Sandman: Overture

 

Over 20 years ago I picked up my now much-read and much-loved copy of Sandman: Seasons of Mist. It changed my life - I became a Sandman/Gaiman obsessive - collecting everything to do with the Endless Family. Over the years I've spent thousands of dollars on signed and rare oddities (see hmmm for example); queued for hours for readings and signings, and had brief chats with Neil Himself.

I always wanted to work on the Sandman, but never knew how that would happen, especially after it stopped publishing! When I found out that there was going to be a prequel to the series coming out this year I set about getting myself in there. Imagine my delight this morning to wake up to 2 double page spreads from issue 1 sitting in my DropBox waiting to be flatted for Dave Stewart - I don't even know how to start them!

In celebration of working on the new Sandman I treated myself to a few new goodies - a signed  Number 1 and some lovely figures.

Faster

I just bought this wonderful print by Nick Roche. He's raising money for the Irish Cancer Society.

Nick says: "I've made a limited-to-100 copies run of this A3 (29.7cm x 42cm) full-colour 160gsm print, which I call 'FASTER'. The print will cost €10, of which every penny will go to the Irish Cancer Society, with additional costs covering postage and packaging. Each copy will come signed by myself, and individually numbered."

Pop over to his blog and grab a copy before they're all snapped up!

Going on a Joyride

Image © Gene Ha and Todd Klein, all rights reserved.

I just picked up the tenth print in Todd Klein's 11 by 17-inch alphabetical series – I don't have a hall long enough for the entire alphabet. Artist Gene Ha has illustrated a key moment from the story of Bellerophon, a hero of Greek myth, who has captured the winged horse Pegasus and returned to his lady love, Princess Philona of Lycia to give her the ride of her life. Gene’s exceptional art is enhanced by his gray tones and pale pink spot color hand-painted by Todd on each print. Pick one up here before they're all gone! Todd also blogs about the print's creation here.

Tyrant In Slumberland

Just received this beautiful limited-edition print from Steven Bissette and Chuck Forsman - not sure how many are left, so be quick about ordering one!

Hmmm...

Just bought this Neil Gaiman signed Doctor Who: Monster Invasion Extreme series card off ebay. Why? Neil Gaiman and Doctor Who, that's why! Don't tell Mrs Saturate.

Batmanthulu

This beautifully moody Batman by Mike Dubisch just made it into my collection (a companion piece to my other Dubisch masterpiece).

Mike does private commissions - so head over to facebook, friend him and get yourself an original!

Lego Minecraft FTW!

This summer, Lego will ship an official Minecraft "Micro World" set, with blocks designed to look like the primitives used for construction in the popular game/virtual playset.

Help Steve survive his first night in a strange new world. Avoid the creeper and start mining for resources that will help you survive and thrive. Configure your four micro-scale LEGO Minecraft modules any way you like. Build your own mines and hills, and expand your world with multiple sets. Includes four LEGO Minecraft modules, hidden resources, extra pieces for wood, dirt, and stone, two "Micro Mobs;" Steve and a creeper.

You can preorder for $34.99 now on J!NX. 

Murder Mysteries

Just dug out another gem from my collection – a limited edition block print of a wood engraving for Neil Gaiman's Murder Mysteries by the fantastic Gerorge Walker of Biting Dog Press. I've actually just received another extremely rare (so rare that there's only one in existence – and it's mine!) Neil Gaiman piece done by the BDP which I'll stick up at some stage soon.

Lego Moleskine notebooks

 Two of the greatest creative products together at last – Lego and Molskine – a triumph of style and marketing! It's like a peanut butter and jam sandwich for the soul. Buy here.

BTW today also marks 54th anniversary of Lego being patented.

What I'm reading today...

This gorgeous book arrived yesterday: The Fracture of the Universal Boy by Michael Zulli. Its about time too – I paid for it in February 2011 – but I guess that's one of the downsides of backing something through Kickstarter (the upsides being too many to mention!).

Nearly 10 years in the making, The Fracture of the Universal Boy is a beautifully produced 200+ page, black and white, oversized hardcover graphic novel produced by Eidolon Fine Arts – with a signed  print included. Also, its nice to get a credit as a patron in a book like this.

Feckin' Goblins everywhere!

  

Another recent acquisition – a gift for Mrs Saturate: A very rare remarked artist's proof print of Goblins from the classic 1979 Brian Froud and Alan Lee book Faeries. 25" x 34", signed with numerous sketches by Brian Froud. One of my proudest posessions!

Swamp Thing

I "acquired" this beautiful watercolour of Swamp Thing by Mike Dubisch over the weekend - endorsed by Stephen Bissette himself!

Alphabets of Desire: I

Just ordered the ninth print in Todd Klein's series – this time with words by Dave Gibbons. I don't have a wall big enough for this complete collection! Head over to Todd and purchase a copy of this limited edition print.