Gotham Central

[madmarva]

I've been re-reading Gotham Central lately and man is it a great series. It holds together better for me reading the arcs in one sitting rather than serialized.

I know the TV series is taking a different tact from the comic, but its upcoming debut is what sparked me to re-read the comics. If the TV series can capture some of the grit and craziness that Brubaker and Rucka's cops faced working in Gotham, it would serve the series well.

If you've never read the series, I highly suggest you give it a try.

[PNGwynne]

How does Cobblepott figure in it? I need a hook.

[madmarva]

In the comic series, Penguin sort of a background player in Gotham's organized crime. He owns the Iceberg Lounge. He's not a major character like it appears he will be in the TV show.

The comic series from the early 2000s is set in contemporary Gotham and focuses mainly on new characters or ones like Dets. Montoya and Allen and disgraced cop Bulluck and Sarah Essen. Gordon is no longer the commissioner because he was shot and had to set down in the Batman comics of the day.

It's similar to police procedural shows on TV, but sometimes there's a connection to the Mad Hatter or joker or Penguin or Two-Face. The arc about what is like in the police station when the Joker is on the loose was really good. Heck, every issue is good.

The new TV show is set around the time of the death of Bruce's parents from my understAnding.

Michael Lark is the artist and uses a style reminiscient of David Mazzucheli's from Batman Year One. Batman has a presence in the comic, but it's more of a cameo role when he does show up.

[PNGwynne]

Thank you for the review & recommendation.

[samurainoir]

HUGELY underrated. love this series.

kind of wish they didn't "evolve" Montoya and Allan so much after this series ended. they were great characters unto themselves as cops rather than The Question and The Spectre.

[madmarva]

They ruined Montoya and Allen and really didn't do the Spectre and Question any favors either.