Scan barcode
mschlat's review
5.0
As a series, this is probably closer to 4.5 stars (with some issues down to 3 stars), but I love the whole thing so much....
The high concept is great: tell the stories of Gotham detectives in the Major Crimes Unit (i.e., the ones most likely to run into Batman's foes, or what the cops call the "freaks"). Do they like working with Batman? (Usually not.) Are they angry about the state of crime in the city? (Probably yes.) Do they have to deal with crooked police and frustrating bureaucracy? (All the time.)
You have two of my favorite comics writers, Brubaker and Rucka, writing what they do very well: ground level gritty stories that still have humor and pack a wallop plotwise. You get tales that feature tons of characters in the Batman milieu, including the mystery of multiple dead Robins, a chilling Mad Hatter story with lots of Arkham Asylum, and a stellar Joker-as-sniper serial. (The creators hit it out of the park with a portrayal of the Joker in police custody --- it's super weird to see a character that crazed in the normal setting of an interrogation room.)
Much of the art at the beginning of the series is by Michael Lark, who sets the visual aesthetic for the book: scratchy pencils with tons of black ink and muddy colors. Lark carries it off quite well, but it's an art style that can go bad in the wrong hands. There are some stories by other artists where faces tend towards the unrecognizable with the grit, and throughout the series I got a little tired of panels with talking heads and no backgrounds. Besides Lark's work, I found Brian Hurtt's issue (#11) and a story by Kano and Gaudino (#33-36) to really shine.
I just reread this in pamphlet form and am now very tempted to buy the collection. It's one of my favorite examples from the Big 2 of small personal stories that work within a wider continuity.
The high concept is great: tell the stories of Gotham detectives in the Major Crimes Unit (i.e., the ones most likely to run into Batman's foes, or what the cops call the "freaks"). Do they like working with Batman? (Usually not.) Are they angry about the state of crime in the city? (Probably yes.) Do they have to deal with crooked police and frustrating bureaucracy? (All the time.)
You have two of my favorite comics writers, Brubaker and Rucka, writing what they do very well: ground level gritty stories that still have humor and pack a wallop plotwise. You get tales that feature tons of characters in the Batman milieu, including the mystery of multiple dead Robins, a chilling Mad Hatter story with lots of Arkham Asylum, and a stellar Joker-as-sniper serial. (The creators hit it out of the park with a portrayal of the Joker in police custody --- it's super weird to see a character that crazed in the normal setting of an interrogation room.)
Much of the art at the beginning of the series is by Michael Lark, who sets the visual aesthetic for the book: scratchy pencils with tons of black ink and muddy colors. Lark carries it off quite well, but it's an art style that can go bad in the wrong hands. There are some stories by other artists where faces tend towards the unrecognizable with the grit, and throughout the series I got a little tired of panels with talking heads and no backgrounds. Besides Lark's work, I found Brian Hurtt's issue (#11) and a story by Kano and Gaudino (#33-36) to really shine.
I just reread this in pamphlet form and am now very tempted to buy the collection. It's one of my favorite examples from the Big 2 of small personal stories that work within a wider continuity.
trzcuit's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
alvinbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
srreid's review
5.0
For anyone that doesn't read graphic novels or thinks it's all superheroes then this is for them. Stories from the real police, yeah there's the occasional supervillain, but the cops call them freaks and handle them in the same way as any other criminal. They loathe the Batman, who does turn up now and again but he's not the focus of these stories, it's the gritty day to day of the Gotham cops, excellent storylines.
apageinthestacks's review
5.0
This was incredible. I’m just sad it’s over so quickly, even though it is a giant omnibus.
Brubaker and Rucka work great together, and I absolutely loved seeing Gotham from this angle. The Joker story was genuinely terrifying, and they definitely used the POV of “regular people” to their advantage particularly well there.
Also Montoya is the best, and Rucka’s chapters with her were so heartbreaking and amazing.
Brubaker and Rucka work great together, and I absolutely loved seeing Gotham from this angle. The Joker story was genuinely terrifying, and they definitely used the POV of “regular people” to their advantage particularly well there.
Also Montoya is the best, and Rucka’s chapters with her were so heartbreaking and amazing.
iainkelly_writing's review
5.0
Brilliant. One of the best Batman and DC series. Further proof that Batman and DC are at their best when they cut back on all the supernatural/alien/multiverse stuff and concentrate on characters and believable worlds. Comes across like the classic TV shows 'Homicides' and 'The Wire', and all the better for it. A shame and a blessing that it lasted only 40 volumes, as the quality never dips throughout. Superb.
zoidberg684's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mrpink44's review against another edition
5.0
Outstanding. I'm probably the only comic fan who doesn't really give two-hoots about Batman and although this deals with Gotham, Batman plays only a minor role. This is a down-in-the-gutter look at the Gotham police force with a focus on the major crimes unit. The storytelling is brilliant, the art for the most part is a perfect compliment (minus the last arc where many of the characters look the same due to a different artist). Surprised at how fast this read is. What put this at a 5-star was the fact I'll definitely be reading this one again!
dereksilva's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed the two stories by Brubaker. Didn't enjoy the third story as much but it was still good.
thesteve's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
More...