What do you think?
Rate this book
Sandman Mystery Theatre (collected editions) #6
Sandman Mystery Theatre, Vol. 6: The Hourman and the Python
Writer Matt Wagner continues his masterly exploration of the pulp detective genre with this latest chapter in the life of Wesley Dodds, a man driven by his dreams to fight injustice in the dark of night, who dons a gas mask, fedora, business suit and cape to pursue evildoers as the vigilante known only as The Sandman.
This volume follows Wesley Dodds on two chilling new cases. In "The Hourman," the Sandman draws his attention to an unusual private detective that advertises his services as "The Man of the Hour" and leaves felons hospitalized. "The Python" features The Sandman's hunt for a mysterious strangler whose victims are left tongue-tied for good.'
200 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2008
1 person is currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Matt Wagner
967 books231 followersMatt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist. In addition to his creator-owned series' Mage and Grendel, he has also worked on comics featuring The Demon and Batman as well as such titles as Sandman Mystery Theatre and Trinity, a DC Comics limited series featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 20, 2023
This volume has all the mystery I wanted and a lot of relationship stuff in just about equal measure. I'm a big fan of the Hourman character (all three versions) so seeing the first meeting of these two JSA members for the first time was kinda cool. (In All-Star Comics it was intentionally left unclear how all the Golden Age Heroes met, just that they had.)
Of the two, the two stories in this collection that was my favorite... However, that shouldn't be the case. I mean how many times have comics fan read the story where the heroes first meet and Hero A suspects Hero B, Hero B suspects Hero A. They fight, realize they are on the same side and solve the case together. Of course, it's rare to see that in a Vertigo style series but still... detectives working cross purposes... or even thinking they are-- is just as much of a Noir trope as it is a super hero one... so it works. Another reason it shouldn't work is that Wesley is almost crowded out of his own title.
But somehow, the story still works.
The second story should feel like the better story. It's got its roots in two different True Crime legends. (Albeit not of the time period.) It's got a lot more red herrings and phony leads. it has a lot of character development for lots of the minor characters from Lt. Burke, to Dr. Klein to Humphries and Etta.
But then it has that ending. Look, I get it. Sandman Mystery Theater is just about as much about romance as it is about mystery. Not only that but each arc is supposed to be about a greater whole. And that greater whole is about three quarters done of the way through at this point.
So, it is a literal third act breakup. That's one of those cliches that is sort of unavoidable because it almost always works. I say almost because well... in this case Dian's reason for it are don't really click. She had started to accept Wesley as The Sandman. She'd personal witnessed the good he goes... as both she and at this point a half dozen of her friends are still alive because of it. But she still doesn't understand why he has to spend time away from her? I don't buy it.
Not only that, she goes to England. At least this is a DC book so I can be pretty sure she doesn't sleep with Norman Osbourne.
Of the two, the two stories in this collection that was my favorite... However, that shouldn't be the case. I mean how many times have comics fan read the story where the heroes first meet and Hero A suspects Hero B, Hero B suspects Hero A. They fight, realize they are on the same side and solve the case together. Of course, it's rare to see that in a Vertigo style series but still... detectives working cross purposes... or even thinking they are-- is just as much of a Noir trope as it is a super hero one... so it works. Another reason it shouldn't work is that Wesley is almost crowded out of his own title.
But somehow, the story still works.
The second story should feel like the better story. It's got its roots in two different True Crime legends. (Albeit not of the time period.) It's got a lot more red herrings and phony leads. it has a lot of character development for lots of the minor characters from Lt. Burke, to Dr. Klein to Humphries and Etta.
But then it has that ending. Look, I get it. Sandman Mystery Theater is just about as much about romance as it is about mystery. Not only that but each arc is supposed to be about a greater whole. And that greater whole is about three quarters done of the way through at this point.
So, it is a literal third act breakup. That's one of those cliches that is sort of unavoidable because it almost always works. I say almost because well... in this case Dian's reason for it are don't really click. She had started to accept Wesley as The Sandman. She'd personal witnessed the good he goes... as both she and at this point a half dozen of her friends are still alive because of it. But she still doesn't understand why he has to spend time away from her? I don't buy it.
Not only that, she goes to England. At least this is a DC book so I can be pretty sure she doesn't sleep with Norman Osbourne.
December 20, 2022
Nei cicli precedenti qualche indizio per la futura JSA era stato lanciato.
