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The Golden Age Archives
The Golden Age Sandman Archives, Vol. 1
The first batch of the Golden Age Sandman's adventures are chronicled in this volume reprinting stories from ADVENTURE COMICS #40-57, NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1939, and NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR 1940 (circa 1940-41).
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 19, 2005
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86 people want to read
About the author
Gardner Francis Fox
1,192 books90 followersGardner Francis Cooper Fox was an American writer known best for creating numerous comic book characters for DC Comics. Comic book historians estimate that he wrote more than 4,000 comics stories, including 1,500 for DC Comics.
Fox is known as the co-creator of DC Comics heroes the Flash, Hawkman, Doctor Fate and the original Sandman, and was the writer who first teamed those and other heroes as the Justice Society of America. Fox introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!"
Pseudonyms: Gardner F. Fox, Jefferson Cooper, Bart Sommers, Paul Dean, Ray Gardner, Lynna Cooper, Rod Gray, Larry Dean, Robert Starr, Don Blake, Ed Blake, Warner Blake, Michael Blake, Tex Blane, Willis Blane, Ed Carlisle, Edgar Weston, Tex Slade, Eddie Duane, Simon Majors, James Kendricks, Troy Conway, Kevin Matthews, Glen Chase
Fox is known as the co-creator of DC Comics heroes the Flash, Hawkman, Doctor Fate and the original Sandman, and was the writer who first teamed those and other heroes as the Justice Society of America. Fox introduced the concept of the Multiverse to DC Comics in the 1961 story "Flash of Two Worlds!"
Pseudonyms: Gardner F. Fox, Jefferson Cooper, Bart Sommers, Paul Dean, Ray Gardner, Lynna Cooper, Rod Gray, Larry Dean, Robert Starr, Don Blake, Ed Blake, Warner Blake, Michael Blake, Tex Blane, Willis Blane, Ed Carlisle, Edgar Weston, Tex Slade, Eddie Duane, Simon Majors, James Kendricks, Troy Conway, Kevin Matthews, Glen Chase
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 20, 2014
These contain the earliest adventures of the Sandman, a character who Neil Gaiman would revitalize for the modern era often adapting the golden age stories. This book collects the first few stories from New York World's Fair Comics #1 and #2 and Adventure Comics #40-#59.
Most of the book isn't all that impressive, with its regular run of toughs bent on various mischief. The early parts of the book with the art by Bert Christman were pretty typical of comics from the era. In many ways, the Sandman as a gas-gun using crimefighter thought to be a criminal by the law seems to be a pastiche of the Green Hornet.
However, in this case, I think that as a comic book character, the Sandman is actually a bit more impressive compared to the Green Hornet's Golden Age run that's published by Dynamite as the stories are a little less predictable.
I love the Sandman's original costume which is featured throughout the book which ends 10 months prior to him being issued the yellow and purple costume he wore through the rest of the golden age. While I love yellow and purple, it's not near as good as the costume portrayed throughout the book.
I also have to note the presence of Dian Belmont, the Sandman's girlfriend who is probably one of the best female side characters in the golden age.
The book's art leaps forward when Craig Flessel becomes more comfortable in the role and produces a very good look particularly for the golden age. The last few stories seem to turn a page as in Issue 57, the Sandman goes from fighting typical hoods to dealing with a mad scientist bent on extorting the governments of the Earth or change the planet's orbit. It's a great concept and Issue 58 with Killer Orchids and Issue 59 with a hypnotic ruby. It's a shame, the collection ends on such an enticing note.
Overall, this isn't an essential golden age title, but it is above average and a nice read.
Most of the book isn't all that impressive, with its regular run of toughs bent on various mischief. The early parts of the book with the art by Bert Christman were pretty typical of comics from the era. In many ways, the Sandman as a gas-gun using crimefighter thought to be a criminal by the law seems to be a pastiche of the Green Hornet.
However, in this case, I think that as a comic book character, the Sandman is actually a bit more impressive compared to the Green Hornet's Golden Age run that's published by Dynamite as the stories are a little less predictable.
I love the Sandman's original costume which is featured throughout the book which ends 10 months prior to him being issued the yellow and purple costume he wore through the rest of the golden age. While I love yellow and purple, it's not near as good as the costume portrayed throughout the book.
I also have to note the presence of Dian Belmont, the Sandman's girlfriend who is probably one of the best female side characters in the golden age.
The book's art leaps forward when Craig Flessel becomes more comfortable in the role and produces a very good look particularly for the golden age. The last few stories seem to turn a page as in Issue 57, the Sandman goes from fighting typical hoods to dealing with a mad scientist bent on extorting the governments of the Earth or change the planet's orbit. It's a great concept and Issue 58 with Killer Orchids and Issue 59 with a hypnotic ruby. It's a shame, the collection ends on such an enticing note.
Overall, this isn't an essential golden age title, but it is above average and a nice read.
