We all know you’re waiting anxiously for the next issue of “Sandman Overture.” In the mean time, we have Toby Litt and Mark Buckingham’s foray into Gaiman’s world with “Dead Boy Detectives” #1. The surprising thing is, this book just might leave you saying “Dream who?”
Written by Toby Litt and Mark Buckingham
Illustrated by Mark Buckingham and Gary ErskineFrom the pages of THE SANDMAN, Neil Gaiman’s dead boys get their own monthly series! As fans of storybook detectives, Edwin Paine (died 1916) and Charles Rowland (died 1990) will take on any and all mysteries—including their own untimely deaths! The dead boys head back to St. Hilarions, where bullying headmasters continue to rule the school. But when they investigate the lingering mysteries of their own deaths, they meet a young girl named Crystal whose tech skills and strange link to the undead earn her a place as a new detective. DEAD BOY DETECTIVES is a fast-paced adventure series that takes us from the bustling streets of contemporary London to Japanese-inspired video games and dangerous worlds perched somewhere between the now and nevermore.
Neil Gaiman’s work on “The Sandman” left a huge mark on the world of comics, both in its masterful level of storytelling and the vast number of new characters and concepts left behind. Many of these creations have since been let loose to be explored by other creators, among which the Dead Boy Detectives stand as the most revisited. After a few short stories in various Vertigo anthologies, it’s extremely exciting to see Toby Litt and Mark Buckinghman have the chance to carry these beloved characters into their own ongoing series.
Somewhat paradoxically, for a Vertigo title, “Dead Boy Detectives” is more light fun than much of DC’s mainline book. This first arc, ‘The New Girl,’ centers on Crystal Palace, daughter of a rock star and an eccentric artist and unfortunate victim of her mother’s latest performance art piece. Litt and Buckinghmam choose well to ground the story through Crystal, a terrific point-of-view character for first time readers.
“Dead Boy Detectives” is extremely new reader friendly. Even as one whose sole exposure to the boys is their appearance in “The Sandman,” I quickly found myself engaged in the story, rather than figuring out the who’s and the whats. Using a divided narrative technique (similar to the one used in “Superman/Batman” and its reversed successor), readers are immediately clued into the personalities of the book’s titular characters. Edwin and Charles are terrifically fun to follow, equally concerned with their treehouse fort as they are with cracking a case. Through the duo, Litt and Buckingham imbue a fun, child-like innocence into the book. In fact, “Dead Boy Detectives” comes surprisingly close to being an all-ages book. That is, assuming your kids aren’t too bothered by death.
Even with its focus on the new, there are plenty of nods that “Sandman” fans will enjoy. One particular member of the Endless is name-dropped, though not surprisingly. Things come full circle as the boys return to St. Hilarion’s, sparking the conflict that will likely run through the opening arc, at the very least. Buckingham also revisits visual and thematic motifs of “The Sandman” #25.
However, Buckingham is not constrained to Matt Wagner’s original vision. His pencils, inked by Gary Erskine and collored by Lee Loughridge, have a fun pop sensibility fitting of the issue’s artistic theme. There’s a slight, underlying zaniness, reminiscent of Mike Allred, without stylized flamboyance. The diverse but muted color palette is both haunting and inviting, the perfect match for a story about friendly child ghosts. Buckingham pulls several design tricks out of his sleeve, from abnormal panel structures, to small grayscale focal panels. Each page feels different, and brings something unique to the reading experience.
The Vertigo line has experienced a renaissance of late, with new and diverse content from a variety of creators. Of course, its always a delight to see the return of old favorites, especially a world as rich as that roamed by the Endless. Litt and Buckingham have proved themselves worthy of playing in this sandbox, crafting a tale that is both fresh and reverent. The new year as only just rung, but believe me when I say “Dead Boy Detectives” is a serious a contender for best new series of 2014.
Final Verdict: 9.2 – Delightfully fun and gorgeously drawn, you don’t want to overlook “Dead Boy Detectives.”
