Distant Mirrors: Ramadan

The Sandman (Single Issues)

by Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell (Illustrator), Dave McKean (Cover Artist)

P. Craig Russell lushly illustrates this stand-alone issue starring the king of a dazzling version of Baghdad as he encounters Morpheus and makes a deal to preserve his city's regality. But at what cost?

Genres: Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Horror, Dc Comics

46 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Thrishni Subramoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue came out on in June 1993, when the US launched cruise missile strikes on Iraq. More than 2 decades later, this story about the City of Miracles, the greatest city in the world (Baghdad) remains as relevant today.

I have seen this issue described as "politically correct" and "pro-Islamic". I found it to be neither. Well worth a read.

[Raghav Bhatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I once asked my Muslim friend the story behind Ramadan, but I might have done so in a dream.

Anyway, the font- and art- design in this Sandman issue are flawless. The writing is appropriately prophetic, grandiose, indelible.

[Shazia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing art and story. However, I don't think that in this day and age (with the rise of the #ownvoices movement), a comic taking place in Baghdad with Islamic themes and written/illustrated by 2 white men would go over very well.

[Matt Graupman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look, we’re gonna talk about Neil Gaiman’s story in a minute but we need to start with P. Craig Russell’s art in “The Sandman #50: Ramadan.” In one word: sumptuous. Splitting the difference between Mobius and Eduardo Risso, it is just SO clean and expressive and beautiful. There isn’t a single excessive line in the whole issue and his page layouts are absolutely stunning. There have been some truly legendary artists who’ve graced the pages of “The Sandman” but I think Russell’s work here is the definitive version. Also, I don’t often single out the contributions of the letterer but Todd Klein’s Arabian calligraphy is incredible (as is the coloring by Digital Chameleon). And what to say about Neil Gaiman’s story? “The Sandman #50: Ramadan” is a masterpiece of economy, wonder, and imagination. I am in love with every page of this issue.

[Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful designs I've ever seen in my life. It is so gorgeous!
The plot was mysterious, until the unexpected ending, shocking and painful ending.
I loved this chapter so much, I recommend it to everyone!

[Ligia · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful beautiful beautiful

indeed there are some moments that i just wish i could keep in a bottle, so that they might live forever and ever

but what's that for a bargain? it's just this elusive quality of dreams

[Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Know then that this is a tale of Baghdad, the Heavenly City, the jewel of Arabia; and that this was in the time of Haroun Al Raschid, King of Kings, Prince of The Faithful. There was no court that was like to Haroun Al Raschid's. He had gathered to him all manner of great men from all corners of the world. .... Thus his palace was the palace of Wisdom.

This is a beautiful way to start a story. Reminiscent of a thousand and one nights, full of the majesty and the splendor of the Desert Kingdoms. I wish the Middle East was still like how it was in the time of Haroun Al Raschid, when his palace was the palace of Wisdom, the city and minarets bathed in gold. So different, than the reality of today's Middle East. If only there were a way to preserve it.

This is an impressive, beautiful story that comes full circle, like an Ouroburos. The prose at times reminds me of some of the writings from Elric of Melnibone, but that is another tale, for another time.

[W.G. Saraband · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite Sandman issues of all time. Set in Baghdad at the time of the Caliph Harun ar-Rashid's rule, it's a poignant story about the ephemeral nature of great civilizations and their golden ages. It's also about how humans deal with beauty and the fact that, inevitably, it is transitory. The end is also beautifully sad - this story was published after the First Gulf War, but so much has gone on in that region since then, and, unfortunately, the end of this tale still proves true.

[Hiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Çox gözəl və mənalı hekayə idi. Rəsmlər də möhtəşəmiydi. Sondakı küllərindən doğulan simurq referansını da bir ayrıca bəyəndim. (Boş ümid olsa da. :D)

[Pilu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came from the audiobook to see the illustrations and because the accent of the king was too much to handle. However, I liked the audiobook best, James McAvoy as Morpheus is AMAZING

[Mariana Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sandman Distant Mirrors – Ramadan, é uma banda desenhada com argumento de Neil Gaiman e desenhos de P. Craig Russel, editada em 1993 pela Vertigo DC. A história relata uma época de ouro da cidade de Bagdad, que sob a vigilância atenta do califa Haroun Al Raschid e dos seus sábios, vive um período de prosperidade e abundância. Nenhuma outra cidade se compara à Bagdad destes tempos.

