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Gotham Central (Hardcover Reprints) #4
Gotham Central: Book 4: Corrigan
Witness the gritty side of the Gotham City Police Department from their perspective, as teens dressed as Robin the Boy Wonder start turning up dead.
In this final collection of GOTHAM CENTRAL, the dead body of Robin the Boy Wonder is found on the streets. Now the detectives of Gotham Central must try to solve the mystery of his death while dealing with his associates, Batman and the Teen Titans.
In this final collection of GOTHAM CENTRAL, the dead body of Robin the Boy Wonder is found on the streets. Now the detectives of Gotham Central must try to solve the mystery of his death while dealing with his associates, Batman and the Teen Titans.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2011
26 people are currently reading
751 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,494 books1,924 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
September 9, 2016
I have a new appreciation for Gotham Central after watching Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD because apparently this idea of telling stories about ordinary people investigating things in a superhero universe isn’t quite as easy as Rucka and Brubaker made it seem.
In this final volume that follows the Major Crime Unit we find out just how hard it is to be a good cop in a bad town with four major stories. In the first, a couple of dirty patrol cops accidentally kill a homeless girl while shaking down a drug dealer, and their story illustrates how the rest of the force holds the MCU in contempt for not being ‘real cops’, and it also demonstrates that Gotham City often has its own brand of justice. Then a dead young man dressed like Robin kicks off a media firestorm and has one detective’s frustrations with Batman boiling over. A tie-in to DC’s Infitine Crisis shows how a couple of detective face the potential end of the world. The final story is also the finest as the investigation into corrupt crime scene technician Jim Corrigan takes a devastating toll on Renee Montoya and the rest of the squad.
As with the entire run of this series, the characters and crime stories are great comics by themselves and makes the incidents where they have to deal with Batman and super villain shenanigans seem that much more realistic and yet bizarre at the same time.
Gotham Central was a critically acclaimed series with lousy sales that only got 40 issues, but from what I’ve read, DC would have been OK with continuing it. It was the creative team leaving that brought it’s run to a close. Based on what the ever reliable Wikipedia is telling me, I’m strangely OK with this because it seems like trying to continue it after the New 52 stuff would have required retconning some key elements, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
So it gets placed on that same shelf of stories that couldn’t get any love while they were being produced only to see their legend grow after they got the ax like Firefly or a Terriers.
In this final volume that follows the Major Crime Unit we find out just how hard it is to be a good cop in a bad town with four major stories. In the first, a couple of dirty patrol cops accidentally kill a homeless girl while shaking down a drug dealer, and their story illustrates how the rest of the force holds the MCU in contempt for not being ‘real cops’, and it also demonstrates that Gotham City often has its own brand of justice. Then a dead young man dressed like Robin kicks off a media firestorm and has one detective’s frustrations with Batman boiling over. A tie-in to DC’s Infitine Crisis shows how a couple of detective face the potential end of the world. The final story is also the finest as the investigation into corrupt crime scene technician Jim Corrigan takes a devastating toll on Renee Montoya and the rest of the squad.
As with the entire run of this series, the characters and crime stories are great comics by themselves and makes the incidents where they have to deal with Batman and super villain shenanigans seem that much more realistic and yet bizarre at the same time.
Gotham Central was a critically acclaimed series with lousy sales that only got 40 issues, but from what I’ve read, DC would have been OK with continuing it. It was the creative team leaving that brought it’s run to a close. Based on what the ever reliable Wikipedia is telling me, I’m strangely OK with this because it seems like trying to continue it after the New 52 stuff would have required retconning some key elements, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
So it gets placed on that same shelf of stories that couldn’t get any love while they were being produced only to see their legend grow after they got the ax like Firefly or a Terriers.
July 24, 2012
Allen and Montoya cross paths with some dirty cops. Robin is found dead and the MCU is on the case. Supernatural horrors are afoot and the cops of the MCU try to get home to their families when the situation escalates far beyond their control. Crispus Allen investigates Jim Corrigan, the most corrupt cop on the force...
All good things must come to an end and in the world of graphic novels, few in recent memory were as good as Gotham Central.
With the departure of Mike Lark, the writing was on the wall and things kicked into high gear in this, the last volume.