Si nominava il Dr. McNider "è un tale impiccione..." e si vedeva la palestra di Ted Grant. Nel primo ciclo di questo volume vediamo l'esordio di Rex Tyler, Hourman. Rispetto al canone super eroico questa avventura è l'esordio del geniale chimico. La sua pillola è già stata inventata, ma non è ancora perfezionata. Ma Hourman è già il personaggio noto a chi ha seguito l'evoluzione del personaggio. Assuefatto al lavoro, molto intelligente, tanto da scoprire in fretta che Wesley Dodds è Sandman; in fondo di buon cuore ma anche un poco ingenuo, vivrà un'ottima avventura al fianco di Sandman. Evolve, ed anche parecchio, il rapporto tra Wesley e Dian, che però deve ancora capire bene che cosa vuole nella sua vita.
Nel secondo ciclo, Python, la faccenda romantica tra i due si complica, ed alla fine Dian lascia Wesley e se ne va in Inghilterra da un'amica. Sebbene sia la scusa per il cross-over con l'altro, oggi più famoso Sandman, questa avventura mostra quanto Dian sia e voglia rimanere indipendente ed autonoma. Mostra anche quanto Wesley si senta veramente attratto da lei, fino a giungere al vero innamoramento.
Dulcis in fundo assistiamo anche all'evolvere del rapporto di Sandman con gli altri comprimari: Bourke, Klein, Humphries...
Le 5 stelle il primo ciclo le merita tutte, il secondo l'ho trovato un poco inferiore per via dei disegni, ma nel complesso le 5 stelle il volume le merita.
Si nominava il Dr. McNider "è un tale impiccione..." e si vedeva la palestra di Ted Grant. Nel primo ciclo di questo volume vediamo l'esordio di Rex Tyler, Hourman. Rispetto al canone super eroico questa avventura è l'esordio del geniale chimico. La sua pillola è già stata inventata, ma non è ancora perfezionata. Ma Hourman è già il personaggio noto a chi ha seguito l'evoluzione del personaggio. Assuefatto al lavoro, molto intelligente, tanto da scoprire in fretta che Wesley Dodds è Sandman; in fondo di buon cuore ma anche un poco ingenuo, vivrà un'ottima avventura al fianco di Sandman. Evolve, ed anche parecchio, il rapporto tra Wesley e Dian, che però deve ancora capire bene che cosa vuole nella sua vita.
Nel secondo ciclo, Python, la faccenda romantica tra i due si complica, ed alla fine Dian lascia Wesley e se ne va in Inghilterra da un'amica. Sebbene sia la scusa per il cross-over con l'altro, oggi più famoso Sandman, questa avventura mostra quanto Dian sia e voglia rimanere indipendente ed autonoma. Mostra anche quanto Wesley si senta veramente attratto da lei, fino a giungere al vero innamoramento.
Dulcis in fundo assistiamo anche all'evolvere del rapporto di Sandman con gli altri comprimari: Bourke, Klein, Humphries...
Le 5 stelle il primo ciclo le merita tutte, il secondo l'ho trovato un poco inferiore per via dei disegni, ma nel complesso le 5 stelle il volume le merita.
June 13, 2021
These two story arcs were really satisfying to read, providing a good balance between mystery and romance, and brutality and cooperation. I quite liked the introduction of the Hourman character, though I don't think that that story arc was successfully delivered, seeming a bit contrived. On the other hand, the Python story arc was very believable and well-paced, leaving just enough hints for the reader to put the puzzle together.
I think the waves in the romance between Wesley and Dian were a bit sudden, though there is a certain passage of time portrayed throughout the volume. I didn't find Dian's decision at the end believable, for instance.
Besides that, I wish the art was better! I am growing increasingly frustrated by the monotony of colours and shapes... I often confuse characters in this series because they all just look the same!
But what can I say, I'm kind of addicted to the mystery and time period.
I think the waves in the romance between Wesley and Dian were a bit sudden, though there is a certain passage of time portrayed throughout the volume. I didn't find Dian's decision at the end believable, for instance.
Besides that, I wish the art was better! I am growing increasingly frustrated by the monotony of colours and shapes... I often confuse characters in this series because they all just look the same!
But what can I say, I'm kind of addicted to the mystery and time period.
October 16, 2025
This is such a great series. In this volume we start to see versions of the JSA appear, as we get an Hourman appearance, although it's much different than the Hourman we know from the DCU. We also get a mad strangler story which shows the dark roots this series is known for. The art isn't always the most detailed, but it works well for this series.
