Book of the Week: Graphic Novel: Wesley Dodds, the Sandman

If you've read any of the comics from the 1940s to now, you're likely aware that before Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" from the Netflix TV series, there was another Sandman created in the 1940s. His name was Wesley Dodd, and he used sleeping gas to combat criminals. A new DC Comics Graphic novel about the 1940s character is a great read. That's the topic of today's blog. 

The original Sandman, Wesley Dodds, wore an overcoat, fedora style hat and gas mask. He carried a gun that dispersed sleeping gas. He was also a member of the Justice Society in the 1940s... Recently the character was resurrected for a series of 6 comics made into a graphic novel. It was Outstanding.

The DC Comics' graphic novel "Wesley Dodds, the Sandman" depicts the character in the 1940s, during World War 2. The story is excellent. He was a chemist and concocted different sleep-gases, but shelved the deadly ones and locked the formulas up so they would never be used. However, someone has stolen his formulas for other sleep-like gases that had fatal consequences. The story is how he fought to get them back! It's an excellent story, 5 of 5 stars.- I wish DC Comics would bring the character back in the Justice Society comic.

ABOUT THE BOOK: Wesley Dodd’s dream of a better world is now a nightmare, as DC’s original Sandman returns in a gripping new noir mystery!

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 shadows pulling the strings!

Can Wesley solve the mystery of who broke into his home before these noxious weapons are unleashed on the world, or is Sandman fated to fade away into the mists?

Wesley Dodds: The Sandman is written by comics superstar Robert Venditti (Superman ’78) and vividly drawn by fan-favorite artist Riley Rossmo (Harley Quinn). A bold and thoroughly modern exploration of one of comics’ most classic characters, Wesley Dodds: The Sandman is part of DC’s The New Golden Age initiative, along with Jay Garrick: The Flash and Alan Scott: The Green Lantern.

This volume collects Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #1-6.