Yeah, I'm marking this section as spoilers as well. Level Two spoilers, maybe?
If Gotham Central was a television show, here's where the montage of moments from previous episodes would go.
1. Detective Driver was my favorite detective not named Crispus Allen or Renee Montoya
2. Stacy, the temp that turns on the Batsignal, is my favorite background player
3. My favorite line in the entire series was "Tell me you did not just shoot Batman!"
4. I think DC dropped the ball by not locking in Rucka, Brubaker, and Mike Lark to lifetime deals to keep Gotham Central going.
5. I could have used a bit more closure. I know the fates of Crispus Allen and Renee Montoya from 52. I can't remember if that's where Corrigan's hash finally gets settled as well, though.
That's it for me. I'm sad so see Gotham Central go since it's head and shoulders above most other comics. Five easy stars.
All good things must come to an end and in the world of graphic novels, few in recent memory were as good as Gotham Central.
With the departure of Mike Lark, the writing was on the wall and things kicked into high gear in this, the last volume.
Yeah, I'm marking this section as spoilers as well. Level Two spoilers, maybe?
If Gotham Central was a television show, here's where the montage of moments from previous episodes would go.
1. Detective Driver was my favorite detective not named Crispus Allen or Renee Montoya
2. Stacy, the temp that turns on the Batsignal, is my favorite background player
3. My favorite line in the entire series was "Tell me you did not just shoot Batman!"
4. I think DC dropped the ball by not locking in Rucka, Brubaker, and Mike Lark to lifetime deals to keep Gotham Central going.
5. I could have used a bit more closure. I know the fates of Crispus Allen and Renee Montoya from 52. I can't remember if that's where Corrigan's hash finally gets settled as well, though.
That's it for me. I'm sad so see Gotham Central go since it's head and shoulders above most other comics. Five easy stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2019
Another wonderful installment! The ending is rather fitting.
What I love so much about this series is that Rucka managed to make a police procedural work as a comic book. The limited use of the Justice League, Batsy and the Robins really works. It's all about looking at the lives of a police force that's rather ill equipped to deal with Poison Ivy and magic and wizards, but they do the best they can.
Rucka has written such a wonderfully complex and imperfect character with Renee Montoya and I found myself wanting a lot more of her. I didn't care that some fo the things she did were wrong or that she's incredibly flawed. She was such an interesting character and it's so rare that writers write characters like this without sexualizing them. The only other exception I can think of is Jessica Jones.
The presence of Batsy and the Robins in this worked really well. I found that story really interesting.
Corrigan was frustrating as hell and every story I've seen on TV shows. Still, the ending really worked for me.
So, this is a recommend. As was the rest of the series. I'm sad this is the last part but I'm eternally grateful that the series existed in the first place.
I remain bummed that we'll never get a television adaptation of this book.
What I love so much about this series is that Rucka managed to make a police procedural work as a comic book. The limited use of the Justice League, Batsy and the Robins really works. It's all about looking at the lives of a police force that's rather ill equipped to deal with Poison Ivy and magic and wizards, but they do the best they can.
Rucka has written such a wonderfully complex and imperfect character with Renee Montoya and I found myself wanting a lot more of her. I didn't care that some fo the things she did were wrong or that she's incredibly flawed. She was such an interesting character and it's so rare that writers write characters like this without sexualizing them. The only other exception I can think of is Jessica Jones.
The presence of Batsy and the Robins in this worked really well. I found that story really interesting.
Corrigan was frustrating as hell and every story I've seen on TV shows. Still, the ending really worked for me.
So, this is a recommend. As was the rest of the series. I'm sad this is the last part but I'm eternally grateful that the series existed in the first place.
I remain bummed that we'll never get a television adaptation of this book.
February 15, 2016
Book 4: 5 stars
Overall series: 4.5 stars.
Very good series that ended prematurely but I can't shake the feeling that it didn't use it's full potential.Maybe I unrealistically expected to be just as good or even better than The criminal and Lazarus(best works for each of the authors) but this series falls just hair short of 5 stars.
This of course doesn't apply to stories that involve detectives Allen and Montoya, they are absolute highlight of this series and every story involving them deserves 5 stars.To be honest I don't expect that as they are are Rucka's characters, because of The criminal and Fatale I thought this kind of noir graphic novel will be right up in Brubaker's alley.His stories are good but it's Rucka who steals the show here.
