Just started reading Gotham Central. 0

[UmbertoBongo]

Holy mess, this is awesome. Always loved Brubaker's work, but only just gotten into his superhero stuff with The Winter Soldier; I guess this is a good middle-ground between that and his real-world crime stuff, in that it's dealing with inherently silly subjects like Mr Freeze and a psychopath in a bat suit, but making their world far more grounded and 'realistic' than any other fiction which has attempted to do so with his usual mastery of pulpy dialogue and characters that feel far more human than any other comic book writer I know.

 

Him and Greg Rucka have done a fabulous job of exploring the idea of a real police force working in a real city that happens to have Batman and theatrical villains in it; the fact that they're often embarrassed and ashamed to have to give their cases over to him when they can't solve them, as well as having Batman as an aspirational figure, is a really interesting angle.

 

Why this doesn't get talked about alongside the usual suspects like TDKR, Year One and The Killing Joke as one of best stories in the DCU is kind of a travesty. I guess the lack of Batman appearing has something to do with it, but it seems like a seriously underrated series.

 

Hopefully if the Gotham TV series ever gets off the ground then this may get some more recognition, even if it's not a direct adaptation. Serious, serious quality.

Edited February 8, 2014 by UmbertoBongo

[Vikingreed]

I've heard nothing but good things about this series.

Another book on my "one day..." list.

[UmbertoBongo]

Seriously, you can't read it fast enough. It's quickly become one of my favourite series ever. It's one of those books that not many seem to have read but everyone who has raves about it. It's gold.

[the authority]

It was a top of the stack book when it was coming out. It is a tough and gritty street level look at Gotham.

[Hekla]

I read the first trade & really liked it; Brubaker does crime drama like no other.

[Gothopia]

Gotham Central is an incredible collection. How can you beat the writing and artwork?

You can't!

[followtheleader]

Gotham Central was amazing. It's one DC book I will never sell.

 

Pat

[comics_ross]

I am currently reading it and it is quickly become one of my favorite series - great art and very interesting scenarios. The characters are very well developed and I really like the idea of a Batman like a background figure. The focus is on the Gotham cops, not on the Caped Crusader and the villains.

I have find a lot of similarities to the "The Wire" which is my favorite TV series. 

Highly recommended! 

[Mr bla bla]

Are these the guys currently putting out Lazarus?

[Bird]

I loved Gotham Central. The scene where Montoya and Corrigan (not that one) take it outside is one of the best scenes in comics that I have ever read.

[Bird]

4 minutes ago, Mr bla bla said:

Are these the guys currently putting out Lazarus?

yes and no. GC was co-written (or they alternated stories/issues) by Brubaker and Rucka.

[artistlost]

This is one of my all time favorite series. From start to finish it is a true masterpiece. When I finished reading it I had to own art from it and was lucky enough to be able to purchase the original cover art to #2. It sums up the entire series to me...the focus on the GCPD with the bat in the background. Enjoy the book!

http://www.comicartfans.com/gallerypiece.asp?piece=1435604

[artistlost]

On 12/31/2017 at 9:08 PM, Bird said:

I loved Gotham Central. The scene where Montoya and Corrigan (not that one) take it outside is one of the best scenes in comics that I have ever read.

I agree. That was such a great moment in the book!