Merv Pumpkinhead ain't happy.
Sure, Merv Pumpkinhead doesn't exactly radiate happy at the best of times, but now? Right now a bunch of blank-faced strangers from between realities are taking local jobs; foreign criminals are profiteering at the realm's expense; and the VIPs seem more interested in themselves than getting back to the "good old days."
The Dreaming used to be somewhere a vegetable-headed guy could be proud to call home, y'know?
Fact is, Merv Pumpkinhead's been pushed too far. It's time for change. Right at the top.
This title has taken the formula that has served DC well in recent years of revisiting their past, but moving the story forward from there. It is a delight to return to the Dreaming and reunite with Neil Gaiman's characters. But, there are new and mysterious threats that promise to keep the story exciting. Read Full Review
The spirit of Neil Gaiman's masterpiece remains as strong as ever in this must-read series. Read Full Review
Theres so much to unpack in The Dreaming and this second issue cements that idea. The characters are all strange and diverse, and they exist in a world where really anything can happen. Yet, one of the major themes emerging from this story is the fact that many people can experience pain in different ways, and no matter how fantastic their world, they can experience the same complex emotions we do. Read Full Review
This series pulls off a very delicate balancing act " perfectly fusing the dense, traditional storytelling style of the best classic Vertigo books with a more reader-friendly crossover style. Read Full Review
THE DREAMING #2 is a fantastic read full of twists, turns, and laughs. It has its moments where the dark fantasy elements get a bit confusing, but an otherwise grounded narrative alongside fantastic characterization and art makes this a worthwhile read. Read Full Review
Merv is the rock of the Dreaming, so for him to crumble is a huge turning point for the state of the realm. It's heartbreaking to see, which makes it enjoyable to read.Merv has always been on my secret favorites, and as we move around the Dreaming getting to know it again, this was a nice spotlight on him and his perspective. Read Full Review
The central mystery hasn't changed much, but it's a delight to experience the world anew in this great series. Read Full Review
Evely's art is great and there are some visually amazing moments in this issue. Unfortunately, the focus on this character this soon took some of the wind out of the sails of this series. Read Full Review
The series is interesting and involved - but since there's no central character, it's difficult to make an emotional attachment to the characters. And since anything can happen, does anything that does happen have a consequence? Read Full Review
While the general idea for The Dreaming with its opening arc is simple and easy to connect with it's going to be the kind of ensemble piece that's going to be frustrating for some. Read Full Review
This is the stuff of our dreams and nightmares, after all, and it's a story that is meant to be told. Read Full Review
This issue offers another odyssey deep into the Dreaming and promises much more to come. Read Full Review
Good old Mervyn Pumpkinhead has a problem with management in the Dreaming: there isn't any! So he petitions an old frienemy to clean up these strange streets. Another artistic triumph by Bilquis Evely and co., but the story doesn't flow as neatly as in the first issue. Perhaps that owed to Mervyn's gravelly-voiced narration? Read Full Review
The art by Bilquis Evely is the highlight of the book. Every character is wonderfully rendered and he has a beautiful way of handling the storytelling. It makes you wish Evely was around when Gaiman was writing the books. It would have maybe been special. This however, is just not. Read Full Review
Overall, The Dreaming #2, not the strongest entry for the series. Its bold in its nature to tell the story from the point of view from the secondary character. Combined with art that balances darkness and vibrancy. The Dreaming is still a title worth checking out. Whether you're a sandman fan or are just curious. Read Full Review
Generally I’m quite excited by this comic and its basic ideas, real thrilled about the return of my boy Judge Gallows.