Overall series: 4.5 stars.
Very good series that ended prematurely but I can't shake the feeling that it didn't use it's full potential.Maybe I unrealistically expected to be just as good or even better than The criminal and Lazarus(best works for each of the authors) but this series falls just hair short of 5 stars.
This of course doesn't apply to stories that involve detectives Allen and Montoya, they are absolute highlight of this series and every story involving them deserves 5 stars.To be honest I don't expect that as they are are Rucka's characters, because of The criminal and Fatale I thought this kind of noir graphic novel will be right up in Brubaker's alley.His stories are good but it's Rucka who steals the show here.
July 5, 2022
A fantastic end to an absolutely spectacular run. It's a hard hitter, and one that's not afraid to put the characters through hell and back for a good story. This series has struck a wonderful balance when it comes to settling itself into morally grey. At times, the reader will find themselves sure of an action or decision that's been made, however, there other moments that will leave you questioning who, if any, is in the right. Complex, compelling, and an all around perfect conclusion to a smashing series.
November 1, 2012
Gotham Central is by far, my favorite complete comic/graphic novel series I've read to date (However, Locke and Key isn't finished yet and that's nipping at it's heels).
With the exception of that strange Infinite Crisis story line imposed within the middle of this collection, this was a perfect finale to a great series. I can't even give it less than five stars due to how excellent the Corrigan and Die! Robin, Die! stories were.
The Robin story line was one of my favorites in the series, especially when it came down to it's conclusion . The Corrigan story was excellent as well, he was written like a real scumbag; a dirty cop you love to hate.
I didn't realize that this had been the end of the series and when I realized that my experience within the Gotham City Police Department was effectively ending, the ending became that much more heartbreaking.
This series is criminally under rated and the fact that it needed to fight to get a full 40 issue run is mind blowing. DC struck gold with this series but finishing out as strong as it did is certainly a rarity in today's world. So, at least there's that. I guess.
With the exception of that strange Infinite Crisis story line imposed within the middle of this collection, this was a perfect finale to a great series. I can't even give it less than five stars due to how excellent the Corrigan and Die! Robin, Die! stories were.
The Robin story line was one of my favorites in the series, especially when it came down to it's conclusion . The Corrigan story was excellent as well, he was written like a real scumbag; a dirty cop you love to hate.
I didn't realize that this had been the end of the series and when I realized that my experience within the Gotham City Police Department was effectively ending, the ending became that much more heartbreaking.
This series is criminally under rated and the fact that it needed to fight to get a full 40 issue run is mind blowing. DC struck gold with this series but finishing out as strong as it did is certainly a rarity in today's world. So, at least there's that. I guess.
March 18, 2023
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
How does one confront evil when it continuously succeeds in pervading the world, bringing everyone down on their knees, begging for change, peace, and justice? Despite having the most virtuous beliefs, for a single person, it sometimes just isn’t enough when your whole police department is overflowing with corrupt authorities and the city you constantly try to protect sees lunatics roaming around, destroying everything that they set their eyes upon, killing innocent lives, and taking away, inch by inch, the little good that there’s left out in the world. Collecting issues #32-40, this final volume in the Eisner and Harvey award-winning Gotham Central series concludes in the hands of critically-acclaimed writers Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker and contains four stories: the stand-alone saga titled Nature, the four-part murder mystery titled Dead Robin, another stand-alone tale titled Sunday Bloody Sunday, and the three-part finale titled Corrigan II.
What is Gotham Central, Book Four: Corrigan about? The first story presents the corrupt life of a police officer within the Gotham City Police Department. This is followed up by a larger murder mystery that begins with the discovery of a boy found dead wearing a Robin costume. With no one but Batman and several other superheroes aware of the boy’s real identity, the cops must proceed on the presumption that it is the real deal and that Batman is their prime suspect. Tying into the once-upon-a-time ongoing events of Infinite Crisis, the following one-shot story brings Major Crimes Unit’s detective Crispus Allen to discover the truth regarding detective Renee Montoya and what she had to do about Crime Scene Technician Jim Corrigan to exonerate him. The final story sees MCU’s detective Crispus Allen take matters into his own hands and try and rid once and for all the GCPD of their most corrupted crime scene technician.
