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Gotham by Midnight
Gotham by Midnight, Volume 1: We Do Not Sleep
Spinning out of Batman Eternal, Detective Jim Corrigan aka The Spectre stars in his very own series Gotham By Midnight!
Normally Batman and the other caped protectors of Gotham have the streets of the city covered. But when monsters, ghosts and other supernatural beings enter the mix, even the Dark Knight needs help. Enter Detective Jim Corrigan aka the Spectre to prowl the streets of Gotham, solving the unsolvable supernatural crimes the city can muster.
Collects Gotham By Midnight #1-6.
Normally Batman and the other caped protectors of Gotham have the streets of the city covered. But when monsters, ghosts and other supernatural beings enter the mix, even the Dark Knight needs help. Enter Detective Jim Corrigan aka the Spectre to prowl the streets of Gotham, solving the unsolvable supernatural crimes the city can muster.
Collects Gotham By Midnight #1-6.
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2015
6 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Ray Fawkes
460 books84 followersRay Fawkes is the critically-acclaimed author of the comics and graphic novels Underwinter, Intersect, One Soul, The People Inside, The Spectral Engine, Possessions, and Junction True, as well as Batman: Eternal, Constantine, Justice League Dark, and Gotham by Midnight (DC), Wolverines (Marvel), Black Hammer '45 (Dark Horse), Jackpot! (AfterShock) and more. He is an Eisner, Harvey, and Shuster award nominee and a YALSA award winner.
Ray has been making comics for over 20 years, starting with and continuing the tradition of DIY fiction as well as working for many major comics publishers in the U.S. and Canada.
Ray has been making comics for over 20 years, starting with and continuing the tradition of DIY fiction as well as working for many major comics publishers in the U.S. and Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
April 10, 2019
2.5 stars
I can't say this one did much for me, but it wasn't the worst thing I've ever laid my eyeballs on, either. It was just sort of...there.
The biggest problem (for me) was that I never really felt any connection to the characters or the story. While I was reading it, everything about it just felt sorta off.
Maybe this is because it's just the first volume, and it hasn't quite found its legs yet?
Or maybe it's because it's a paint by numbers Spooky-Shit-In-Gotham story...cough
Whatever the reason, I doubt I'll actively seek this title out again.
The art alternated between weird (<--read: ugly/scratchy) and pretty cool, so I'm torn on how I feel about it visually. I guess in the end, I'd say it fit the tone of the story well enough.
If you're specifically looking for a horror story written in a universe with superheroes, then maybe you'll like We Do Not Sleep a bit better than I did.
I can't say this one did much for me, but it wasn't the worst thing I've ever laid my eyeballs on, either. It was just sort of...there.
The biggest problem (for me) was that I never really felt any connection to the characters or the story. While I was reading it, everything about it just felt sorta off.
Maybe this is because it's just the first volume, and it hasn't quite found its legs yet?
Or maybe it's because it's a paint by numbers Spooky-Shit-In-Gotham story...cough
Whatever the reason, I doubt I'll actively seek this title out again.
The art alternated between weird (<--read: ugly/scratchy) and pretty cool, so I'm torn on how I feel about it visually. I guess in the end, I'd say it fit the tone of the story well enough.
If you're specifically looking for a horror story written in a universe with superheroes, then maybe you'll like We Do Not Sleep a bit better than I did.
August 25, 2015
Gotham by Midnight is apparently a spinoff from the weekly Batman series, Batman Eternal, but I’m not sure how. Jim Corrigan, aka the Spectre, was in the first volume of Eternal, teaming up with Batwing to investigate the weirdness at Arkham Asylum, going up against Joker’s Daughter and the newly resurrected Deacon Blackfire - but then he disappeared and I don’t think he was in Eternal Volume 2.
He’s reappeared now as the leader of this sub-section of the GCPD, known alternately as the Detailed Task Force/Precinct Thirteen/the Midnight Shift, a branch Gordon apparently authorised. They’re the spooky division who investigate the paranormal side to Gotham crime (the ones that Batman doesn’t get around to at least).
In this introductory volume, Corrigan’s team are being audited by Internal Affairs while they’re on the trail of missing kids, shadow monsters, and an evil that threatens to engulf the city. Why do ordinary people live in Gotham again? Who knows - maybe the house prices are permanently rock bottom because of all the chaos!
I know we’re way past the point of pretending that the New 52 is all about attracting new readers but it still would’ve been nice if there had been some kind of explanation of Corrigan’s powers. He’s not the most famous character and I’m sure there are going to be a few readers wondering what his background is/how he became the Spectre (broadly, he’s an odd hybrid of Constantine and Etrigan). But even though he’s the “big draw” of the series (showing you how far down the character ladder DC are now), there are dreary origin stories to a couple of the new characters, Sister Justine and Detective Lisa Drake.
The latter is a pyro, much like Liz Sherman in Dark Horse’s BPRD, the series that I kept thinking of when reading this comic. The whole arc made me think of an average BPRD story with a couple cameos from Batman thrown in. Gotham’s cursed, evil spirits lurk in the shadows, and monsters abound in the hilariously named Slaughter Swamp State Park (just on the outskirts of Gotham apparently!). Yup, your usual supernatural horror comic - this one’s even drawn by Ben “30 Days of Night” Templesmith!
