The first batch of the Sandman's adventures are chronicled in this volume reprinting stories from ADVENTURE COMICS #40-57, NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939, and NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1940 (circa 1940-41). Plus, an intro by Jim Amash, co-editor of Alter Ego.
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39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Suprisingly unique Golden Age stories.,
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This review is from: Golden Age Sandman Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)
In the 1990s, one of the comics that routinely found its way to the top of my reading pile was "Sandman Mystery Theatre", published by DC Comics under its mature-readers "Vertigo" imprint. In this series, writer Matt Wagner (later joined by Steven T. Seagle) and artist (most of the time) Guy Davis took one of the lower tier golden age super-heroes, Wesley Dodds, the Sandman, and re-wrote his adventures, still set in the late 1930s, with a more mature, adult audience in mind (it was also an obvious attempt to spin-off Neil Gaiman's popular "Sandman" series, which did incorporate Wesley Dodds as a background element).
When the series was cancelled, I was honestly crushed. So, imagine my pleasure when I learned that DC was finally beginning to reprint the series in trade paperback form. Imagine my additional delight to learn that, as part of a tie in, DC was releasing an archive edition of the Sandman's golden age stories. I am happy to say that the material found in "The Golden Age Sandman Archives" is much better than your average golden age fare. Now, there's no denying the importance of the Golden Age. But, it was not a time of huge sophistication in the medium. Stories were short, simple, and plot driven. The characters, including the lead, were usually mostly stock characters, with certain quirks to distinguish them from other characters. The Sandman did have certain stock traits, but there were some fairly critical distinctions from other Golden Age mystery men. In brief, for reasons not made clear, Wesley Dodds, rich playboy (like some many others) decides to combat crime. While he has no superpowers, he is in great physical condition with a keen intellect. Thus, he dons a gas-mask and makes use of a gun that fires sleeping gas (hence his name), and leaves sand at the scene of his captures. But that's where the "standard" qualities end. "The Sandman" was actually quite unique for a few reasons. First, Dodds outside his costume was no slouch. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Wes Dodds didn't put up a facade of the spoiled rich boy who flinches at the first sign of danger. Indeed, in one story, Dodds, conveniently carrying a gun when a restaurant is robbed, takes a few shots at the crooks. Second, more mundanely, the Sandman's costume was his gas-mask, his cape, his fedora, and . . . a green business suit. Yep, it wasn't until Joe Simon (co-creator of "Captain America", among others) and Jack Kirby (also co-creator of Cap, as well as about half the Marvel Universe) came onboard that the Sandman took a more traditional super-hero flavor. Finally, "The Sandman" series was unique for its female lead, Dian Belmont, Wes Dodds girlfriend, daughter of the DA, and the Sandman's able sidekick. Unlike so many other female leads, Dian was not simply killing time with the hero's civilian identity until he could put on his mask and save her. Dian was a vital part of the Sandman's life and career. While Wes did have to save Dian on occasion, Dian also saved Wes a few times. These differences make the series unique among most of the other golden age stories DC produced. In terms of the quality of the stories, "The Sandman" can be hit or miss, though with noticeably more hits. Given his obviously pulp-inspired nature, the Sandman spent most of his time duking it out with thugs and racketeers, although his early adventures did find him in more "high adventure" style stories, a la Doc Savage, with Dodds using his flying prowess to battle air-pirates with a vendetta in "The Three Sandmen", and battling a group of hostile natives in "Island Uprising". When the prolific Gardner Fox came aboard, the stories became far more crime oriented, with Sandman and Dian battling jewel thieves and loan sharks. It's worth noting how much Wagner and company kept from the original strips in "Mystery Theatre". Early in the volume, Wes slips out in costume, leaving a doll to sleep in his bed. While this gimmick was only used once in the golden age, it was a trademark of Wagner's series. Likewise, at least two villains, the Tarantula and the Face, did make appearances here, although it appears they were one time villains. In the 90s, the first two story arcs took their name from each respective villain. Naturally, the plots were wildly different, as Wagner made full use of his mature-readers stamp to make both characters super-brutal monsters. It's also worth noting that the dashing Dodds of past was replaced with a more pudgy, booking, but far more driven one in SMT. This volume has quickly risen high on my list of favorite golden age archive editions. There's just so much about it that's unique and refreshing. Plus, those little references that were used in the 90s made me smile. Definitely a keeper.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Weed of crime bears..er..What evil lurks..um..Hey it's the Sandman!,
By Michael Noga "Jumping kings and making Haste ... (Ramen Noodle Arms Bachelor Apartments near Chicago Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Golden Age Sandman Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)
The other reviews explained who the Sandman was and his importance in the comic world. I will agree that he is definitely a cut above the standard Golden Age Fare. The stories don't include some of the weird villains you might find in Batman or even occassionally in the Shadow, which might explain in part why the Sandman didn't quite stick around as long as a few of the other heroes. But the stories are still pretty interesting as Wesley Dodds matches his wits, his dukes and his famous gas gun against all manner of blackguards, while enjoying a bit of a shady reputation with The Law himself. The art is good too, dynamic and atomospheric at the same time. And of course, the Sandman's relationship with Dian Belmont was way ahead of it's time.