April 26, 2018
Pretty charming continuing crime adventures: especially art by Guy Davis and Gary Erskine.
Pretty fun to dig my old Vertigo issues out of mothballs and finally read this run, too...
Pretty fun to dig my old Vertigo issues out of mothballs and finally read this run, too...
April 12, 2025
Volume 6 of Sandman Mystery Theatre and this series continues to hold strong. We get two main arcs in this one. Hourman and Python. Hourman was the standout for me. It focuses on Rex (yes, that Rex from the JSA), and it’s a really well-crafted story. You get a strong sense of who he is just through his actions and reactions, he comes off as genuinely decent, which isn’t always easy to pull off in a noir setting. The arc builds well and sticks the landing, making it another great addition to the series.
Python was a bit more of a mixed bag. I still liked it, especially the parts involving Dian (she continues to be a highlight), but the villain didn’t fully click for me. Something about the pacing felt a little off, and the story dragged in places. That said, there were still moments that landed—one scene had me actually laughing out loud: “Oh Jesus come save me”—followed by a cop snapping, “Shut the fuck up.” That line is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
All in all, I’d give this one a 3.5 out of 5. It’s probably the weakest volume so far, but honestly? If this is the low point, that’s a testament to how consistently good this series is.
Python was a bit more of a mixed bag. I still liked it, especially the parts involving Dian (she continues to be a highlight), but the villain didn’t fully click for me. Something about the pacing felt a little off, and the story dragged in places. That said, there were still moments that landed—one scene had me actually laughing out loud: “Oh Jesus come save me”—followed by a cop snapping, “Shut the fuck up.” That line is going to live rent-free in my head for a while.
All in all, I’d give this one a 3.5 out of 5. It’s probably the weakest volume so far, but honestly? If this is the low point, that’s a testament to how consistently good this series is.
March 20, 2017
Par for the course for this series. Well-written gritty detective story with some occasional nods to the character's superhero roots, in this case he wears his second (lamer) purple and yellow costume...but its as a guest at a New Years costume ball, and it looks ill fitting and frumpy here as this version of Wesley Dodds has glasses and is just a bit pudgy. This also does an interesting reworking of Hourman's origin, with his attempts at reforming a would-be criminal being far less effective here. Dian is smart and useful in this story, which is in keeping with the books portrayal of her. Also some inferred but not shown sexual content thats on the disturbing side. I come back to this series because there is something to be said for it, but as usual, I just don't like the art here, its a lot of greens and browns, its never confusing or weirdly proportioned, but I like a nice splash page, I like a good detailed display of scenery, comics are a visual medium after all. And this book is devoted to being gritty and down to earth to the point that it never does those, it'd rather disturb than amaze. If you know Golden Age comics or like any other stories in this series, I dont think itll disappoint. I've read enough of it to recognize SMT is a pretty consistent comic for better or worse. The character work and story being generally good and the style matching what the creators wanted,even if it may not be to my personal taste. Three and a half stars and a recommendation from me if any of this sounds remotely appealing to you.
December 9, 2023
The Hourman (#29-32). At last! A meeting with another future JSAer! Wagner's depiction of Rex Tyler is terrific. It fits into the noir feel of SMT, but simultaneously feels true to the future of Hourman. And meanwhile we get Dian overcoming her problems of the lsat arc and becoming a more integral part of the story. The only real issue with this story is that it's slow because it places the (attempted) murder at the end, but that's nonetheless a nice variation [4+/5].
The Python (#33-36). A somewhat obvious mystery, but it's nice to see Burke both as very competent and very racist, a weird combination. And of course things continue to come to a head between Wesley and Dian, leading to Sandman Midnight Theatre. Though it likely wasn't intended as the midpoint of the series, it's nonetheless a good one [4/5].
June 21, 2023
The weakest of the six volumes, still enjoyable but the more overt superheroics of the Hourman clashed with the overall tone, and the Python felt like a lukewarm attempt at some of the previous books greatest hits.
March 15, 2018
Dian really shines. She's independent, conflicted, rebellious, and loving. Wesley's faults seem to show more, as he's a little self-absorbed in his own work.
July 6, 2024
I am really enjoying these trades, and was delighted to see Vol. 8 recently solicited. This series ran up to issue 70, and I am hoping that they collect the entire run in trade.