Focusing once more on the core cast of detectives, these stories remain grounded and ever-so-engaging, bringing writers Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker to restrain their usage of the supernatural, to focus on the police procedural elements and shine a light on the character drama at the heart of these stories. While short cameos of Gotham’s superheroes and even a quick nod to the events of Infinite Crisis, limited to the story titled Sunday Bloody Sunday, are inevitable, most of these stories continue their exploration of the GCPD’s corruption and their complex relationship with the press, constantly breathing down on their necks while they are already pummeled and tormented by the pressures of their job in a world where justice cannot strive without people believing in it. Writer Greg Rucka, who was the last of the co-creators to still be writing the series, does a fantastic job with the final story arc, brilliantly unveiling a tragedy while allowing the emotionally-troubled detective Renee Montoya, whose life has been in constant turmoil lately, to experience a character-defining episode and end the series on a high note, one where readers are brought to reflect on the onslaught of evil faced by heroes who only want good for those they are trying to protect.
With co-creator and artist Michael Lark having also left the series back since issue #25, the artwork by Kano, Steve Lieber, and Stefano Guadiano manage to once more capture the essence of the original artwork, without necessarily matching or improving it. The monochromatic background, subtlety evolving page by page, also helps establish the crime procedural tone, portraying a depressed and vice-ridden world. The unexpected cameo of a team of beloved DC Comics teenage superheroes in their vibrant primary-coloured costumes also made for a contrasting reminder of this series’ artistic vision. That being said, the artwork goes hand in hand with the stories presented in this final volume, and had these original creators of this series all stayed, Gotham Central could’ve easily continued its realistic exploration of by-the-book heroes within a city protected from above by a man dressed as a bat. Nonetheless, the series now brilliantly ends with this fourth volume and will surely be revisited in the future.
Gotham Central, Book Four: Corrigan is an astounding finale further highlighting the meticulous work of Gotham’s Finest detectives and the weight of their duty on their own psyche amidst the evil in their city.
February 20, 2018
The Gotham Central series wraps up and this final volume, though still good, lacks some of the energy and cohesion of the predecessors. (The engaging, on-going Montoya / Allen / Corrigan story-line resolution was sudden and curiously muted; 'Dead Robin' - with an irrelevant Teens Titans cameo - cruises along until the banal suspect reveal towards the end; and the 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' story was just too disconnected and out of left field.) Frustrating, as it feels like a Book 5 was almost required to have a better conclusion.
August 13, 2011
Holy shit that's some good writing. I haven't put the book down for one minute since I opened it, and I'm almost shaking from the thrills and suspense. I realised about 90% through Dead Robin that I'd read it before, which meant that I was enjoying it thoroughly for a second time. It's that good.
The second storyline was equally gripping and pretty damned dark, and was a helluva way to end off this series. I wish it kept going, but I'm sure glad it existed.
The second storyline was equally gripping and pretty damned dark, and was a helluva way to end off this series. I wish it kept going, but I'm sure glad it existed.
May 28, 2018
Gotham Central is a series that was strong all the way to the end. There are two really good storylines in this volume. The first covers the appearance of a dead Robin in Gotham and the second deals with the corrupt cop Corrigan. This is a series that needs to be brought back.
August 20, 2014
Great work, great writing, great finish!
July 28, 2025
(4,6 of 5 for a volume which makes me sad there isn't at least one more)
"Corrigan" is a volume with final GC stories. Some of the previous ones led to this point. A culmination. Dark and rough. The whole volume is my most favourite, so let's quick stroll through all the stories here:
Nature - I love the change in the art. Lieber is clean, even a bit too much, because this genre needs little of "gritty". But Loughridge's colours compensate for that, and I like the result. The story itself is rather shorter, but it has a great kick. I loved it. Rucka gave us some hope that some justice was being served.
Dead Robin - Here Ed joined in with Greg (and for art we get Kano and Gaudiano). Fine by me. And with Ed, it gets more "dark". And speaking of it, I loved how I, the reader, was kept in the dark, not being a step ahead but clueless until the breaking point, same as our detective heroes here. That's quite nice.
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rucka again, with a short tap into "Infinite Crisis". I enjoyed that, even if it felt out of beat.