Templesmith’s art is suitably grim and gothic for the most part and he’s a good choice for the main artist of this series. Some sequences though are a bit messy and confusing like in the first issue. It’s unclear exactly how Corrigan defeats the swamp monster and saved the kids. How does holding up a phone defeat it? Were the kids inside the swamp monster? How did the resulting explosion not kill the kids? How did being consumed by a monster not kill them? What was going on in that scene!?
Ray Fawkes’ uninspired supernatural police procedural/corny horror BPRD-lite didn’t grab me. It’s derivative, the disjointed story doesn’t gel together well, the dialogue was cliched, and the characters weren’t very interesting. We got to see the Spectre at least which is more than we did in Eternal. Maybe fans of Gotham Central looking for more of the same with a spooky twist might enjoy this but for me this was another Batman spinoff that failed to excite.
He’s reappeared now as the leader of this sub-section of the GCPD, known alternately as the Detailed Task Force/Precinct Thirteen/the Midnight Shift, a branch Gordon apparently authorised. They’re the spooky division who investigate the paranormal side to Gotham crime (the ones that Batman doesn’t get around to at least).
In this introductory volume, Corrigan’s team are being audited by Internal Affairs while they’re on the trail of missing kids, shadow monsters, and an evil that threatens to engulf the city. Why do ordinary people live in Gotham again? Who knows - maybe the house prices are permanently rock bottom because of all the chaos!
I know we’re way past the point of pretending that the New 52 is all about attracting new readers but it still would’ve been nice if there had been some kind of explanation of Corrigan’s powers. He’s not the most famous character and I’m sure there are going to be a few readers wondering what his background is/how he became the Spectre (broadly, he’s an odd hybrid of Constantine and Etrigan). But even though he’s the “big draw” of the series (showing you how far down the character ladder DC are now), there are dreary origin stories to a couple of the new characters, Sister Justine and Detective Lisa Drake.
The latter is a pyro, much like Liz Sherman in Dark Horse’s BPRD, the series that I kept thinking of when reading this comic. The whole arc made me think of an average BPRD story with a couple cameos from Batman thrown in. Gotham’s cursed, evil spirits lurk in the shadows, and monsters abound in the hilariously named Slaughter Swamp State Park (just on the outskirts of Gotham apparently!). Yup, your usual supernatural horror comic - this one’s even drawn by Ben “30 Days of Night” Templesmith!
Templesmith’s art is suitably grim and gothic for the most part and he’s a good choice for the main artist of this series. Some sequences though are a bit messy and confusing like in the first issue. It’s unclear exactly how Corrigan defeats the swamp monster and saved the kids. How does holding up a phone defeat it? Were the kids inside the swamp monster? How did the resulting explosion not kill the kids? How did being consumed by a monster not kill them? What was going on in that scene!?
Ray Fawkes’ uninspired supernatural police procedural/corny horror BPRD-lite didn’t grab me. It’s derivative, the disjointed story doesn’t gel together well, the dialogue was cliched, and the characters weren’t very interesting. We got to see the Spectre at least which is more than we did in Eternal. Maybe fans of Gotham Central looking for more of the same with a spooky twist might enjoy this but for me this was another Batman spinoff that failed to excite.
September 1, 2016
I received this from Edelweiss and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review.
Now THIS was INCREDIBLE! This was a spin-off of the Batman Eternal weeklies, and it captured the spiritual wickedness that was released into Gotham City when Arkham Asylum collapsed into oblivion. Seriously, what else can make this city any worse? Sins buried deep in the swamp around the city, that's what.
The story was simply well-written, delving into topics not normally seen in DC Comics: sin and judgment, prayer and sacrifice. It was presented well, with a exceptionally high creepiness factor. The artwork contributed to this, a style I normally don't like. In this rare case, it was essential to the book.
I was going to say that DC needs to keep this series going after the whole Multiversity event, but apparently the series is already cancelled. Bad decision, if you ask me.
Now THIS was INCREDIBLE! This was a spin-off of the Batman Eternal weeklies, and it captured the spiritual wickedness that was released into Gotham City when Arkham Asylum collapsed into oblivion. Seriously, what else can make this city any worse? Sins buried deep in the swamp around the city, that's what.
The story was simply well-written, delving into topics not normally seen in DC Comics: sin and judgment, prayer and sacrifice. It was presented well, with a exceptionally high creepiness factor. The artwork contributed to this, a style I normally don't like. In this rare case, it was essential to the book.
I was going to say that DC needs to keep this series going after the whole Multiversity event, but apparently the series is already cancelled. Bad decision, if you ask me.
May 30, 2021
The Shining meets police procedural in graphic novel format, as Jim Corrigan/The Spectre and a crew of Gotham's finest protect and serve against the supernatural. Trigger warnings longer than this review, so check your traumas at the door if you choose to read.
October 9, 2015
You feel that? In your gut? That's your soul saying uh-oh.
I like this series. It's interesting. It's a little creepy. And there's Batman.
