2007-10-23 Not the gaiman sandman but equally brilliant

In the 1930's/1940's there were a great many comic book superheroes and masked vigilanties created, many of whom had rather short publishing lives. One was wesley dodds, the sandman. new york resident and skilled detective, he solves crimes by dressing up in a suit and gasmask and spraying people with a gas of his own making that knocks you out and makes you tell the truth.

When Neil Gaiman wrote his acclaimed comics fantasy sandman, he took the name of the character, but kept nothing else, creating an all new work. although wesley did make two brief appearances in the sandman.

However, in the early 1990's vertigo comics, who do comics tackling mature themes for grown up readers, resurrected the original sandman for an all new series. They called it sandman mystery theatre to differentiate it from the gaiman version.

This collects the first four part story, in which new york city is in the grip of fear as a serial killer called the tarantula is on the loose. At the same time, dian belmont, free spirited daughter of the DA, meets socialite wesley dodds. Both are caught up in the case. and there's an unedeniable attraction.

A wonderful series that worked on so many levels. a superb love story involving two characters you really care about, a gritty detective mystery, a superb evocation of 1930's new york: this is pulp fiction and film noir done for the comics page. and if the style of both genres appeals to you, then you'll love this. Interestingly stylish artwork from guy davis really captures the required atmosphere and makes this something special