Corrigan II - I liked the art, and I liked the story. I would believe it would be a collaboration of Ed and Greg if it weren't credited to Rucka. I enjoyed it, even if it wasn't satisfying at the end, but it was a fine ending, fitting the theme.
"Corrigan" is a volume with final GC stories. Some of the previous ones led to this point. A culmination. Dark and rough. The whole volume is my most favourite, so let's quick stroll through all the stories here:
Nature - I love the change in the art. Lieber is clean, even a bit too much, because this genre needs little of "gritty". But Loughridge's colours compensate for that, and I like the result. The story itself is rather shorter, but it has a great kick. I loved it. Rucka gave us some hope that some justice was being served.
Dead Robin - Here Ed joined in with Greg (and for art we get Kano and Gaudiano). Fine by me. And with Ed, it gets more "dark". And speaking of it, I loved how I, the reader, was kept in the dark, not being a step ahead but clueless until the breaking point, same as our detective heroes here. That's quite nice.
Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rucka again, with a short tap into "Infinite Crisis". I enjoyed that, even if it felt out of beat.
Corrigan II - I liked the art, and I liked the story. I would believe it would be a collaboration of Ed and Greg if it weren't credited to Rucka. I enjoyed it, even if it wasn't satisfying at the end, but it was a fine ending, fitting the theme.
February 5, 2015
"This isn't Metropolis, Captain, and not just because our guy works at night. This isn't the City of Tomorrow, it isn't San Francisco, it's not New York. It's Gotham, and if you want to see what that means, just check out your squad room."
I'm taking that quote out of context but it fits this volume so perfectly. While the previous volumes in the Gotham Central series focused on the sometimes seriously rocky relationship between Batman and the GCPD, as well as the everyday lives of the officers, this focuses on just how hard it is to be a "good” cop in a city as corrupt and dark as Gotham. I can't remember the last time that a comic book made me feel so much but this one accomplishes that with ease. There are three main stories in this volume:
Nature by Greg Rucka
This was an interesting story mostly because it’s told from the viewpoint of the corrupt cops in Gotham. I suppose it’s to provide some contrast to the usual viewpoints of the officers in the Major Crimes unit (who were handpicked by former Commissioner James Gordon and therefore a helluva lot more reliable than the rest of the force). This story is from the viewpoint of Officers DeCarlo and Munroe who are about as crooked as they come. In the course of shaking down a drug dealer for their portion of the score, they end up killing a young homeless girl. Of course, with as corrupt as Gotham is, they really don’t have to worry about anyone finding out the truth, as long as they can stay away from the relentless MCU duo of Montoya and Allen.
Dead Robin by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka
This story begins with the murder of Robin. When the police find a young man who died of blunt force trauma from a rather nasty fall and who just so happens to be dressed in a Robin suit, they immediately suspect an accident on the job. It definitely doesn’t look good for Batman and even the Teen Titans get pulled into the case as known associates of Robin. It features a fairly major clash between Batman and Officer Romy Chandler (who still blames Batman for the death of her partner). It’s resolved in a way that I wasn’t expecting and really liked. Overall, it’s a very well-written story that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
Corrigan II by Greg Rucka
And this was the story that just fucking broke my heart. Although it’s a quote from one of the previous stories, I’m pretty sure that Captain Sawyer says it best:
”Mother*%$#!
Mother*%$#!
Mother*%$#!
Mother*%$#!”
I still can’t believe how frustrated and heartbroken and angry this story made me. Not in a bad way. The writing was absolutely amazing, it’s the first time I can remember a comic book making my heart physically hurt. I don’t want to ruin its impact so all I’ll say without the spoiler tags is that two of my favorite detectives continue their clash with the corrupt crime scene tech James Corrigan and things definitely do not go according to plan.
This story really underlines how corrupt and messed up a city Gotham is and no matter how many good people work to clean it up, it still takes its toll. Just an amazing story and the first time that I’ve been really impressed with one of Rucka’s stories.
Again, like it has been this entire series, the artwork is pretty bland. It’s not quite as bad as in book three but this series deserves so much better.
This is hands down the best volume in the entire series. It’s also one of the best Batman books I’ve ever read. I really can’t say enough good things about it, it’s forever going to be one of my favorites.
