Dead Boy Detectives Series Review: An engaging tale of supernatural investigation

Neil Gaiman’s stories have always given a voice to the minority, spoken to niche and appealed audience of all age ranges. His works are something that speak about the seemingly ordinary but in a fashion that is anything but ordinary. It is only when one carefully reads the stories does one realise the main essence of a story.

Neil Gaiman’s work has been adapted to television and it has founds its dedicated group of audience who swear by these adaptations. One of those works is Good Omens starring Michael Sheen and David Tennent. This supernatural fantasy series follows an angel Aziraphale and a demon Crowley as they navigate living in the human world also manage their supernatural status. Two seasons have aired so far and everyone is waiting for even the slightest hint of the third season.

The latest work of Gaiman to find its space on screen is Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives. This eight-episode show premiered on April 25, 2024. This show follows Edwin and Charles, two dead boys who investigate supernatural events and help the dead. George Rexstrew stars as Edwin Paine and Jayden Revri stars as Charles Rowland in this series. This duo has been fighting witches, demons and spirits after choosing to not enter the afterlife. Kassius Nelson joins them as Crystal Palace, a psych medium who can see ghosts but has a secret of her own. Then we have Yuyu Kitamura as Niko, an eccentric human girl who can also see ghosts after having a near death experience.

Watch the trailer for Dead Boy Detectives here:

For those who have read the comics, would find a familiarity in this on-screen adaptation. Edwin and Charles are contrasts to each other. First, the two come from different eras. Second, their personalities are quite different. While both harbour secrets of their own, they have found belonging and friendship in each other.

As the show progresses, we see that the challenges that Charles and Edwin face grow steadfastly serious and dangerous. As they solve the mystery behind each wandering supernatural being, they also unravel the secrets they have been carrying. Edwin comes in touch with his sexuality, Charles addresses his hidden trauma, Crystal and Niko uncover demons of their own.

What makes Neil Gaiman’s works special is that his work is not bound within limits. His characters are relatable but you would not usually find them in a person standing next to you. Instead, you would find that one inexplicable quirk embodied in a character. There is a renewed interest in things that have been around us but we do not pay attention to. Same goes for Dead Boy Detectives. Each supernatural spirit shows such a side to human emotions and actions that it makes them memorable.

The undercurrent of dark humour and absurdism is not amiss to the trained eye. Most of it comes from the supernatural beings, Death and other officials dealing with the afterlife. What makes it comical is the fact that humans have always been fascinated with the afterlife. Many a lores have been told imagining a world ephemeral and unreal. But Gaiman’s stories always add the ‘human touch’ to these ideas of heaven and hell. The clerical offices dealing with documents, officials running to meet their targets, bosses being bosses – these instances remove the fantastical vision that most humans have and replace it with a realistic one, with just a little touch of magic.

Coming to the visual aspect of Dead Boy Detectives, it is quite an indulgent watch. We have gory moments when the supernatural beings act the way they are. We also have a low tone pastel and gray color palette which runs consistent with the misty world of all things dead that Charles and Edwin ‘live’ in. The opening credits is an intriguing addition. One would usually expect some grimy and grisly for a show that is about the dead, but here we find a neon pop video of two skeletons. This short montage adds to the quirk and chaos that waits for the viewers afterwards.

Overall, Dead Boy Detectives is the show that you have to watch if you are looking for a good YA story without adulations. Most YA stories keep a heavy focus just one theme which becomes lacklustre after a while. But with Dead Boy Detectives, we see that the characters go on a journey of self-discovery without making it a cringe and cry fest. There is a mature take on things because Charles and Edwin have been around for far longer as ghosts than they have been alive on the human plane.

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Will there be a sequel to Dead Boy Detectives?

At the time of this writing, there has been no official announcement from Netflix regarding a sequel for Dead Boy Detectives. It has been a few days since the show has premiered, if it continues to garner good numbers for the platform, Netflix might greenlight a sequel soon. After that stunning finale, there is definitely scope for another season of Dead Boy Detectives.

If there come any hiccup in the negotiations of SAG-AFTRA with production houses, there could be a considerable delay for a sequel, similar to what we see with Good Omens. Would you like to see season two of Dead Boy Detectives? Tell us in the comments! I, for one, would like to see Charles and Edwin back in action. Perhaps delve into their living past further, or see how they manage in the afterlife!

JAL gives 8.5 out of 10 to Dead Boy Detectives.