Neil Gaiman's THE SANDMAN: The Stories Within Us

On Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman," discussing the short stories of the classic comic book series, its commentary on the nature of storytelling, and the role of both Shakespeare and Morpheus in reflecting Gaiman's life as an author.
PATREON - / mattdraper
TWITTER - / mattdraperyt
Music:
"Resident Evil 4" by Mono Memory
"Leaves Covered by Snow" by No Spirit
"Happy Childhoods Make for Dull Company" by Sonya Belousova
"Devil Make a Deal" by The Midnight
"Murmuration" by Blue Wednesday
"Once Upon a Dream" by The Neverland Orchestra
"Gymnopedie No. 1" by Erik Satie
"A Distant Quiet" by Traxx
"Mr. Sandman" by The Chordettes
Sources:
www.comicbookmovie.com/other/...
www.npr.org/2015/12/15/458319...
www.etymonline.com/word/morpheus
www.writerswrite.com/journal/...
www.masterclass.com/articles/...
/ the-sandman-story-meta...
• Neil Gaiman and Chip K...
/ the-sandman-story-meta...
mcluhangalaxy.wordpress.com/2...
/ 12732.grant_morrison
culturalgutter.com/2005/09/28...
Additional Footage: Salvation - vimeo.com/224205444

[@MattDraper]

Read the full essay on Comic Book Herald! www.comicbookherald.com/neil-gaimans-the-sandman-the-stories-within-us/

[@robocoptorque9661]

Hi Matt Great video 👍 Was wondering if you have read Batman: Child of Dreams by Kia Asamiya and if so maybe you could do a video on it . Thanks peace ✌️

[@jessop-]

Dave Mckean doesn't get the credit he deserves, his artwork, whether comics or album covers, holds up to this day.

[@a_l_e_x_26]

Actually he does xD I mentioned his name like a million times to everyone around me in college

[@jessop-]

@@a_l_e_x_26 thank god for that, I take it all back. Honestly, he really doesn't get the credit he deserves.

[@Beantbeantbeant]

Reading Sandman at 14 was the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m glad it changed my teen selfs path and put me in the right direction. Without it I would not be who I am today with the same respect for literature and culture… thanks Neil! I now am doing a literature degree all thanks to Sandman’s influence. It made me love literature

[@owensreviews625]

I’d always heard about how great a writer Neil Gaimen was, but it was until I read the first volume of The Sandman that I understood why. Here’s to hoping the live action Netflix series turns out good.

[@amyvillanueva3442]

Wouldn't it be on HBO Max?

[@placeholder5695]

@@amyvillanueva3442 While Sandman is technically a DC title, the rights reverted to Neil when the series made the switch to Vertigo upon its creation - it was a label that gave writers and artists almost complete creative freedom and ownership over their stories. Because it’s not bound to HBO Max, Netflix is the service the series will call home. It’s the same reason Preacher was on AMC despite technically being a DC title as well.

[@adanabid1383]

it looks terrible, unfortunately.

[@Dave_of_Mordor]

@@adanabid1383 how? it was a pretty good trailer

[@jeramiethegreat987]

Luckily it was amazing

[@FunnyClementine]

I'm going to take a moment to implore everyone to listen to the audible version as well. It's fantastically well done and the cast is amazing. James McAvoy is Dream, and he is worth the price of admission alone.

[@Misadventures_85]

It's so good!! I'm still impatiently waiting for the next volume

[@mayhem502]

I don't think the audio book is bad but I have to disagree. The amazing art and imagery are a huge part of the sandman.

[@keeganbate8935]

I'm going to, but I want to wait for the full version - reading Lucifer in the meantime

[@vincentbatten4686]

The last 3 mins of this video meant a lot. I really hope people pay attention to this. It's weirdly alienating to be a comic book fan, but most of the content here is just about regurgitation of stories. I definitely believe some of this should exist, and well it wouldn't really matter if I thought it didn't, because we need content that compresses the vast amount of backstory and pulls in new readers without alienating them. It's just weird to me because there is so very little discussion about the medium, and why these stories are important to us. Thanks for diving into sandman. I don't often hear people criticize the book, but I got an idea for what you found important about the story, and I feel like I understand the type of storytelling approach you prefer because of it. Great video!

