Spoilers The Sandman grade and discussion

[the G-man]

I knew he'd grown up around scientology, and he definitely didn't have a normal childhood. As you say, not remotely an excuse but it obviously had a major effect on him.

All the Richard Madoc stuff feels very eerie now!

I can separate the artist from the art in a lot of ways but Calliope is probably ruined for me ("Actually, I tend to think of myself as a feminist writer"). And I now think I know why "Venus in Furs" was playing in the bar at the serial killer convention (in the comic).

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Just finished reading the entirety of the article and...it's fucking awful.

Even though I first heard about some of the horrific sexual assault accusations against Neil Gaiman last July (courtesy of the aforementioned news story regarding two of them made on a podcast), I was not even remotely prepared for the vileness of the detailed stories about Gaiman's decades-long graphic behavior.

As a massive fan of his storytelling, I didn't want to believe what I first read last summer and did what many of us shouldn't have done but did anyways: Waited to see while "processing" this news.

But after reading Lila Shapiro's extensive research, the truth is undeniable. The isolated and repeated, yet eerily similar claims clearly demonstrate Gaiman's reprehensible conduct has been going on and kept quiet for a very long time.

There can and should be a discussion about separating an artist from their art (or even reflecting as noted by Shapiro repeatedly), but right now, the focus must remain on the behavior of the abuser and empathy for the victims.

As difficult as it was at times to read certain portions of the article, I forced myself to read all of it because I find it vitally important to believe women and to always listen to them. I fully understand why many people cannot (and should not) read this article, but I greatly urge everyone who can (especially Gaiman's fans) to read all of it.

(On a side note, I never knew about Gaiman's Scientology upbringing and his own victimhood until this article, but it doesn't remotely excuse him for his actions)

 

[the G-man]

(On a side note, I never knew about Gaiman's Scientology upbringing and his own victimhood until this article, but it doesn't remotely excuse him for his actions)

Yeah, that was a surprise. I always assume he was raised Jewish. the part about his background did make me think of Jed in “a Dolls House.” Too bad the rest of the article made me think of John Dee, Maddoc and the Corinthian ,

 

[Allyn Gibson]

I knew he'd grown up around scientology, and he definitely didn't have a normal childhood. As you say, not remotely an excuse but it obviously had a major effect on him.

All the Richard Madoc stuff feels very eerie now!

I also thought the Scientology background was common knowledge, yet I keep seeing people today surprised to learn of it.

Gaiman described "One Life, Furnished in Early Moorcock" as autobiographical, and his recent Spider-Man story also delves into his childhood. Comics and fantasy were ways for him to escape his childhood.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Honestly, I'm just as surprised I didn't know. Especially considering how much I loved The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

 

[jaime]

Honestly, I'm just as surprised I didn't know. Especially considering how much I loved The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

Ocean, oddly enough, was the novel of his that made me think there was something not quite right about him. There was some subtext in there — intentional or otherwise that I found disturbing when I read it, haven’t gone back, so can’t tell you specifics — and that’s when I went back to wishing I had continued avoiding his work. Something was a bit… off. Or more accurately, I then more strongly agreed with Mrs Jaime that something was up — we had been to a few of his events and met him, and I had a couple of shared acquaintances.

 

[Set Harth]

I met him once, even got a comic signed by him.

I'd hoped to meet him again, if only because he knows a secret told to him by someone who has since passed away.

I doubt he would be inclined to tell me, but perhaps he could be plied with drugs and alcohol.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

I'd hoped to meet him again, if only because he knows a secret told to him by someone who has since passed away.

I doubt he would be inclined to tell me, but perhaps he could be plied with drugs and alcohol.

You have piqued my interest. What secret do you think you could ply from Gaiman with sufficient alcohol?

 

[Set Harth]

One of the mysteries inherent to a series of books from the 1980s. Gaiman hung out with the author at one point and the guy allegedly spilled the proverbial beans.

I'd really just wanted to air my personal theory of which book was the key to see if I could glean any indication of its merit from his reaction.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

...and it's official. The show is cancelled. No word on when the second season will be released but it sounds like it will still happen.

 

[Saul]

It will definitely happen. It's officially announced as coming 2025 along with the first teaser poster. They probably want to release it when there's a pause in the news in regards to real life stuff.

 

[the G-man]

...and it's official. The show is cancelled. No word on when the second season will be released but it sounds like it will still happen.

Their explanation for the cancellation is pretty lame too, namely, that they ran out of material to adapt (two books into a ten-plus book series)

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Their explanation for the cancellation is pretty lame too, namely, that they ran out of material to adapt (two books into a ten-plus book series)

Indeed. There was plenty of material for at least three, four seasons, maybe even more, depending on how many of the short stories they tackled.

 

[the G-man]

Indeed. There was plenty of material for at least three, four seasons, maybe even more, depending on how many of the short stories they tackled.

Not to mention "Overture"

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Not to mention "Overture"

...and...and...

Well, we get the point.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I debated whether or not to bump this thread. I'm still not even sure if I can bring myself to watch the show because I'm nowhere the point of being able to separate the art from the artist (or whether that should be done). But at the same time, I loved this show and the graphic novels they were based on. Additionally, the show isn't just Gaiman's work, but the work of all of the actors, writers, directors, and the wide-range of production personnel who brought the show alive.

I decided to go ahead and update this thread with the most recent news if only so people who are still invested in the show are informed.

Since the Lila Shapiro article, Netflix announced the season would come out in two parts, which is a surprise considering everything about Gaiman. One would think Netflix would want to release it all at once and be done. There was also a trailer (which I watched once without any joy at the time). The most notable news is the full list of episode titles...and the reveal of a bonus episode:

July 3 (oh, right, nevermind...)

Chapter 1: “Season of Mists”
Chapter 2: “The Ruler of Hell”
Chapter 3: “More Devils Than Vast Hell Can Hold”
Chapter 4: “Brief Lives”
Chapter 5: “The Song of Orpheus”
Chapter 6: “Family Blood”

July 24

Chapter 7: “Time and Night”
Chapter 8: “Fuel for the Fire”
Chapter 9: “The Kindly Ones”
Chapter 10: “Long Live the King”
Chapter 11: “A Tale of Graceful Ends”

July 31

“The Sandman Presents: Death: The High Cost of Living.”

In a different time, I would be elated by the news that we're also getting an adaption of The High Cost of Living , complete with speculation about whether would get more of Death's solo stories as well as maybe even Overture.

Also of note is the fact there are episodes covering Brief Lives and The Kindly Ones, which seemingly confirms the showrunner's previous claim that that the show was always going to be just two seasons. A shame really, especially since it looks like much of the content is heavily abbreviated. Also a shame since many of the one-shot adventures, which were some of the best stories overall, are skipped over entirely.

 

[JD]

July 3rd is next month, today is June 3rd.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

There I go again, confusing those two. I've been doing that a lot in my current job (which is kind of important considering it involves scheduling...).

 

[Nerys Myk]

There I go again, confusing those two. I've been doing that a lot in my current job (which is kind of important considering it involves scheduling...).

So, tomorrow isn't a National Holiday?

 

[The Nth Doctor]

So, tomorrow isn't a National Holiday?

It's a global holiday!

Oops, wrong franchise...