#Wesley Dodds: The Sandman 1 Review

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Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1 Review

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1 Review #wesleydodds #thesandman #wesleydoddsthesandman #DCEU #dccomics #comics #comicbooks #news #dcu #dcuuniverse #art #info #NCBD #amazon #comicbooknews #previews #reviews

Writer: Robert Venditti Art: Riley Rossmo Colors: Ivan Plascencia Letters:  Tom Napolitano Publisher:  DC Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: October 10th, 2023 Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1 (the first issue of a six-issue miniseries) drops us into New York in the Summer of 1940, a few years before The Sandman meets Earth’s other heroes and joins The Justice Society of America.  It’s an origin of…

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Review: Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1[Editor's Note: This review may contain spoilers] Writer: Robert VendittiArt: Riley RossmoColors: Ivan PlascenciaLetters: Tom Napolitano   Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd Summary It's 1940 and Wesley Dodds is trying to get the government to use a knock out gas instead of bullets and bombs.  It seems to work for him as the Sandman...though still plagued by prophetic dreams. Positives Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1 is a character focused introduction to the Golden Age Sandman and his world.  If you went in blind this issue would tell you all the important things you need to know about the character.  Venditti gives us the essential supporting cast, Dian Belmont, her father and Dodds' Butler, Humphries as well as a quick look at the dreams from which Dodds suffers.  Venditti bases this on the critically acclaimed Vertigo series Sandman Mystery Theater which ran from 1993-1999.  Venditti references The Tarantula from the first story arc, as well as finding a very similar feel for the issue.  Riley Rossmo uses that design for the Sandman as well, wisely not trying to reinvent the wheel.   What's really at the heart of this series and Sandman Mystery Theater is Dodds' relationship with Dian Belmont.  It's great to see it in Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1!  Venditti has a track record with work on Hawkman and Green Lantern for writing character focused stories.  The emphasis on Wesley and Dian in the first issue in this issue as well as a story that tells us what Wesley is like should be prophetic enough itself for the the promise in this series. Readers may recall that Sandman Mystery Theater had a quirky artist in Guy Davis.  Riley Rossmo is also a quirky artist and for this first issue he makes the Sandman look great.  He channels a little bit of Howard Chaykin in his faces, but his layouts and storytelling are the real standouts visually.  Plascencia chooses to follow in the path of Sandman Mystery Theater as well with his color choices.  Plus, there's just enough purple and yellow to remind the reader that Wesley Dodds eventually ended up in standard super-hero togs when Joe Simon and Jack Kirby took over his adventures. Negatives Some may not see as gritty and adult an approach to Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1 as Sandman Mystery Theater, but we've only gotten started and it may make the book more accessible.   Verdict Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1 is just about everything a first issue should be, especially when there's a previous well-liked and critical lauded preceding series.  It doesn't matter that Sandman Mystery Theater ended 24 years ago, it's a series that people remember and if people pick up this and this new series reminds them of that it's a good thing.  It feels like Wesley in this series is the same Wesley Dodds that readers are familiar with.  That's not something that can be said for all the books in the Dawn of DC initiative.  Venditti understands that it's important to put character first instead of altering a characters just to tell the story the writer wants to tell.  On top of that, the issue hits all the points needed in a first issue.

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Stargirl, Episode 1: Review

I want my first statement to be that I will potentially never be done screaming about the fact that Sly asking Pat to take the icicle impaled in his ABDOMEN out. Kid geniuses, am I right? 

That aside, I’ve left all my nitpicky feelings out of this review, because all-in-all, I thought this show did really well as a first episode and because Geoff had such a heavy hand in its creation, I’d like to keep a fair and open mind about it.

