The beloved supernatural characters created by Neil Gaiman, Matt Wagner, and Malcolm Jones III for 1991’s The Sandman #25 are back. The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #1 — by writer Pornsak Pichetshote, artist Jeff Stokely, colorist Miquel Muerto, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou — continues the adventures of Charles Rowland and Edwin Paine, as they embark on a new adventure into the world of the occult and paranormal. The issue serves as a great jumping-on point for new fans who may not be familiar with these characters.
The title reintroduces Charles and Edwin, two dead children who also happen to be detectives. Charles and Edwin are hired by another child, Timmy, who is concerned about the whereabouts of his neighbor, Jai Sirikul. The Dead Boy Detectives accept the assignment and set out to find out what happened to Jai. What they discover, though, is another sprawling mystery featuring elements of Thai culture and its beliefs about the paranormal.
Pichetshote strikes a healthy balance between humor and horror in The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #1. Charles and Edwin aren’t comedic characters per se, but they bring a lighthearted energy to a story rife with terror. In a way, the writing of the two leads is reminiscent of Douglas Adams’ Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, as the two provide a lot of comedic relief amidst the tension and mystery. Their banter makes this issue fun to read despite the grim subject matter.
Pichetshote ensures new readers will be able to dive into the story even if they’re unfamiliar with the Dead Boy Detectives or The Sandman. Even if someone hasn’t heard of these titles or characters before, they will be able to pick up the book and enjoy an entertaining story. There’s a brief overview Charles and Edwin, along with some other essential characters, but it isn’t a rehash of an origin story or an exposition dump. Instead, Pichetshote establishes the world and its characters while introducing the story in a palatable and easy-to-understand way.
Applying a similar amalgamation of humor and horror, Stokely brings a dash of playfulness to the artwork. Even in the most macabre
moments, the terror is more cartoonish than nefarious. Sure, an image of a decapitated head or a body-horror monster isn’t exactly something that a Saturday morning cartoon would feature, nor is it as visceral or stomach-turning as Valiant’s Book of Shadows. The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #1’s secret weapon is Muerto’s coloring. The colorist controls the mood using lively shades on each page. When the mood gets glum, Muerto paints it black but never forgets a splash of vibrancy to keep the book from becoming too dark or frightening.
While The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives is a part of The Sandman’s section of the DC Universe, it feels like something fresh and free from shared world narrative sandboxes. The issue never feels overwhelming or daunting, as it favors simplicity and good storytelling over references to established continuity. It’s a soft reboot that’s sure to satisfy the established fan base and reel in new readers.
