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Gotham Central (Collected Editions) #1-5
Gotham Central Omnibus
Gotham City: a town teeming with corrupt cops, ruthless crime lords, petty thieves ... and just a small handful that would oppose them. Grizzled veteran Harvey Bullock, Captain Maggie Sawyer, Detective Renee Montoya and the GCPD are the law force that stands between order and complete anarchy. Gotham's Finest work around the clock to not only keep the world's most psychotic criminals off the street... but also cleaning up the mess left behind by Batman's one-man war on crime.
Written by critically acclaimed authors Ed Brubaker (Captain America) and Greg Rucka (52, Detective Comics), this Eisner Award-winning series follows the detectives of Gotham City's Special Crimes Unit as they navigate against the city's greatest villains--in the shadow of Batman himself. This Eisner Award-winning series is now available in its entirety in this Omnibus edition. Collects issues #1-40.
Written by critically acclaimed authors Ed Brubaker (Captain America) and Greg Rucka (52, Detective Comics), this Eisner Award-winning series follows the detectives of Gotham City's Special Crimes Unit as they navigate against the city's greatest villains--in the shadow of Batman himself. This Eisner Award-winning series is now available in its entirety in this Omnibus edition. Collects issues #1-40.
968 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2006
90 people are currently reading
974 people want to read
About the author
Ed Brubaker
1,797 books3,015 followersEd Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
July 14, 2022
This superb police procedural in a superhero reality is set in Batman's city of Gotham. As well as the usual suspects, we get to know members of the police force and their lives. This very interesting nad dare I say daring mainstream superhero universes read looks at the DC super powered world reality through a more human lens; this is fine work by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, easily the best police procedural DC (or Marvel) has ever made. There's also a pretty intelligent and compellingly dark epilogue. 8 out of 12.
I read the comic books covered by this omnibus (thanks to this Omnibus there is so much less Goodreads work for me, having this as a single listing as opposed to one for each volume!). I read the comic books Gotham Central #1-40
2017 read; 2013 read
I read the comic books covered by this omnibus (thanks to this Omnibus there is so much less Goodreads work for me, having this as a single listing as opposed to one for each volume!). I read the comic books Gotham Central #1-40
2017 read; 2013 read
October 25, 2024
Tell me you did not just shoot Batman!
Gotham Central tells the story of the detectives of the Gotham City Major Crimes Unit.
I read and reviewed Gotham Central in individual collections. This was my second time reading the entire run. It's just as good on the reread.
The cops of Gotham City have it rough, what with the spectre of Batman looming over them. In this massive tome, the cops of the Gotham City Major Crimes Unit have their hands full with Mr. Freeze, The Joker, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Doctor Alchemy, and others, all the while trying not to involve a certain Dark Knight Detective.
The book tells the tale of the downward spiral of Renee Montoya, outted as a lesbian and disowned by her family, seeking out violence for relief. It's also the tale of Crispus Allen, Marcus Driver, and others. The GCPD tackle super villains, corruption, and a bunch of dead Robins with good old-fashioned police work. It's basically The Wire set in Gotham City.
The artwork, particularly Michael Lark's, perfectly suits the tale, painting Gotham in grimy, dark, subdued colors. Brubaker and Rucka weave a realistic tale about what it would be like operating a police department in a world full of super heroes.
Even though I'd read the entire run before, Renee's tale jabbed me right in the feelings quite a few times. It's a gritty road to an unhappy ending. It's a shame there aren't many comics like this but we can still get bombarded with multiple flavors of Justice League and The Avengers every month.
That's about all I want to say. On the second read, Gotham Central is still one of the best comics of the 21st century. 5 out of 5 stars.
2024 reread Still a solid 5. Great stuff.
Gotham Central tells the story of the detectives of the Gotham City Major Crimes Unit.
I read and reviewed Gotham Central in individual collections. This was my second time reading the entire run. It's just as good on the reread.
The cops of Gotham City have it rough, what with the spectre of Batman looming over them. In this massive tome, the cops of the Gotham City Major Crimes Unit have their hands full with Mr. Freeze, The Joker, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Doctor Alchemy, and others, all the while trying not to involve a certain Dark Knight Detective.
The book tells the tale of the downward spiral of Renee Montoya, outted as a lesbian and disowned by her family, seeking out violence for relief. It's also the tale of Crispus Allen, Marcus Driver, and others. The GCPD tackle super villains, corruption, and a bunch of dead Robins with good old-fashioned police work. It's basically The Wire set in Gotham City.
The artwork, particularly Michael Lark's, perfectly suits the tale, painting Gotham in grimy, dark, subdued colors. Brubaker and Rucka weave a realistic tale about what it would be like operating a police department in a world full of super heroes.
Even though I'd read the entire run before, Renee's tale jabbed me right in the feelings quite a few times. It's a gritty road to an unhappy ending. It's a shame there aren't many comics like this but we can still get bombarded with multiple flavors of Justice League and The Avengers every month.
That's about all I want to say. On the second read, Gotham Central is still one of the best comics of the 21st century. 5 out of 5 stars.
2024 reread Still a solid 5. Great stuff.
May 27, 2022
This series is like a bag of M&Ms. You think you can open it and just eat a few, but damned if that scrumptious combination of milk chocolate and candy coating doesn’t do a number on your taste receptors and leave you powerless to resist consuming every last one in a matter of seconds.
That’s this collection. You think you can stop after an issue or two, but it’s so addictive you just end up plowing through the whole thing like a lawyer in the 1980s sitting in front of a pile of cocaine.
It’s dark, sure, but it is gripping and endlessly entertaining. Sort of like a lawyer in the 1980s sitting in front of a pile of cocaine.
That’s this collection. You think you can stop after an issue or two, but it’s so addictive you just end up plowing through the whole thing like a lawyer in the 1980s sitting in front of a pile of cocaine.
It’s dark, sure, but it is gripping and endlessly entertaining. Sort of like a lawyer in the 1980s sitting in front of a pile of cocaine.