[@Noah-po2cr]

Only one quick fact-check, Dream was actually modelled specifically on Peter Murphy, frontman of gothic post-punk band Bauhaus! Fantastic video! You have such fantastic insight

[@chloemarie7069]

I started reading this series at the recommendation of a friend. I’m a good chunk into the first volume and I’m so overwhelmed in the best way possible

[@SnapperChannel]

To me, when I read Sandman. It’s not always easy to read but I’m still intrigued by it. I’m only read up to the World’s End but what keeps me coming back to the series is the short stories. I find them the best parts of the series and help world build the mythology around Neil Gaiman’s tale. Great video Matt.

[@ernestsierra491]

I love how you didn't just tell us what happens in the comic. Too many KZbinrs just recap the story but you go into what makes the stories special. This is why I keep coming back to your videos, great work!

[@camerondawes1898]

You’re content almost feels like an extension of the art. Not only an interpretation but also almost adding to it and giving context. I really hope you can keep providing consistent content like this.

[@keithgehman3945]

I appreciate you saying that the first few volumes were hard to get into, matt. It can be very difficult to admit that when reading a work as revered as literature as sandman because if you like comics you are expected to "get it" right away and appreciate it for all its merit. but some writers really need a few issues or an entire career to develop as comic writers. Love the vid and have renewed energy to read more sandman!

[@spiderneil]

You deserve way more subscribers than you have as you are one of the best at making video essays. Thank you for making this video essay as Sandman is my favourite comic series of all-time.

[@TwoFacedKid4]

Such aa great analysis of Gaiman's unique perspective on writing, characters and storytelling. Still hoping you'll review The League of Extraordinary Gentleman one day; Alan Moore comes to his own conclusions about storytelling and fictional characters near the end, though it's remarkably more cynical than Gaiman's views.

[@galactic85]

Lol. Of course it is. I like Alan moore but in so much of his work, although not all of it, he seems strangely obsessed with trying to kill the very things he is writing about. He is less interested in why something works than why it doesn't work. And even when he tries to create something there still seems to be a little part of him searching for its Achilles heel. At least that's my opinion anyway.

[@ThePsycoDolphin]

@@galactic85 And that's why Moore is an infinitely superior writer to Gaiman. Gaimans psedo mystical twaddle about dreams, story telling and fantasy, sound like the ramblings of a small child. It's cloying and infantile. Stories don't change anything. Stories are am irrelevance to the wider world, where power and material forces reign supreme. To say a statement that no two people live on the same reality is to embrace the most extreme forms of relativism, robbing us of the capacity to understand how insignificant we are to the external world, but also our ability to share common experiences. Myths, as Roland Barthes pointed out, are "depoliticised speech", things that Rob us of our agency, something to be destroyed and deconstructed, not adulated over like Gaiman does. Moore, being a political anarchist, no doubt realises that to be stuck inside a dreamworld of story telling is to be bound forever in a state of political infanthood, afraid and incapable of confronting reality as it truly is and changing it. That's why he was so rightfully contemptible of the superhero genre, the laughable pseudo fascist fantasy of a single indivudal of immense strength who will stop all problems. Its a joke, not to mention, a reactionary joke. The superheroes in Watchmem fail to stop the bad guy because in this case the bad guy is right. A world of vast structural nuclear superpowers engaging in squabbles over global territory cannot be solved by punching someone really hard in the face. Superevil is not personified in the form of a person, but distributed across the whole of modern society - in the exploitative capitalist corporation, the oppressive and cruel state, the warmongering and imperialist army, the fanatical and superstitious Church, in the form of bigoted and racist culture. That's why Moore is better, IMO.

[@ianbyrne465]

@@galactic85 yeah, that's deconstructionism for you. I don't think it's not a valid way to explore an idea, but I completely agree that it gets kinda boring after a little while

[@galactic85]

