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Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham
Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham (2023-) #2
“A devil cub falls to earth and breaks its wing…” In the unmissable second installment of acclaimed storyteller Rafael Grampá’s masterpiece, the skies over Gotham grow darker still. To decide to kill your past is one thing, but actually doing it proves to be more fraught a road than Batman ever expected…especially when that very same past grows more tightly woven into his current case with every new clue he uncovers. And the closer Batman gets to the truth, the clearer it becomes that his real enemy’s power runs much deeper than just puppeteering a few costumed criminals…to the very heart of Gotham City itself!
56 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2023
About the author
Rafael Grampá
52 books32 followersRafael Grampá began working as an illustrator at the age of 14. He began by illustrating self-help books – what he calls the “how to raise your problematic teenagers sort”. During this period, he also did t-shirt designs, caricatures, children’s party decorations, coats of arms and logos for butcher shops and surf shops. He worked as an art director at the Brazilian motion graphics studio LOBO in 2003 where he worked with clients such as Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Creme Savers, Banco Real, Grendene , Diesel and others. Recent freelance work includes the concept design for ESPN-NBA spots, for Wieden+Kennedy NY, directed by Blacklist’s CISMA, and the visual ID for RESFEST/10 Brasil, that includes a opening and a toy.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 24, 2024
Just as good as the first issue - Less action but more plot progression, world building and character lore. The plot is thickening as we discover more about Bruce’s past, it’s keeping a good balance between progressing the narrative while keeping it character driven. Seeing lots of inspiration from Matt Reeves’ take on Batman (in a good and logical way.) Artwork is still really cool and there are some gruesome moments.
August 5, 2025
Artwork is always phenomenal but I didnt enjoy some of the villains original designs, they were kind of uninspired and felt like they didnt fit the batman universe. I'm still very curious to see where the story goes.
June 11, 2026
NOTE: This is pretty much similar to my review from Issue #1.
Batman has always been a favorite superhero of mine.
There's just something about him I love, ever since I saw the 90s cartoon as a kid. I'm aware that the character is old enough that there are all sorts of different iterations of the guy, from the Campy Adam West depiction, the genial, good-natured Superfriends, to the dark, brooding knight, and everything in between, but it's the gothic detective version that I love the most.
Why? Because Batman, unlike other superheroes, is a regular human. Master of martial arts, genius-level IQ, and incalculable wealth, but a regular human nonetheless, so it never made sense why he'd be able to stand toe to toe with literal demigods and planetary threats.
So for me, the best version of Batman had always been where he's at home in Gotham, figuring out a crime spree, following clues, and fighting enemies who are just as tenacious as he is. The world's greatest detective has to mean something after all.
So when I saw that the 4th issue of this limited run came out, I had to pick up the previous issues to read. I quietly took a break from this classic novel I'm reading, and spent the day with some snacks and hot cocoa, curled up in my reading chair, following through over the last four issues.
How much did I like it? Well... by the 3-star review, you can probably guess I had an okay time, but not an amazing time. I enjoyed it and don't regret picking it up. Let me go more into depth on what I mean by that.
ALSO, keep in mind that I intend to copy/paste this review for Issues #1, #2, #3, and #4, so more than likely you'll see this on those four issues. Let me get into it:
Art
The art is honestly the best part of this limited run. It's bold, dynamic, gorgeous to look at, and never stops being impressive.
I'm not kidding. Look at the background art of Gotham itself, with its towering buildings, gothic architecture, and how Rafael Grampa switches between a comedic, simplistic style to one filled with minute details to pore over.
It's clear where his inspirations lie, too. A lot of the art has that Robert Crumb style of grittiness to it that feels like it belongs in the 70s or 80s. That sort of grungy, unkempt look that oozes onto the page, and where you can almost smell it. While occasionally the characters CAN look uncanny - especially Bruce Wayne when he's supposed to look handsome to an almost grotesque level - they're overall really fun to look at, especially since there's a large cast of varied characters.
Story
Unfortunately, this is where it loses some stars for me.
I'll try not to get too much into spoiler territory, as I do believe this is a Batman limited run worth picking up, but I do want to state some of the inherent problems with it over the entire 4-issue run (and as I said, you will be seeing this review on all 4 issues).
At the start, the story is intriguing and hooks you in. There's a serial killer on the loose, and the homeless keep going missing. Batman is tracking down the homeless to a warehouse, thinking it's connected to the serial killer. It hints at a larger conspiracy to uncover, which is what drew me in. I wanted to know more, how these different threads would eventually tie up, and who some of the new characters in Batman's newer rogues gallery were.