September 5, 2016
Golden Age super comics are rather hit or miss with me, but this collection of the earliest Sandman stories kept me interested all the way through. Many of the adventures are rather cookie cutter stuff, but the activity of Sandman is a nice change from the usual slugfests. Additionally, having as his aide-de-camp his girlfriend, Dian Belmont, a woman who definitely knows how to get into the fray if needed, is really a good bit of the attraction of these stories.
If you've read the 90s Sandman Mystery Theatre, you'll see many similiarities as well as many differneces between Matt Wagner's take and the original version. But they are a nice play off of each other, and it was fun comparing the two versions while reading this.
Artwise, it's the usual primitive comic strip artstyle of the times, but nowhere near as bad as what I read in the recent Spectre GA Archive. The two primary artists do a good job with the action sequences, and even mix it up a bit with the paneling sequences.
Too bad DC has canceled their Archives series, as there are a number of Sandman stories yet to be collected. The Jack Kirby/Joe Simon Sandman stories have their stories collected The Sandman but I don't think that's the rest of the uncolellected tales. Hopefully we'll see the entire GA Sandman canon collected somewhere.
If you've read the 90s Sandman Mystery Theatre, you'll see many similiarities as well as many differneces between Matt Wagner's take and the original version. But they are a nice play off of each other, and it was fun comparing the two versions while reading this.
Artwise, it's the usual primitive comic strip artstyle of the times, but nowhere near as bad as what I read in the recent Spectre GA Archive. The two primary artists do a good job with the action sequences, and even mix it up a bit with the paneling sequences.
Too bad DC has canceled their Archives series, as there are a number of Sandman stories yet to be collected. The Jack Kirby/Joe Simon Sandman stories have their stories collected The Sandman but I don't think that's the rest of the uncolellected tales. Hopefully we'll see the entire GA Sandman canon collected somewhere.
February 24, 2013
The Sandman! The mysterious figure in the strange mask, with the gas gun that will put you to sleep! Often on the wrong side of the police, despite never breaking a law! Who is this protector of the innocent and do-er of good deeds?! And so on. Wesley Dodds is the man behind the formula - millionaire, brilliant inventor, and crime fighter. He is much less well-known than his cooler doppelgangers - Batman and Iron Man come instantly to mind - but stands tall in all his cheesy goodness. No dark back story here, no nihilistic view on society, just a good ol' American hero who fights for justice and always wins. Considering it came out in the early 40's I think it is quite ahead of its time in how it treats women and minorities. Yes there's quite a bit of "Wait in the car, sweetie, your man will take care of this" but it's much better than other things I've read.
The comics were put together quickly because this formula sold. There are a lot of errors and sloppy mistakes in the writing. This is a reprint, not a new edition, so none of these mistakes have been corrected. Some of them are quite funny, such as how the font makes all S's look like B's - The Bandman tells a crook to "go to Bleep" at one point. Neither is there much commentary - a brief essay at the beginning, and a page of short biographies of the authors and illustrators who worked on the Sandman comics.
I mostly read this because I've recently become enamored of the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman, and I wanted to see its origins (in fact, Golden Age Sandman makes his own appearance in one of the early Sandman issues.)
The comics were put together quickly because this formula sold. There are a lot of errors and sloppy mistakes in the writing. This is a reprint, not a new edition, so none of these mistakes have been corrected. Some of them are quite funny, such as how the font makes all S's look like B's - The Bandman tells a crook to "go to Bleep" at one point. Neither is there much commentary - a brief essay at the beginning, and a page of short biographies of the authors and illustrators who worked on the Sandman comics.
I mostly read this because I've recently become enamored of the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman, and I wanted to see its origins (in fact, Golden Age Sandman makes his own appearance in one of the early Sandman issues.)
December 18, 2018
A lesser known DC Comic hero, the Sandman was introduced in 1939, around the same time that Batman made his first appearance and about a year after Superman's introduction. Like Batman, Sandman is the alter-ego of a rich playboy. And like Batman, Sandman has no special powers, but has the physical strength and stamina to chase after bad guys and (generally) win every fight that he engages in. Where Batman has gas pellets and various other gadgets, Sandman has a gun that shoots a gas that puts people to sleep (stuns them). Sandman wears a gas mask so that he won't be affected by his own gas. Also like Batman, Sandman is seen as a vigilante and becomes a sort of enemy of law enforcement.
It's hard not to see the Sandman character as a bit silly. But really the premise is no sillier than Batman's backstory. It's just sort of happenstance that Batman became a superstar and Sandman ended up a second string character.
It's hard not to see the Sandman character as a bit silly. But really the premise is no sillier than Batman's backstory. It's just sort of happenstance that Batman became a superstar and Sandman ended up a second string character.
January 21, 2024
The first Sandman, Wesley Dodds, is a wealthy playboy (of course) who secretly dresses up as the Sandman to fight crime, putting them to sleep with his knockout gas gun and then leaving a sprinkle of sand on their body as a calling card. Even though he's (allegedly) never committed a crime, the police believe the Sandman to be a criminal and have a warrant out for his arrest.