@@ThePsycoDolphin wow....I usually don't replay to comments but for some who seems to be a big alan moore fan you really don't seem to understand him that well. You claim its stupid to believe that dreams and stories don't change the world but alan moore basically believes the same thing that gaiman is advocating for in sandman. If you don't believe me here is a quote from moore himself. "There is some confusion as to what magic actually is. I think this can be cleared up if you just look at the very earliest descriptions of magic. Magic in its earliest form is often referred to as “the art”. I believe this is completely literal. I believe that magic is art and that art, whether it be writing, music, sculpture, or any other form is literally magic. Art is, like magic, the science of manipulating symbols, words, or images, to achieve changes in consciousness. The very language about magic seems to be talking as much about writing or art as it is about supernatural events. A grimmoir for example, the book of spells is simply a fancy way of saying grammar. Indeed, to cast a spell, is simply to spell, to manipulate words, to change people's consciousness." Also gaimans claim that there is a "universe" behind everyone's eyes isn't relativistic. It's simply an invitation to remind us that each individual person is complex and human. Your deliberately misreading gaimans claim as means of propping up moore. I'm not even that big of a fan of gaiman but your criticisms of his work are just plain ridiculous. You claim you don't like gaiman even though alan moore is more similar than you probably want to admit.

[@spartida3850]

@@ThePsycoDolphin stories/dreams had and will continue to have a material effect on the world. whether it be the ones we’re watching unfold on the nightly news , impacting and challenging our worldview, or the ones on the big screen entertaining us and making us reflect. to think superheroes are all fascistic in nature is missing the point a lot of stories intend to tell. yes, i believe some fall under that category but it’s a vague and shallow observation of the entire genre & industry. i can’t say i disagree with your assessment that they’re majorly geared towards children, or are child like. but even stories that are digestible to children can still be some of the finest examples of storytelling. some fantasy that come to mind immediately are J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord Of The Rings and Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. both are fantasy and can be read by children, and yet also deal with politics

[@elinixon1548]

The review I've been waiting for, thanks my guy

[@bottomtiercollector]

Sandman is incredible. I could see people in an English literature learning about Sandman in 100 or 200 years like I learned about Beowulf and ancient world epic poetry. The series is truly transcendent of the medium.

[@dannygrizz4358]

Always love the afterwords you have at the end of the video Matt! Stay safe and tale care of yourself !

[@jimprisco4667]

Beautiful and detailed video and barely any spoilers which I wouldn’t have been pressed about!! You should make more videos like this and if so keep going!!! You made me really excited about reading this masterpiece!!!

[@OwenLikesComics]

Great video Matt, this is definitely one of my favourites of yours! Gaiman really is proof that no one does comics better than Brits.

[@MattDraper]

Thanks, Owen! I wish I could disagree but it’s true!

[@LitterboxKing]

Freaking perfect video. This is the most beautiful understanding of the series I’ve seen online. More plz.

[@Deadwolf27]

Just read through this about a month ago. It was one of the best stories I've ever experienced

[@LucasDarkGiygas]

Love your style. Glad you make these videos.

[@DibboBibbo]

Fantastic video! Insanely well written with incredible insight into a topic that’s awfully hard to put into words, and a masterful editing style to boot. Exactly the kind of thing I hope to make someday! Keep it up :)

[@MastermindAXL]

I love that you're honest about how you view this series. I've been tracking down the Absolute Editions of these books, and plan on doing a long readthrough. That's the beauty of this series: everyone has different experiences with it but can love or lament it all the same....just like dreams.

[@BoyNamedSue4]

This video did not go the way I expected it to. I am thankful for that

[@woodybalfour8213]

Great video buddy...Amazing work and thanks for your restraint in not telling everyone "the story". Really true perspective on Neil G and his motivations. Thanks for the research and the resources as well...And the Cordettes. Really been one of my fave tunes since Back to the Future long long time ago. Peace x

[@spawnpoint215]

I’ve been waiting for you to do this for so long

[@person14876]

Good to see you back on a comic essay

[@tomfarrow6330]

Id like to see you cover a moebius story, the art is so unique and influential

[@daenerystargaryen6208]

This just made my day. Thank You!!!!!

[@Mrsierramist1]

Shots fired. Well done video! Thank you for the hard work.

[@tunatheluna2512]

Finally a good video about samdman. Thank you for that. + We need more about sandman

[@Xehanort10]

Putting Mr Sandman at the end was a nice touch. I usually associate that song with Halloween since it plays in both Halloween II and Halloween H20.

[@TheEliera]

Great video Matt probably you best so far! But I would kill for video about covers. These are just incredible piece of art

[@rzerox21xx]

Great job Matt, really enjoyable and interesting.