March 2, 2018
You know that Gotham City must be a pretty screwed up place when a story focusing solely on the city's cops is just as compelling as the ones focusing on it's cape-wearing, billionaire vigilante. That's the case in this multiple award winning series by now superstar writers Brubaker and Rucka (splitting the writing duties between the day shift and night shift, and rotating story arcs). The detectives of the GCPD Major Crimes Unit are the stars here, in a constant struggle to navigate the dangerous criminal world of Gotham, all while dealing with sometimes playing second fiddle to a crazy person that runs around in a bat costume, overshadows their efforts, and undermines their authority, leaving them to constantly clean up his damn mess.
I loved seeing the Bat-world from this point of view of regular Joe's just trying to make a living: whether it's seeing the lasting effects that a super-weapon like Mr. Freeze's gun would have on a person, the day-to-day bureaucracy behind who will turn the switch on the Bat-Signal, or seeing how the mad chaos caused by The Joker could put the fear of god in a whole town.
Although I wish all of them got equal attention, all of the characters are enjoyable and well-drawn, lending to further ground the comic book atmosphere. Most of the story arcs were great but the standouts to me were:
"Soft Targets," about the unit trying to hunt down the Joker as he holds Gotham hostage during Christmas.
"Dead Robin," about the investigation of a serial killer dressing up his victims as the Boy Wonder.
"Corrigan," where Det. Renee Montoya must clear her partner's name after evidence is removed from the scene of an officer involved shooting by a corrupt forensics officer
And of course, the award-winning "Half a Life," in which Montoya's life gets turned upside down after being targeted by an unknown stalker.
This series is a must-read, and you don't need to be a Batman fan or reader to really enjoy this. The character is barely in this and only once in a while makes an appearance. It's less of a Batman book and something closer to NYPD Blue, Homicide: Life on the Street, or even The Wire. So get on this quickly, especially if you enjoy police procedurals!
I loved seeing the Bat-world from this point of view of regular Joe's just trying to make a living: whether it's seeing the lasting effects that a super-weapon like Mr. Freeze's gun would have on a person, the day-to-day bureaucracy behind who will turn the switch on the Bat-Signal, or seeing how the mad chaos caused by The Joker could put the fear of god in a whole town.
Although I wish all of them got equal attention, all of the characters are enjoyable and well-drawn, lending to further ground the comic book atmosphere. Most of the story arcs were great but the standouts to me were:
"Soft Targets," about the unit trying to hunt down the Joker as he holds Gotham hostage during Christmas.
"Dead Robin," about the investigation of a serial killer dressing up his victims as the Boy Wonder.
"Corrigan," where Det. Renee Montoya must clear her partner's name after evidence is removed from the scene of an officer involved shooting by a corrupt forensics officer
And of course, the award-winning "Half a Life," in which Montoya's life gets turned upside down after being targeted by an unknown stalker.
This series is a must-read, and you don't need to be a Batman fan or reader to really enjoy this. The character is barely in this and only once in a while makes an appearance. It's less of a Batman book and something closer to NYPD Blue, Homicide: Life on the Street, or even The Wire. So get on this quickly, especially if you enjoy police procedurals!
August 8, 2021
If you ever asked yourself how the normal human would act and think like in a world full of masked heroes, well this is the book for you. Gotham Central is about a police force having the honors of facing the not so nice criminal inhabitants of gotham city. Sadly multiple times with a cliche ridden crime story done plenty somewhere else, but that works mostly because it is set in Batmans backyard and we love our villians here.
Speaking of villians, this series wouldn't even need them, as our characters flaws are so on point here that reading about our protagonists wrestling with their inner demons is even more thrilling than a fist fight with two face.
Where this Series really won me over is the lay out /art style, how it flows with rarely having to use description boxes.. it rather just shows you! Sadly you don't see that applied well in most comics but here its just perfect.
Something for everyone, even non superhero fans!
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
Speaking of villians, this series wouldn't even need them, as our characters flaws are so on point here that reading about our protagonists wrestling with their inner demons is even more thrilling than a fist fight with two face.
Where this Series really won me over is the lay out /art style, how it flows with rarely having to use description boxes.. it rather just shows you! Sadly you don't see that applied well in most comics but here its just perfect.
Something for everyone, even non superhero fans!
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
July 8, 2023
If you wanta grounded story but still be in the DC Universe. This. Is. THE BOOK! The GCPD´s finest and hardest working detectives are struggleing after a gang war has broken out and a detectives recent deceased partner being lost in the crossfire of a wrong door entry to a supervillains hideout. We get a scene set of a dayshift and a nightshift staff that each gives us the perspective of the non-batfamily member non-metahuman pespective. The real world in a unrealworld. Want Batman? You´ll have to keep your eyes open so you won´t miss him!
February 24, 2023
This is potentially one of the most compelling Police procedurals I've ever encountered, right up there with HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET.
Writers Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka serve up a meaty cast of Detectives working Gotham City's Major Crime Unit, and gives each one a distinct personality and voice, something that a lot of comics are missing, especially these days. The art is primarily handled by Michael Lark, whose work I really enjoy, but he doesn't exactly make some of the characters distinct enough, so I was often left wondering which 40-something white male Detective I was reading about, hoping for someone to drop a name or give me a clue. Most of the cast are unique-looking, but a few were hard to tell apart.
This was a "Can't put it down" book, but be warned...as with almost all omnibus collections, it doesn't really end in a satisfying place. The omnibus collects the whole GOTHAM CENTRAL run, but you'll have to look elsewhere to discover the fates of a few characters who feature prominently in the last story arc. (A few of them were ruined forever thanks to Greg Rucka's penchant for making ordinary people into new versions of old Super-Heroes.) Also, I have wondered for two decades why Greg Rucka named his corrupt cop Jim Corrigan, and what he had to do with Jim Corrigan, the cop who became The Spectre. Reading this book gave me no answers. Luckily, Wikipedia has been invented since these issues were originally published, and the answer is....One Jim Corrigan had nothing to do with the other. So...maybe pick a different name???
