More than an audiobook: “audio live-action”

The Sandman audio adaptation is more than just an audiobook. Music, actors, and sound effects have replaced what made reading the comic such an extraordinary experience: its visual art. While audiobook enthusiasts might find all the “noise” distracting from the text, the illustrations transmuted into sounds help create new visions. If you have read the comic, it may feel rather chaotic at first, requiring a couple of chapters to adjust to the new experience. The layering of sounds could be a creative choice, attempting to mimic the baroque artwork from the comic. Either way, this new format helps conjure old and new images. Listeners, using their imagination, freed from the comic book frames, can transform the blurry memories of colorful pictures into a vivid and compelling live-action experience.

The audiobook follows the storylines from the first three volumes of The Sandman. Fans will be delighted to cross paths again with iconic characters from the original comic and the Vertigo/DC universe. It's thrilling to meet Death again or John Constantine, who hasn't received much love in his own TV series and film adaptations. It's horrifying to listen to Doctor D spread chaos and terror into the hearts of the helpless patrons of the 24-hour diner, reliving the nightmare.

The performances of the actors giving their voices to these characters are fantastic. This adaptation proudly claims its place within the great British radio play tradition. Hollywood headliners like James McAvoy (Morpheus) and Michael Sheen (Lucifer) contribute to the audiobook's "Audio Movie" ambitions. There is no shortage of talent among the 68 voice actors, who brilliantly bring these characters to life.

An adaptation true to the comic book

Thirty years after the first publication, certain subject matters and character treatments may feel a little dated. Some will celebrate that this adaptation stayed loyal to its origins, while others may regret that certain stories were not updated to reflect the world's changes over the past three decades. However, the true greatness of The Sandman lies in its characters. DC's strength has always been its superheroes. Superman and Batman remain two of the most popular superheroes in the world, iconic and charismatic, never going out of fashion since their debut in the 1930s.

Morpheus, joined by Lucifer, John Constantine, and Death (all of whom have had their own comic series), have firmly earned their place in that superhero pantheon. Dark, gothic, poetic, and with a punk-rock edge, they have captured the imagination of countless dreamers. Today, thanks to this audiobook, they are captivating the hearts of new listeners. These unique and unforgettable characters make The Sandman timeless. Morpheus’s other name, “Dream of the Endless,” takes on all its meaning.

The Sandman fans have been eagerly awaiting an adaptation of the comic series for a long time. This audiobook will be an excellent fix while they wait for the Netflix series. Let’s hope it won’t take another 30 years.