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the info as always Matt. Much ❤ as always

[@DRAGONSWRATH87]

KZbin sucks because I am subscribed to your channel and this video never showed up in my reccomended. Sandman is my all time favorite comic, and I love any video essay talking about it!

[@Illuminerdy_]

This video gave me chills. Well done

[@DzustComics]

Probably your best video yet! That book is my favorite ever and I love your take on it. Also was that a riff on comics explained? Not bad, mam! Shots fired! I use him to look into comics I'm interested in and nothing else really.

[@JoshuaHenelyThornhill]

Wonderful video Matt ! Now after watching the show I need to get me that first issue.

[@pocketmego-Ray]

Terrific video, as always!

[@looniemoonie5955]

You really deserve many, many more subscribers. Seriously, probably my favourite KZbinr of them all- and not even 100k? You should have half a mil just for those sick editing skills and topic choices. Wish I could support the Patreon (but I am broke + it doesn't work here)

[@taylorpechter5422]

Fantastic video. I've only read the first few volumes of Sandman, and I can understand why they are hard to get into. They are kind of abstract and don't really follow a set structure. I still enjoy them though. I would love for you to cover Mike Carey's Lucifer.

[@theartistknownaszack9234]

I'm so happy that you did it

[@TH3F4LC0Nx]

I just recently finished reading American Gods, the only thing I've ever read by Gaiman. Really liked it. Now I'm really debating giving Sandman a try.

[@NTWoo95]

American Gods is brilliant, to be fair. If you’ve only read one Gaiman thing it’s not a bad place to start

[@Beantbeantbeant]

The first volume of Sandman will absolutely draw you in, it has the same feeling of reading and capturing a dream… amazing writing

[@alejandrodiazfrancia1562]

Watch the American Gods TV show and read Sandman, totally worth it. They're currently the best expressions of what Gaiman writting means

[@Misadventures_85]

Go for it. Or get the audio version of Sandman. Other fantastic portions of Neil Gaiman's bibliography are The View from the Cheap Seats and the anthology Fragile Things

[@ivanildopereira3181]

Awesome video! I love Sandman and regard it as the the second greatest comic book of all times, behind only Watchmen.

[@ShinbrigTV]

I agree, the first two volumes I thought were alright but it was the third volume that turned it around for me!

[@frankortega2154]

I look forward to your other Sandman videos.

[@EdgardoSalas]

Been waiting on this for a while... :D

[@kingmegaman2598]

Dave mckean has to be one of the best ilistrater for a comic book ever

[@charliecoke7396]

Matt Draper, he doesn't always do comic videos, but when he does, he does them RIGHT!

[@robertdochter277]

I love Neil Gaiman, he is one of my top three favorite writers. Followed by Clive Barker and Ray Bradbury.

[@galactic85]

Bradbury's one of my favorites as well!

[@robertdochter277]

Of the three he is my favorite. His story prose are so magical to read. My favorite work of his is Something Wicked This Way Comes. May I ask yours?

[@galactic85]

@@robertdochter277 I still have multiple Bradbury books I need to read but I love Fahrenheit 451. It's one of my favorite books. My favorites Bradbury works though tend to be his short stories. Kaleidoscope from "the illustrated man" is one I enjoy immensely. Something wicked this way comes is good but the themes about aging didn't really resonate with me. Maybe it's just because of the stage I'm at in my life. It's solid but I wouldn't consider it an all time favorite.

[@robertdochter277]

@galatic86. I get that. Its definitely not everyone's cup of tea. I love the stories in The Illustrated Man, they are so unique and magical. If you haven't read Dandelion Wine or The Halloween Tree I highly recommend them.

[@galactic85]

@@robertdochter277 I'll buy a copy of Halloween tree! Dandelion wine is currently on my bookshelf waiting for me to Crack it open. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@river-who7578]

This is so good. Keep going. New suscriber

[@thebaccathatchews]

*salutes Emperor Norton*

[@ericrobins5188]

I think this was a very brilliant take on it simply because everybody tries to explain all of sandman. But the whole purpose is is that everybody lives their own different world. Yes you can explain the world from your point of view but I don't live in it. And I made grass a different definition or interpretation based on the world that I live in. A lot of people lose the aspect of the short stories which is the sad part about sandman. Everybody wants the main story about dream but it's not about that. It's about the multi different worlds and fasteners that can connect all of us to the dreaming.