Because it’s the first thing we see once the text telling us about the Golden Age ends, I liked the take on the Star-Rocket Racer, I loved that it was included right away despite it often being forgotten. To be fair it wasn’t like Courtney drove in comics. On the other hand, watching the JSA die was one of my least favorite things in the episode. If Alan, Jay, and Ted are even dead. But I understand it for a storytelling perspective, along with Pat naming the characters. To anyone who knows the JSA it might feel monotonous, pointing out members that had largely died before Johns took over the JSA in the 90s, but for newcomers, it puts a name to a face, so they can draw back on that name as the series progresses. Some member’s don’t get recognized, however, which is sad. It was only on my second viewing that I realized the Sandman, Wesley Dodds, was dead on the stairs as Icicle descends. Following that, it feels a little strange for Joar — I’m sorry, Jordan — to command Grundy, but I’ll accept it because it’s not entirely outside of the realm of possibility. I’m excited to see how Grundy will be portrayed if/when he reappears. I didn’t care for Sly’s dying speech, in all honesty, it seemed to be meant for a more comedic piece, such as a man retiring, not dying. Maybe that was the purpose of casting McHale and I simply wasn’t the target audience. That’s okay!

The small peek we get into the Whitmore household at the same time was nice. I thought Amy Smart did a wonderful job portraying single, working mom Barbara, who wants her child to be happy even when she has to step out because Courtney’s father doesn’t arrive. 

I loved that Mike was included from the get go in the show. He’s a fun sarcastic brother played well. And the choice to have Barbara from Blue Valley was a good choice, story-wise. The town itself plays up the cult-vibe well, whether this is due to following the comics or to show the weirdness of an outsider looking in, as the Dugan-Whitmore family settles in has yet to be confirmed. Regardless, each actor who flashed a smile and greeted the new members of the community deserves a round of applause. I was pleased that Cindy had her white stripe and the queen bee vibe she gave off. 

The choices for what to include in frames was great! I loved that the pictures, trophies, and boxing gloves included in Courtney’s room were given such attention. Ripped City will haunt me, though. 

I’ve left this to the last because it’s my last big positive for the show: Brec Bassinger and Luke Wilson were great choices for Courtney and Pat. I never paid attention when casting was actually happening, though I was aware that Johns wanted Wilson for the role of Pat. I thought Bassinger did an amazing job portraying a person who really didn’t want to be there but was trying her best, for her mom. The scene where Courtney confronts Barbara but had to backtrack was a great way of showing how much she loves her mom and was willing to do for her. I’m going to just completely ignore the Sly might be Sam Kurtis red herring because I hate Sam Kurtis.

Now for the point that is likely to be poorly received: I dislike the fact that the Cosmic Staff has some semblance of sentience. While I do think it’s fun to an extent, more than that I feel it removes a teenage girl’s autonomy. Courtney doesn’t want to blow up a car but the Staff does, so Courtney — a fifteen year old child — is an accessory to arson. Maybe this is meant to soften some of the harder edges that Courtney had in her solo, but the fact that she’s taken a seat as a chosen one character trope instead of making her own decisions doesn’t sit well with me. 

We have to talk about Henry Jr. In the same vein that the Staff blows up his car because... reasons, the fact that potentially deadly force was used against a teenager is disappointing, as a viewer. Henry Jr. is an asshole, there’s no other way to say it, he’s a bully we may have all seen in some regard in school. When Courtney shoves him, we the viewers know she’s making the move as self-defense. When the Staff blows up his father’s car because he’s being a world class jerk, was that really necessary? I will admit I’m biased in this regard. I’m an adult and, through the course of my life, I’ve been able to grow and look back on my past actions, knowing I can be a better person than I was when I made those choices. I dislike use of excessive punishment against children and teens, because their brains haven’t finished developing and, in some cases, society has failed them, they were simply never taught better. This punishment doesn’t fit the crime, and, while I can see why it was included to bring the Injustice Society back together sooner than was planned, I feel there were better options than this.

As a pilot, with a lot of ground to cover, I feel Stargirl did a good job. Not everyone will come into the show, having read every issue of the JSA and Infinity Inc., and all of the tie-ins and that’s not needed to enjoy the show. I’d give the first episode a solid 3.75 outta 5. I’m interested to see what will come next.

