy of hers and will gain an appreciation of the thing she has to take from the living.
16-year-old Sexton is going through a bad patch in his life. He considers suicide when a young goth girl who calls herseld Didi shows up. She has a very positive attitude, is friendly with everybody and gains free stuff wherever she goes. He has no idea that the girl is Death.
November 18, 2022
Once again Neil Gaiman brings me to tears with the heartfelt simplicity and humanity at the core of the mythic. Once again it’s expressed through his characters. Once again Death puts on a sweet loveable face, experiencing what mortals do.
Most of the story is from the perspective of Sexton, the grumpy narrator ready to end his life until he’s found by Didi in a trash heap. Didi is Death or the young girl claiming to be Death. Of course she’s got to be crazy. Of course there’s another explanation. Spending the day with Did leads Sexton to being accosted by Mad Hettie among others. Meeting Hazel, watching Foxglove perform, and taking one small action which could change their lives. All the while Sexton finds himself a little more cheerful in Didi’s company even if he can’t admit it. Of course it can’t last. Life never does, but maybe it’s more worth living than Sexton realized. Didi certainly appreciated it.
This is the sort of story I want to tell. Complex and simple, making my readers cry, yet leaving them a little more hopeful afterward. And did I mention the artwork was beautiful?
Well done, Neil Gaiman. Well done, Chris Bachalo, Mark Buckingham, and Dave McKean. Well done, everyone who made it possible for me to read this.
Most of the story is from the perspective of Sexton, the grumpy narrator ready to end his life until he’s found by Didi in a trash heap. Didi is Death or the young girl claiming to be Death. Of course she’s got to be crazy. Of course there’s another explanation. Spending the day with Did leads Sexton to being accosted by Mad Hettie among others. Meeting Hazel, watching Foxglove perform, and taking one small action which could change their lives. All the while Sexton finds himself a little more cheerful in Didi’s company even if he can’t admit it. Of course it can’t last. Life never does, but maybe it’s more worth living than Sexton realized. Didi certainly appreciated it.
This is the sort of story I want to tell. Complex and simple, making my readers cry, yet leaving them a little more hopeful afterward. And did I mention the artwork was beautiful?
Well done, Neil Gaiman. Well done, Chris Bachalo, Mark Buckingham, and Dave McKean. Well done, everyone who made it possible for me to read this.
April 8, 2010
It is the curse of The Sandman series, and it's offshoots, that they are fast reads. I zoomed through this so fast, and then got very sad because it was over.
There aren't words for how much I adore the character of Death. I've loved her since her first appearance in The Sandman series, and finding out there were novels based solely on her made me squeal with glee. My library not having either of them made me not so squealy. Thank you, ILL! Worth the $2 fee.
This story was so lovely. She's so playful and fun. The facial expressions are hilarious and fun (kudos to the artists!), and then when she's locked in the basement, and the boy is hurt, her heartbreak is just so palpable. She's Death, she shouldn't be concerned someone is going to die. But she is, and it makes you want to know her, and be her friend.
I also love that there were a couple of references to the series itself. Wonderful interlocking without being too heavy handed.
I need to own this entire series. I must work on that.
There aren't words for how much I adore the character of Death. I've loved her since her first appearance in The Sandman series, and finding out there were novels based solely on her made me squeal with glee. My library not having either of them made me not so squealy. Thank you, ILL! Worth the $2 fee.
This story was so lovely. She's so playful and fun. The facial expressions are hilarious and fun (kudos to the artists!), and then when she's locked in the basement, and the boy is hurt, her heartbreak is just so palpable. She's Death, she shouldn't be concerned someone is going to die. But she is, and it makes you want to know her, and be her friend.
I also love that there were a couple of references to the series itself. Wonderful interlocking without being too heavy handed.
I need to own this entire series. I must work on that.
May 5, 2014
Death is one of my favorite characters in Sandman, and I don't think I'm alone in that. Of course I also love Dream, but there's something about this particular portrayal of Death that's just irresistible. The menacing grim reaper and the weeping angel and all the other popular manifestations of Death are unsatisfying next to the goth girl with the perpetually cheery disposition and the unending appreciation for life.
It was nice revisiting her, but I still prefer her appearances in Sandman.
It was nice revisiting her, but I still prefer her appearances in Sandman.
September 11, 2015
It reads like a slice of life comic - which it is really. The one life Death gets every hundred years, and she makes the best of it.
A non-preachy reminder to take the day as it comes to you, to allow yourself to go with the flow and experience the marvel that is humanity - in all the small things.
Death is by far my favorite character from the Sandman tales, and it was lovely to read this comic.
A non-preachy reminder to take the day as it comes to you, to allow yourself to go with the flow and experience the marvel that is humanity - in all the small things.
Death is by far my favorite character from the Sandman tales, and it was lovely to read this comic.
March 19, 2018
It was good experience reading this comic. There were parts where it got boring and obvious but it had its unique touch in the end anyhow.
The comic was made really well, though the concept was fine, as well as the story lie for one could do too much more than that concept. The characters were good and so was the end. Goodread
The comic was made really well, though the concept was fine, as well as the story lie for one could do too much more than that concept. The characters were good and so was the end. Goodread
July 16, 2014
The only problem is that the stories aren't long enough. There is a warmth and affection for humanity that really shines through Death.
September 24, 2016
Never thought I'd say this, but man I love Death.
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