I'm taking that quote out of context but it fits this volume so perfectly. While the previous volumes in the Gotham Central series focused on the sometimes seriously rocky relationship between Batman and the GCPD, as well as the everyday lives of the officers, this focuses on just how hard it is to be a "good” cop in a city as corrupt and dark as Gotham. I can't remember the last time that a comic book made me feel so much but this one accomplishes that with ease. There are three main stories in this volume:
Nature by Greg Rucka
This was an interesting story mostly because it’s told from the viewpoint of the corrupt cops in Gotham. I suppose it’s to provide some contrast to the usual viewpoints of the officers in the Major Crimes unit (who were handpicked by former Commissioner James Gordon and therefore a helluva lot more reliable than the rest of the force). This story is from the viewpoint of Officers DeCarlo and Munroe who are about as crooked as they come. In the course of shaking down a drug dealer for their portion of the score, they end up killing a young homeless girl. Of course, with as corrupt as Gotham is, they really don’t have to worry about anyone finding out the truth, as long as they can stay away from the relentless MCU duo of Montoya and Allen.
Dead Robin by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka
This story begins with the murder of Robin. When the police find a young man who died of blunt force trauma from a rather nasty fall and who just so happens to be dressed in a Robin suit, they immediately suspect an accident on the job. It definitely doesn’t look good for Batman and even the Teen Titans get pulled into the case as known associates of Robin. It features a fairly major clash between Batman and Officer Romy Chandler (who still blames Batman for the death of her partner). It’s resolved in a way that I wasn’t expecting and really liked. Overall, it’s a very well-written story that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
Corrigan II by Greg Rucka
And this was the story that just fucking broke my heart. Although it’s a quote from one of the previous stories, I’m pretty sure that Captain Sawyer says it best:
”Mother*%$#!
Mother*%$#!
Mother*%$#!
Mother*%$#!”
I still can’t believe how frustrated and heartbroken and angry this story made me. Not in a bad way. The writing was absolutely amazing, it’s the first time I can remember a comic book making my heart physically hurt. I don’t want to ruin its impact so all I’ll say without the spoiler tags is that two of my favorite detectives continue their clash with the corrupt crime scene tech James Corrigan and things definitely do not go according to plan.
This story really underlines how corrupt and messed up a city Gotham is and no matter how many good people work to clean it up, it still takes its toll. Just an amazing story and the first time that I’ve been really impressed with one of Rucka’s stories.
Again, like it has been this entire series, the artwork is pretty bland. It’s not quite as bad as in book three but this series deserves so much better.
This is hands down the best volume in the entire series. It’s also one of the best Batman books I’ve ever read. I really can’t say enough good things about it, it’s forever going to be one of my favorites.
September 6, 2017
A tragic end to a great series that didn't wear itself out. I'm thankful the series didn't continue and had a satisfying ending. What a great character journey for Renee Montoya
May 23, 2016
This fourth and final hard cover volume collects issues #32–40 of Gotham Central, DC's eminent comic about the Gotham City Police Department's Major Crime Unit (mostly dealing with the kinds of crime that inevitably tends to involve "the Bat").
This volume, like the last one, is dominated by Greg Rucka's writing, and it still certainly delivers (even though I would not have minded more Ed Brubaker material).
It opens with a single-issue story, "Nature," written by Rucka and drawn by Steve Lieber. In some way, this may be the oddest GC story out of the forty issues, simply because its narrator (while a cop) is in no way connected to the MCU. Instead we get some insight into the other side of the coin, one of Gotham's finest examples of corruption, with some twists and turn to match.
This is followed by the excellent four-parter "Dead Robin," written by Rucka and Brubaker, and drawn by Kano & Stefano Gaudiano. Here the MCU discovers the body of what appears to be Robin, i.e. Batman's sidekick. The heavily media covered investigation becomes a desperate race against the clock and it is all about establishing the facts: is it Robin? What does it mean if it is? What does it mean if it isn't?