Writers Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka serve up a meaty cast of Detectives working Gotham City's Major Crime Unit, and gives each one a distinct personality and voice, something that a lot of comics are missing, especially these days. The art is primarily handled by Michael Lark, whose work I really enjoy, but he doesn't exactly make some of the characters distinct enough, so I was often left wondering which 40-something white male Detective I was reading about, hoping for someone to drop a name or give me a clue. Most of the cast are unique-looking, but a few were hard to tell apart.
This was a "Can't put it down" book, but be warned...as with almost all omnibus collections, it doesn't really end in a satisfying place. The omnibus collects the whole GOTHAM CENTRAL run, but you'll have to look elsewhere to discover the fates of a few characters who feature prominently in the last story arc. (A few of them were ruined forever thanks to Greg Rucka's penchant for making ordinary people into new versions of old Super-Heroes.) Also, I have wondered for two decades why Greg Rucka named his corrupt cop Jim Corrigan, and what he had to do with Jim Corrigan, the cop who became The Spectre. Reading this book gave me no answers. Luckily, Wikipedia has been invented since these issues were originally published, and the answer is....One Jim Corrigan had nothing to do with the other. So...maybe pick a different name???
June 29, 2017
Love it! Similar to some of the best TV police dramas, Hill Street Blue and NYPD Blue, this series delves into the personal and professional lives of the detectives in the police force. Each member of the squad is developed so that the reader can determine their personality and how well they investigate a case. Like any work place, though, differences in demeanor, attitude and aptitude, creates interpersonal conflicts, making all of them more "real". The stories are grim and gritty, at times horrific, and the ambiance and tone are gloomy which all fits because Gotham is a difficult, dangerous and crazy city. This series is about the detectives themselves, and while Batman does play a part, it really isn't about him, and more about how his presence alters the attitude and perception of the police force. In the end, after completing the entire volume, you'll agree the series was really about one detective in particular.
Michael Lark draws about 3/4 of this book and his work is fantastic. Each character has a distinctive look and his storytelling is masterful. When he leaves the book, his replacements are noticeable but they were able to maintain the style of his art. The color palette is appropriately dull and washed out, with lots of browns, greys and blacks.
Fantastic stuff. There's a cliffhanger at the end, and I'm not sure if another book picks up where this lets off.
Michael Lark draws about 3/4 of this book and his work is fantastic. Each character has a distinctive look and his storytelling is masterful. When he leaves the book, his replacements are noticeable but they were able to maintain the style of his art. The color palette is appropriately dull and washed out, with lots of browns, greys and blacks.
Fantastic stuff. There's a cliffhanger at the end, and I'm not sure if another book picks up where this lets off.
April 23, 2017
These days, between the groan-inducing films and the constant brand relaunches, it's hard to remember that DC Comics used to be the premier comic book company in the industry. It's a company that has well and truly lost their way. But it's OK. If Marvel could make it out of the Roger Corman era, there's hope for DC. And I think I know how: the first step is a relaunch of GOTHAM CENTRAL, one of the best properties ever to come out of the Batman franchise.
For those unfamiliar with it, GOTHAM CENTRAL was an ingeniously-conceived and ultimately short-lived series created by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, two of the best writers of the genre. The hook is deliciously simple: HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS mixed with Batman. You followed murder police through the streets of Gotham, and you maybe also got a nice cameo from Batman every once in a while (which also had the side benefit of reminding you how awesome a Batman splash page could be). It was a book about law and order, and about what it took from the people on the front lines (the series begins and ends with investigations into murdered police).
What made the series so fantastic was Brubaker and Rucka's commitment to long, ongoing arcs. Ten years ago, they were doing to comics what HBO and Netflix are doing now for TV, and the culture has finally caught up to this format of storytelling. The characters here, especially Reneé Montoya, the gay detective who is the spine of the series, feel incredibly alive, because they are given the time and space to develop, and the dramatic impact of this choice is heightened because of it. It's truly amazing work, and if you like graphic novels at all, or crime procedurals, you owe it to yourself to check them out.
GOTHAM CENTAL only ran for 40 issues, which is partly why I'm so passionate about it - it really feels like it was cut short in its prime. So, DC: you've tried to bring back everything else under the sun (I'm looking at you, SUICIDE SQUAD), why not bring this back? The culture is ready for this, and with true crime making such a comeback, theres a rich content vein to mine, too.
I'll expect my job offer in my Goodreads messages ;)
For those unfamiliar with it, GOTHAM CENTRAL was an ingeniously-conceived and ultimately short-lived series created by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, two of the best writers of the genre. The hook is deliciously simple: HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS mixed with Batman. You followed murder police through the streets of Gotham, and you maybe also got a nice cameo from Batman every once in a while (which also had the side benefit of reminding you how awesome a Batman splash page could be). It was a book about law and order, and about what it took from the people on the front lines (the series begins and ends with investigations into murdered police).
What made the series so fantastic was Brubaker and Rucka's commitment to long, ongoing arcs. Ten years ago, they were doing to comics what HBO and Netflix are doing now for TV, and the culture has finally caught up to this format of storytelling. The characters here, especially Reneé Montoya, the gay detective who is the spine of the series, feel incredibly alive, because they are given the time and space to develop, and the dramatic impact of this choice is heightened because of it. It's truly amazing work, and if you like graphic novels at all, or crime procedurals, you owe it to yourself to check them out.
GOTHAM CENTAL only ran for 40 issues, which is partly why I'm so passionate about it - it really feels like it was cut short in its prime. So, DC: you've tried to bring back everything else under the sun (I'm looking at you, SUICIDE SQUAD), why not bring this back? The culture is ready for this, and with true crime making such a comeback, theres a rich content vein to mine, too.
I'll expect my job offer in my Goodreads messages ;)
September 17, 2015
Have you ever wondered what “The Wire” would be like if, on top of illegal drug trade, city government and corruption and dealing with dishonesty on the force the officers also had to worry about Batman getting in the way and the Joker’s latest super-scheme?
If so, "Gotham Central" is the book for you.
