the intricately developed characters, "horrific" villains, and unique atmosphere. Their one major criticism was that it is too difficult for new readers to follow what is going on if they begin reading the series in the middle of a story arc. New series DC published a new five-issue limited series, Sandman Mystery Theatre: Sleep of Reason, set in 2007 and featuring a new character taking up the Sandman mantle. Collected editions The comics have been collected in a number of trade paperbacks: Sandman Mystery Theatre: The Tarantula (by Matt Wagner, with art by Guy Davis, collects #1–4, 112 pages, May 2005, ) The Face and The Brute (by Matt Wagner, with art by John Watkiss and R.G. Taylor, collects #5–12, 208 pages, November 2004, ) The Vamp (by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle, with art by Guy Davis, collects #13–16, 104 pages, July 2005, ) The Scorpion (by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle, with art by Guy Davis, collects #17–20, 104 pages, May 2006, ) Dr. Death and The Night of the Butcher (by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle, with art by Guy Davis and Vince Locke, collects #21–28, 208 pages, April 2007, ) The Hourman and The Python (by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle, with art by Guy Davis and Warren Pleece, collects #29–36, 200 pages, March 2008, ) The Mist and The Phantom of the Fair (by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle, with art by Guy Davis, collects #37–44, 200 pages, March 2009, ) The Blackhawk and The Return of the Scarlet Ghost (by Matt Wagner and Steven T. Seagle, with art by Matthew Smith and Guy Davis, collects #45–52, 224 pages, April 2010, ). References 1993 comics debuts 1999 comics endings Crime comics Detective comics Mystery comics Superhero comics Vertigo Comics titles Comics by Matt Wagner Sandman