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Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #4 Preview

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #4 Preview #wesleydodds #thesandman #wesleydoddsthesandman #DCEU #dccomics #comics #comicbooks #news #dcu #dcuuniverse #art #info #NCBD #amazon #comicbooknews #previews #reviews

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #4 Preview: Trapped in a dream by his own sleep gas, Wesley Dodds comes face-to-face with his worst nightmare. Can he escape his own dark dream, and will it be in time to stop the Fog’s next move?! Written by ROBERT VENDITTI Art and cover by RILEY ROSSMO Variant cover by JEFF LEMIRE 1:25 variant cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA $3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card…

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Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #3 Preview

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #3 Preview #wesleydodds #thesandman #wesleydoddsthesandman #DCEU #dccomics #comics #comicbooks #news #dcu #dcuuniverse #art #info #NCBD #amazon #comicbooknews #previews #reviews

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #3 Preview: Wesley’s search for answers brings him to the city morgue as he learns the man who broke into his home didn’t die from the fire. But the clues he finds land him face-to-face with the true villain, and he’s already begun using the Sandman gear. Enter: the Fog! Written by ROBERT VENDITTI Art and cover by RILEY ROSSMO Variant cover by JEFF LEMIRE 1:25 variant…

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Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1 Preview

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Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1 Preview: No one escapes the Sandman’s dark dreams, not even Wesley Dodds himself. After years of testing and experimentation, Wesley perfected his sleep gas as the optimal weapon to fight crime without causing undue harm. But when his journal detailing all his failed and far more deadly formulas is stolen, the Sandman must hunt down the thief and the people in the…

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[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Director: Laura Belsey

Writers: Adam Schwartz (Story), Marc Guggenheim and Beth Schwartz (Teleplay)

Starring: Stephen Amell, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Willa Holland, Paul Blackthorne, Echo Kellum, Rick Gonzalez, Juliana Harkavy, Katie Cassidy

  Summary

Oliver Queen faces the allegations that he is the vigilante known as the Green Arrow when a doctored photo surfaces. Then it escalates when Anatoly comes back to town and kidnaps the Markovian businessmen and demands from Oliver a ransom. Meanwhile, Oliver still tries to reach his son William and faces a dilemma about his vigilante work. On the other side of the team, Dinah finds out Diggle’s secret.

  Positives

This week’s episode gave us some great scenes and Easter Eggs. As we all know, Oliver Queen again faces the allegations that he is the Green Arrow after a photo comes up. We all know that this is not the first time Ollie has had this problem, as it happened back in Season 1, where some CCTV footage was recovered showing Oliver was the murderous Hood. But he gets the slip and the police had to let him go. Then again, it happens in Season 3 where Oliver and The Arrow are one and the same and this information was given to the police which we know Ra’s Al Ghul was behind. But this was again proved “wrong” when Roy Harper surrendered himself to the police saying that he was The Arrow. We also know that his death was faked and since then he has been running for his life.

Now back to this week’s episode, Ollie then holds a press conference denying the conspiracy that he is indeed the Green Arrow. We also got a name drop on this scene where Ollie mentions Bruce Wayne and his beloved city, Gotham. He says “They could’ve placed Bruce Wayne’s head on that body. Has Bruce Wayne left Gotham to hang out in Star City?” Yup, you definitely read that one right. It now confirms that Bruce Wayne and Gotham City does exist in the Arrowverse. But the question is, are we going to see the Dark Knight fight alongside the Emerald Archer and his team, even just for an episode? We don’t know, but that would be one heck of an episode.

Next, one of the great scenes in this episode is the reveal that almost everyone in Team Arrow has a secret job so that they can pay the bills. Oliver is the mayor, Renee is Ollie’s assistant in the mayoral office, Dinah is a police detective and the reveal that Curtis is a freelancer, which made Felicity jealous. We get this funny conversation between the two hackers and Felicity bugging him on what he does and she even mentions “Python” which in turn Curtis asks “The supervillain?” In DC Comics, there are two villains that have the same name. One is Jacob Bernstein, an enemy of Wesley Dodds’ Sandman, and Black Python. Although these two villains only made two appearances in the comics, we are still happy to hear the two being referenced.