It tries to have a creepy vibe, but it's not creepy enough. Maybe I shouldn't have read it during the day. The art on the first few issues complements the tone. It's too bad they couldn't have stuck with it.
Is there no good that can come from tainted ground?
Interesting philosophy of the denizens of history asking the Spectre to pass judgment on the people of Gotham for destroying the indigenous people when they settled there. I really want to know where this plot line is going since it seems to fizzle out - and how is the swamp creature related to the black flowers?
I like this series. It's interesting. It's a little creepy. And there's Batman.
It tries to have a creepy vibe, but it's not creepy enough. Maybe I shouldn't have read it during the day. The art on the first few issues complements the tone. It's too bad they couldn't have stuck with it.
Is there no good that can come from tainted ground?
Interesting philosophy of the denizens of history asking the Spectre to pass judgment on the people of Gotham for destroying the indigenous people when they settled there. I really want to know where this plot line is going since it seems to fizzle out - and how is the swamp creature related to the black flowers?
April 7, 2018
The best way to infuse life into the Batman saga? Make him a secondary character
One of the difficulty I've found with Batman tales, is that every angle has already been explored many times before. His relationship with the Joker, his refusal to kill ...
Gotham by Midnight infuses new life into this by bringing a new cast of characters into their tale, and making Batman a secondary character.
Fawkes's tale is great, and Templesmith's unusual art really gives it a unique feel. Very cool!
One of the difficulty I've found with Batman tales, is that every angle has already been explored many times before. His relationship with the Joker, his refusal to kill ...
Gotham by Midnight infuses new life into this by bringing a new cast of characters into their tale, and making Batman a secondary character.
Fawkes's tale is great, and Templesmith's unusual art really gives it a unique feel. Very cool!
October 9, 2015
I have to give this 4 stars. There were times when the story lost me and then it ended too fast and there were loose ends flopping all over like a livewire that just came down from a power pole in a lightning storm, BUT Ray Fawkes and Ben Templesmith make a wonderful partnership.
Ray Fawkes is a wonderfully sweet man and I excuse any gaps in his writing because in real life he is so humble and quiet and just so nice. Maybe that's not a good enough reason to love this arc in all its gaps and holes and chilling glory, but I got the creeps reading this in broad daylight and to me, that's a good story and time well spent.
While Fawkes writes a creeping narrative with dark characters that we don't really know a thing about, Templesmith comes in with his fantastical art that's just so suited to the story. Nothing in his art is ever definitive - not even the lines. They rush all over the page and change right before your eyes. See, creepy. Maybe it's because there were some holes and gaps and in some grossly ironic way this brings me closer to the story rather than pushing me away. I want to read it again and again just to see if there's anything that I missed but even when I do and the story's still the same, I love it just as much as the first time.
Ray Fawkes is a wonderfully sweet man and I excuse any gaps in his writing because in real life he is so humble and quiet and just so nice. Maybe that's not a good enough reason to love this arc in all its gaps and holes and chilling glory, but I got the creeps reading this in broad daylight and to me, that's a good story and time well spent.
While Fawkes writes a creeping narrative with dark characters that we don't really know a thing about, Templesmith comes in with his fantastical art that's just so suited to the story. Nothing in his art is ever definitive - not even the lines. They rush all over the page and change right before your eyes. See, creepy. Maybe it's because there were some holes and gaps and in some grossly ironic way this brings me closer to the story rather than pushing me away. I want to read it again and again just to see if there's anything that I missed but even when I do and the story's still the same, I love it just as much as the first time.
May 29, 2016
I enjoyed this one. It deals with the creepier side of Gotham City, focusing on a task force put together by Jim Corrigan (the Spectre) to deal with the more supernatural threats that Batman is sometimes too busy to handle.
Ben Templesmith did the art, and he's a great horror artist so the atmosphere was great.
Looking forward to the next volume.
Ben Templesmith did the art, and he's a great horror artist so the atmosphere was great.
Looking forward to the next volume.
September 3, 2015
Almost 5 stars.
A few issues in, I realized that I was kind of loving the series. I love coming across stories that bring up weightier subjects you don't necessarily see often in books/comics — like, in this case, God and, even more surprisingly, sin and judgment. It's just really interesting and enriches the comic book reading experience to have topics like these introduced into the bones of the story. Ben Templesmith's art is so, so good at creating atmosphere, and the way he uses light and makes parts glow is just beautiful. I missed his work in issue 6, with the change to a new artist, but Juan Ferreyra's work is also very good. It doesn't convey the mood the same way, and it looks like the series might go for more one-issue arcs, which is less appealing. Still, this series turned out to be quite impressive.
A few issues in, I realized that I was kind of loving the series. I love coming across stories that bring up weightier subjects you don't necessarily see often in books/comics — like, in this case, God and, even more surprisingly, sin and judgment. It's just really interesting and enriches the comic book reading experience to have topics like these introduced into the bones of the story. Ben Templesmith's art is so, so good at creating atmosphere, and the way he uses light and makes parts glow is just beautiful. I missed his work in issue 6, with the change to a new artist, but Juan Ferreyra's work is also very good. It doesn't convey the mood the same way, and it looks like the series might go for more one-issue arcs, which is less appealing. Still, this series turned out to be quite impressive.