And then... it kind of just keeps expanding with new twists and turns. The roster of characters grows from Batman, Gordon, and the new badguy we got introduced to, to around a dozen new enemies, half a dozen allies, an overarching antagonist we see for all of two scenes, and a convoluted story that makes little to no sense when you stop to think about it.
I get it; this was a limited run, and if this series ever gets picked up again for another limited run in this Batman AU world, they want to entice readers into seeing new, exciting characters. However, all that does is muddy the water. I actually stopped caring about all of the characters added around halfway into Issue #2. There were just SO many shoehorned in.
Speaking of characters, I really did not like this version of Bruce Wayne. I get that a lot of Batman stories now mainly focus on Bruce's relationship with his cowled identity, but what makes Bruce Wayne an interesting person is how he handles both sides of his personality. Batman is stoic, to the point, and no-nonsense because he needs to be to be the monster in the shadows that scares criminals. The best depictions of Bruce Wayne have his real self acting like a good-natured, affable playboy who knows he's a nepo baby and is just trying to do his best. He's charming and sophisticated because Billionaire Playboy Bruce Wayne can go places Batman can't, and it's the juxtaposition of balancing out both sides and having Bruce decide on what he wants to be vs. what he has to be that makes his internal conflict engaging.
In this, Bruce is kind of an ass, and not in a fun way. He's rude when he doesn't need to be, acts like he's the smartest man in the room, and also seemingly is not aware of how his place as a billionaire is a tool. Two minor spoilers that put me off on this depiction of him are where Alfred mentions that he, too, still mourns Thomas and Martha Wayne's deaths, and Bruce tells him to shut up, and then shortly afterwards, a reporter asks him about his thoughts regarding how the homeless are ignored while the city's elite who died are given focus. He then tells her to essentially piss off before driving away.
Like, what the hell? I know this is supposed to be a grittier, gothic noir story and is aimed at adults, but he's still the hero, and we still need to have some reason to root for him. I thought this was a bit for Bruce to play into, so people wouldn't suspect he's Batman, but nope... later on, he runs into the reporter again and is remorseful that he thought that way before and sees the error of his ways.
I'd go into detail about the structure of the story, but honestly... I'll save that for a deep dive one day into some modern gothic horror essays on my Substack. For now, just know that the story is at least okay, but take breaks after each issue because otherwise you'll just space out and start skimming like I did when yet another twist to the conspiracy comes up, and we meet a new character.
Overall
In the end, this was a fun read, I did enjoy the day with but probably won't come back to read again if I see it across my bookshelf.
It presented some new enemies for Batman to fight that I would love to see become mainstay in canon. The crying assassin we met at the start was intriguing enough that I want to see whether he comes back in some form or another, especially since we didn't really resolve his story at all. I also like the idea of a cult that seeks to destroy Gotham, though I guess that's really just another form of Ras Al Ghoul with some other magic schtick.
Plus I really did like Rafael Grampa's art style and hope to see more down the line. Either with DC, IDW, Dark Horse, or Independent, it doesn't matter. I just want to see more in the end.
Batman has always been a favorite superhero of mine.
There's just something about him I love, ever since I saw the 90s cartoon as a kid. I'm aware that the character is old enough that there are all sorts of different iterations of the guy, from the Campy Adam West depiction, the genial, good-natured Superfriends, to the dark, brooding knight, and everything in between, but it's the gothic detective version that I love the most.
Why? Because Batman, unlike other superheroes, is a regular human. Master of martial arts, genius-level IQ, and incalculable wealth, but a regular human nonetheless, so it never made sense why he'd be able to stand toe to toe with literal demigods and planetary threats.
So for me, the best version of Batman had always been where he's at home in Gotham, figuring out a crime spree, following clues, and fighting enemies who are just as tenacious as he is. The world's greatest detective has to mean something after all.
So when I saw that the 4th issue of this limited run came out, I had to pick up the previous issues to read. I quietly took a break from this classic novel I'm reading, and spent the day with some snacks and hot cocoa, curled up in my reading chair, following through over the last four issues.
How much did I like it? Well... by the 3-star review, you can probably guess I had an okay time, but not an amazing time. I enjoyed it and don't regret picking it up. Let me go more into depth on what I mean by that.
ALSO, keep in mind that I intend to copy/paste this review for Issues #1, #2, #3, and #4, so more than likely you'll see this on those four issues. Let me get into it:
Art
The art is honestly the best part of this limited run. It's bold, dynamic, gorgeous to look at, and never stops being impressive.
