I picked this up at the library after hearing Neil Gaiman speak at a local college. He was asked a question about Tori Amos and the character of Death in the Sandman DC comics series. I didn't really understand the question at the time, not having read any of the series, but Tori Amos wrote this book's introduction so I understand a bit more now. There is probably more because the book was published in 1994 and the question was asked in 2009.The book stands on its own so I didn't need any previous Sandman background to understand it. There is A Brief History of Death at the end for those interested. There is also Death Talks About Life, an insert from earlier DC comics about AIDS awareness, that became a public service pamphlet. This title was also among the first in the DC Comics Vertigo line for mature readers.The story itself left me ambivalent, the reason I rated it 3 stars. Nothing wrong per se, I just think I'm out of the graphic novel groove. I loved comics into my adult years but now I get annoyed with the artwork because it slows me down. I also like using my imagination to fill in the details of a story in my own way. That removes some of the creative intent in something like a graphic novel doesn't it? I have the same dilemma with movies. ( )

I picked this up at the library after hearing Neil Gaiman speak at a local college. He was asked a question about Tori Amos and the character of Death in the Sandman DC comics series. I didn't really understand the question at the time, not having read any of the series, but Tori Amos wrote this book's introduction so I understand a bit more now. There is probably more because the book was published in 1994 and the question was asked in 2009.The book stands on its own so I didn't need any previous Sandman background to understand it. There is A Brief History of Death at the end for those interested. There is also Death Talks About Life, an insert from earlier DC comics about AIDS awareness, that became a public service pamphlet. This title was also among the first in the DC Comics Vertigo line for mature readers.The story itself left me ambivalent, the reason I rated it 3 stars. Nothing wrong per se, I just think I'm out of the graphic novel groove. I loved comics into my adult years but now I get annoyed with the artwork because it slows me down. I also like using my imagination to fill in the details of a story in my own way. That removes some of the creative intent in something like a graphic novel doesn't it? I have the same dilemma with movies. ( )

Summary: Once every century, Death of the Endless must spend one day as a human, so that she knows what life, and what mortality really feel like. On this one day, she encounters Sexton Furnival, a jaded and bored sixteen-year-old. Sexton thinks she's just some strange girl with a tenuous grip on sanity, but as he tags along, he can't help but be charmed by her joyful, whimsical, open approach to life. The day is not entirely full of wonderful things, however: Mad Hettie is pestering Death to find her heart, which she hid over a hundred years ago, and a creature who calls himself the Eremite is trying to steal her ankh, and so gain the source of her power. This collection also includes a brief PSA about AIDS entitled "Death Talks About Life."

Review: I don't know how anyone could read this and not come out smitten with Death. She's been my favorite of the Endless since her first appearance in the Sandman series, and seeing her actually getting to experience life as a mortal is thoroughly charming. There's something reassuring, too, in the idea that Death is a cute and perky Goth girl, someone who already knows you, and welcomes you, and is kind and will listen to you and cares about your life.

As a story... I don't know. Not all of the plot threads are thoroughly woven in, particularly about the Eremite, which you might think would leave things feeling somewhat unresolved. At base, there's not a whole lot to this story other than watching Death bubble her way around New York City trailing Sexton in her wake... but she's so charming that it's just about enough.

Again, I wish I'd read this one a little closer to where it falls in the timeline of the main Sandman series - not because it doesn't make sense out of order, but because I know many of the characters in this volume (Mad Hettie, for one) have shown up elsewhere, and it's been long enough that I can't remember the details. There's also a scene involving Hazel and Foxglove that gets shown in flashback/memory in Death: The Time of Your Life, so that was a neat little connection to what I'd already read (out of order). 4 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Most enjoyable as a character piece rather than a story proper, but if you haven't yet met Death, this can be picked up independent of the main Sandman volumes, and she's sure to charm your socks off. ( )

Not even close to my favorite of Gaiman's. And I usually adore the Eternals. I don't know why I wasn't all that impressed. It just seemed like nothing happened, and yet, if I read you a list of the trouble Death gets herself into you'd assume it would all happen in an awesome, interesting way. Could have been much better. I know Gaiman is capable of more... ( )

This book will satisfy fans of the Sandman series (and devotees of Death in particular) who are forever looking to quench their desire for more of the endless.
This short little story takes place on the one day (in a 100 years) when Death lives as a human to better appreciate the human experience and thus better fufill her own role. We meet Sexton who seems a very typical teen- sick of life and thinking nothing matters. Sexton is shortly to meet Death and spend a night together which will open his eyes to the potential inherent in every aspect of life.
This was a fantastic story but is best appreciated if the reader has the background of reading all the sandman tales first. ( )