November 8, 2008
This 90s Vertigo series may not have lived beyond its issues, but it is one that I claim as a highlight of my return to the comics medium during my twenties. Wesley Dodds, the original costumed hero from the 30s/40s and founding member of the Justice Society of America, was revisited and reimagined in this ground-breaking part gentlemen detective and part crime noir series set in the Big Apple in the few years before the U.S. entered WWII. Each four-issue murder-mystery/crime drama is encapsulated much like any UK-imported Mystery! Series broadcast on PBS.
“The Hourman” re-creates anew the meeting of the two original members of the Golden Age JSA: Wesley Dodds’ Sandman and Rex Tyler’s Hourman. Although not a strict murder-mystery per se, this story-arc does an admirable job weaving together several seemingly disparate plot-threads together to show how they cross paths – via an emerging criminal syndicate – while foreshadowing their later alliance during WWII and the years after. Guy Davis’ art was a refreshingly unusual style that I remember enjoying at the time when this was first published, but I will now argue that his current artistic duties on the several on-going Hellboy titles are now far superior – as his inks have improved greatly. (The reverse is usually the case with most comic artists, as the quality of their line-work and inks tend to lessen in quality over time. Take John Byrne, for one, who has suffered this over his thirty-year career.)
“The Python”, on the other hand, returns to the top-notch murder-mystery narrative that makes this series worth its accolades. After a number of related and brutal murderous of some very different people – which makes a motive hard to discern – Wesley Dodds and his lady companion Dian Belmont (the daughter of the local NYPD detective Larry Belmont) in both inextricably involved in these mysterious murders; albeit from very different angles. The satisfaction of this four-issue mystery are the red herrings that authors Wagner and Seagle insert that tease and torment even the most astute of readers. Which, this being a murder-mystery and all, just adds to the fun and intrigue of trying to out-guess our heroes.
If you are at all interested in picking up a great read in the comics medium, but require intelligent writing and re-imagined street-savvy heroism in times past, look no further than any of the collected volumes of Sandman Mystery Theatre. You won’t be disappointed.
“The Hourman” re-creates anew the meeting of the two original members of the Golden Age JSA: Wesley Dodds’ Sandman and Rex Tyler’s Hourman. Although not a strict murder-mystery per se, this story-arc does an admirable job weaving together several seemingly disparate plot-threads together to show how they cross paths – via an emerging criminal syndicate – while foreshadowing their later alliance during WWII and the years after. Guy Davis’ art was a refreshingly unusual style that I remember enjoying at the time when this was first published, but I will now argue that his current artistic duties on the several on-going Hellboy titles are now far superior – as his inks have improved greatly. (The reverse is usually the case with most comic artists, as the quality of their line-work and inks tend to lessen in quality over time. Take John Byrne, for one, who has suffered this over his thirty-year career.)
“The Python”, on the other hand, returns to the top-notch murder-mystery narrative that makes this series worth its accolades. After a number of related and brutal murderous of some very different people – which makes a motive hard to discern – Wesley Dodds and his lady companion Dian Belmont (the daughter of the local NYPD detective Larry Belmont) in both inextricably involved in these mysterious murders; albeit from very different angles. The satisfaction of this four-issue mystery are the red herrings that authors Wagner and Seagle insert that tease and torment even the most astute of readers. Which, this being a murder-mystery and all, just adds to the fun and intrigue of trying to out-guess our heroes.
If you are at all interested in picking up a great read in the comics medium, but require intelligent writing and re-imagined street-savvy heroism in times past, look no further than any of the collected volumes of Sandman Mystery Theatre. You won’t be disappointed.
April 21, 2008
I think what I like best about this series is how pleasantly understated it is. Despite the presence of so many outlandish elements, these feel like stories that could actually have happened.
The greatest reason for this is probably the excellent character work. Wesley and Dian feel very authentic in their relationships with one another and the world about them. Dian's budding liberalism and Wesley's absent-minded worldliness make them interesting to read about regardless of the mysteries and murders across which they stumble.
Wagner also does a remarkable job at recreating the world of the 1940s, despite including elements that aren't usually thought of as belonging to that period. It's shocking to see homosexuality or serial killers or even just an ambivalence to Hitler because so often our perceptions of this period have been whitewashed by Hollywood. I don't honestly know if the 40s were anything like they are portrayed in this series, but they are presented in such a way, where they are new and shocking to so many of the characters, that it feels as though the reader is being allowed to witness as the secrets of the past are revealed.
