Does anybody have any backstory on why Gaiman included so many characters from Moore's Swamp Thing run — John Constantine, Etrigan, Matthew? Was it just because they were friends? Because he was calling back to Vertigo's previous landmark series? I'm guessing it was both of those things, but wondering if he's ever…

Yeah, I believe I'd heard that. Anyway, not trying to knock the guy.

Yeah, I believe I'd heard that. Anyway, not trying to knock the guy.

Also not invented by Gaiman (among many others, of course, but this one surprised me): Destiny!

Also not invented by Gaiman (among many others, of course, but this one surprised me): Destiny!

Yeah, the changing art is one of the most brilliant aspects of the series as a whole.

Yeah, the changing art is one of the most brilliant aspects of the series as a whole.

My favorite moments from Preludes, in order:

My favorite moments from Preludes, in order:

Yeah, I generally recommend people start with either Doll's House or Season of Mists and then go backward to pick up what they missed. That's how I happened to do it, anyway, and it worked for me.

Yeah, I generally recommend people start with either Doll's House or Season of Mists and then go backward to pick up what they missed. That's how I happened to do it, anyway, and it worked for me.

Mmm, I don't know. I think the point is that it is the ultimate answer, that it's all that's left when all is lost. I can't think of an answer that would have beat it, even if Choronzon had had more time. ("I am David Foster Wallace–level chronic depression," maybe? Or "I am Snooki, writing a book"?)

Mmm, I don't know. I think the point is that it is the ultimate answer, that it's all that's left when all is lost. I can't think of an answer that would have beat it, even if Choronzon had had more time. ("I am David Foster Wallace–level chronic depression," maybe? Or "I am Snooki, writing a book"?)

Really, @avclub-6997a8bd0e1042b70b60c5c879a1780e:disqus? It kinda took my breath away the first time I read it. Not to mention, it's a minor theme, at least, running through the whole series.

Really, @avclub-6997a8bd0e1042b70b60c5c879a1780e:disqus? It kinda took my breath away the first time I read it. Not to mention, it's a minor theme, at least, running through the whole series.

HOPE.

HOPE.

This sounds so reminiscent of Psycho that even just reading the unspoilered review was enough to make me think the source film was Psycho — and I've never actually seen Psycho.

This sounds so reminiscent of Psycho that even just reading the unspoilered review was enough to make me think the source film was Psycho — and I've never actually seen Psycho.

That Jason Priestley episode is a fucking classic. "Rub your hiney on that leather!"