I'm not kidding. Look at the background art of Gotham itself, with its towering buildings, gothic architecture, and how Rafael Grampa switches between a comedic, simplistic style to one filled with minute details to pore over.
It's clear where his inspirations lie, too. A lot of the art has that Robert Crumb style of grittiness to it that feels like it belongs in the 70s or 80s. That sort of grungy, unkempt look that oozes onto the page, and where you can almost smell it. While occasionally the characters CAN look uncanny - especially Bruce Wayne when he's supposed to look handsome to an almost grotesque level - they're overall really fun to look at, especially since there's a large cast of varied characters.
Story
Unfortunately, this is where it loses some stars for me.
I'll try not to get too much into spoiler territory, as I do believe this is a Batman limited run worth picking up, but I do want to state some of the inherent problems with it over the entire 4-issue run (and as I said, you will be seeing this review on all 4 issues).
At the start, the story is intriguing and hooks you in. There's a serial killer on the loose, and the homeless keep going missing. Batman is tracking down the homeless to a warehouse, thinking it's connected to the serial killer. It hints at a larger conspiracy to uncover, which is what drew me in. I wanted to know more, how these different threads would eventually tie up, and who some of the new characters in Batman's newer rogues gallery were.
And then... it kind of just keeps expanding with new twists and turns. The roster of characters grows from Batman, Gordon, and the new badguy we got introduced to, to around a dozen new enemies, half a dozen allies, an overarching antagonist we see for all of two scenes, and a convoluted story that makes little to no sense when you stop to think about it.
I get it; this was a limited run, and if this series ever gets picked up again for another limited run in this Batman AU world, they want to entice readers into seeing new, exciting characters. However, all that does is muddy the water. I actually stopped caring about all of the characters added around halfway into Issue #2. There were just SO many shoehorned in.
Speaking of characters, I really did not like this version of Bruce Wayne. I get that a lot of Batman stories now mainly focus on Bruce's relationship with his cowled identity, but what makes Bruce Wayne an interesting person is how he handles both sides of his personality. Batman is stoic, to the point, and no-nonsense because he needs to be to be the monster in the shadows that scares criminals. The best depictions of Bruce Wayne have his real self acting like a good-natured, affable playboy who knows he's a nepo baby and is just trying to do his best. He's charming and sophisticated because Billionaire Playboy Bruce Wayne can go places Batman can't, and it's the juxtaposition of balancing out both sides and having Bruce decide on what he wants to be vs. what he has to be that makes his internal conflict engaging.
In this, Bruce is kind of an ass, and not in a fun way. He's rude when he doesn't need to be, acts like he's the smartest man in the room, and also seemingly is not aware of how his place as a billionaire is a tool. Two minor spoilers that put me off on this depiction of him are where Alfred mentions that he, too, still mourns Thomas and Martha Wayne's deaths, and Bruce tells him to shut up, and then shortly afterwards, a reporter asks him about his thoughts regarding how the homeless are ignored while the city's elite who died are given focus. He then tells her to essentially piss off before driving away.
Like, what the hell? I know this is supposed to be a grittier, gothic noir story and is aimed at adults, but he's still the hero, and we still need to have some reason to root for him. I thought this was a bit for Bruce to play into, so people wouldn't suspect he's Batman, but nope... later on, he runs into the reporter again and is remorseful that he thought that way before and sees the error of his ways.
I'd go into detail about the structure of the story, but honestly... I'll save that for a deep dive one day into some modern gothic horror essays on my Substack. For now, just know that the story is at least okay, but take breaks after each issue because otherwise you'll just space out and start skimming like I did when yet another twist to the conspiracy comes up, and we meet a new character.
Overall
In the end, this was a fun read, I did enjoy the day with but probably won't come back to read again if I see it across my bookshelf.
It presented some new enemies for Batman to fight that I would love to see become mainstay in canon. The crying assassin we met at the start was intriguing enough that I want to see whether he comes back in some form or another, especially since we didn't really resolve his story at all. I also like the idea of a cult that seeks to destroy Gotham, though I guess that's really just another form of Ras Al Ghoul with some other magic schtick.
Plus I really did like Rafael Grampa's art style and hope to see more down the line. Either with DC, IDW, Dark Horse, or Independent, it doesn't matter. I just want to see more in the end.