July 22, 2016
Three and a half stars, so close to four even just purely for the artwork. It misses greatness due to being just too obscure and obtuse. Nice to see Corrigan again.
April 28, 2018
Like Gotham Central's paranormal cousin, only with zero character development.
July 16, 2018
Spawning out of Batman Eternal, Commissioner James Gordon budgeted and opened a department within the Gotham City Police Force to handle the supernatural and mystical crimes lead by Jim Corrigan as The Specter that tend to happen from time to time in Gotham City. This trade paperback collects the first five issues (1–5) of the 2014 on-going series.
Precinct Thirteen also affectionately known as the Midnight Shift consists of three officers and two consultants: Detective Jim Corrigan (The Specter), Detective Lisa Drake, Lieutenant Sam Weaver, Forensic Scientist Szandor Tarr, and Sister Justine. Prescient Thirteen is considered Commissioner James Gordon's pet project and is run by a discretionary fund from the Gotham City Police Department.
The on-going series opens up with Sergeant Rook from Internal Affairs to audit the precinct and intends to shut it down – despite it being a pet project of the Commissioner. Rook has heard all the rumors about it being a prescient fighting the supernatural, but Rook sees the facts. Precinct Thirteen has been funneling money and has no arrest or case report written. Instead of explaining, Detective Jim Corrigan suggests that Sergeant Rook shadow them and he would understand what they do and why they are needed.
Sergeant Rook shadowed Detective Corrigan on two cases. The first dealt with rescue kidnapped children who returned but could only speak a language that no one else understood and the second dealt with a patient zero with an outbreak of smallpox that couldn't be cured. Both cases were caused by vengeful spirits that the Midnight Shift to destroy them. However, that was just the beginning.
Through their investigation, Sister Justine determined that five words in the language the recovered kidnapped children were speaking were names: Ovovo, Amodri, Ikkt, Ikkondrid, and Dunn. Ovovo took on the image of a demonic nun that taught kidnapped children her language, Ikkit was the spirit that gave smallpox to a child, and Amodr was the spirit that poisoned alcohol, which Sergeant Rook and Detective Corrigan drank, which brought forth the Specter to battle Ikkondrid – a spiritual personification of the Miagani Village that settlers destroyed in order to build Gotham City.
The Miagani are a fictional indigenous people that worshiped the bat. They are the same people that Bruce Wayne met when he was lost in time and presumed dead. He dressed up like a bat to save the Miagani people and in return they worshiped him. When the first European settlers came, they educated the Miagani children in English, spread a new disease called smallpox, introduced alcohol to their tribe, which poisoned the rest of their tribe, and then they destroy the settlement in order to build Gotham City.
Enraged, Ikkondrid, the Miagani spirit of the destroyed village wants the Specter to pass judgement on Gotham City for their crimes against them – the Miagani people. Just as the heaven open and was about to pass judgement, Sister Justine – who has a purer soul than most prayed for the people of Gotham City and literally took their sins and punishment (death) to save the city from Ikkondrid and the spirit of the doomed Miagami city was satisfied – for the moment.
Ray Fawkes penned the entire trade paperback and for the most part it was written rather well. I like how the malevolent spirits of the indigenous Miagani people parallel the crimes that the first European settlers had committed to their tribe. However, Fawkes mentioned five malevolent spirits, but only depicted four – Dunn was left out. I really like the idea of the Midnight Shift – a department of a police force that dealt with the horrific supernatural things that bumps in the night of Gotham City.
Ben Templesmith penciled the entire trade paperback and because he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. However, the penciling style is much to be deserved – it's a tad too experimental for me. I do, however, like the gloom and doom of the coloring – it brings the feeling of a horror story, which is rather apropos for the series. However, I just like more realistic or proportional penciling – Templesmith's penciling is too artistic or experimental for me.
All in all, Gotham By Midnight: We Do Not Sleep is a somewhat good beginning for the series and I can't wait to read the next trade paperback.
Precinct Thirteen also affectionately known as the Midnight Shift consists of three officers and two consultants: Detective Jim Corrigan (The Specter), Detective Lisa Drake, Lieutenant Sam Weaver, Forensic Scientist Szandor Tarr, and Sister Justine. Prescient Thirteen is considered Commissioner James Gordon's pet project and is run by a discretionary fund from the Gotham City Police Department.
The on-going series opens up with Sergeant Rook from Internal Affairs to audit the precinct and intends to shut it down – despite it being a pet project of the Commissioner. Rook has heard all the rumors about it being a prescient fighting the supernatural, but Rook sees the facts. Precinct Thirteen has been funneling money and has no arrest or case report written. Instead of explaining, Detective Jim Corrigan suggests that Sergeant Rook shadow them and he would understand what they do and why they are needed.
Sergeant Rook shadowed Detective Corrigan on two cases. The first dealt with rescue kidnapped children who returned but could only speak a language that no one else understood and the second dealt with a patient zero with an outbreak of smallpox that couldn't be cured. Both cases were caused by vengeful spirits that the Midnight Shift to destroy them. However, that was just the beginning.
