Gotham by Midnight #01
Writer: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Ben Templesmith
Publisher: DC
This is the book the New 52 needs, but not the one it deserves.
Upon finding out that Ben Templesmith was doing art for a New 52, I knew I would have to pick it up; when I found out it was a “Bat-Book,” I immediately put in a subscription request.
Obviously staged in Gotham City, the book focuses immediately on The Midnight Shift; a special task force formed by Commissioner Gordon to deal with those cases outside of the jurisdiction of the natural world and logic. This is met by understandable skepticism, as the department plays host to a Lieutenant Rook this issue, who has come to formally investigate their affairs. It should also be noted that the special cases department is headed by none other than Jim Corrigan; AKA The Spectre. It becomes clear from that he is in touch with Batman in dealing with these cases, which will hopefully play into other “Bat-titles” as/if the series gains steam.
Ultimately, this first issue is exactly how a series premiere should be handled: Fawkes introduced us to a nice host of characters (all varying in their levels of supernatural/religious belief), setup for a premise that can easily be handled episodically or in an arc format, and didn’t pull any punches in terms of the plot. This is very much a supernaturally geared title, no ‘if’, ‘ands’ or ‘buts’. Templesmith’s art plays out exactly as one would expect it to, granted the supernatural/horror vibe, and his style very much develops an atmosphere that brings us a darker side of Gotham that series is planning to deliver on. My only complaint is that there was a disturbing lack of tentacles coming from a title with Templesmith as artist, although there’s a couple in there for those prying and attentive eyes.
*Ahem.*
In any case, this might be the best $3 (or whatever your non-American form of currency AKA “not real money” is) you spend all week. Get it while it’s hot, and all that.
Artist: Ben Templesmith
Publisher: DC
This is the book the New 52 needs, but not the one it deserves.
Upon finding out that Ben Templesmith was doing art for a New 52, I knew I would have to pick it up; when I found out it was a “Bat-Book,” I immediately put in a subscription request.
Obviously staged in Gotham City, the book focuses immediately on The Midnight Shift; a special task force formed by Commissioner Gordon to deal with those cases outside of the jurisdiction of the natural world and logic. This is met by understandable skepticism, as the department plays host to a Lieutenant Rook this issue, who has come to formally investigate their affairs. It should also be noted that the special cases department is headed by none other than Jim Corrigan; AKA The Spectre. It becomes clear from that he is in touch with Batman in dealing with these cases, which will hopefully play into other “Bat-titles” as/if the series gains steam.
Ultimately, this first issue is exactly how a series premiere should be handled: Fawkes introduced us to a nice host of characters (all varying in their levels of supernatural/religious belief), setup for a premise that can easily be handled episodically or in an arc format, and didn’t pull any punches in terms of the plot. This is very much a supernaturally geared title, no ‘if’, ‘ands’ or ‘buts’. Templesmith’s art plays out exactly as one would expect it to, granted the supernatural/horror vibe, and his style very much develops an atmosphere that brings us a darker side of Gotham that series is planning to deliver on. My only complaint is that there was a disturbing lack of tentacles coming from a title with Templesmith as artist, although there’s a couple in there for those prying and attentive eyes.
*Ahem.*
In any case, this might be the best $3 (or whatever your non-American form of currency AKA “not real money” is) you spend all week. Get it while it’s hot, and all that.
A Look Inside