Here's a listing of the stories presented in this volume. Let's hope there's a #2. 1939-Sandman at the World's Fair.-The Sandman thwarts thieves who steal a deadly new raygun from the World's Fair! July 1939-The Tarantula Strikes-The Sandman K.O.'s a wily kidnapper! August 1939-On the Waterfront-The Sandman saves a girl reporter from a nefarious narcotics ring! September 1939-The Three Sandmen-The Sandman and two Navy buddies take to the air to clip the wings of some Sky Pirates! October 1939-Island Uprising-For some reason the Sandman is in the South Pacific rescuing pearl hunters from the scurvy "Red" Hatch and his native levies! November 1939-The Sandman meets The Face-The Sandman, rather casually, does away with the murderous Master of Disguise known as The Face! December 1939-The Golden Gusher-The Golden Gusher is a saucy blonde nite club singer who entangles the Sandman in a kidnapping racket! January 1940-The Sandman meets with Murder-The Sandman bankrupts a devious cross dressing conterfeiter named The Coin, who uses advertising to confound the law! February 1940-Lady in Evening Clothes-The Sandman catches his future girlfriend Dian Belmont breaking into his(Wesley Dodds') house safe in oder to learn the true identity of her father. Pushover for a safecracker that he is, he decides to help her and brings a band of murderers to justice in the process! March 1940-Death to the D.A.-The Sandman and Dian Belmont make a formidable duo as they save Dian's father from ruthless racketeers and "The Digger in the Dark"! April 1940-Common Cold-Uncommon Crime-Scheming villains use lethal black widow spiders as unusual murder weapons in an attepmt to steal the cure for the common cold from Dr. Lovejoy! 1940-Sandman goes to the World's Fair-The Sandman delivers Dian and her frail Aunt Agatha from the clutches of Slugger Slade at The World's Fair. Plus, Aunt Agatha vs. the Parachute Jump! May 1940-Tuffy and Limpy's Revenge plot-The Sandman is run off the road by a car with a dead man at the wheel! June 1940-The Van Leew Emeralds-Wesley and Dian's night on the town is ruined by a pack on inconsiderate jewel thieves! July 1940-Wanted:Dead or Alive-The theft of a simple pair of gloves from his house sends Wesley Doods, Dian Belmont and the Sandman Slam Bang up against the Amber Apple Gang! August 1940-The Loan Sharks-Gorilla Gus brings his cheap tough business methods to town, until the Sandman makes a monkey out of him! September 1940-The Case of the Kidnapped Heiress-Lil' Nana is kidnapped from her very own coming out party, along with Dian Belmont. Luckily the Sandman is on the guest list! October 1940-Star of Singapore-The Sandman cements his reputation as the best safecracker in town while checkmating a team of avaricious jewel thieves! November 1940-The Crook Who Knew the Sandman's Identity-How far will Wes Dodds go to protect his secret identity from the man called..."Squat"!? December 1940-To Hammer the Earth-In an unusaully sci-fi-ish yarn, the Sandman thwarts a mad scientist from knocking the Earth out of orbit with a "uranium beam". He also quotes Archimedes. January 1941-Orchids of Doom-A spy uses a mysterious orchid to snuff out those on to his infernal machinations in a most grisly manner! Can the Sandman prune his evil schemes? February 1941-The Story of the Flaming Ruby-A cursed Ruby with the power to control men's minds sends Sandman and Dian on a wild free-for-all! That's 22 gloriously reproduced stories from comics' Golden Age. Definitely worth every penny.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Women with power amid guys with gasmasks,
By
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This review is from: Golden Age Sandman Archives, Vol. 1 (DC Archive Editions) (Hardcover)
I am a huge Golden age fan and this was one of the ones I held back on a bit as I thought how would they sustain good stories with such a flimsy premise. Well after Diane Belmont drops in this becomes one of the more progressive books of the Golden age. She's a wildcat and besides been his girlfriend, Diane seems to take every story forward in very unusual ways. These are GREAT stories that deserve more than a casual read. They could almost be written in the Silver age with the twists and adventures they have. Now its odd I don't want to go to where Sandy drops in and the superhero costume as the gasmask and Wesley's detective sense are the tour de force. 5 stars and many return reads :)
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