Gotham City Garage #12 Review

Story: Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing

Art by: Brian Ching

Colors by: Kelly Fitzpatrick

Letters by: Wes Abbott

Published by: DC Comics

With this issue, we, as the readers, get to say goodbye to a very Mad Max-esque version of the DC Universe. And I’ll admit, I’ll miss this version of it. If there is one thing that comes out of this digital-first series is that Kelly and Lanzing were successful in creating a world with well-known (and not so well-known) characters that have been modified just enough to be at the same time different but still recognizable.

In the last issue, the great war began between the Garage and the forces of Lex Luthor in an ultimate brawl to determine the fate of this world, and more importantly, the Garden. The war itself is expertly crafted by the creative team to not only showcase the bigger brawl itself, but also the smaller battles fought within. What is best about this issue, and how the fights are laid out, is that Kelly and Lanzing remember all their plotting they’ve been doing from various issues and bring that to the forefront here - something that is so basic, yet missed way too often in comics.

The highlights of the issue have to be the face-off between Batman and Barbara Gordon and the ultimate fight between Lex Luthor and Kara Gordon. I will say that some of the revelations from the fights were maybe a little unnecessary - especially when found in a final issue like this - but all in all, it was a truly enjoyable issue.   

Probably the best part is the narration throughout the issue. This isn’t a big spoiler, but Kara is our narrator for the issue, but what does come as a surprise is that she is talking to the reader, but a certain super special someone. It’s a nice little cap to the story.

Another great part of this comic itself is the art from Brian Ching and colors from Fitzpatrick. It is a shame that they weren’t there for the entire run, but it’s nice to have Ching back for the final chapters after doing such a great job launching the series.