The greatest reason for this is probably the excellent character work. Wesley and Dian feel very authentic in their relationships with one another and the world about them. Dian's budding liberalism and Wesley's absent-minded worldliness make them interesting to read about regardless of the mysteries and murders across which they stumble.
Wagner also does a remarkable job at recreating the world of the 1940s, despite including elements that aren't usually thought of as belonging to that period. It's shocking to see homosexuality or serial killers or even just an ambivalence to Hitler because so often our perceptions of this period have been whitewashed by Hollywood. I don't honestly know if the 40s were anything like they are portrayed in this series, but they are presented in such a way, where they are new and shocking to so many of the characters, that it feels as though the reader is being allowed to witness as the secrets of the past are revealed.
May 11, 2010
This series only worked for me as long as the writers ignored the rest of the DC universe and just stuck with gritty noir pulp stories.
With Hourman, they try to add another hero to the mix and it just doesn't work. Hourman comes across as hopelessly naive or silly and it makes it harder to believe that this version of the Sandman could ever be a part of the Justice Society or that a JSA could happen at all and not be treated the same way.
AS a huge Hourman fan, this story didn't work for me and it hurts the series as this story shows you that this series, while entertaining, could never fit into the DC Universe and trying to pretend it could hurts it and just annoyed me as it felt like a stunt by the writers.
I was only an occasional reader of this series, as the constant grim and gritty never works for me, but I kept coming back because WEs and Dian are such a well written couple, but the Hourman story made me realize I would be happier just getting the reprints of the original Sandman comics instead.
With Hourman, they try to add another hero to the mix and it just doesn't work. Hourman comes across as hopelessly naive or silly and it makes it harder to believe that this version of the Sandman could ever be a part of the Justice Society or that a JSA could happen at all and not be treated the same way.
AS a huge Hourman fan, this story didn't work for me and it hurts the series as this story shows you that this series, while entertaining, could never fit into the DC Universe and trying to pretend it could hurts it and just annoyed me as it felt like a stunt by the writers.
I was only an occasional reader of this series, as the constant grim and gritty never works for me, but I kept coming back because WEs and Dian are such a well written couple, but the Hourman story made me realize I would be happier just getting the reprints of the original Sandman comics instead.
November 8, 2012
Originaly bought as single-issues, I have the complete collection.
Somehow, Matt Wagner and Guy Davis were the perfect team to bring the original Sandman back.
Where most writers would have updated the character to bring him into the 21st century, Matt Wagner goes way back to his original roots set in the 1940s and gives us a bare bones version of the character.
This isn't a super-hero, he doesn't jump from rooftops, he's faillable, he's a well-rounded, caring human being, heck he's not even muscle-bound, he could probably even lose a bit of weight. You actually get the impression that he has to make an effort to do the things he does. Add to that the more than believable love interest of Dian and you have the setting for some great stories.
These stories should be re-collected into Absolute or Deluxe editions... even if I might be the only one buying them :-)
Somehow, Matt Wagner and Guy Davis were the perfect team to bring the original Sandman back.
Where most writers would have updated the character to bring him into the 21st century, Matt Wagner goes way back to his original roots set in the 1940s and gives us a bare bones version of the character.
This isn't a super-hero, he doesn't jump from rooftops, he's faillable, he's a well-rounded, caring human being, heck he's not even muscle-bound, he could probably even lose a bit of weight. You actually get the impression that he has to make an effort to do the things he does. Add to that the more than believable love interest of Dian and you have the setting for some great stories.
These stories should be re-collected into Absolute or Deluxe editions... even if I might be the only one buying them :-)
February 10, 2011
Wonderful re-invention of a Golden Age character with plenty of nods to the film noir conventions and characters of the 1930s and 1940s, with plenty of contemporary sexuality and adult themes thrown into the mix. The pacing, voice-overs, and dialogue reminded me of my favorite old radio plays, including The Shadow and Suspense. I will likely read more in this series.
December 18, 2019
Artwork: Ugly Story: great. The artwork was terrible but the story was great. I have to stop now because I don't have anymore Tradepaperbacks to read. I am greatly saddened because I love this series.
May 1, 2009
good, but not really what i wanted to read at the time. i can always appreciate Matt Wagner, though.
August 21, 2008
Fabulously seductive tales of crime and suspense.
December 24, 2013
picked this up by accident, and it wasnt bad....
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews