Free Sandman Mystery Theatre Book One (Sandman Mystery Theater (Graphic Novels)) Ebooks Online
Written by comics legend Matt Wagner and illustrated by acclaimed artists Guy Davis, John Watkiss and R.G. Taylor, this first volume of the complete SANDMAN MYSTERY THEATRE collects issues #1-12 of the classic Vertigo series and features an insightful introduction by author and pop culture historian Dave Marsh. The year is 1938, and the world is holding its breath—mesmerized by the onrushing storm that will soon engulf it in fire and steel. In New York City, one man’s sleep is filled with tormenting visions of the evils that mankind visits upon itself, compelling him to act. And so, by night, Wesley Dodds lays aside the trappings of his inherited wealth to roam the shadows as the Sandman, armed with a tranquilizing gas gun and driven by an unrelenting sense of justice. Haunted and obsessed, the Sandman moves through a decadent, post-Depression landscape, stalking the predators who hide themselves beneath society’s callous indifference to the weak and vulnerable. No one sees him at his work until he chooses to reveal himself—no one, that is, except the woman who is destined to be the light to his darkness.
Series: Sandman Mystery Theater (Graphic Novels)
Paperback: 328 pages
Publisher: Vertigo (June 21, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1401263275
ISBN-13: 978-1401263270
Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.7 x 10.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #86,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #97 in Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Graphic Novels > Mystery
While Neil Gaiman's Sandman shall be always rembered as "The Sandman" this 23 year old series was also excellent. It started in 1993 and ran 70 issues. The last two years have never even been collected. While I was kind of hoping for a series of Deluxe Hard Covers like Fables or Y The Last Man, I am happy enough that it is being repackaged in these 12 issue Omnibus Trade Paperback Editions. This collects the first three trade paperbacks and is 328 pages. It has an introduction by Dave Marsh and a couple of extras in the back including Trading Card images done for the 1994 Vertigo Trading Cards.For those worried about such things the cover displayed by was not the final cover version. I will attempt to post a photo on my copy.This series is loosely based on the Golden Age series which ran from 1941 to 1946. This series actually ran six years, a year longer then the original golden age series. Unlike the light hearted golden age stories which were light and fast paced fun, these stories are very dark and very adult featuring torture, murder, rape, nudity, mutilation, incest and other very mature subjects.The stories are written by Mage and Grendel creator Matt Wagner. The stories run four issues each with a new artist on each of the three storylines collected here. The art is from Guy Davis, John Watkins and TG Taylor. While the fine line art of Guy Davis is my favorite they all share an realistic style which is very anti-superhero. Davis style is very intricate while the other two have a broader "AlexToth" like style.While Wesley Dodds is secretly the pulp hero The Sandman who wears a gask mask and carries a gas gun, equally billing should go to his partner Dian Belmont , daughter of the District Attorney.
First off, this isn't directly related to Neil Gaiman's Classic Sandman. This is about Wesley Dodds, the original Golden Age Sandman. We don't get an origin story for this series at the beginning, but for now we do not need one. What matters is the mystery and intrigue surrounding Wesley Dodds and how he and Dian interact while he explores the criminal underworld. We do get hints as to what happened to make him become the Sandman, his travels in "The Orient", but that's all we get for now. Hints. And I like this. I also like how well the 1930s are portrayed. This is Depression Era New York at its dankest. Bigotry, violence, poverty, it's all here and it's perfect for the story this series is telling. Wesley is a great leading character. He's not portrayed as handsome or fit. He's a young man with thinning hair combed back, glasses, and a seemingly scholarly attitude, a great contrast to his alter ego as the Sandman. Dian Belmont herself is a great character and a perfect foil for Wesley. I like their interactions and the build up of their relationship. They don't start out as boyfriend and girlfriend of course. They grow and develop as characters and this is perfect for the series.The Cases shown in this series are very Noir with very disturbing twists and turns with despicable people that the Sandman goes against. While it's not bad, the tone can be a bit... overwhelming. Especially with one instance in the Third Arc that will leave you very uncomfortable and for some it may be a deal breaker. I will not say what it is, but when you see it, you will know. Still, the tone doesn't feel jarring. It fits the book and what it has set out to do.Now for the art. The art switches from arc to arc. And for the most part, it works for each story and the tone of the overall series.
Sandman Mystery Theatre Book One (Sandman Mystery Theater (Graphic Novels)) Graphic Classics Volume 4: H. P. Lovecraft - 2nd Edition (Graphic Classics (Graphic Novels)) The Wright Brothers: A Graphic Novel (Campfire Graphic Novels) The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: The Graphic Novel (Campfire Graphic Novels) Harry Houdini: A Graphic Novel (Campfire Graphic Novels) The Call of the Wild: The Graphic Novel (Campfire Graphic Novels) How to Run a Theater: Creating, Leading and Managing Professional Theater The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Focus on the Family Radio Theater) (Focus on the Family Radio Theater) Thea Stilton Graphic Novels #6: "The Thea Sisters and the Mystery at Sea" The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Teen's Edition: Mezzo-Soprano/Alto/Belter Book Only (Vocal Collection) (Singers Musical Theater Anthology: Teen's Edition) The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Teen's Edition: Soprano Book Only (Vocal Collection) (Singers Musical Theater Anthology: Teen's Edition) The Greetings from Somewhere Collection: Mysteries Around the World: The Mystery of the Gold Coin; The Mystery of the Mosaic; The Mystery of the Stolen Painting; The Mystery in the Forbidden City Stories on Stage: Children's Plays for Readers Theater, With 15 Reader's Theatre Play Scripts From 15 Authors Folktales on Stage: Children's Plays for Readers Theater, with 16 Reader's Theatre Play Scripts from World Folk and Fairy Tales and Legends, Including Asian, African, Middle Eastern, & Native American World War One: 1914-1918 (Campfire Graphic Novels) Back to War: Graphic Novel: Episode One (Corps Justice Graphic Novel Series Book 1) The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume 2: Mezzo-Soprano/Belter Book Only (Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology (Songbooks)) The Dramatic Imagination: Reflections and Speculations on the Art of the Theatre, Reissue (Theatre Arts Book) The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology - Volume 1: Baritone/Bass Book Only (Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology (Songbooks)) Comic Book Design: The Essential Guide to Creating Great Comics and Graphic Novels
