If there's a weakness in the new series so far, it's that the first two issues feel a bit slow and drug out. It seems like each issue was about five pages longer than necessary and the cynical side in me thinks that DC may be encouraging Gaiman to pad the story so they can sell more trade collections later. Regardless, I have enough faith and confidence in what I've read so far and Gaiman has more than proven that he knows what he's doing over the years.5 out of 5 stars Read Full Review

We've had to wait a bit since the last issue but once you start reading, you just might find yourself willing to overlook the wait. It's hard to say what's more beautiful here between Neil Gaiman's writing, J.H. Williams III's art, and Dave Stewart's colors. It all goes together so wonderfully. It's been hard waiting but this is definitely a comic worth waiting for. We should all be happy a comic like this can be made. Read Full Review

I could go on and on about the painted beauty of each page, the fanciful imaginings brought to life in each scene, and the inventive panel structures the artist uses to move the story along, but no amount of praise could do the work justice. I could slather a thousand flattering adjectives all over this review but they would be a meaningless waste of time. Instead, I will grace this post with a few choice pics from the book and tell you that once you're done gazing at them, you should back away from the monitor and purchase the book for yourself. Immediately. Read Full Review

Sandman: Overture #2 is a true masterpiece. The story is unlike anything else with absolutely perfect writing that magnificently captures the deep, thought-provoking tone of the plot. Everything about this book is creative and unique while still providing a story that is engaging and exciting. Furthermore, the artwork has to be some of the best available in any visual medium. The actual images are beautiful and powerful, interesting and detailed, with overall designs and layouts that are unmatched by any contemporaries. Basically, if you aren't reading Overture, I'm not sure we can be friends. Read Full Review

Just as the first issue exceeded massive expectations and cynicism, showing that it was more than just a cash-grab revamp, this issue exceeded the weight created by the delay to deliver one hell of an issue. Sure, it's been five months and the story's still only getting started, but what this issue teases to come would make another five month wait worth it if the issue was as good as this one. Gaiman and Williams have delivered the series that “Sandman” fans have been waiting for for years and they have not disappointed. Read Full Review

This is still the openingact of this series, and the plot only just revealed. I love Gaiman, but this issue is still an “overture,” as it were. The visuals are stunning and will have fans and art students pouring over every inch for years to come. Read Full Review

Sandman Overture #2 is a fantastic read. It's grand and detailed and complicated (compared to many other comics on the shelves). It feels like we're back in another time in comics history and that's fine in this case. The inclusion of a character I have wanted to see more of make this one of my favorite reads of the week. It's almost a religious experience reading this series and I can't get enough. The $3.99 price point is completely fair when you look at the gorgeous artwork from J.H Williams & Dave Stewart. All I can hope is that we don't have to wait another 4-5 months for the next issue. Read Full Review

I'm very happy to see this series back in circulation, though (of course) I hope it won't be quite such a long pause between chapters. Read Full Review

Sandman: Overture #2is a tremendous work of comic art. Williams perfectly complements Gaiman's story, elevating the plot into something transcendent. Readers already familiar withSandmanwill find the work transcendent, but those new to Gaiman's mythos may be perplexed by the plotting. Both groups should find the comic well worth its cover price though for Williams' art alone. Read Full Review

Sandman: Overture may not be the clearest story and it certainly carries the weight of a narrative that boasts of its own self-importance to a degree, but its lusciousness and sheer visual beauty cannot, and should not, be denied. Take it like a dream itself: powerful and complex, but fleeting. Because artistry like Williams on this series does not come but once in a great while. Perhaps even a lifetime. Read Full Review

Destined to be a classic, The Sandman: Overture is a must-read. Let Gaiman and Williams take you to an extraordinary dream you will never want to wake up from. Read Full Review

J.H. Williams III is the star of the this series, no doubt. His gorgeous layouts are unlike anything else being published in mainstream comics, and that's a good thing. There are pages in this issue that are downright nightmare inducing, big, haunting visions of things best left unspoken. As usual, he works primarily in double-page spreads, which look fantastic. However, if you read this digitally (like I did) the scale of the book can be hurt a bit. You can't read this thing panel to panel, you have to take in a whole page, or two pages as it were, at once. Hopefully we don't have to wait so long for the next issue of this series, because art this stunning needs to be on the shelves as often as possible. Read Full Review

Even for a beautifully crafted issue like this one, five months is a long time to wait, though Gaiman and Williams offer far more in one issue than many writers do in five. Read Full Review

Part grand fantasy and part magical detective story, Gaiman and Williams weave together a bold - if not necessarily accessible - second chapter for Sandman: Overture. While some may be turned off by the slow pacing of this comic (which will certainly be exacerbated by the publishing delays), those people will also have plenty of other comics to choose from. For the faithful, this is a return to form for Gaiman and company, a dream which many will hold onto for as long as possible. Read Full Review

Neil Gaiman and J.H. Williams give incredible work to Sandman Overture that is the epitome of magnificent beauty. With that in mind, it is still disheartening that the duo is refusing to work within the initial medium that this tale is being printed. With such a drastic break in between issues and such a dense literary style populating this book, the initial audience is severely limited. This story will still work beautifully in a collected format. Read Full Review

Overall, Sandman: Overture #2 is an enjoyable issue that ultimately needs a background in Sandman lore to really appreciate it. The creative team melds together seamlessly, creating a narrative that's twisting, surreal and thought-provoking. It's worth two or three reads just to fully appreciate it, and absolutely worth your time. The only really negative thing I can say about this entry is the time elapsed between the two issues. Gaiman and JHW3 are on track for best creative team in 2014 if they keep on the pace they're going. Read Full Review

It's still a mystery why this series is titled "Sandman Overture," since the story isn't musically themed, and the plot seems to be shaped like a pocket off-shoot rather than an introduction to anything. The plot catalyzes on the revival of one of Gaiman's major recurring themes of order vs. chaos, and has already re-launched one of the greatest themes of "Sandman": the tension between free will and fate, and the thin lines between mercy and cowardice, bravery and cruelty. Read Full Review

Beautiful to look at, no idea what happened.

I'm a fan of the original series, and I'm really enjoying returning to this universe of stories. In terms of the narrative, there's still a lot of setup here, with many tantalizing details foretelling the possibilities to come. The art is very detailed and often includes watercolor backgrounds. There's a very specific "Sandman" tonality that Williams has created anew. The panel layouts are inventive, but at times seem a little overly complicated and self-indulgent. But it's a minor quibble. I can't think of an artist I'd rather see working on this title.