Maps Mizoguchi is new to Gotham Academy, but she's found the perfect Olive Silverlock (her brother's ex, which isn't awkward at all). Olive's had some problems recently, but amnesia pales beside a school that's haunted by ghosts, secret societies, and bats. How bad can it be, showing her ex's kid sister the ropes? How about when another prominent member of Gotham's elite shows up, and she has to deal with Damian Wayne? Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, and Karl Kerschl welcome you back to school in this volume that collects Gotham Academy #1-18 and Gotham Academy Annual #1!
Becky Cloonan is an American comic book creator, known for work published by Tokyopop and Vertigo. In 2012 she became the first female artist to draw the main Batman title for DC Comics.
Pretty fun read. The tone really works for Gotham and the characters get fleshed out interesting by the end. The third arc is weird though, with all six issues as an anthology of short stories. My guess is that the original plan was for 12 issues (like all the others series launched at the time: Starfire, Black Canary, etc) but looks like this one worked out so the extended it (and there are even Rebirth issues not included in this volume).
Anyway, a fun idea that isn't super original but is a fun read.
Loved everything about the book, up until the last part with multiple writers and multiple artists doing multiple short stories. Other than that (way too long) section, everything was a delight.
A comic book sat firmly in the genre of Boarding School Mysery.
A lot of fun energy from the cast of characters that make up Gotham Academy. Maps enthusiasm for the unknown is infectious and Olive's mysterious past kept me engaged in the story. The story can be sweet and comedic, and even moving at times.
A lot of great references to minor Batman characters throughout the series from Man-Bat Kirk Langstrom to classic 1960s villian "Egghead".
A very rewarding read. I hope "The Second Semester" also gets collected.
A boarding school mystery/adventure set in Gotham City. Gratifying cameos from members of the Bat-family and various villains. The kids in the central cast are engaging, relatable, and fun. The pacing is quick, probably for younger readers, but that certainly keeps it from getting bogged down. As an older reader, I appreciated the familiar tones of old school teen sleuth stories.