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Dead Boy Detectives #6
Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote
Artists: Jeff Stokely, Craig Taillefer
Color Artist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Reviewed By Steve J. Ray
Summary
The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #6 brings the series to a surprising, but hugely satisfying close.
The immortal witch, Thessaly, has discovered the cause of the Thai ghost invasion and knows a way to end it. While that sounds like good news, one of the friendly spirits has already been destroyed and it seems like getting rid of the evil ones will also destroy Charles and Edwin’s friends, Melvin and Tanya.
Positives
This finale had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Ever since Charles started rotting away and Jai was “killed” I’ve been expecting the worst. Even when Thessaly finally appeared I knew that, even though she’s a capable and extremely powerful witch, her methods tend to suit her own needs and “the greater good”, with little thought about anyone else, living or (un)dead, that doesn’t fit in with her methods or ideals.
I’ve learned about new mythologies, felt scares, laughed, and had my heart broken. As a huge comics fan, this is the kind of series that proves the validity and power of the medium. It still upsets me when people put comics down, particularly when there are great stories like Dead Boy Detectives on the shelves.
What I really liked was the fact the “villain” of the piece wasn’t a foul demon, dark wizard, or megalomaniac bent on world domination, but a distraught and grieving father. On the opposite side of the coin, the “savior” of the piece was Thessaly, a character who’s frequently as bad as everything she tries to fight.
The writing’s great, the art is quirky, horrific and fun, the colors add to the texture and atmosphere of the line art, and the letters help evoke and underline all the emotions from the writing and artwork. This is a collaborative medium and this creative team show how brilliantly teamwork can produce a brilliant final product from a diverse and talented group of creators.
Oh… and look out for a fabulous little cameo from one of the Endless, near the end of the issue.
Negatives
As final chapters go, The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives #6 is about as good as it gets. I didn’t expect it to end the way it did, have no issues with the conclusion; and, best of all, as all great stories tend to do, what was the conclusion to one tale is just the beginning of another. The Dead Boy Detectives will be back (although they may need to change their name), and Thessaly’s role and connection to he larger, overall arc will continue, over in the pages of Nightmare Country.
This entire team has created a memorable, fun, scary romp that has never ceased to delight. I have bought the individual issues, and would happily own a collected version too.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
