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Review: Gotham Academy #8

Posted on July 8, 2015 by

Since her introduction to the pages of Gotham Academy, Olive Silverlock has been an engaging yet mysterious main character. While her supporting cast has been fun and quirky, it is her around whom the series focuses. Despite that, there has been a definite lack of Olive recently after her introduction. Since the break for Convergence there was an Endgame tie-in, although this was mostly a ghost-story issue more in line with the horror titles of the 1970s than what we expect from the series. The return of the series last month was without the series main character, and so it has been the case that this is the first appearance of the character after four months.

With that kind of a break, it would seem that there is some necessity to do something bigger with the character, and it is here. Despite her return though, this issue mostly focuses on a different problem. Despite already having Damian Wayne on the school grounds (though he is absent here) this issue reveals that Tristan is more that what he seems, as he is afflicted with some kind of lycanthropy, specifically the kind that seems to turn Dr. Kirk Langstrom into a bat as well. It is an interesting sub-plot to the story, especially so that Langstrom shows up here as the new science teacher who is keen to help the student. While they deal with this, there is a darker path underway for Olive which is revealed at the end of the issue.

While the tone of the series has changed a little bit with this issue, as well as the focus, it still maintains its same high standards that it has proven so far. The sub-plot with Tristan is distracting in a way, but then the idea here was not to bring back the series’ protagonist with a flash but rather with a slow burn. It is an effective way to pave the way for what will be Olive’s future, but as a good story should do, it is taking its time and not rushing in, and this issue is better for it.

Story: Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher Art: Karl Kerschl
Story: 8.9 Art: 8.9 Overall: 8.9 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Gotham Academy #1

Posted on October 4, 2014 by

One of the main criticisms against the big two comic publishers is that they often don’t think outside of the box in terms of stories or content. Those wanting to tell truly original stories often have to head to the independents to get a chance at telling their original stories, as DC and Marvel box them into archetypes and formulaic writing. Every now and then though, this is thrown on its side as something a little different comes out from one of the companies. Gotham Academy is one of these rare cases. The story focuses on a girl at a boarding school in Gotham named Olive Silverlock and the goings-on in her life. She wants to break up with her boyfriend but doesn’t do it. She is annoyed at being the person having to show the new girl around the campus (who happens to be her boyfriend’s sister) but at the same time is naturally protective of her.

One of the main problems of comics as a medium is that it examines teenage life as almost living through a microscope. Things were are contemporary for teenagers are not so much accurate in terms of how comic writers tend to depict it, thus teenagers are often shown as bizarre representatives of their true selves, built off of truisms from popular culture more than the truth. This is not the case here. I highly doubt that I am in the target demographic for this title, as it is likely aimed at people still in high school, but it was endearing enough that it makes no difference. The teenage characters here are ones dealing with real problems and are not thrown into ludicrous situations that one would expect from Saved By the Bell or something to that degree. This is even evident in a lot of minor details, such as when they show Olive’s room. Behind her are two posters, a “What Would Darcy Do?” poster, referring to Pride and Prejudice, but also a movie poster for an old movie named House of Mystery featuring an actor by the name of Karlo, referring to the old DC Comics series and the villain Clayface. It is not the case that these are realistic teenagers, but more so that if such a place as Gotham existed, that these could be realistic teenagers there. It even benefits from the presence of Batman but at the same time Batman doesn’t exactly show up either to keep it both a little more real but also fantastical at the same time.

The end result is a standout issue, in truth one of the best that I have read from DC in a long time. It stepped way outside of the formulaic box with this one and it would seem only by purposefully going back that it could misstep. It is likely going to be a shame, because when more ambitious books from the big two lose the money game they get canceled, so fans of something new should get behind this while they have the chance.

Story: Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher Art: Karl Kerschl
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics Announces Two More Bat Titles for October

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Brett

The Batman family of comics is growing larger with two new comics announced today by DC Comics through Entertainment Weekly. First up is Arkham Manor, where Wayne Manor gets made over into the “local psycho dungeon.” After some inmates wind up dead, things get going. The series is written by Gerry Duggan with art by Shawn Crystal. The series is out October 22.

When catastrophe strikes Arkham Asylum, where will Gotham City house the world’s most dangerous criminals, and when inmates are found murdered, what is Batman prepared to do in search of justice?

Gotham Academy is the other series, written by Becky Cloonan and Brendan Fletcher with art by Karl Kerschl. The series is out October 1, and is a teen drama set in Gotham’s most prestigious prep school. Bruce Wayne is a benefactor, and we can expect other familiar characters to show up.

Like, what’s up with Olive Silverlock? Is she crazy or what? Where did she go last summer? And what’s the deal with her creepy mom? And how come that Freshman MAPS is always following her around? Is she still going out with Kyle? P.S. did you hear the rumor about the ghost in the North Hall?

It’s nice to see DC Comics break out of the mold a bit, especially with the latter series which sounds like it might have been influenced by some recent break out indie comic successes. Check out the art released for both below.