Through their investigation, Sister Justine determined that five words in the language the recovered kidnapped children were speaking were names: Ovovo, Amodri, Ikkt, Ikkondrid, and Dunn. Ovovo took on the image of a demonic nun that taught kidnapped children her language, Ikkit was the spirit that gave smallpox to a child, and Amodr was the spirit that poisoned alcohol, which Sergeant Rook and Detective Corrigan drank, which brought forth the Specter to battle Ikkondrid – a spiritual personification of the Miagani Village that settlers destroyed in order to build Gotham City.
The Miagani are a fictional indigenous people that worshiped the bat. They are the same people that Bruce Wayne met when he was lost in time and presumed dead. He dressed up like a bat to save the Miagani people and in return they worshiped him. When the first European settlers came, they educated the Miagani children in English, spread a new disease called smallpox, introduced alcohol to their tribe, which poisoned the rest of their tribe, and then they destroy the settlement in order to build Gotham City.
Enraged, Ikkondrid, the Miagani spirit of the destroyed village wants the Specter to pass judgement on Gotham City for their crimes against them – the Miagani people. Just as the heaven open and was about to pass judgement, Sister Justine – who has a purer soul than most prayed for the people of Gotham City and literally took their sins and punishment (death) to save the city from Ikkondrid and the spirit of the doomed Miagami city was satisfied – for the moment.
Ray Fawkes penned the entire trade paperback and for the most part it was written rather well. I like how the malevolent spirits of the indigenous Miagani people parallel the crimes that the first European settlers had committed to their tribe. However, Fawkes mentioned five malevolent spirits, but only depicted four – Dunn was left out. I really like the idea of the Midnight Shift – a department of a police force that dealt with the horrific supernatural things that bumps in the night of Gotham City.
Ben Templesmith penciled the entire trade paperback and because he was the only penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. However, the penciling style is much to be deserved – it's a tad too experimental for me. I do, however, like the gloom and doom of the coloring – it brings the feeling of a horror story, which is rather apropos for the series. However, I just like more realistic or proportional penciling – Templesmith's penciling is too artistic or experimental for me.
All in all, Gotham By Midnight: We Do Not Sleep is a somewhat good beginning for the series and I can't wait to read the next trade paperback.
August 30, 2015
Ray Fawkes seems to be DC's go-to guy for supernatural stories, and yet they always seem to fall kind of flat - see Constantine, some of Justice League Dark, and now this. His issues of Batman Eternal were probably the best he's turned out in that kind of theme, since he dealt with the whole Spectre/Arkham Asylum storyline.
Focusing on a team of supernatural detectives employed by the Gotham Police Department, this story follows the characters as they discover a plot by ancient evils to try and destroy the city. Your usual stuff. Each issue gives us a flashback to different members of the team, which is a good idea until it's forgotten for the last two issues, forgetting two of the characters entirely. There's a nice twist behind the motivations of the 'villains', but most of the characters feel kind of bland, especially so when one is killed off and you can't really bring yourself to care.
The art is alternatively excellent and murkily undecipherable, depending on...Ben Templesmith's mood, maybe? I can't really tell. It's very appropriate to the subject material, but it feels consistently inconsistent (I love that phrase), which detracts from the atmosphere of the book.
I'll come back for the next volume, but this book is on shaky ground at the moment.
Focusing on a team of supernatural detectives employed by the Gotham Police Department, this story follows the characters as they discover a plot by ancient evils to try and destroy the city. Your usual stuff. Each issue gives us a flashback to different members of the team, which is a good idea until it's forgotten for the last two issues, forgetting two of the characters entirely. There's a nice twist behind the motivations of the 'villains', but most of the characters feel kind of bland, especially so when one is killed off and you can't really bring yourself to care.
The art is alternatively excellent and murkily undecipherable, depending on...Ben Templesmith's mood, maybe? I can't really tell. It's very appropriate to the subject material, but it feels consistently inconsistent (I love that phrase), which detracts from the atmosphere of the book.
I'll come back for the next volume, but this book is on shaky ground at the moment.
February 29, 2016
Call it Justice League Dark, but for Gotham City. Or Gotham Central, but for spooky stuff. It's an interesting concept, but I'm not thrilled by the end result. For one thing, I'm not a fan of Templesmith's art. It's pretty cool looking by itself, as art, but in a comic book, telling a story, it can be pretty hard to follow. And Fawkes's story is complicated enough that it needs the artwork to help the reader follow what's going on.
I don't know if this title made it through the whole New 52 purge; if it did, I'll probably give it a little time to see if it grows on me.
I don't know if this title made it through the whole New 52 purge; if it did, I'll probably give it a little time to see if it grows on me.
September 27, 2015
Me entusiasma el guión de esta cabecera, que por desgracia va a ser cancelada. También el concepto artístico y la sencillez con que nos muestran trama y personajes... Un acierto el tratamiento de Jim Corrigan como tal y su relación con el Espectro. El buscar la podredumbre de Gotham en sus mismos cimientos no es una idea nueva pero si lo es esta visión con la que se nos invita a reflexionar sobre colonialismo, barbarie y culpa. Muy recomendable.