Aside from one or two Sub-Mariner and Captain America stories, this is my first experience reading Golden Age comics. I love the hand-drawn look and the simplicity of the storytelling but it does get quite repetitive.
The Sandman almost exclusively fights regular criminals, not super villains. Usually he is attempting to solve a mystery of who is behind a crime, with the assistance of his girlfriend Dian Belmont, the vigilante known as the Lady in Evening Clothes.
It's helped a lot by the fact that the Sandman's costume is excellent. One of the best costumes of the era for sure.
Aside from one or two Sub-Mariner and Captain America stories, this is my first experience reading Golden Age comics. I love the hand-drawn look and the simplicity of the storytelling but it does get quite repetitive.
The Sandman almost exclusively fights regular criminals, not super villains. Usually he is attempting to solve a mystery of who is behind a crime, with the assistance of his girlfriend Dian Belmont, the vigilante known as the Lady in Evening Clothes.
It's helped a lot by the fact that the Sandman's costume is excellent. One of the best costumes of the era for sure.
January 11, 2021
I love the Golden Age stories of DC characters and Sandman has always been a favorite of mine. A cross between Batman/The Shadow/The Green Hornet. This collection reflects his early stories from 1939-1941. Many complain about the "unsophisticated" art of the time but I enjoy the work greatly.
September 22, 2023
3.5
Significantly weakens as the volume goes on, but starts off strong and gives us one of the more visually iconic heroes of the time.
Significantly weakens as the volume goes on, but starts off strong and gives us one of the more visually iconic heroes of the time.
September 11, 2025
these are actually pretty fun! not a bad collection
July 2, 2024
After reading several satisfying volumes of Sandman Mystery Theatre, I decided to dig deeper into the Sandman catalog. For those of you who are not familiar with Sandman Mystery Theatre, it was a title published by Vertigo/DC in the '90s about the Golden Age Sandman. It was set in the '30s and '40s and is a terrific read. I did some digging around online to see if there were any collected editions of said character, and discovered that there was indeed a DC Archive published several years ago.
While not as satisfying a read as Sandman Mystery Theatre, this was still very entertaining and bled charm. Several of the villains from the Vertigo series got their start here. DC's restoration for this volume is mostly excellent, except for the word balloons. I don't know if they worked from scans or photostats when restoring this book, but several word balloons must have been touched up. Sandman is referred to as Bandman several times, B-s are replaced with F-s, and there are a few other minor mistakes. There are less then a dozen throughout the 220-odd pages of the book, but it is more than enough to make my OCD keep me awake at night, tossing and turning over the imperfect restoration of these issues. Oh, and DC only included the covers that had the Sandman on them...I can't stand that!!
So yes, before the relaunched Sandman by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, before the guy actually made of sand created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko appeared in Amazing Spider-Man, and before Neil Gaiman made waves with his incarnation of the Sandman, there was THIS Sandman. I guess that we could call him OG Sandman...or not.
While not as satisfying a read as Sandman Mystery Theatre, this was still very entertaining and bled charm. Several of the villains from the Vertigo series got their start here. DC's restoration for this volume is mostly excellent, except for the word balloons. I don't know if they worked from scans or photostats when restoring this book, but several word balloons must have been touched up. Sandman is referred to as Bandman several times, B-s are replaced with F-s, and there are a few other minor mistakes. There are less then a dozen throughout the 220-odd pages of the book, but it is more than enough to make my OCD keep me awake at night, tossing and turning over the imperfect restoration of these issues. Oh, and DC only included the covers that had the Sandman on them...I can't stand that!!
So yes, before the relaunched Sandman by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, before the guy actually made of sand created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko appeared in Amazing Spider-Man, and before Neil Gaiman made waves with his incarnation of the Sandman, there was THIS Sandman. I guess that we could call him OG Sandman...or not.
July 8, 2014
i loved this collection, had only read a couple of the stories over the years. one of the first superhero comics i read was the JLA issue in which Sandman finds out he trapped Sandy for 40 years because of a mistake, loved the character ever since then.
this book also has some of the best art from DC, when Dian Belmont shows up she's as beautiful as anyone Lou Fine or Matt Baker ever drew. Belmont is also shown to be a partner and an equal in the stories, not a helpless Lois Lane or Joan Garrick. now i want to read the simon and kirby stories to compare them.
this book also has some of the best art from DC, when Dian Belmont shows up she's as beautiful as anyone Lou Fine or Matt Baker ever drew. Belmont is also shown to be a partner and an equal in the stories, not a helpless Lois Lane or Joan Garrick. now i want to read the simon and kirby stories to compare them.
June 10, 2008
interesting because of their classic status, but like most comics from the 30s its pretty much the same story over and over. good for a flip-through, but if you've read The Spirit, you'll be disappointed..
December 24, 2014
Pretty unremarkable compared to other GA characters, although I love the character, and I love that Dian Belmont spends a lot of time fighting crime next to him.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews