The Dead Boy Detectives is great fun, surprisingly emotional, and proudly queer, even if it occasionally makes some creative choices that are somewhat confusing. The Dead Boy Detectives is streaming now on Netflix.
It was way back in 1990 that we first met the two deceased detective teens, Charles Rowland and Edwin Payne, who, rather than following the light, had opted to stick around and investigate a host of ghostly crimes; that appearance was in “Season of Mists” (Sandman #25).
Neil Gaiman’s Dead Duo was a delightfully dark take on “The Hardy Boys,” and they would appear in several crossover publications following their debut. But it wasn’t until 2001 that Charles and Edwin got their own mini comic book series, and it would take another twenty years for The Dead Boy Detectives and their psychic partner Crystal Palace to transfer to TV in the hands of Sebastian Croft, Ty Tennant, and Madalyn Horcher in season three of Doom Patrol.
HBO would announce a standalone series not long after; however, with changes at Warner Bros. and DC, as well as a move from HBO to Netflix, a host of creative and casting changes would follow. So, how does Netflix take on Gaiman’s famous dead duo fare? And can The Dead Boy Detectives avoid the fate of the brilliant Lockwood & Co?
Apart from a slightly messy first episode, The Dead Boy Detectives is enormous fun as we join the vivacious Charles (Jayden Revri), who died in 1989, the reserved and sexually repressed Edwin (George Rexstrew), who died in 1916 and their spikey newly adopted human psychic Crystal Palace (Kassius Nelson).
However, from the outset, one thing feels slightly off-kilter: the age of our actors, who are clearly older than the comic-book characters they portray. This would not be a problem if it weren’t for a screenplay that regularly portrays them as teenagers and a host of villains who refer to them as kids. Don’t get me wrong, they are young, but they are not in their early teens. This creates a slightly peculiar atmosphere, despite the assured performances, paranormal fun, and shenanigans, including a ridiculously sexy Cat King (Lukas Gage) who rouses Edwin’s desires and ours.
The result is a delightfully dark mix of deadly dandelion sprites, dastardly witches, dodgy demons, and a dead family living out their final moments through a VHS tape. The Dead Boy Detectives is great fun, surprisingly emotional, and proudly queer, even if it occasionally makes some creative choices that are somewhat confusing. Plus, with countless similar Netflix shows cancelled after one season, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether these delightful dead boys will rise again. I, for one, hope we do.
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