Another good thing in this episode is the reveal of Diggle’s secret. From the premiere, we get to see him traumatized and at the same time a bit off when he is on the field. This episode, Dinah breaks the wall and asks him straight to his face what is happening to him. Diggle reveals that when he and Felicity were caught in the blast on Lian Yu, Diggle was struck by a piece of shrapnel. He had surgery and ever since, he’s been suffering from nerve damage. He didn’t tell the team because he doesn’t want to be a burden. But Dinah tells him that he needs to tell Oliver or else the team will suffer the consequences of his actions.  It is a relief that we get to hear and not wait on what is wrong with our beloved Diggle, and hopefully, in the near future, he gets to deal with it.

Finally, one awesome thing that happened in this episode is that Oliver is now stepping down as the Green Arrow. Although, that is one heck of a huge leap for Oliver and it’s a bummer when you think about it, this is one step toward maturity for Oliver. We see him take the responsibility of being a father and wanting to be there for William, not wanting to make him an orphan. We also get to see him pass the bow to his best friend Diggle. The question is, will Diggle live up to Ollie’s expectations knowing that he is suffering from nerve damage? Hopefully we get to see that on next week’s episode.

One last thing. I still can’t get over that new title card for this season. On the title card, we not only see Green Arrow’s logo but the whole team, except for Quentin. We see Black Canary’s logo, Wild Dog’s insignia, Mr. Terrific’s mark, Overwatch’s Eye emblem, and Spartan’s symbol. It was totally cool and if you are a fan of the show and didn’t even nerd out, man you have some nerve damage issues.

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Black Canary

Wild Dog

Mr. Terrific

Overwatch

Spartan

  Negatives

In this episode, we can still see one rough edge that needs smoothing. That is the killing. We know that Oliver and the team are vigilantes with various methods to take down the enemies. We have the non-lethal like Mr. Terrific’s T Spheres which can be used as projectiles to knock any enemy he encounters unconscious. Then we have Black Canary’s great martial arts moves and her bo staff which can only break your bones and leave you whining from pain. And now we proceed to the lethal ones. We have Spartan and Wild Dog’s guns which they don’t explain what kind of bullets they are using. But most of the time, in the action sequences, you can see blood and it feels like they are killing the goons. Also we have Green Arrow’s arrows which is really lethal. From the first episode of this season, we get to see him shoot thugs using his arrows and it looks like he doesn’t shoot them in the shoulders or in the leg to neutralize them. He shoots straight to the vital parts, like the heart. I know that this version of the Green Arrow is a bit different from the comics but I think that they should be more cautious on where to shoot the enemy and what kind of bullets they use. Dig and Renee can use rubber bullets for crying out loud. This will just leave them sour in the morning and even think twice not to join any mafia or gangs.

And I think Oliver should now think that killing is not the only solution. He is mayor now and he knows and he should know the powers that he has and should use it. In this way, he can prove not only to himself but also to others that there is always another way. He really should use the boxing glove arrow to lessen bodies.

  Verdict

Arrow on its second episode is doing great. This episode showed us and even made us realize that sacrifice is the best way to go in life. Oliver made a decision knowing that this will make him a better person. His decision made him more mature. We may see some flaws but this will not let us stumble and hopefully on the next episode there’ll be more action sequences, great story telling and more Easter Eggs.

  Review: Arrow 6×02- “Tribute” Director: Laura Belsey Writers: Adam Schwartz (Story), Marc Guggenheim and Beth Schwartz (Teleplay) Starring: Stephen Amell, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Willa Holland, Paul Blackthorne, Echo Kellum, Rick Gonzalez, Juliana Harkavy, Katie Cassidy…