The collection's weakest part (and possibly the weakest part of the whole series) is the single-issue story "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by Rucka
and Lieber. It is a tie-in to one of DC's mega events, Infinite Crisis, and while not a bad story, its attempt to match the perspective of people on the street with the über-cosmic stuff does not really work that well within the frame of the series itself. It simply becomes too over the top, and next to series successfully dealing with this (like Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross' Marvels or Busiek and Brent Anderson's Astro City) it just feels as if it misses the mark somewhat.
Infinite Crisis
The volume (and the series) ends with the three-parter "Corrigan II" by Rucka, Kano and Gaudiano. This picks up the story about corrupt crime scene investigator Jim Corrigan that started in the previous volume (in the two-parter "Corrigan"). While "Dead Robin" is easily the main event of this volume, this is a very good finale to the series.
All in all, I would have to say that the entire series – all four hard cover volumes – have been a delight to read, and I cannot recommend them enough.
This volume, like the last one, is dominated by Greg Rucka's writing, and it still certainly delivers (even though I would not have minded more Ed Brubaker material).
It opens with a single-issue story, "Nature," written by Rucka and drawn by Steve Lieber. In some way, this may be the oddest GC story out of the forty issues, simply because its narrator (while a cop) is in no way connected to the MCU. Instead we get some insight into the other side of the coin, one of Gotham's finest examples of corruption, with some twists and turn to match.
This is followed by the excellent four-parter "Dead Robin," written by Rucka and Brubaker, and drawn by Kano & Stefano Gaudiano. Here the MCU discovers the body of what appears to be Robin, i.e. Batman's sidekick. The heavily media covered investigation becomes a desperate race against the clock and it is all about establishing the facts: is it Robin? What does it mean if it is? What does it mean if it isn't?
The collection's weakest part (and possibly the weakest part of the whole series) is the single-issue story "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by Rucka
and Lieber. It is a tie-in to one of DC's mega events, Infinite Crisis, and while not a bad story, its attempt to match the perspective of people on the street with the über-cosmic stuff does not really work that well within the frame of the series itself. It simply becomes too over the top, and next to series successfully dealing with this (like Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross' Marvels or Busiek and Brent Anderson's Astro City) it just feels as if it misses the mark somewhat.
Infinite Crisis
The volume (and the series) ends with the three-parter "Corrigan II" by Rucka, Kano and Gaudiano. This picks up the story about corrupt crime scene investigator Jim Corrigan that started in the previous volume (in the two-parter "Corrigan"). While "Dead Robin" is easily the main event of this volume, this is a very good finale to the series.
All in all, I would have to say that the entire series – all four hard cover volumes – have been a delight to read, and I cannot recommend them enough.
December 2, 2014
After losing first Lark and then Brubaker to Marvel, Rucka brings Gotham Central to a close with the powerful "Corrigan II," following up on "Corrigan" from the last volume. Montoya-centric stories are always winners, and this one had me riveted. In addition, the "Dead Robin" story is almost as exciting as "Soft Targets," with the whole department going after a Robin-killer. Meanwhile, Romy Chandler works out her feelings toward Batman in the worst way possible.
I could have read many more issues of this series; it's just so consistently good. But, alas, it was not meant to be. Instead, we're left with forty issues of how do to a crackerjack police procedural in a superhero world by focusing on characters and always keeping things grounded, bringing the supers down to a realistic level. Adios, GCPD Major Crimes Unit. I hope you're in a better place.
Wait, you're all still in Gotham. Scratch that.
I could have read many more issues of this series; it's just so consistently good. But, alas, it was not meant to be. Instead, we're left with forty issues of how do to a crackerjack police procedural in a superhero world by focusing on characters and always keeping things grounded, bringing the supers down to a realistic level. Adios, GCPD Major Crimes Unit. I hope you're in a better place.
Wait, you're all still in Gotham. Scratch that.
November 4, 2014
Very smart, excellent books. What is it like to be cops in a city under the shadow of the Bat.
Focused on the characters and their troubled lives.
Focused on the characters and their troubled lives.
March 6, 2021
Written review is for the entire series:
This series ranges from absolute perfection to middling fare. It's mostly the former. Seeing this particular spin on the DC universe is interesting and usually pretty fun.
I enjoy seeing Batman from the other side. There's no hero worship, there's mostly tension and a big dose of condescension from the Dark Knight towards regular cops. It's like Joker once said, "To them, you're just a freak. Like me!" It's not far off.
