Customer Reviews

The Vamp (Sandman Mystery Theater, Book 3)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think he would have come up with this character. The Sandman was always, amongst the Golden Age heroes, something of an anamoly - when others dressed in brightly colored spandex, the Sandman wore a gas mask, business suit, fedora, & cape. Matt Wagner & Guy Davis come up with one of the most unique "re-inventions" of the character, creating a horrific image straight out of WWI (with an appropriate gas mask) and putting a unique hero amongst a word where corruption and prestige walk hand in hand. This arc - which may or may not be a "rewriting" of a Golden Age classic (the Tarantula was, believe it or not, the Sandman's first foe) also has the trademarks of classic pulp fiction, including the seedy goings-on of a prominent family, a kidnapping, several murders....

OK, this proves that comics aren't just for adults, and personally, I wish they would release more graphic novels (including the "Man of the Hour" arc, which had a unique take on Hourman). However, let this be your introduction into a unique series that, although never was a million seller, had a charm all its own.

I confess: I only collected this book off and on during it's run, more off than on unfortunately, and now, after reading this trade and another, sorely regret my decision. This was one of the inaugral offering from DC's Vertigo imprint, and some probably felt that it was made to ride on the coat tails of the mega-popular Sandman book, but Sandman Mystery Theater stands on its own, mainly because it (for the most part) skews the fantasy elements of Gaiman's series, and instead opts for a noir, hard-boiled feel. The stories here are firmly grounded in the real world (save for Wesley's dreams). The writing is tight and focused, setting up and resolving the mystery in four parts (compare that with the ponderous storylines of today). Along the way, we're escorted into a world of vice, corruption and decadence. And it's absolutely beautiful.

Nobody has reviewed this book. You're kidding me right? This has to be the finest detective series modern comics has produced in years and no one has reviewed it? Yeesh. The Sandman was one of DC Comics earliest characters, and little more than a glorified Batman clone at best. But Wagner and artist Guy Davis take the walking cliche and make him into a driven individual determined to right injustice. But its the world of the classic Sandman that is so good: its the real New York of the '30s, complete with speakeasies and dives, the Depression, and immigrants; not at all like the WASPs usually populating the comics of the 1930s and '40s. The characters are 3D, especially the Sandman's alter-ego Wesley Dodds and his future girlfriend Diane Belmont. She in particular holds the reader's interest, because she is clearly the most capable detective, even though no one takes her seriously. No one save Wesley. . .and the Sandman. Fans of Neil Gaiman's fiction may know Morpheus, and a little about Wesley Dodds. But they don't know the whole story until they pick up this excellent graphic novel. Sadly, Sandman Mystery Theatre ended its run not long ago, but for the adventurous there's still a chance to find back issues in your local comic shop. Now if they'd only start collecting this excellent series in trade paperbacks, I'd be a happy man.

First of all let me say that people who are looking for a title themed like Neil Gaimans Sandman, this book is not it. This title ties in a little bit every now and then but that's it for comparisation, it's a totally different ball-park, a totally different sort of comic. What this is is a very fine (non-supernatural) detective story (this particular book collects #1-4, the complete "Tarantula" story-arc) based around "The Sandman", a revamped character from the early days of DC. The Sandman is a guy with a secret identity dressed in a John Constatine coat, an Al Capone hat, a gasmask and a gaspistol, who acts as a secret detective and tries to solve crimes his way.

About the story: An anonymous kidnapper who calls himself 'The Tarantula, is on the loose and he claims his vistims rapidly. He shows to be extremely violent and not fearing any act of brutality to show he's meaning business in getting what he wants. The police are without a clue and don't know where to start. And does the Tarantula really pick his victims so randomly ? Meanwhile the commisioners daughter has taken an interest in a young man named Wesley Dodds who seems remarkably interested in the case, and there's also the mystery of the man who's going all over town wearing a gasmask and carying a gaspistol, attacking people who seem possibly related to the Tarantula.