September 12, 2017
5 stars
The Midnight Shift is very cool. Would be fun to see supernatural cases. Didn't really like the Internal Affairs guy. What are you supposed to do if you get rid of the Midnight Shift? Let Gotham fall apart? RIP Sister Justine.
Can't wait to read Gotham by Midnight, volume 2: Rest in Peace!!!!
The Midnight Shift is very cool. Would be fun to see supernatural cases. Didn't really like the Internal Affairs guy. What are you supposed to do if you get rid of the Midnight Shift? Let Gotham fall apart? RIP Sister Justine.
Can't wait to read Gotham by Midnight, volume 2: Rest in Peace!!!!
October 24, 2018
One of the most original series to come out of DC in a long time. For horror fans as well as DC enthusiasts, this title was a perfect mix of supernatural, crime, and superhero mythos combined all into one stellar book. Devastated that it was cancelled, especially since Kate Spencer made a return, and she very easily could've been brought back as Manhunter! Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend.
November 8, 2015
A decent horror comic. But overall just Eh. The artwork was on the unique? side. I didn't care for it. The covers were nice in between issues, but panel to panel it was brutal.
I recieved an advance copy of this from Netgalley.com and the publisher
I recieved an advance copy of this from Netgalley.com and the publisher
October 21, 2017
Those who can deal with what that which the Bat and police can't. The supernatural lurking in the allys of Gotham can be handeled by none other than the GGCP Detailed Task Force. Yet it's not easy to protect a city of sin from redemtion.
August 26, 2015
I don't like it, I love it, love it, love it!
I honestly I will probably end up bumping this to a five after I collect my thoughts and review it
I honestly I will probably end up bumping this to a five after I collect my thoughts and review it
December 26, 2020
Seria Batman Eternal zapowiedziała nadejście wielu zmian w świecie Batmana i wydała z siebie kilka interesujących oddzielnych wątków. To Selena Kyle stała się szefową dużej mafijnej rodziny i włada podziemiem Gotham, a tu mamy małą jednostkę zadaniową w szeregach policji, która zajmuje się sprawami niezbyt oczywistymi. Głównie paranormalnymi. Traf chce, że do zespołu oddelegowano nowego członka, sierżanta Rooka, który miał tylko zobaczyć jak działa grupa, bo na oddział 13 nasłał go wydział spraw wewnętrznych.
Zapoznawanie się już z pierwszą sprawą uczyni z niedowiarka gorliwego wyznawcę i jest to dosyć typowa klisza, ale podana bardzo strawnie. Jak się okazuje Batman odwiedza Corrigana, aby wymienić się informacjami i niejako zlecać te zadania, którymi oddział powinien się zająć. Pierwsza sprawa dotyczy porwania bliźniaczek Attwood. Sprawa dziwna, bo dziewczynki wróciły, ale nie są już sobą. Mówią jakimś dziwnym językiem. Trop zawiedzie gliniarzy na pewne bagna, gdzie spotkają zjawę zmarłej zakonnicy, która jest chyba bardziej przerażająca niż ta z drugiej części Conjuring...
Dalej grupa w skład, której wchodzą jeszcze takie postacie jak Lieutenant Weaver, siostra Justine, doktor Tarr czy detektyw Drake zmierzy się z zabójczym cieniem, który przyległ do jednej z ofiar zakonnicy, aby na końcu stanąć do walki ze sprawcą całego zamieszania, czyli bytem z jakim w szranki stanąć będzie musiał sam Spectre, który "siedzi" w ciele Corrigana. Na plus dla Fawkes, że zakończył całość dosyć niestandardowo. Miałem tutaj tylko jeden zgrzyt. Mianowicie postacie. Może za wyjątkiem siostry Justine, losy reszty bohaterów były mi obojętne. Autor poświęcił tu sporo miejsca na flashbacki, aby nakreślić nam sylwetki kilku osób z oddziału, ale nie zagrało to tak jak powinno. No i druga sprawa była momentami nudna.
Kreska niewątpliwie "robi" ten komiks i to zasługa niejakiego Bena Templesmith. Moja początkowa myśl było taka, iż całość wydała mi się zwyczajnie brzydka i pokraczna, ale im dalej w las, tym muszę przyznać, że idealnie pasuje do wydźwięku zdarzeń jakie obserwujemy. Jest niepokojąca. To coś z pogranicza mary sennej, momentami wydając się czymś nierzeczywistym. Przez to pierwszy tom ma własny, wyczuwalny klimat. Nie bez przyczyny czytałem też go późno w nocy. Po lekturze cienie jakby się wydłużyły...
Dla miłośników niepokojących tajemnic i zjawisk paranormalnych New 52 zapewniło dosyć ciekawy tytuł, z którym warto się zapoznać. I już teraz Gotham by Midnight zamiata całą czterotomową serię Constantine w ramach New 52. I choć jeszcze nie czytałem drugiego i zarazem ostatniego tomu tej marki, to mam wrażenie, że gdybym robił zestawienie tytułów, które zasługiwały by na więcej zeszytów to ekipa Corrigana na pewno by się tam znalazła...
Zapoznawanie się już z pierwszą sprawą uczyni z niedowiarka gorliwego wyznawcę i jest to dosyć typowa klisza, ale podana bardzo strawnie. Jak się okazuje Batman odwiedza Corrigana, aby wymienić się informacjami i niejako zlecać te zadania, którymi oddział powinien się zająć. Pierwsza sprawa dotyczy porwania bliźniaczek Attwood. Sprawa dziwna, bo dziewczynki wróciły, ale nie są już sobą. Mówią jakimś dziwnym językiem. Trop zawiedzie gliniarzy na pewne bagna, gdzie spotkają zjawę zmarłej zakonnicy, która jest chyba bardziej przerażająca niż ta z drugiej części Conjuring...
Dalej grupa w skład, której wchodzą jeszcze takie postacie jak Lieutenant Weaver, siostra Justine, doktor Tarr czy detektyw Drake zmierzy się z zabójczym cieniem, który przyległ do jednej z ofiar zakonnicy, aby na końcu stanąć do walki ze sprawcą całego zamieszania, czyli bytem z jakim w szranki stanąć będzie musiał sam Spectre, który "siedzi" w ciele Corrigana. Na plus dla Fawkes, że zakończył całość dosyć niestandardowo. Miałem tutaj tylko jeden zgrzyt. Mianowicie postacie. Może za wyjątkiem siostry Justine, losy reszty bohaterów były mi obojętne. Autor poświęcił tu sporo miejsca na flashbacki, aby nakreślić nam sylwetki kilku osób z oddziału, ale nie zagrało to tak jak powinno. No i druga sprawa była momentami nudna.
Kreska niewątpliwie "robi" ten komiks i to zasługa niejakiego Bena Templesmith. Moja początkowa myśl było taka, iż całość wydała mi się zwyczajnie brzydka i pokraczna, ale im dalej w las, tym muszę przyznać, że idealnie pasuje do wydźwięku zdarzeń jakie obserwujemy. Jest niepokojąca. To coś z pogranicza mary sennej, momentami wydając się czymś nierzeczywistym. Przez to pierwszy tom ma własny, wyczuwalny klimat. Nie bez przyczyny czytałem też go późno w nocy. Po lekturze cienie jakby się wydłużyły...
Dla miłośników niepokojących tajemnic i zjawisk paranormalnych New 52 zapewniło dosyć ciekawy tytuł, z którym warto się zapoznać. I już teraz Gotham by Midnight zamiata całą czterotomową serię Constantine w ramach New 52. I choć jeszcze nie czytałem drugiego i zarazem ostatniego tomu tej marki, to mam wrażenie, że gdybym robił zestawienie tytułów, które zasługiwały by na więcej zeszytów to ekipa Corrigana na pewno by się tam znalazła...
January 13, 2026
One sentence version of this is an interesting concept, and I was excited to read it, despite having bad opinions of previous books by Fawkes. In the end, this was the worst one yet (well, tied with Ragman, maybe).
This storyline just doesn't make sense. We're supposed to be seeing the dark, occult side of Gotham, at least with what the Gotham PD deals with, plus the Spectre in the mix.
Instead, nothing makes sense. Scenes skip and jump, with no proper connecting narrative, and the storytelling is completely lacking. I'd expect this from a kid writing his first comic book, not a professional writer given the reigns over multiple projects by one of the two biggest comic publishers in the country.
It doesn't make sense. The police don't act like police, but they don't hold true to anything that Fawkes establishes about them, either.
The art, while nicely painted, just makes the story even more confusing.
Skip this one unless you're a completist for occult DC; even at that, the next book in the series is so overpriced that I think it's better just to pretend this series never happened.
This storyline just doesn't make sense. We're supposed to be seeing the dark, occult side of Gotham, at least with what the Gotham PD deals with, plus the Spectre in the mix.
Instead, nothing makes sense. Scenes skip and jump, with no proper connecting narrative, and the storytelling is completely lacking. I'd expect this from a kid writing his first comic book, not a professional writer given the reigns over multiple projects by one of the two biggest comic publishers in the country.
It doesn't make sense. The police don't act like police, but they don't hold true to anything that Fawkes establishes about them, either.
The art, while nicely painted, just makes the story even more confusing.
Skip this one unless you're a completist for occult DC; even at that, the next book in the series is so overpriced that I think it's better just to pretend this series never happened.
May 2, 2020
I'll always grab a Ben Templesmith book, because his distinctive art style that's both abstract and yet structured in a very specific way is always fun to pore over, even when the story is mediocre.
Fortunately, there's a good story attached, too. Ray Fawkes pokes into Gotham's haunted lore and creates a monster with a strong justification. The problem is that it wants The Spectre to kill everyone in Gotham, and he's just so uncontrollable as an instrument of God's wrath that he might just do it, if his human host's partners in a special branch of the GCPD can't stop him.
Filled with great creepy imagery, an interesting take on Bats and his ability to handle the weirder shit, and a story that's nice and self-contained, this is a little hidden gem.
Fortunately, there's a good story attached, too. Ray Fawkes pokes into Gotham's haunted lore and creates a monster with a strong justification. The problem is that it wants The Spectre to kill everyone in Gotham, and he's just so uncontrollable as an instrument of God's wrath that he might just do it, if his human host's partners in a special branch of the GCPD can't stop him.
Filled with great creepy imagery, an interesting take on Bats and his ability to handle the weirder shit, and a story that's nice and self-contained, this is a little hidden gem.
December 23, 2021
Not earth shattering, but in a small way still a significant achievement. At times it feels like the sort of thing the Megazine does: take a corner of an existing universe, and bring with it an idiosyncratic and individualistic approach to writing and art. There’s a fluidity and dynamism to Templesmith’s art, and a genuine thrill about experimentation with colour and art styles. Yet sometimes when you get this kind of story, the actual plotting and storytelling gets a bit lost. Not so here. In fact the plotting is mostly pretty straightforward, using the art as another way to build atmosphere. It’s not going to change the world, but it’s a lot better than many similar comics ever are. A nice surprise
May 22, 2022
Gotham by Midnight is an excellent premise which would make a good tv show. It’s a special supernatural crimes unit of the GCPD led by Detective Jim Corrigan AKA The Spectre.
Volume 1 follows the team dealing with mysterious and monstrous threats originating from the swamp. The atmosphere of the book is great and it is compelling reading. I can’t say the plot really stuck with me though and I forgot most of it soon after.
Corrigan is an enjoyable protagonist and the book makes you wait for the Spectre with some excellent build up. I started to quite like IA Sergeant Rook too. The rest of the cast sadly had no impact on me at all.
I enjoyed Gotham by Midnight and I’m looking forward to reading volume 2. Recommend.
Volume 1 follows the team dealing with mysterious and monstrous threats originating from the swamp. The atmosphere of the book is great and it is compelling reading. I can’t say the plot really stuck with me though and I forgot most of it soon after.
Corrigan is an enjoyable protagonist and the book makes you wait for the Spectre with some excellent build up. I started to quite like IA Sergeant Rook too. The rest of the cast sadly had no impact on me at all.
I enjoyed Gotham by Midnight and I’m looking forward to reading volume 2. Recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2019
Gotham City meets the B.P.R.D. in Gotham By Midnight. While supernatural elements have been present in Gotham forever, the GCPD finally decide its a good idea to put a team on them. Jim Corrigan is an astute choice to helm the team. The group he puts together get a little time to be fleshed out but the antagonists are not as lucky. Bland, blank slates with an interesting backstory but that's it. Ben Templesmith has a history of drawing creepy panels but here, at times, his work was too loose and took away from the visuals. The "villains" looked less creepy and more sloppy. Overall, a decent start to a book I never knew I wanted.
January 16, 2022
Gotham city is cursed. Poisoned by shadow. It can't possibly survive... without protection.
Batman takes a backseat in this Gotham tale, and I don't hate it. I always wondered about the people who live in Gotham. What is their story? Why are they living in an evil villain playground? To answer some of my curiosity, Gotham By Midnight introduces precinct thirteen, or the Midnight Shift. This motley crew is called in when things get a little too strange for Gotham's heroes. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the Gotham universe. Just don't go in expecting Batman to be the star.
Batman takes a backseat in this Gotham tale, and I don't hate it. I always wondered about the people who live in Gotham. What is their story? Why are they living in an evil villain playground? To answer some of my curiosity, Gotham By Midnight introduces precinct thirteen, or the Midnight Shift. This motley crew is called in when things get a little too strange for Gotham's heroes. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the Gotham universe. Just don't go in expecting Batman to be the star.
November 26, 2021
With a unique art style providing numerous fantastic illustrations, this is a beautiful supernatural horror story/detective drama hybrid that is greatly entertaining on its visual merits alone.
The story is not as strong as it could be, although the characters give it a bit of a boost, but it almost doesn't matter. Because thanks to the great visuals and equally great ideas, this is a constantly interesting read.
I'd highly recommend this one even if just for the art style - but luckily there is some great occult and supernatural storytelling going on too.
The story is not as strong as it could be, although the characters give it a bit of a boost, but it almost doesn't matter. Because thanks to the great visuals and equally great ideas, this is a constantly interesting read.
I'd highly recommend this one even if just for the art style - but luckily there is some great occult and supernatural storytelling going on too.
December 15, 2023
"Gotham by Midnight: We Do Not Sleep" is a gritty horror infused tale about a GCPD unit focused on fighting threats to Gotham's citizenry from occult and demonic forces. This book is dark and grim and does not pull any punches. In particular, the book suggests that Gotham's problems are not just due to greed, apathy and a corrupt political system but go back to the very founding of the city and the moral failings of its founders. Expect grim and unsettling art, a fairly nuanced examination of the genocidal affects of European expansion into the new world, several new and well developed characters and a new take on The Spectre and Jim Corrigan.
April 7, 2020
Decente spin-off del Batverso descubriéndonos el lado más sobrenatural de Gotham City. Aunque la trama de este tomo aunque fue bastante grandilocuente me supo a poco. También la culpa está en que no he conectado como debería con el equipo ni con Corrigan.
El estilo tan particular y siniestro de Templesmith salva bastante el conjunto.
El estilo tan particular y siniestro de Templesmith salva bastante el conjunto.
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