Gotham Central 38
Cover Date : February 2006 | Writer : Greg Rucka | Artists: Kano and Stefano GaudianoLetterer : Clem Robins | Colorist : Lee Loughridge
Associate Editor : Nachie Castro | Editor : Matt Idelson
The cover of issue 38 says 'The Spectre of Death' and I did say that Allen was going to become the Spectre. I'm coming into this story arc hoping that Corrigan gets his before the series ends at issue 40.
I'm very holier-than-thou about Corrigan but I notice he is a friend to the other blues. Fact is, if I was a blue I'd be nice to him too. I like friendship, even fake friendship.
Montoya's descent into violence is a bit to abrupt, like it was decided upon in issue 37.
You know what? Going into the final issue, the issues are less polished. And Lieutenant Cornwell has disappeared. Maybe the creators know that the series is going to be cancelled and the noticeable drop in quality is because of low morale.
The buildup to getting the reader to hate Corrigan is really strong. If he doesn't get it by the end of the arc it'll be upsetting.
Crispus Allen is good police. I'm glad Captain Sawyer agrees.
From the end of issue 38 this is a ride. You don't want to miss it, this storyline definitely has page-turning momentum.
Gotham Central 39
Cover Date : March 2006 | Writer : Greg Rucka | Artists: Kano and Stefano GaudianoLetterer : Clem Robins | Colorist : Lee Loughridge
Associate Editor : Nachie Castro | Editor : Matt Idelson
Take a look at Corrigan's face in the second to the last panel at the end of 39 and tell me you don't want Corrigan to fry.
From the series point of view this guy is bigger than any of the costumed villains; but the Joker comes a very close second.
Gotham Central 40
Cover Date : April 2006 | Writer : Greg Rucka | Artists: Kano and Stefano GaudianoLetterer : Clem Robins | Colorist : Lee Loughridge
Associate Editor : Nachie Castro | Editor : Matt Idelson
I'm beginning issue 40, looking at the cover, and I'm like 'They had better get Corrigan'.
Curtains
And that's it. It is April 2006 and the series ends with issue 40. You'll see snippets of the characters in the DCU specially in the Batman universe. There have been fifteen stories and now it's time to rank them.
Of the four one issue stories the finest is 'Nature' because of the incredibly satisfying ending. A close second is 'Daydreams and Believers' which is unique in the entire series in the lightness of its approach and relaxing atmosphere; the fact that it's number 2 really is a credit to 'Nature'. 'Lights Out' comes in third with its laser-like focus on Batman's relationship with the Department. You can miss 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' which is nothing more than an unnecessary bridge to the Infinite Crisis event.
Of the story arcs, the best is 'Soft Targets' closely followed by 'Unresolved'. Both share wonderful balance and the pacing for both was just right. Then check out the first arc, 'In The Line of Duty' wonderfully structured in two issues, not a panel wasted. 'Corrigan II' comes in fourth even though the art left something to be desired and the lack of the usual details seemed to reflect low morale among the creators. It gets fourth place honors on the sheer emotional power of the storyline. 'On The Freak Beat' comes in next with its immersive art and good plot. Next is 'Motive' which of all the arcs showcases the persistence of the MCU. 'Keystone Kops' would have beaten 'Motive' on my list where it not for the unsatisfactory ending. 'Dead Robin' comes in next, though I enjoyed the cameos, I felt the pacing was off and the structure of the story was loose. Last of the arcs is 'Half a Life' which was too stretched out. None of the arcs are bad reads though.
Thanks for joining me for this ride. Happy reading!
Posted by Pete Albano - October 2010
Did you like this post?
Amazon Prices
Gotham Central Book 4: Corrigan
My Comic Shop Prices
Gotham Central comic books
Gotham Central TPB (Deluxe Edition)
Other GOTHAM CENTRAL Stories
16-18 : Life Is Full Of Disappointments