O califa, rei desta cidade próspera, está rodeado de todos os luxos, culturas, companhias agradáveis e distrações, no entanto é assomado por longos momentos de reflexão. Os seus súbditos preocupam-se, mas não partilha o que o preocupa. O que pode atormentar o soberano de uma cidade perfeita? Onde nada falta, onde nada poderá ser melhor?… Depois de muito ponderar em silêncio, numa noite, atravessando salas e corredores secretos dos quais só ele tem conhecimento, o rei convoca a presença de Sandman, senhor dos sonhos, para lhe fazer uma proposta. O rei leva o personagem mítico num passeio de tapete voador pela cidade, mostrando-lhe tudo o que tem para oferecer, a sua riqueza, variedade, justiça e beleza. O rei oferece-se para vender a cidade de Bagdad a Sandman, dono do sonho e do tempo. O seu único pedido: que a cidade viva para sempre. Que aquele momento de perfeição seja eterno. O preço a pagar…

Esta banda desenhada é particularmente pungente pela sua referência histórica. Bagdad é a capital do Iraque e uma das maiores cidades do sudoeste asiático. É uma cidade antiga, fundada em 762 pelo califa Mansur. Sob a sua alçada, a cidade prosperou. O próprio nome da cidade significa “dádiva de deus”, tendo sido muitas vezes referida como a Cidade da Paz. O ambiente paradisíaco da cidade foi para sempre deposto com a guerra entre o Iraque e o Irão, na década de 80. A cidade foi depois bombardeada durante a Guerra do Golfo nos anos 90 e invadida e ocupada pelos EUA em 2003. O poder foi entregue a um governo provisório e apesar dos esforços de reconstrução, a cidade tornou-se num cenário de guerra e devastação que contrastam dolorosamente com a cidade perfeita retratada na história.

[Eddie B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, Sandman#50 was like a breeze of fresh air after the LONG disappointing arc "Brief Lives" (my least favourite so far) that was not AT ALL brief. And so far, I think "Ramadan" has the most beautiful art in this series and it could easily be one of the most beautiful issues in the long history of this beautiful industry.

[Daken Howlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

il numero 50 di Sandman si rivela essere una fiaba ispirata a le mille e una notte che si scontra grazie ad un'alternanza narrativa con la realtà della Baghdad del periodo, devastata dalla guerra.
La storia ha una forte morale basata sulla condanna dell'incapacità umana di accettare la decadenza e la morte, infatti il protagonista della storia, il re di una baghdad da sogno. ricca di misteri e avventure dietro ogni angolo ed in cui la magia si manifesta in svariate forme, come nella presenza di tapeti volanti, decide di vendere lo stupore e la meraviglia del suo regno a Sogno, in modo da trasportare la città nel regno del signore dei sogni perchè è l'unico modo in cui la stessa potrà rimanere immutata per sempre con tutti i suoi abitanti, senza mai mutare e deperire, senza mai perdere la sua bellezza.
Nel finale della storia il re, convinto che l'intera esperienza sia stata in realtà solo un sogno, incontra nel mercato di una città ora devastata dalla guerra sogno, ora travestito da mercante.
Il fatto di non aver accettato il naturale corso delle cose, l'invecchiare e il deteriorare di tutte le cose, compresa la sua amata città, ha trasformato il suo regno in un luogo devastato e privo di magia, ma la storia è una allegoria dell'incapacità degli esseri umani di accettare l'invecchiamento e la morte, che usa la città come una metaforica amante del re, e ci mostra che il rifiuto della morte non può che portare a conseguenze devastanti.
Anche questo volume, come da tradizione per la serie, è decisamente dark e pessimista, ma a differenza di altri capitoli della serie la vicenda si conclude con una nota di ottimismo, visto che il mercante/sogno mostra al re ormai caduto in miseria una "città in bottiglia" che in realtà si rivela essere l'antica baghdad nel suo massimo splendore, indicando che,nonostante tutto, è ancora possibile ritornare all'antica bellezza.

[Ebrahim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's interesting for a white british man to take a historical figure, completely fabricate aspects of him, where he is somehow a fornicating hypocrite, and tell a story where Baghdad is what it is today because the said figure was "depressed" and couldn't think of anything better than to bottle up the greatest city on earth and give it to dream... and in this story the *idea* of this golden city should rather be passed on as dreams than anything else. So dreams should supersede... reality?