Writers Ed Brubaker on night shift duties and Greg Rucka on day bring together a diverse group that includes longtime Batman supporting characters Renee Montoya and Crispus Allen anchor the series with newcomers like Nate Patton and Romy Chandler. There's also CSI agent/epic jerk Jim Corrigan, a guy you will love to hate.
We get all the classic cop archetypes here – the workaholic, rogue good guy, the corrupt jerk and so on. It's fun seeing these "types" interact in Batman's world. It makes them feel fresh.
The development of Renee Montoya as a character, someone many of us grew up with on "Batman: The Animated Series" is also wonderfully handled.
When a case involves both squads the authors co-write. This dynamic duo is practically peerless when it comes to noir comics. Rucka has “Queen and Country” and "Stumptown" and Brubaker? “Criminal,” “Fatale,” “Fade Out”… need I go on? These guys know noir and bring their A game here.
Batman approves.
Michael Lark is the lead artist on the series and his gritty style is the perfect fit. For a book without costumes to differentiate the cast, Lark succeeds at giving everyone a unique look.
The concept is wonderfully simple and perfectly executed. Cops have enough to worry about but when you add in the fact that you and your partner might, say, show up for a routine disturbance call and end up staring down the barrel or Mr. Freeze’s freezeray, well, it creates a tense environment.
Another way to look at it is “Marvels” or “Astro City” in the DC Universe – the series puts Batman’s world in an entirely new context by viewing it through the eyes of its normal citizens.
My one gripe with this series is at its conclusion, when the book was forced into participating with the company-wide “Infinite Crisis” storyline. The tonal shift is jarring, with the street level cops dealing with some alternate dimension fallout. It would’ve been nice to see the book go out with something a little more grounded.
kit: Twitter | Tumblr
If so, "Gotham Central" is the book for you.
Writers Ed Brubaker on night shift duties and Greg Rucka on day bring together a diverse group that includes longtime Batman supporting characters Renee Montoya and Crispus Allen anchor the series with newcomers like Nate Patton and Romy Chandler. There's also CSI agent/epic jerk Jim Corrigan, a guy you will love to hate.
We get all the classic cop archetypes here – the workaholic, rogue good guy, the corrupt jerk and so on. It's fun seeing these "types" interact in Batman's world. It makes them feel fresh.
The development of Renee Montoya as a character, someone many of us grew up with on "Batman: The Animated Series" is also wonderfully handled.
When a case involves both squads the authors co-write. This dynamic duo is practically peerless when it comes to noir comics. Rucka has “Queen and Country” and "Stumptown" and Brubaker? “Criminal,” “Fatale,” “Fade Out”… need I go on? These guys know noir and bring their A game here.
Batman approves.
Michael Lark is the lead artist on the series and his gritty style is the perfect fit. For a book without costumes to differentiate the cast, Lark succeeds at giving everyone a unique look.
The concept is wonderfully simple and perfectly executed. Cops have enough to worry about but when you add in the fact that you and your partner might, say, show up for a routine disturbance call and end up staring down the barrel or Mr. Freeze’s freezeray, well, it creates a tense environment.
Another way to look at it is “Marvels” or “Astro City” in the DC Universe – the series puts Batman’s world in an entirely new context by viewing it through the eyes of its normal citizens.
My one gripe with this series is at its conclusion, when the book was forced into participating with the company-wide “Infinite Crisis” storyline. The tonal shift is jarring, with the street level cops dealing with some alternate dimension fallout. It would’ve been nice to see the book go out with something a little more grounded.
kit: Twitter | Tumblr
September 7, 2025
For a series focused on the day-to-day lives of the Gotham City Police Department, Gotham Central isn't just one of the best Batman-adjacent comics of all time, it's one of the best fucking comics, period. The creative team expertly crafts a world that feels as real and lived-in as any prestige television drama, blending the high-stakes world of superheroes with the mundane, often thankless work of homicide detectives. If you've ever wanted to see what it's like when the G.C.P.D. is outmatched and outgunned, this is the book for you.
What makes this series so compelling is its excellent character development. We follow the officers of the Major Crimes Unit, getting to know their struggles, their rivalries, and their quiet victories. Each arc feels like a self-contained murder mystery, with a procedural feel that evokes the best of shows like The Shield and The Wire, all filtered through the unique, dark lens of Gotham City. The result is a deeply gritty and dark experience that shows the human cost of living in a city of monsters and legends.
While Batman and his rogue's gallery make compelling guest appearances, they never steal the show. Instead, they serve as a constant reminder of the impossible challenges these cops face, highlighting just how fragile and human they are. Plot arcs like "In the Line of Duty" and "Half a Life" are unforgettable, building towards an amazing emotional payoff and one of the best final arcs you'll ever read in a series.
This Omnibus is an absolute 5 out of 5. It is a must-buy for anyone who appreciates great character-driven stories, a truly great mystery, and a world that feels both fantastical and painfully real.
What makes this series so compelling is its excellent character development. We follow the officers of the Major Crimes Unit, getting to know their struggles, their rivalries, and their quiet victories. Each arc feels like a self-contained murder mystery, with a procedural feel that evokes the best of shows like The Shield and The Wire, all filtered through the unique, dark lens of Gotham City. The result is a deeply gritty and dark experience that shows the human cost of living in a city of monsters and legends.
While Batman and his rogue's gallery make compelling guest appearances, they never steal the show. Instead, they serve as a constant reminder of the impossible challenges these cops face, highlighting just how fragile and human they are. Plot arcs like "In the Line of Duty" and "Half a Life" are unforgettable, building towards an amazing emotional payoff and one of the best final arcs you'll ever read in a series.
This Omnibus is an absolute 5 out of 5. It is a must-buy for anyone who appreciates great character-driven stories, a truly great mystery, and a world that feels both fantastical and painfully real.
March 16, 2022
The brilliance of this collection begins with the series’ title. For the comic book reader Gotham City is indelibly associated with Batman and his unending war against crime. Over the decades and throughout numerous titles, the focus has always been on him, his “Bat family,” and the many villains – both costumed and otherwise – that he fights for the soul of the city. In this series, however, the emphasis is different. Instead of writing yet another comic about Batman, Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka turn their readers’ attention to the men and women of GCPD’s Major Crimes Unit (MCU), the division tasked with dealing with the city’s infamous collection of “freaks.” Yet in several respects they serve as representatives of a much larger group – the city itself.