March 11, 2024
In the second book of "Batman: The Gargoyle of Gotham", the dense and intricate plot continues to unfold, delving even deeper into the dark underbelly of the city we love so much. In this electrifying sequel, the clashes between social classes, Batman's internal conflicts, and the sinister mysteries surrounding Gotham intertwine in a fascinating manner, promising a read full of suspense and twists.
Class Struggle and Batman's Internal Conflicts:
As protests from the lower class echo through the streets, Batman's internal conflicts reach a new level of intensity. Overwhelmed by the weight of his mission, the Dark Knight faces increasingly difficult choices, while the brutal blows he strikes reveal a growing inner fury.
Unraveling the Mysteries:
The investigation of the murders continues to unfold, but the veil shrouding the new villain's connection to the explosives factory and the killings remains intact. Secrets from the past emerge, challenging Bruce Wayne's convictions and shedding light on a complex web of relationships among the characters.
Characters and Their Motivations:
As new characters enter the scene, the crucial question arises: who is on the side of good, evil, or remains neutral in this battle for Gotham's destiny? Their motivations, whether vengeance, power, or redemption, add fuel to the fire of an increasingly intricate plot.
The Emergence of a Larger Plot:
As tensions between Batman, Gordon, and a corrupt police force escalate, a larger plot begins to unfold, suggesting the existence of a mysterious cult, reminiscent of the Court of Owls. With each puzzle piece fitting slowly into place, the truth behind Gotham's sinister events begins to emerge into the light.
In "Batman: The Gargoyle of Gotham", every page is an invitation to enter a world of intrigue, suspense, and relentless action. As the mysteries deepen and alliances unravel, we are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, eager to discover the outcome of this electrifying saga. Prepare to dive into the shadows of Gotham once again and witness the rebirth of the Dark Knight in a story that promises to be etched in the memory of fans forever.
Class Struggle and Batman's Internal Conflicts:
As protests from the lower class echo through the streets, Batman's internal conflicts reach a new level of intensity. Overwhelmed by the weight of his mission, the Dark Knight faces increasingly difficult choices, while the brutal blows he strikes reveal a growing inner fury.
Unraveling the Mysteries:
The investigation of the murders continues to unfold, but the veil shrouding the new villain's connection to the explosives factory and the killings remains intact. Secrets from the past emerge, challenging Bruce Wayne's convictions and shedding light on a complex web of relationships among the characters.
Characters and Their Motivations:
As new characters enter the scene, the crucial question arises: who is on the side of good, evil, or remains neutral in this battle for Gotham's destiny? Their motivations, whether vengeance, power, or redemption, add fuel to the fire of an increasingly intricate plot.
The Emergence of a Larger Plot:
As tensions between Batman, Gordon, and a corrupt police force escalate, a larger plot begins to unfold, suggesting the existence of a mysterious cult, reminiscent of the Court of Owls. With each puzzle piece fitting slowly into place, the truth behind Gotham's sinister events begins to emerge into the light.
In "Batman: The Gargoyle of Gotham", every page is an invitation to enter a world of intrigue, suspense, and relentless action. As the mysteries deepen and alliances unravel, we are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions, eager to discover the outcome of this electrifying saga. Prepare to dive into the shadows of Gotham once again and witness the rebirth of the Dark Knight in a story that promises to be etched in the memory of fans forever.
February 4, 2024
After reading issue #1 I thought there was no way the cinematic panels and artwork could be topped yet issue #2 is elevated even higher in these aspects. As always I love the early batman years and his great internal struggle to find out who Bruce Wayne and the batman are.
The gritty and dark nature continues on from issue #1 and the villain roster grows even scarier and more mysterious. I cannot wait for the next issue and seriously cannot recommend this enough, this may be some of the best batman content I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing and this has to be one of my favourite interpretations of not just the batman himself but of his origin story, Gordon and Gotham as a whole!
The gritty and dark nature continues on from issue #1 and the villain roster grows even scarier and more mysterious. I cannot wait for the next issue and seriously cannot recommend this enough, this may be some of the best batman content I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing and this has to be one of my favourite interpretations of not just the batman himself but of his origin story, Gordon and Gotham as a whole!
March 12, 2024
Se agradece que de momento, salvo por ese interés de Rafael Grampa de recontar a su particular y convulsa manera la historia de origen de Bruce Wayne y Batman, que esta Gárgola de Gotham realmente sea su propia propuesta en base al tan rebuscado pilar de DC Comics. A excepción de saber si el personaje de la última viñeta terminará siendo un "viejo conocido" para el Caballero Oscuro y lector. Realmente el autor ha decidido aportar más que reutilizar. Ese esteticismo barroco neo gótico resulta algo más que sencilla estética, y puede que finalmente esta historia justifique el sello BLACK LABEL más que las prometidas apuestas de CONDENADO, El Príncipe Oscuro o El Impostor.
