I've heard only good things about this series, and I've read a bit of Gaiman's other stuff, which is fantastic, so I'm interested in buying these graphic novels. I'm totally naieve in the comic sense at the moment.

In any case I'd prefer to get them as a lot but if you have any for sale - or for trade for VS/MTG cards, let me know!

Hey. Sandman is deep stuff and well worth reading, especially if your tastes run to the more classically themed stories (Shakespeare, Poe, the metaphysical poets and the like).
Reprints of the Sandman series are widely available (a bit under $20 a pop, me thinks) and if you want them, I'd encourage you grab the first two before plunging all the way in.
My friend got them all in hardcover, which were a bit harder to find but obviously more valuable from a collector POV. T
he normal tradepaperbacks are great for reading but will have little to no collector value.
Another recommendation, if I might give it, would be the Vertigo (the label that does Sandman) title Preacher. Don't go there if you're religiously sensitive because it is positively heretical.
It's about a preacher named Jesse Custer who is joined with a powerful demon/angel hybrid named Genesis. Genesis gives Jesse the power of "The Word", meaning whenever he uses The Word on someone and tells them to do something they are compelled to do it (which is interesting when he tells a cop to stick his gun up his *somewhere unmentionable*).
Jesse is joined by an alcoholic Irish vampire named Cassidy and his ex-girlfriend Tulip in a quest to find God, who has abandoned his post in Heaven.
Preacher is dark, violent and funny in all the really, really wrong ways.
The series, which is now finished, was written by Garth Ennis, who I like to describe as the comic book world's version of Quentin Tarantino (only Irish and funnier).
Anyway, if you're interested, let me know and I can post you the first book to read.

Heyup -

I've never really been into comics much myself and Sandman was recommended highly by a few people so I'll probably start off there - I might go the reprints, as I'm not all that interested in the collecting aspect of it (though I'm SURE if I get these I'll end up being that way and regretting it...) I have a mate that has offered to lend me his to read but I kind of trash my books so I didn't think that was adviseable!

I might stick to sussing this one out at the moment but I'll certainly be in contact for others if this goes well

Sure, no probs.
But remember, comics come in all kinds of favours.
When you want to treat your tastebuds you don't sit down to a meal with just one course.
I'm so going to hook you on some good titles ... just give me time.

Way to go on the Preacher recommendation. Best series since Sandman. I loved the recent Sandman collection, that really rocked.

Another High recommendation from me would me Warren Ellis' "Transmetropolitan". He is a good friend of Garth Ennis who wrote Preacher (and the new Punisher, which contrary to most I thought really sucked).

For those wanting to wet there teeth on more traditional 'spandex' superhero fair you might want to look at the new X-Men series - Astonishing X-Men, written my Joss Whedon of Buffy fame. Great art work and the first two issues seem to have set a good base.

I reccomnded collected trade paperbacks as a great way to go for the occassional reader. Generally a bit cheaper, and you may be able to pic them up seconds hand and not worry about missing an issue or two.

Gee, I better stop now or I will keep going for ever. Always happy to talking comics!

Kman

I've got these now (thought still unread!)