It's even more interesting that the story does not mention the reality of Baghdad, the roles that america and britain played in making what present day Baghdad is, but instead show it as a ripple effect of Rashid's fabricated idiocy that took place more than a thousand years ago.

Sandman's narratives, whilst neatly written, don't seem to favour the truth about the stories they retell or the events they portray, or the respects they owe to the figures and traditions they illustrate (what's with the shahada in the beginning) but instead cook up narratives that are convenient enough to foray into surface level themes without delving any deeper. It's shallow really and most of all disappointing for a writer of such calibre.

[Mariam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end reminds me of this part of Wish You Were Here (the song): Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange
A walk-on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

[Tawfek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neil tells a story around the Arabian nights beautifully which i had the privilege to read 1/4 of them and i knew most of the stories he re mentioned in this issue
and the story he made about Haroun and Morpheus is just amazing it should be added to the Arabian nights incredibly beautiful

[Remi S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Lovely to see such a common character in fables of the Islamic world (Haroun al-Rashid) pop up in such a wonderful story, with a glimpse into the universe so often unknown to Western readers.

[Feggarow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting.

[Connor McGrorey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This standalone story was a great piece for the landmark 50th issue. It showcases why Neil Gaiman's storytelling is so superb, and features some of the best artwork from P. Craig Russell. Must read!!

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Sandman stories of all time. The entire Fables and Reflections volume is good, but this one really takes the cake (but not until sunset).

[D. Darko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uh, wow!

[Greg Kopstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story bathed in the Islamic Golden Age, which was pleasant enough. Only fringe Sandman though. Not really connected to anything.

[Leyykokaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite sandman issues with an unexpected and heartbreaking ending.

[Daniela Carvalho Dias de Souza · Rating 5 out of 5]

So short but so nice!

[Jenna Alcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun way to complete a dream, even if it was a selfish one, though the king just was selfish.

[Yovan Hristov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard about "Ramadan" long before getting around to reading it. And with it being a landmark issue of the series I think this is a good time to put an end to my reading of "The Sandman". Perhaps a short-lived end, perhaps a longer break from the series, however, with the recent truths about the author that have surfaced I simply cannot continue right now. I love the story and its characters and I really believed Gaiman to be one of the best comic book writers. His work seemed to transcend the medium, his stories so grand and deep, his paneling and art direction so beautiful, but alas it turned out that he was an awful human being. Now it is impossible for me to separate the art from the artist, especially in stories such as "Caliope'. I would really like to return to reading this breathtaking series that I have grown to adore but......Perhaps at some point in the future, I will continue reading digitally, since I have no intention of giving any money to that monster.

[Maria Fernanda Fabricio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achei essa edição muito legal. Os traços são muito bonitos, e a temática é diferente do que costuma ser trabalhado nos quadrinhos mais populares. A história se passa no período do Ramadan, e se passa na cidade de Baghdad.
Acho que existe um quadro sem tradução, na edição brasileira. Na página 29 (contando com a capa), no topo direito, o Rei dos Sonhos diz "So?", em resposta ao que Haroun Al Raschid, protagonista da história, havia dito antes. Acredito que deveria estar escrito "E?".

[pablo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sandman stories are excellent reads, completely mesmerizing in the tales they tell but Distant Mirrors is among one of the best in my opinion. The art is clean, expressive and so beautiful it was hard not to simply analyse each panel. The story deals with the tragic nature of reality and our desire as humans to cling to these beautiful, fleeting things. A wonderful read.

[Daniel Guglielmo · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the Audible Original audio experience, Fables and Reflections (intertwined with Distant Mirrors) actually comes before A Game of You.
To be honest, this is a 3.5 for me. With such a harsh detour from the (main) characters and plot lines, I cannot recall a single thing that happened in this episode. Very dry but still happy to be in the universe overall. Happy to be done with this segment!

[Iranoctis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eine der spannenderen Distant Mirrors-Ausgaben. Ich kann mich allerdings nicht entscheiden, ob ich den gänzlich anderen Zeichenstil als passend oder doch irgendwie "lacking" finde. Ich würde mich jedenfalls über weitere Reisen in den arabischen Kulturkreis freuen.