May 14, 2026
Book two is where it starts to get confusing, exposing the relative weakness of the author's writing. The art is still so good, justifying the main reason I followed this title, though I was betting on it on becoming a key Batman story, but it depends on how this series concludes.
Rafael Grampá is a creative force, and an out of continuity Batman tale suits his production output, which is slow but the results can't be disputed.
Rafael Grampá is a creative force, and an out of continuity Batman tale suits his production output, which is slow but the results can't be disputed.
December 13, 2023
It was a little more interesting than the last issue. I'm a little more intrigued by the new cult. Or the Moth-er. *eye roll*
But it's always weird to see what's going on with Bruce's backstory and how it gets changed.
I don't know that this would be on a re-read list for me, but it's not on a "stop reading" list either.
But it's always weird to see what's going on with Bruce's backstory and how it gets changed.
I don't know that this would be on a re-read list for me, but it's not on a "stop reading" list either.
December 12, 2023
A good midpoint.
There are alot of moving pieces but it's coming together.
Some fun new characters and a decent take on Batman's early years.
Ideal for fans of the 2022 film and Year One.
There are alot of moving pieces but it's coming together.
Some fun new characters and a decent take on Batman's early years.
Ideal for fans of the 2022 film and Year One.
January 14, 2025
Artwork is still really good in this book. Story line is solid. Goes in and out of Bruce’s past as a child overcoming his parents’ murder. And it’s that past that is coming back to the surface for Bruce. Another amazing book.
December 13, 2023
It's amazing, with a dark and gritty storyline, awesome action scenes, and brilliant artworks.
December 17, 2023
I'm done with this series I think. Just not for me.
December 20, 2023
Good story, beautiful art!
I am really enjoying this story so far! The art is beautiful to look at. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book! Amazing!
I am really enjoying this story so far! The art is beautiful to look at. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book! Amazing!
January 8, 2024
Awesome!
Awesome job!! Kept my interest throughout the book! I got so use to the Court of Owls that I did not see this coming!! Can't wait for the next book!!!
Awesome job!! Kept my interest throughout the book! I got so use to the Court of Owls that I did not see this coming!! Can't wait for the next book!!!
February 23, 2024
Fantastic art, but the story is getting out of hand.
February 24, 2024
yowsa
this is gritty like a batman I haven't seen in a long time. love the art and storytelling. top notch!
this is gritty like a batman I haven't seen in a long time. love the art and storytelling. top notch!
July 17, 2024
Beautiful artwork doing a lot of the heavy lifting on this series…writing is borderline dogshit. Will read more just so I can look at it tbh.
July 23, 2024
2024 - Year of The Bat (366 Days of Batman)
Day 204
Day 204
September 22, 2024
A bit better than the first issue. So #3 got delayed a while, huh?
August 21, 2025
Storia in continua crescita 👍🏻
January 17, 2024
Cretin [cre•tin] - a stupid, vulgar, or insensitive person (Merriam Webster)
Interesting characters.
“Call me “Moth-er”! You better workkk!”
Interesting characters.
“Call me “Moth-er”! You better workkk!”
October 9, 2024
O Rafa consegue manter o tom sombrio e introspectivo que caracteriza o Batman em si. A narrativa é envolvente, com um ritmo ágil que equilibra ação e mistério.
A cidade de Gotham é retratada de forma visceral, quase como um personagem à parte. A escrita é afiada, refletindo a luta interna de Batman enquanto ele enfrenta tanto inimigos externos quanto seus próprios demônios.
E por ser de um brasuca, isso deixa ainda mais incrível! Recomendo demais a leitura.
A cidade de Gotham é retratada de forma visceral, quase como um personagem à parte. A escrita é afiada, refletindo a luta interna de Batman enquanto ele enfrenta tanto inimigos externos quanto seus próprios demônios.
E por ser de um brasuca, isso deixa ainda mais incrível! Recomendo demais a leitura.
June 28, 2024
Ao ler o livro 1 achei a arte um tanto quanto estranha, mas agora no livro 2 notei que os traços e cores são fantásticos e fogem do usual. O roteiro no livro 2 também está mais dinâmico e interessante. Ansioso pelo desenrolar da trama!!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews