Dead Boy Detectives’ Connection to The Sandman Explained

Apr. 26, 2024

Created by the genius Neil Gaiman, Edwin and Charles have arrived from the DC universe to solve supernatural mysteries. Dead Boy Detectives is finally available on Netflix for streaming. After watching the first episode, I realized that it was going to be one of the best horror comedy TV shows I have ever watched this year.

Is Dead Boy Detectives Related to The Sandman?

Firstly, it needs to be clear that The Sandman itself is the adaption of the comic of the same name, written by Neil Gaiman and running from January 1989 to March 1996. Charles and Edwin, the protagonists of DBD made their debut in the 1991 edition of The Sandman comic. Gaiman showcased Charles and Edwin running their own detective agency in The Children’s Crusade, a seven-issue crossover by Vertigo Comics. It means Dead Boy Detectives has always been a part of The Sandman comics.

In fact, the Dead Boy Detectives also made their live-action debut in HBO’s Dead Patrol, the third season of Doom Patrol.

She is seen arriving to take the first ghost, whom Edwin and Charles helped to move on. Interestingly, not only the character but also the actor who played that role in The Sandman, i.e., Kirby Howell-Baptiste, made a cameo appearance in the horror comedy. Even though she appeared for a few seconds, Neil Gaiman’s fans were satisfied.

Besides her, we also meet another member of the Endless from The Sandman, i.e. Despair, Desire’s twin. Like the first season of The Sandman, Dead Boy Detectives also see her for a brief time in Episode 7.

The way Neil Gaiman has set up The Sandman universe, there are chances that we might see Edwin and Charles in The Sandman Season 2, which is reportedly under development. Moreover, vice-versa could also happen where some characters of The Sandman might show up in subsequent seasons of Dead Boy Detectives if it happens.

Aparna is the Senior Entertainment Writer at Beebom. She started her professional journey in the retail industry but her admiration for films and TV shows pulled her into the field of entertainment writing where she has experience writing for various well-known publishers including Otakukart, Sportskeeda, Game Revolution, Forever Geek and Dexerto.