Neil Gaiman's The Sandman and Joseph Campbell: In Search of the Modern Myth

by Stephen Rauch

The first scholarly book-length examination of the work of comics legend Neil Gaiman includes detailed analysis of his best-selling "Sandman" and "Death" series, a look at his work's relationship to Joseph Campbell, and such topics as "Living in a Desacralized World," "The Relationship of Dreams and Myth in Campbell, Jung, and Gaiman's Sandman," "Humanization, Change, and Rebirth: The Hero's Journey," "The Role of the Artist and the Art of Storytelling," and more. A fascinating journey behind the comics work of one of the most interesting and challenging popular writers of today, "Neil Gaiman's The Sandman and Joseph Campbell: In Search of the Modern Myth" is the book which Gaiman's fans have been waiting for!

Genres: Nonfiction, Mythology, Graphic Novels, Psychology, Comics

156 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Carlos · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe read this again? Just didn’t like it.

[David Melbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent commentary on both Gaiman and Campbell. Rauch says he wrote this book out of respect for Joe: he speculates that, not only would Joe have loved The Sandman (it appeared after Campbell's death in 1987), but that Joe would probably have written this book!

Rauch's love and admiration for Gaiman is as enthusiastic as Joe's was for myth: gonzo! Even Rauch's criticisms of Campbell are not harsh. Rauch was, as I was, impressed by Joe's enthusiasm, his passion for all things myth.

After reading this, I knew that I must read more of the Dream King. I had only read the first volume when I read this. I accept the challenge! --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie.

[Georgia]

Very interesting approach. Even if you haven't read Campbell before, this book introduces some of his ideas in an easy to digest way. Some examples are quite far fetched, like the function of the Shadow archetype in the plot of The Sandman, but in general it is a very interesting book, contributing to the discussion on comics studies.

The only disappointing thing for me was the last chapter. If you give such a serious and interesting analysis throughout the book, why spoil it in the end with giving details of your personal depression and how The Sandman helped you get over it? How is that related to Campbell and why should it possibly interest me?

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not particularly well-written or in-depth, but makes several overarching and general connections that are quite insightful. Kudos to Rauch for paving the way for subsequent academic studies on 'The Sandman'.

[Bridgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book since I love Jung and Campbell, but a bit short and not as in-depth as I would have liked.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting start to analyzing The Sandman. I liked the conclusion because it was more personal, but the rest of the essay was quite quote heavy for my tastes.

[Dennis Slater · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting ideas, but unfortunately, overwritten and repetitive. Chapters 3 and 4 are the clearest, but in the rest of the book Rauch's arguments and conclusions are just muddy.