[@jackrucinsky6205]

Great video.

[@monitor-mindtheover-void6712]

Sandman is beautiful. Please make a video on The Invisibles by Grant Morrison.

[@JimmyNails27]

Seconded.

[@monitor-mindtheover-void6712]

@@JimmyNails27 what

[@galactic85]

That's the one Morrison book I just haven't been able to read. I get 3 issues I'm and then call it quits.

[@monitor-mindtheover-void6712]

@@galactic85 you should continue in my opinion, the story starts slow and then accelerates, and at the end you'll fell like you're on a different plan of existence.

[@brentholmes4892]

@@galactic85 I have read the series 5 or 6 times. I always pick up more from it. You can view it many different ways, separately or together. Rebels vs an empire, a (cosmic) child growing up, magic vs tech, probably many lenses I haven't considered looking through. The closest thing to a visual entry point/Invisibles movie proposal would be the 2 music videos Morisson appeared in with his protege, Gerard Way and the other members of My Chemical Romance. Many broad winks, like SPOILERS a cell of 5 rebels, one Invisible being tortured/ mentally controlled (by Morisson, no less!) us vs them, cops and robbers dynamic, an arachnid totem, John Connor hacking skills and after the first video ends, the game has crashed, and now it's a rescue mission. The first song's manic energy pop thrill ride is followed up by a sombre call to arms with betrayal, a wicked reference to "Security coming Chuck, I could use a minute or two to warm up" from Elektra Assassin, a wonderfully realized EvilCorp for our heroes to fight, and lyrics that are a rallying cry compared to the fun tale of the first video. Part 1 kzbin.info?search_query=na+na+na+my+chemical+romance Part 2 kzbin.info?search_query=sing+my+chemical+romance

[@MattyStoked]

Literally seconds into the video and my hero Karen Berger gets the name drop I was hoping for x

[@brentholmes4892]

Love the visuals you are using in this video. A great mix of comic panels, animation, paintings, CGI and maybe other forms I didn't pick up on. I wonder if Neil Gaiman has any thoughts on the Sanders portrait of Shakespeare. Authenticated as the only portrait commissioned during his life, it shows a younger, hungrier Shakespeare than the world weary writer Gaiman and his artists depicted, based on more traditional beliefs of what Will looked like. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanders_portrait#/media/File:Sanders_portrait2.jpg

[@carsonsmith7314]

Oh yes! My favorite comic of all time! Certainly the best fantasy comic of all time, at the very least.

[@NerdettesNewsStand]

15 minutes - Dig, wowzers

[@aurahoneydew9607]

All this and all I can think about is Kevin Smith referring to as the "Break Up Book(s)" like couples who get their GF to read it usually break up afterwards.

[@littlekinginc124]

The 'Beyond Infinity' Joke had me rolling.

[@vaggelisbaousis1756]

My favorite comic book of all time. I know. How original...

[@gemahfletcher2509]

My desire to watch a Matt Draper video 😂

[@pistaalkohol]

I think this short stroy decision was the best possible one.

[@mayaenglish5424]

3:17 See it's so funny you say that, because I really enjoyed the Dead Boy Detectives Sandman story (I haven't actually read their stand alone comic yet). I love that people generally agree that Sandman has stories they love and stories that don't work but no one can agree which ones are which because Neil wrote to such different experiences and styles. If you don't like one of the stories, try another, It'll probably be radically different.

[@greenlong1987]

I need to pick back up reading this. A few issues after The Diner, I sat it aside. Sounds like I need to just stick with it.

[@gemahfletcher2509]

Will you ever review a Jeff Lemire book ? I.e. Essex County, Roughneck, The Underwater Welder, Trillium etc... I think they deserve a review and acknowledgement

[@MattDraper]

I've previously covered Sweet Tooth but would like to do more Lemire

[@Sheepdog1314]

the art is outstanding

[@katherinealvarez9216]

My introduction to Sandman was one of the scripts, I think it was the one Gaiman hated. I even read the article written by the script writers. And then I read all the scripts before finding the first volume.

[@collapsiblechair9112]

Videos about comics always talk about the stories contained in the text, very rarely do they discuss the art and the way it tells the story.

