By Don M. Ventura
Batman: Gates of Gotham #1
DC Comics
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Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgins are proving that there are still stones to be upturned in their new mini-series Batman: Gates of Gotham.
The story opens in the late nineteenth century Gotham, the city is as dark as we have come to know it, but its forefathers are filled with the hope that their city can eventually out-metropolis nearby Metropolis. We come to learn that those forefathers are the Waynes, the Cobblepotts, and the Elliots—considering their descendants have been destined to war with one another, there is little hope that these men will walk away from this mini on amicable terms.
The story feels like an epic mystery right from the outset—something we have come to expect from Snyder whose American Vampire and Detective Comics have set high expectations for any future work. Before long we are transported to present day Gotham where the bridges of Gotham are taken out by simultaneous explosions. The scene below the Gotham River is a nightmare. Batman and Red Robin are unable to save all of the unfortunate Gothamites who found themselves in the middle of the destruction
The breakout star of the book is Trevor McCarthy, who has recently done some fantastic work on Batman Annual 28 and the recent Superman 80-Page Giant. I’m glad the dynamic artist has gotten an opportunity to spread his wings on a long-form story—he proves here to be up to the challenge for sure.
There is a truly haunting scene in which Batman is submerged below the Gotham River, surrounded by the victims of the bridge explosions. Guy Majors colors keeps all of artwork dark, but all of the images are distinct and not muddled. This can be a problem with some artists who work with night scenes.
Snyder and company have started off Batman: Gates of Gotham with a bang (or three?) and I can't wait to see what more they plan to add to the already dense Batman mythos.
