by Lucy Softich

Death: The High Cost of Living, by Neil Gaiman
$12.95

Plot
Sexton’s life isn’t bad—but it isn’t good, either. And the utter meaninglessness of everything has convinced him life isn’t worth living. But then he meets Didi, a perky girl in all black, who claims to be the incarnation of death.

First Impressions
I’ve always been a big Sandman fan, so picking up this book was a natural step. Neil Gaiman created a fascinating world in his Sandman series, and it’s nice to see that world from a different perspective. Instead of following Dream, this spin-off is, surprisingly enough, all about Death; one of my favorite characters. You also get to meet some of the most memorable side characters from the main comic, and get to see a bit more into their life.

Lasting Impressions
This is one of those books that is hilarious, depressing, and oddly melancholiac all at once. It takes one of the most iconic (and beloved) of Neil Gaiman’s characters, and lets us see inside her head for awhile, during her day as a mortal. This was very satisfying, since I know I at least could really never get enough of Death. It also has consistently lovely art, and makes for a good one-shot.

Audience
Obviously fans of Sandman will love this book, but I think it’s very accessible for unfamiliar readers as well. You don’t really need to know the whole mythos to really follow this story, and it wouldn’t be a bad introduction. It’s a tad gory at times, so I’d say it’s best for readers 13+.