In Review: The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives (2022-) #3

Synopsis: In this issue of Dead Boy Detectives. Edwin witnesses a mysterious kumanthong ghost tear through Charles like he’s flesh and blood, and the boys just barely manage to escape with both their ghostly lives intact. Tensions run high as the ghost kids fight amongst themselves about how to crack the case before Charles is gone for good, and snake ghost Melvin strikes out on his own to give one of their suspects a proper haunting…

The Story

Picking up from where the last issue left off. Edwin and Charles barely escape the murderous Kumanthong ghost. but Charles is so badly hurt that he’s lost consciousness. As the two detectives reconnect with the ghost kids. Edwin is concerned and worried about whether his best friend Charles is ever going to awaken. Added to that is the fact that Edwin feels that he is betraying his friend due to the fact that he too has feelings for Tanya.

Wanting to get some distance between them and the Kumanthong. Tanya suggests that they all take refuge in a Thai Temple where they can be safe from the Kumanthong. But when Melvin goes missing. A concerned Edwin leaves Charles with Tanya to go find Melvin.

The Artwork

The Art team does some great work in this issue as we get to see one of the ghost kids transform into a snake when Melvin goes to the house where he lived prior to his death and attempts to eat a kid who belongs to the film director that they think has a connection to the Kumanthong. We get a great set of visuals as we see the Kumanthong go after the film director and his boy. Only for Melvin in his snake form to go after the Kumanthong. This is a great series of images.

However, the image at the end of the book makes for a brilliant cliffhanger as we see Charles awaken, but different somehow.

Overall

Pornsak Pichetshote’s storytelling continues to be lots of fun. I loved the mythology he has added to this series about the difference between Western Ghosts and Thai Ghosts. Which proves to be somewhat of an important factor in this story.

I look forward to seeing what happens in issue four when it gets released.