Yeah, I write a library column for the local paper...

Kieran's Notes from the back room : For those of you caught unaware of the anniversary of a major event of our times, let me let you in on the big news. It is the 20th anniversary of the release of the first “The Sandman” comic book by Neil Gaiman. Yup, indeed, a milestone. I remember it clearly. It was the cover art that attracted me, then the story knocked me to my knees. “The Sandman” had a 75 issue run – that is 6 years of continuous publication, one issue a month, one chapter at a time. It may sound like hyperbole to say that “The Sandman” changed the face of the comic book industry but, “The Sandman” became a cult success for DC Comics and attracted an audience unlike that of mainstream comics: half the readership was female, many were in their twenties, and many read no other comics at all. It was not your typical adolescent boy comic book fare. By the time the series concluded, it was outselling the titles of DC's flagship character Superman. Outselling Superman, dang. See, the thing about “The Sandman” that was really different was that it wasn't about superheros. It incorporated elements of classical and contemporary mythology, and ultimately placed its protagonist in the role of a tragic hero. But no tights and cape, no good guy vs. bad guy motif, just classic storytelling and hot illustrations. Twenty years ago, it blew me away, and still does today. I guess that is what makes it a classic. You can find many classics in our library, and you can find “The Sandman” in the graphic novel section. Come by the back room next time your in the library and tell me about your favorite classic novel. Oh, by the way, Thursday December 18th we are hosting a holiday party. Stop by between 4-6 p.m. and eat, drink and chat with the library denizen.