Sandman Mystery Theatre vol. 8: The Blackhawk & The Return of the Scarlet Ghost
This collection of Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle’s modern re-interpretation of the Golden Age hero is as well-written as the previous volumes, though the art is a bit of a mixed bag. “The Blackhawk” has Wesley Dodds being recruited to be part of a group to sponsor pilot Janos Prohaska efforts to fight the Axis Powers in Poland. However, once the women Janos romances start turning up dead, Wesley and his lover/partner Dian Belmont have to resort to some elaborate schemes to prove his innocence. The story is a nice look at Pre-WWII tensions in the U.S. and has lots of good character moments with the cast, especially the antagonistic Det. Burke who winds up getting a personal reason to bring the killer to justice. It also has art by Matt Smith, who will always be “the poor man’s Mike Mignola” in my book as his style is very reminiscent of that man’s — minus the skill or depth.
Fortunately regular series artist Guy Davis returns with the next arc and all is right with the world. Better, actually, since “The Return of the Scarlet Ghost” is a very entertaining and witty look at the birth of the comic book industry. It’s a “warts and all” look as the organized crime elements that lurk behind the major publishers start taking shots at each other, with many innocent lives (including Dian’s) getting caught in the crossfire. If you’ve been reading the series to this point, then you’ll find this volume to be another worthy addition to your collection.