Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #1-4

by Rafael Grampá

When you case your own shadow…it leads you into the abyss.

Batman knows intimately even the darkest and most irredeemable streets of Gotham City, but when an all-new rogues gallery of depraved villains emerges from its murky depths, he will come to find that he hardly knows himself. A serial killer is on the loose, and while the murder victims seem random at first, every clue draws Batman closer to the terrifying truth—that they are all connected, not just to each other…but to him. Batman will have to contend with the very nature of evil—including that which lurks inside in the darkest corners of his own heart—to face what’s coming for his city.

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham brings Eisner Award-winning creator Rafael Grampá’s twisted vision of both the Dark Knight and Gotham City to life in this thrilling deluxe edition that will reach its icy black tendrils into the rotting heart of human nature and leave you gasping for breath—and for more!

Collects Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #1-4.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes

224 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 15, 2026

About the author

Rafael 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.

Reviews

[Logan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haven’t finished the final issue but I’m not sure my rating will change much.

I enjoy that they gave Batman different artwork with a gritty noir feeling to it. Very detailed with very dark hues throughout - besides the color of blood red. Although different, not a fan. It makes Batman and his new suit look good but everything else just didn’t sit right. The art didn’t take away from the scrambled story in any way.

The beginning was very good. Introducing an earlier Batman (I believe) whose life is solely directed at being the vigilante. Fully prepared to fake his death to become the Batman full-time. This story is also heavily influenced off of the death of Bruce Wayne’s parents. Revisiting the night they were murdered and new consequences to come from that.

My issue is the villains and the overall plot. Crytoon…cool. So sadistic it seems Batman will break. Same with ‘The Virgin.’ My issue with it is that they add a new villain to each issue for little to no reason at all. Not sure what Little Joker or Moth-er will do but the story is crammed enough as it is. Adding a supernatural element to it is not helping at all. I feel the author wanted this to feel much different than other iterations to stand out. Well he’s standing out in all the wrong ways.

I’m glad that a new story has come to the table; especially with Bruce and many other children having their mind altered by a doctor when they were children. If they would have stuck with that and the random acts of violence I feel this would have been a great read. I’ll change my rating if the conclusion wraps all these subplots together good, but otherwise this is not a standout read for me.

[Kavivarmen.V · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very strong 4.5. Bloody brilliant. I regret not getting the single issues for this, but I’m most definitely not missing out on the deluxe edition once it’s out.

I think any writer that’s capable of offering a fresh new perspective to a decades-worth legend deserves all the respect. Rafael Grampa, writer AND artist, offered it with flying colours.

There is a charm to his art and an ease in his words that makes this such a fun read. And as I’ve said before, I love it when creators reimagine a legend. The little additions that Grampa brought to this… you know a Batman fan when you see one. There’s a particular arch-nemesis in this… fuckin awesome.

I did feel that the ending felt a bit short, would have loved to have another issue of it just to land the knockout blow. But that little gripe was quickly recovered with the ending monologue and its intercutting montages. That tease in the end was brilliant. Loved it through and through.

[Taylor Hibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

Reduced 1/2 star because I don’t love the fantasy elements (the “dark aura” content), which keep this from being an otherwise mostly reality-based/plausible story about class.

I can mostly forgive this, however, as the art is just astoundingly gorgeous, and—for my relatively new experience of reading Batman comics, at least—fresh and unique.

I also loved that this version of Batman (and this character is primary “Batman” and not “Bruce Wayne” for the majority of the story) is not especially likable for much of the narrative. He’s borderline reprehensible, actually.

But I like that the ending is earned, and is also not some childish fantasy where the righteous get a clean victory. It seems to address “superhero syndrome” and have Batman and Bruce Wayne play a part in collective, systemic change.

Which is refreshing.

This will sit with me for a while, and absolutely warrants a re-read or two. Or three.

[Zach Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun read. The viscerally violent, gritty, Gothic-maxxing Batman story is a tale old as time but I seriously enjoyed this reimagining as the Gargoyle of Gotham. The art is unsettling at times but it perfectly fits the grimy, oppressed aesthetic. The slowly unraveling mystery of Bruce’s past, Arkham Asylum, and the cult had me very glad that I waited until this was finished to begin reading it. That being said, the ending did feel like a bit of a rush to the finish line despite its 60 page length. I almost think this series could’ve benefitted from 6 issues to really flesh out the antagonists (Joker Jr. is either underdeveloped or a setup for a sequel) but it still ends on a satisfying note. Hope to see more from this artistic duo in the future!

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very dark macabre story with a new and inventive villain. Definitely for fans of Matt Reeves Batman film as it's tone is so similar. Grampá is a masterful artist. So richly detailed and a gorgeous color palette. If only the story wasn't so all over the place with how epic it's trying to be. So much so that it becomes a bit difficult to follow. Part of this is probably because this 4 issue series took 3 years to release so I inevitably forgot some things. At least it built to a satisfying conclusion.

[Amber Loptien · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I read each of the individual issues that have been released as the fourth and final chapter has not yet been released 8 months after the release of issue 3, and nearly 2 years after the start of the comic. It is gorgeously illustrated with a compelling story, and that is why I am giving it such a high rating despite its prolonged hiatus.

[Francisco · Rating 2 out of 5]

DnF

Art is pretty rad, albeit disturbing at times. But I did not like the story, despite it having some interesting concept. Last chapter will probably come out months from now, but I'm definitely not gonna care when it releases.

[Matilda · Rating 3 out of 5]

art style was sorta neat, but i didn't love the story. the cult thing was kinda interesting, but yeah idk, don't think it was my cuppa tea overall

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Batman as Communist avenger somewhere to the left of Green Arrow is not a take on the character I ever want to see again.