It is through the officers of the MCU that we get something really remarkable: a fresh perspective on a familiar world. Rather than viewing the city from the lofty perspective of Batman or billionaire Bruce Wayne we see how ordinary people experience life in crime-ridden Gotham. And even though the officers of the MCU are the best of the finest – smart and honest detectives – we witness their frustration at often being little more than supporting characters in Batman’s confrontations. Here the setting is key, as Brubaker and Rucka’s stories take place in the aftermath of Jim Gordon’s retirement. Now with a less accommodating commissioner in charge of the police force, their relationship with Batman becomes much warier. This is nicely reflected in the art, which always shrouds the Dark Knight in blackness, with only a minimal amount of physical detail. Throughout he is shadowy and aloof, rarely seen but ever present as the officers deal with the world that has formed because of him.
Much more visible are Batman’s nemeses, as nearly all of the tales feature one member or another of his “rogue’s gallery.” Though the detectives usually find themselves outmatched by the powers and abilities of the foes they face, they are shown throughout finding strength through their bonds as a team, which is portrayed as a family every bit as tight and dedicated as the one that Batman built around himself. This is the real focus of the work, and Brubaker and Rucka build up a rich cast of characters through which to tell their stories. These usually concentrate on one particular officer or a partnership in the unit, and even by the end of the series run it still feels as though the authors have only scratched the surface of the storytelling possibilities in the world they’ve created.
Aiding the effectiveness of the storytelling is the uniformly excellent artwork within it. Though the work of nearly a dozen different artists over the course of the series, the rough lines and washed-out colors prevail through the various styles, giving the issues a consistently gritty look. When combined with the superb stories within it makes for one of the finest Batman titles ever produced. It’s a series that will appeal to any aficionado of good hard-boiled detective stories, and a collection that every fan of Batman comics will want on their shelves.
It is through the officers of the MCU that we get something really remarkable: a fresh perspective on a familiar world. Rather than viewing the city from the lofty perspective of Batman or billionaire Bruce Wayne we see how ordinary people experience life in crime-ridden Gotham. And even though the officers of the MCU are the best of the finest – smart and honest detectives – we witness their frustration at often being little more than supporting characters in Batman’s confrontations. Here the setting is key, as Brubaker and Rucka’s stories take place in the aftermath of Jim Gordon’s retirement. Now with a less accommodating commissioner in charge of the police force, their relationship with Batman becomes much warier. This is nicely reflected in the art, which always shrouds the Dark Knight in blackness, with only a minimal amount of physical detail. Throughout he is shadowy and aloof, rarely seen but ever present as the officers deal with the world that has formed because of him.
Much more visible are Batman’s nemeses, as nearly all of the tales feature one member or another of his “rogue’s gallery.” Though the detectives usually find themselves outmatched by the powers and abilities of the foes they face, they are shown throughout finding strength through their bonds as a team, which is portrayed as a family every bit as tight and dedicated as the one that Batman built around himself. This is the real focus of the work, and Brubaker and Rucka build up a rich cast of characters through which to tell their stories. These usually concentrate on one particular officer or a partnership in the unit, and even by the end of the series run it still feels as though the authors have only scratched the surface of the storytelling possibilities in the world they’ve created.
Aiding the effectiveness of the storytelling is the uniformly excellent artwork within it. Though the work of nearly a dozen different artists over the course of the series, the rough lines and washed-out colors prevail through the various styles, giving the issues a consistently gritty look. When combined with the superb stories within it makes for one of the finest Batman titles ever produced. It’s a series that will appeal to any aficionado of good hard-boiled detective stories, and a collection that every fan of Batman comics will want on their shelves.
June 12, 2018
4.5 stars
one of the best Batman related comics i have ever read. mix the Wire with the world of Gotham and you have gold in your hands, its 95 procent about the cops and how they deal with super villains like The Joker, but also how they deal with the Batman. its very well executed by two of my favorite writers, Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, with perfect artwork by Michael Lark, that compliments the story so well. Batman also Works so much better, in the background making a much bigger impression when you see him, also you really care about the police crew, in there day to day strugles, with crooked cops, deaths, and internal affairs. highlights of this book are hard to pic, but The Joker holding a entire city hostage while random sniping people was really intense. let me stop rambling. just read this one, you wont regret it.
one of the best Batman related comics i have ever read. mix the Wire with the world of Gotham and you have gold in your hands, its 95 procent about the cops and how they deal with super villains like The Joker, but also how they deal with the Batman. its very well executed by two of my favorite writers, Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka, with perfect artwork by Michael Lark, that compliments the story so well. Batman also Works so much better, in the background making a much bigger impression when you see him, also you really care about the police crew, in there day to day strugles, with crooked cops, deaths, and internal affairs. highlights of this book are hard to pic, but The Joker holding a entire city hostage while random sniping people was really intense. let me stop rambling. just read this one, you wont regret it.
July 24, 2021
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.
May 18, 2023
Gotham Central may just be one of the best comic runs I have ever read.
It revolves around the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) of the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD). Firstly I’ll address the Bat in the room. This is not a Batman book, yes it’s set in Gotham, yes some of Batman’s villains do show up, Batman occasionally appears but is not a main or even side character. Instead we follow the officers within the MCU.
This is a full on procedural cop drama in comic form. It uses its setting to fantastic effect. Its a great way to explore the character of Batman from a different lens. You really get to know and care about all of these characters - which before reading I was only aware of Renee Montaya.
However this is not a happy book or light reading. It doesn’t pull its punches. One of the storylines had me wondering if someone had been chopping onions. The tone fits with the subject matter however. You do get some dark humour and banter between the different characters to bring light to the dark.
From start to finish, this is a masterpiece. We get to see regular cops go up against Gotham’s worst, and importantly the human cost and aftermath. The world of Gotham is believable and very real here.
The artwork fits perfectly too. It’s not the hyper detailed style of modern comics. It has a noir and pulp sensibility.
If you are a fan of Batman, this is a really must read. Again I must stress though, this is not a Batman book. But I would also say this is a must read even for non comic fans. Also if you are fans of various crime dramas like The Wire, this will be right up your street.
I didn’t want this journey to end. I wanted more. And that to me is a good thing. I look forward to inevitably rereading this. In the meantime it does seem the creators of this have worked together on other titles.
It revolves around the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) of the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD). Firstly I’ll address the Bat in the room. This is not a Batman book, yes it’s set in Gotham, yes some of Batman’s villains do show up, Batman occasionally appears but is not a main or even side character. Instead we follow the officers within the MCU.
This is a full on procedural cop drama in comic form. It uses its setting to fantastic effect. Its a great way to explore the character of Batman from a different lens. You really get to know and care about all of these characters - which before reading I was only aware of Renee Montaya.
However this is not a happy book or light reading. It doesn’t pull its punches. One of the storylines had me wondering if someone had been chopping onions. The tone fits with the subject matter however. You do get some dark humour and banter between the different characters to bring light to the dark.
From start to finish, this is a masterpiece. We get to see regular cops go up against Gotham’s worst, and importantly the human cost and aftermath. The world of Gotham is believable and very real here.
The artwork fits perfectly too. It’s not the hyper detailed style of modern comics. It has a noir and pulp sensibility.
If you are a fan of Batman, this is a really must read. Again I must stress though, this is not a Batman book. But I would also say this is a must read even for non comic fans. Also if you are fans of various crime dramas like The Wire, this will be right up your street.
I didn’t want this journey to end. I wanted more. And that to me is a good thing. I look forward to inevitably rereading this. In the meantime it does seem the creators of this have worked together on other titles.
April 30, 2020
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.
November 26, 2021
I'm now on a third read, having happily upgraded to the omnibus, and this is still one of the best books DC has ever produced.
It's a brilliant noir story with a large cast of well-developed characters set in the Batman universe. Great mysteries, awful tragedies, a Batman that actually feels like an urban legend, and interesting interactions with the Rogues Gallery. This is all around amazing.
And the ending .... yikes! I'll have to pick up the 52 Omnibus when it's reprinted to have the closest thing there is to the story of what comes next.
It's a brilliant noir story with a large cast of well-developed characters set in the Batman universe. Great mysteries, awful tragedies, a Batman that actually feels like an urban legend, and interesting interactions with the Rogues Gallery. This is all around amazing.
And the ending .... yikes! I'll have to pick up the 52 Omnibus when it's reprinted to have the closest thing there is to the story of what comes next.
July 16, 2018
Really an amazing comic...
November 22, 2024
Heat book. Felt like I was watching a cop show. The drama, the jokes, the grittiness. Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka both killed it
May 29, 2016
Excellent story and plotline. Loved the varied and diverse cast of characters. Some of the stories were better than others (Dead Robins and Corrigan worked better than the Two-Face story - the latter trod the familiar line of women just being 'others', it was quite disappointing).
The cast of characters are believable and vivid. I like that you can relate to all and none at the same time. Honestly, if more books like this were written and were then adapted for Television and Film, the conversation about whitewashing in Hollywood would go away. But alas, no such luck.
The characters are all flawed, yet real. There's a realistic viewpoint throughout the stories, despite the fantastical elements of Batman, the Rogues Gallery, Metahumans, strange chemicals et al. This is the kind of superhero police procedural you can really get behind and enjoy.
It's strange that the series ends on a low, sad point, with no real resolution given. I would have expected it to end with closure for the characters, but the open ending leaves a lot to think about.
After Marvel's 'Civil War: Frontlines', this has got to be my favourite comic series not involving actual superheroes. But again, these are some of the guys who created the 'Winter Soldier' comics, we can hardly expect any less.
The cast of characters are believable and vivid. I like that you can relate to all and none at the same time. Honestly, if more books like this were written and were then adapted for Television and Film, the conversation about whitewashing in Hollywood would go away. But alas, no such luck.
The characters are all flawed, yet real. There's a realistic viewpoint throughout the stories, despite the fantastical elements of Batman, the Rogues Gallery, Metahumans, strange chemicals et al. This is the kind of superhero police procedural you can really get behind and enjoy.
It's strange that the series ends on a low, sad point, with no real resolution given. I would have expected it to end with closure for the characters, but the open ending leaves a lot to think about.
After Marvel's 'Civil War: Frontlines', this has got to be my favourite comic series not involving actual superheroes. But again, these are some of the guys who created the 'Winter Soldier' comics, we can hardly expect any less.
September 30, 2017
My original plan was to review each book and each little story in that book, but I got lazy after the second book and stopped. If you've read my reviews on the first two - you know I gave them 4 stars. So why do I give this series 5? Two reasons:
1. The series gets progressively better and books 3 and 4 would've probably gotten 5 stars.
2. While some story arcs may be flawed and detract from the score of that particular book, the series as a whole is amazing. Each story maybe 4 or even 3 stars, but the series is fantastic ( I know it sounds weird, but try to understand what I mean. ). The series is amazing and absolutely deserves to be read by you. This omnibus is great, not because of the bonus content ( Of which there is hardly any. ), but because I think the series is a much better experience if read in one go ( Or at least, between short takes. ).
Anyways, read this! It's amazing! The characters are sympathetic and you get invested in them, most of the stories and awesome and creative, the art is pretty good ( Even if some replacement artists are much weaker than Lark ) and the series is very well written. Clever, entertaining and very sad in the end - this series needs to be read.
1. The series gets progressively better and books 3 and 4 would've probably gotten 5 stars.
2. While some story arcs may be flawed and detract from the score of that particular book, the series as a whole is amazing. Each story maybe 4 or even 3 stars, but the series is fantastic ( I know it sounds weird, but try to understand what I mean. ). The series is amazing and absolutely deserves to be read by you. This omnibus is great, not because of the bonus content ( Of which there is hardly any. ), but because I think the series is a much better experience if read in one go ( Or at least, between short takes. ).
Anyways, read this! It's amazing! The characters are sympathetic and you get invested in them, most of the stories and awesome and creative, the art is pretty good ( Even if some replacement artists are much weaker than Lark ) and the series is very well written. Clever, entertaining and very sad in the end - this series needs to be read.
May 25, 2025
5/25/2025: Reread - still just as impressive!
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!
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!
September 7, 2019
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.
August 18, 2023
1-2, In the Line of Duty, ☆☆☆☆☆
3-5, Motive, ☆☆☆☆☆
6-10, Half A Life, ☆☆☆☆
11, Daydreams and Believers, ☆☆☆☆☆
12-15, Soft Targets, ☆☆☆☆
16-18, Life is Full of Disappointments, ☆☆☆
19-22, Unresolved, ☆☆☆☆☆
23-24, Corrigan, ☆☆☆☆☆
25, Lights Out, ☆☆☆☆
26-27, On the Freak Beat, ☆☆☆☆☆
28-31, Keystone Kops, ☆☆☆☆☆
32, Nature, ☆☆☆☆
33-36, Dead Robin, ☆☆☆☆
37, Sunday Bloody Sunday, ☆☆☆☆
38-40, Corrigan II, ☆☆☆☆☆
3-5, Motive, ☆☆☆☆☆
6-10, Half A Life, ☆☆☆☆
11, Daydreams and Believers, ☆☆☆☆☆
12-15, Soft Targets, ☆☆☆☆
16-18, Life is Full of Disappointments, ☆☆☆
19-22, Unresolved, ☆☆☆☆☆
23-24, Corrigan, ☆☆☆☆☆
25, Lights Out, ☆☆☆☆
26-27, On the Freak Beat, ☆☆☆☆☆
28-31, Keystone Kops, ☆☆☆☆☆
32, Nature, ☆☆☆☆
33-36, Dead Robin, ☆☆☆☆
37, Sunday Bloody Sunday, ☆☆☆☆
38-40, Corrigan II, ☆☆☆☆☆
May 29, 2024
4+ ili 5- ?
Ali svakako sjajan omnibus i sjajan serijal. Ima dve mane zbog koji nije čista petica a koje su vrlo lične.
Dobro je ovo osmišljeno i super vozi ovaj serijal o policiskoj stanici i inspektorima koji rade u njoj podeljeni u dve smene. Priča ide od slučaja do slučaja koji su kao cleina najčešće od 2 do 4 epizode (issuea) i koje uvek na neki način uključuju "lepote" života u Gothamu tj neke od superheroja ili superzlikovaca, ali mnogo zanimljivije kroz te slučajeve grade likove koji su vrlo dobro napisani.
Na momente me je serijal podsetio na "The Wire" što je veliki plus, obzirom koliko volim tu seriju.
Crtež je sjajan bar ovaj što je crtao Lark, smenjuju se posle neki crtači i kopiraju dosta dobro ono što je Lark postavio kao temelje, ali moj je utisak da je Lark ipak nekako bolje osećao u vodio priču.
I tu dolazimo do najveće mane ovog serijala a to je da je prekinut onako usred dešavanja. Taman kad se vrlo zakuvalo i kad su likovi toliko izgrađeni da smo počeli da uživamo u njima, serijal se završava. Lark, Brubaker i Rucka nisu više mogli da se održe zajedno zbog ostalih angažovanja a obzirom da su oni bili tvorci i okosnica serijala, rešeno je da se serijal okonča. I to je jedna velika šteta jer se vidi da nas je još dosta toga čekalo, pogotvo nakon ovog razrešenja sa Corriganom....
Druga zamerka je ta da Gotham mene ovde više podseća na Baltimore ili Chicago, nego na Gotham. Fali mu tog mraka i crnila koje je volim kod Gothama. Fale mi te tamne ulice, više noira i mraka, gargojla, itd. Voleo bih da je sam Gotham veći učesnik u ovim dešavanjima, dok se pisci primat dali zlikovcima. Ne pričam ovde u crtačkom smislu jer crtež je odličan, više pričam o urbanizmu i o tom momentu da su ljudi ludi jer ih Gotham takvim čini a ne orbnuto.
Ali sve u svemu sjajan omnibus za kolekciju koji će se sigurno iznova čitati.
Ali svakako sjajan omnibus i sjajan serijal. Ima dve mane zbog koji nije čista petica a koje su vrlo lične.
Dobro je ovo osmišljeno i super vozi ovaj serijal o policiskoj stanici i inspektorima koji rade u njoj podeljeni u dve smene. Priča ide od slučaja do slučaja koji su kao cleina najčešće od 2 do 4 epizode (issuea) i koje uvek na neki način uključuju "lepote" života u Gothamu tj neke od superheroja ili superzlikovaca, ali mnogo zanimljivije kroz te slučajeve grade likove koji su vrlo dobro napisani.
Na momente me je serijal podsetio na "The Wire" što je veliki plus, obzirom koliko volim tu seriju.
Crtež je sjajan bar ovaj što je crtao Lark, smenjuju se posle neki crtači i kopiraju dosta dobro ono što je Lark postavio kao temelje, ali moj je utisak da je Lark ipak nekako bolje osećao u vodio priču.
I tu dolazimo do najveće mane ovog serijala a to je da je prekinut onako usred dešavanja. Taman kad se vrlo zakuvalo i kad su likovi toliko izgrađeni da smo počeli da uživamo u njima, serijal se završava. Lark, Brubaker i Rucka nisu više mogli da se održe zajedno zbog ostalih angažovanja a obzirom da su oni bili tvorci i okosnica serijala, rešeno je da se serijal okonča. I to je jedna velika šteta jer se vidi da nas je još dosta toga čekalo, pogotvo nakon ovog razrešenja sa Corriganom....
Druga zamerka je ta da Gotham mene ovde više podseća na Baltimore ili Chicago, nego na Gotham. Fali mu tog mraka i crnila koje je volim kod Gothama. Fale mi te tamne ulice, više noira i mraka, gargojla, itd. Voleo bih da je sam Gotham veći učesnik u ovim dešavanjima, dok se pisci primat dali zlikovcima. Ne pričam ovde u crtačkom smislu jer crtež je odličan, više pričam o urbanizmu i o tom momentu da su ljudi ludi jer ih Gotham takvim čini a ne orbnuto.
Ali sve u svemu sjajan omnibus za kolekciju koji će se sigurno iznova čitati.
January 12, 2023
This series is amazing for so many reasons.
The noir! The fully-fledged characters! The grittiness! The bizarre Batman villains being taken seriously in a detective procedural story! Gotham Central is the best of what comics had to offer in the early Aughts. It’s astounding that some of this stuff was published by DC. The language is pretty @$&% coarse at times, even with the grawlix, and the themes it tackles are WEIGHTY.
Renee Montoya is an openly gay protagonist, for one. I cannot believe a comic book published by one of the big two in 2003 covered all of what her story encompasses, from the homophobia she suffers in the workplace and on the street to the family fallout she deals with at home, to the blatant sexual relationship she has with her partner. Like, yes! Please! Give us more stories like this, DC! It’s unbelievable this is the same company that got flamed on Twitter last year for bi Superman.
These stories are 20 years old. They’re a period piece in a lot of ways, from the technology (especially references to the “new-fangled Internet”) to the costumes to the language. However, just like the 1940s and 50s noir they pay so much homage to, they transcend the trappings of their time period and become something else entirely: a CLASSIC.
The end of the 40-issue run is such a bummer, and a couple of minor plot threads are left dangling, but hey, the end of this review isn’t! Nothing but positivity here.
Five stars. Check this one out. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
The noir! The fully-fledged characters! The grittiness! The bizarre Batman villains being taken seriously in a detective procedural story! Gotham Central is the best of what comics had to offer in the early Aughts. It’s astounding that some of this stuff was published by DC. The language is pretty @$&% coarse at times, even with the grawlix, and the themes it tackles are WEIGHTY.
Renee Montoya is an openly gay protagonist, for one. I cannot believe a comic book published by one of the big two in 2003 covered all of what her story encompasses, from the homophobia she suffers in the workplace and on the street to the family fallout she deals with at home, to the blatant sexual relationship she has with her partner. Like, yes! Please! Give us more stories like this, DC! It’s unbelievable this is the same company that got flamed on Twitter last year for bi Superman.
These stories are 20 years old. They’re a period piece in a lot of ways, from the technology (especially references to the “new-fangled Internet”) to the costumes to the language. However, just like the 1940s and 50s noir they pay so much homage to, they transcend the trappings of their time period and become something else entirely: a CLASSIC.
The end of the 40-issue run is such a bummer, and a couple of minor plot threads are left dangling, but hey, the end of this review isn’t! Nothing but positivity here.
Five stars. Check this one out. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
July 22, 2019
**Gotham Central Omnibus | 85%** | #1-40, Rucka, Brubaker, Lark, superhero, crime, thriller | A grounded look into the lives and cases of Gotham detectives. Story arcs: Dr. Freeze kills a cop, unsolved cases, Two-face outing Montoya as lesbian, serial killer/domestic terrorist/sniper Joker, detectives’ lives, Mad Hatter/Harvey Bullock/Penguin, tampering with evidence, War Games crossover removes bat signal, Catwoman/psychics, Dr. Alchemy prisoner cooperation, Poison Ivy/orphans, Robin murder, taking down a corrupt cop. Should be adapted as a gritty police procedural TV series with a superhero twist. Ordinary people in a world of super-powered crazies. Noir writers. Batman as a force of nature/whispered myth creates mystery/intrigue—his appearances were always exciting. Gotham citizens displaying corruption, pride, greed, righteousness. Partial interruption by event comics. Abrupt/bitter end, but I suppose it’s fitting for a series trying to be more realistic. Corrigan is a sleazy scumbag. Art seemed serviceable at first, but, like Sean Phillips’ work, Lark & co were penciling efficiently and using shadows effectively to convey the noir atmosphere. Crispus’ and Renee’s stories are continued in other comics.
March 30, 2025
It doesn’t get any better than this. Absolute masterpiece from Brubaker & Rucka. Great characters, dark, noir-infused crime stories and so many memorable moments. Hard to pick a favourite story but maybe the devastating final 3 parter ‘Corrigan II’. I read this shortly after Brubaker’s excellent Catwoman of East End Omnibus and they compliment each other well taking place around the same time. If you’ve read Geoff Johns Flash there’s even a fun a little mini crossover with that which was a pleasant surprise. There are no weak stories or issues and I was truly sorry when this was over, maybe DC could be persuaded to bring this series back in some way in the future?
February 13, 2023
El mejor cómic de Batman... Sin Batman.
Ha sido un viaje. Una montaña rusa y lo haría todo de nuevo. Es increíble. En una ciudad que tiene al mejor detective del mundo, ¿Qué es lo que hace la policía? Bueno, aquí lo podemos ver y todo está construido de una manera excelente. Unas historias mejores que otras, pero no deja de ser entretenido.
Genio quien le dio a Brubaker está oportunidad. Gotham siempre está siendo salvada y no siempre es Batman.
Ha sido un viaje. Una montaña rusa y lo haría todo de nuevo. Es increíble. En una ciudad que tiene al mejor detective del mundo, ¿Qué es lo que hace la policía? Bueno, aquí lo podemos ver y todo está construido de una manera excelente. Unas historias mejores que otras, pero no deja de ser entretenido.
Genio quien le dio a Brubaker está oportunidad. Gotham siempre está siendo salvada y no siempre es Batman.
March 10, 2024
This book was incredible. It felt like watching one of the best detective shows I've ever seen, plus it features the occasional Batman cameo along with plenty of his villains.
The thing that was so fascinating was seeing how everyday people are affected by both Batman and his villains, and what kind of toll it takes on the GCPD.
Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka also know how to write some amazing characters. Great stuff.
The thing that was so fascinating was seeing how everyday people are affected by both Batman and his villains, and what kind of toll it takes on the GCPD.
Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka also know how to write some amazing characters. Great stuff.
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