Like I said, it's not a Gaiman's Sandman type of book but more of a detective book set in a time about 60 years back. While reading it you'll really get the feeling you're watching a police detective series on TV. People who enjoy titles like Sin City and possibly even Top Ten lovers (provided they don't have a problem with this book not involving characters that aren't out of the ordinary) will have a very good time with it. It's a complex story which requires some attention while reading but it's very much worth it in the end. Try it out sometimes because the fact this book was never a big hit doesn't say anything about it's quality.

Sure, Neil Gaiman's Sandman gets all the praise, but I prefer Matt Wagner's version of the Golden Age Sandman, which is modified to tie in loosely with Gaiman's stories. This wonderful series ended several years ago, and DC/Vertigo is hesitant to collect the story arcs, for some unknown reason. Thankfully, they at least released "The Tarantula", issues 1-4, for our reading and viewing pleasure. This book adequately sets up the series, fleshing out Wesley Dodds and the supporting characters as has never been done before. Guy Davis' artwork is beautiful, understated, and is the perfect match for Wagner's story. Don't let the fact that this series is "noirish" keep you away (this is no paper-thin Sin City). The story has depth and feeling, and enough plot to warrant multiple reads.

During the late 80s and well into the 90s, Neil Gaimans "Sandman" series was the talk of the comic collecting community. Spinning off of that series was Matt Wagners "Sandman Mystery Theatre". In this series, Wagner and artist Guy Davis brought back the original golden age Sandman, Wesley Dodds. However, unlike the Golden Age stories, these were much darker, violent, and graphic tales of crime. Wagner also brings back a former "Adventure Comics" Sandman villain...The Tarantula. However, Wagners version of Tarantula is far more horrific than anything one could see in a 1940s comic book.

This trade collects the first, four chapter story arc titled "The Tarantula". This story re-introduces Wesley Dodds, The Sandman. However, this isn't the handsome, square jawed hero of the golden age, just an average looking guy who, unlike everyone else, can actually see the evil in the world while others seem to be sleepwalking past it. Dodds and the police are on a parallel trail to find a violent criminal known as the Tarantula who is kidnapping well to do young women.
Also concerned is daughter of the DA, Diane Belmont. One of her friends has been kidnapped and this awakens something in Diane. She slowly starts a journey of self awareness, her head no longer in the sand. Dodds has already taken this journey and is fully awake to the evil and corruption that surrounds them all. Armed with his sleeping gas gun, a WW1 era gas mask and an uncanny ability to avoid being seen by others, Dodd's uncovers layer after layer of evil on his path to confront the Tarantula.

Wagners writing is excellent. Evocative of some of the best pulp crime stories of the 30s, Wagner weaves a layered and complex tale that really draws in and involves the reader. While Guy Davis' art initially seemed adequate, his style suits the story and he draws characters going through physical changes as they become more "aware" of the evil around them and by the end of the story, Davis style had won me over completely. The trade has a great analytical introduction by Dave Marsh.

It's a story that you'll want to read more than once. You'll see things that you didn't catch the first time around. Chances are that you'll want to read the rest of the Mystery Theatre volumes and follow these very intriguing characters that Wagner takes on a suspenseful, intense and dangerous journey.

I'm afraid to say I didn't like this as much as I was hoping. And a big part of it was the artwork. Just not my cup of tea. I love the idea of the "noir"-ish style, but the art turned me off the book. Still, it's a decent story and not a total waste.

The Sandman was a cult comics character in the 90s and The Sandman Mystery Theatre was an update of the Golden Age 1930s version of The Sandman but made in the 90s to keep it fresh. This first entry in the graphic novel series gets the series going. The title character is depicted with trench coat, gas mask and gas gun, listed in the DC heroes game with godlike psychic powers. An interesting, addicting twist on 90s gothic comics that keeps serious readers interested with an aura of mystery and suspense. Recommended for mature readers, contains at times nudity and swearing, but kept classy and non violent.