[@Danial_Duval]

15:11 "Trying to explain the meaning and importance of your dream to someone else is a lot like making a youtube video about a comic book book" But how is it any different from a storyteller telling his tales to an audience? From what they would emphasize and emote in the retelling or how they dissect the themes of the work, they are many things we could find value in the art of storytelling itself in spite of the different medium. A chance for us to glimpse on their inner worlds that is so different from our own. Some may argue it would diminish the original work but I say it's a chance to experience the material in different way. Much like your own comic book videos which I still enjoy.

[@theebronks]

Great video! Have you read any of the comics of Joseph Michael Linsner? I would love your take on some of his works.

[@xYSarenArteriusxY]

Please make a video about Mike Carey's Lucifer

[@lightknight6749]

Drink everytime Matt says Stories

[@MattDraper]

Don’t

[@NobodyC13]

I was reading the first volume of Sandman after dipping my toe in some of Neil Gaiman's work, and even "24 Hours" was making me sick to my stomach for how increasingly depraved it became.

[@amyvillanueva3442]

I want a Sandman animated series on Adult Swim & HBO Max. Animated seies for teenagers & adults that isn't a comedy is rare. At least in American Animation.

[@yukiminsan]

the shade thrown lmao

[@Xehanort10]

11:04 The 3rd character who becomes president is even called Prez.

[@yermatedave4930]

Matt Draper on Sandman? Bogging off work to watch IMMEDIATELY.

[@Hank_Castle]

Sandman was my most challenging read

[@kingpin1331]

Please please do a video on transmetropolitan/spider Jerusalem

[@raiden_187]

I loved Coraline it was amazing to me that's the only gaiman work I knew

[@justalittleamerican]

Dude great video, but what was up with that 'only good president of the United States' line? Like was that from the comic or what? Because if not Abraham Lincoln would like a few words with you.

[@weareallbronies9031]

I knew you would get to this at some point

[@imjmar]

Please make a wrestling video. I see Shinsuke on your Twitter and Sandman in this video. I know you want to!!

[@katherinelynch4193]

Not too relevant to the material, but the music in this episode is lovely. I was watching this while cooking dinner and I got unexpectedly caught up in the Sleeping Beauty waltz

[@MattDraper]

Thank you! I really wanted the music to pop in this video so that’s awesome to hear.

[@troyoboyo17]

FUCK YEAHHHH SANDMANNNNNNNN god tier shit Matt

[@MattDraper]

THANK YOOOOUUUU

[@mariod1547]

Language! Jk 🙂

[@marlowedubois4461]

3:37 So when we getting ENTER SANDMAN: The Sandman Career Retrospective.

[@Jakemufcfan]

I need to pick up the sandman and lucifer gonna sell some stuff and get the deluxe and omnis

[@MikaylaJLaird]

Oh god, Marshall McLuhan. I'm getting flashbacks.... 😐

[@rileywalton8276]

*Me watching Matt go after comic tube* "YEEESSSS! KILL!"

[@danielolortegui381]

I'm telling you. Make this into a movie or a series on HBO max and it'll shit all over everything else. This series was addicting

[@Tre_Storm_Art]

Throwing shade at Rob, I see 😂

[@reculture]

Wow

[@TheZooropaBaby]

Hell yeah I love that Metallica song Enter the Sandman

[@madhukarg8052]

He played D&D with himself

[@ishtarbabylon4869]

I don’t like who they cast as Death .. I’m death!

[@raiden_187]

what is better Watchmen or sandman. This is going to be controversial

[@galactic85]

Sandman. Watchmen is a great accomplishment but it can't evolve. It is static and immobile. Sandman is a story about dreams and the very nature of all dreams is to go out into the world and grow and expand. The fact that the world gaiman created has been utilized so effectively by writers beyond him speaks to its staying power. In contrast pretty much every one who tries to "build" on watchmen just finds themselves trying to recreate it and be just like Alan moore. I suppose it goes back to the very nature of each narrative. Watchmen is a nightmare about destruction. Sandman is a story about creation.

[@Beantbeantbeant]

Sandman

[@matheus31218]

Sandman has 75 issues in the main series and many others spin off, watchmen has 12 issues. I take watchmen over any specific sandman story, but all of the 75 issues and spin off are just just too much for the 12 issues of Watchmen compete.