As soon as upon a time, there was a community making tv that defied all earlier expectations of what “community tv” might be: Whereas The CW nonetheless exists immediately, it was at its peak through the years Arrow and its associated spinoffs have been delivering bonkers takes on DC Comics characters, alongside equally bonkers sci-fi, crime, and romance dramas. And it was actually particular to see how a whole community might really feel infused with that sure form of “something goes” young-skewing journey, one that also conjures up a whole lot of nostalgia amongst TV followers.
The CW, at its peak, wasn’t excellent (for one factor, at the least one high-level producer was fired over accusations of poisonous habits). But its joyful spirit, LGBTQ+-friendly storytelling, and real chutzpah made it a pleasure to observe from 2012-2020 — and in some ways, Useless Boy Detectives recaptures that spirit, however new and improved for 2024.
The brand new Netflix collection stars George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri as titular useless boys Edwin and Charles, who died as youngsters within the 1910s and Nineteen Eighties (respectively) however aren’t fascinated by shifting onto no matter’s subsequent. As a substitute, they’re glad to remain on Earth fixing crimes of a supernatural nature, although their lives (so to talk) get considerably extra difficult once they assist save a younger psychic named Crystal (Kassius Nelson) from a demonic ex.
Having been robbed of her reminiscences, Crystal wants their assist — and in commerce, she’s in a position to assist them clear up some difficult instances utilizing her skills. Which is nice information, as a result of regardless that a collection of magical mishaps have gotten the Detectives quasi-stuck in a definitely-not-Vancouver small Northwest city, there are nonetheless loads of otherworldly secrets and techniques to uncover there.
Based mostly on characters created by author Neil Gaiman and artists Matt Wagner and Malcolm Jones III, Useless Boy Detectives was initially developed by government producers Steve Yockey and Beth Schwartz as a Doom Patrol spinoff, earlier than shifting to Netflix and turning into an official spinoff of The Sandman (full with some cameos from that present’s huge solid).
But, like most nice spinoffs, the collection succeeds as a result of it’s very a lot its personal factor, whereas that includes simply sufficient compelling darkness and quirky moments of magic to verify its connection to Gaiman’s particular model of storytelling. And regardless that it’s not being launched weekly, it’s a correct monster-of-the-week procedural, with every episode hinging on a brand new recent case, usually tied on to our core trio or their new pals.
Useless Boy Detectives (Netflix)