The story arcs are dramatic, visceral, and grounded. They are also poignant and devastating. And a couple of them are fairly lame. However, the vast majority of the series is high quality and beautifully drawn. Truly a treat to read.
This series ranges from absolute perfection to middling fare. It's mostly the former. Seeing this particular spin on the DC universe is interesting and usually pretty fun.
I enjoy seeing Batman from the other side. There's no hero worship, there's mostly tension and a big dose of condescension from the Dark Knight towards regular cops. It's like Joker once said, "To them, you're just a freak. Like me!" It's not far off.
The story arcs are dramatic, visceral, and grounded. They are also poignant and devastating. And a couple of them are fairly lame. However, the vast majority of the series is high quality and beautifully drawn. Truly a treat to read.
April 29, 2025
Gotham Central Vol. 4 is a powerhouse end to one of my favorite series— gritty, tense, and absolutely unflinching. Brubaker and Rucka push the GCPD to the brink, but it’s Jim Corrigan who really steals the spotlight here, and not in a good way — his corruption oozes through the department, making every case feel like a slow, inevitable collapse. The emotional weight is massive, the writing razor-sharp, and the sense of danger more personal than ever. Gotham feels less like a city and more like a predator, and these detectives are just trying to survive another day. A brutal end to an amazing series
September 1, 2024
Gotham Central, Book 4 is a fitting end to the series. In this one we got four stories: (1) street cops murder a homeless girl, showing the ugly side of Gotham justice, (2) teenage boys in Robin suits turn up dead, (3) an Infinite Crisis tie-in, and (4) (the crème de la crème) a major character is murdered and everyone is pushed to the brink.
This series was great. I’m kind of surprised it was such a short run (40 issues).
This series was great. I’m kind of surprised it was such a short run (40 issues).
February 14, 2025
This last volume has a great one and done to strat featuring Poisin Ivy as the freak. And tails into an arc with A killer dressing kids up as the boy wonder which creates all kinds of confusion and addresses issues with Batman's parenting techniques and child Labour etc. And that final arc hits hard I want to see where Motnyoya goes after this. I always remember loving her character when I originally read some of this series it's obvious that even with a huge cast of cops on the roster she was always kind of the star player.
This series rated quite high for me I love the creative team so it's no surprise, and these guys are legends couple of decades later
Series score 36/40 Stars
This series rated quite high for me I love the creative team so it's no surprise, and these guys are legends couple of decades later
Series score 36/40 Stars
November 4, 2024
4/5 Stars
Individual issues rated below -
Gotham Central #32: 4/5
Gotham Central #33: 5/5
Gotham Central #34: 4.5/5
Gotham Central #35: 3.5/5
Gotham Central #36: 4/5
Gotham Central #37: 3/5
Gotham Central #38: 4/5
Gotham Central #39: 3.5/5
Gotham Central #40: 4/5
Individual issues rated below -
Gotham Central #32: 4/5
Gotham Central #33: 5/5
Gotham Central #34: 4.5/5
Gotham Central #35: 3.5/5
Gotham Central #36: 4/5
Gotham Central #37: 3/5
Gotham Central #38: 4/5
Gotham Central #39: 3.5/5
Gotham Central #40: 4/5
April 18, 2013
Damn. Let's start with the final story in this trade - Corrigan II. This story is an emotional gut punch and a fitting end to the series, just going to show that sometimes, you just can't win. Truly excellent stuff.
Also included in this volume are a done in one featuring Poison Ivy which is good fun, and an Infinite Crisis tie-in which feels a little out of place given that the series goes back to normal really quickly afterwards.
The other large story in this trade is Dead Robin, which is an intriguing story with a hell of a twist, and possibly the only time throughout the 40 issue run that superheroes involving themselves in the story doesn't drag it down.
Michael Lark is absent for this final volume, but Kano and Stefano Gaudiano easily pick up the slack and continue to do this series the justice its stories deserve.
I'm sad to see this series end, and wish there were more stories with these characters - they changed, evolved, laughed, cried, and went through so much in 40 issues that it's really sad to see them go.
Also included in this volume are a done in one featuring Poison Ivy which is good fun, and an Infinite Crisis tie-in which feels a little out of place given that the series goes back to normal really quickly afterwards.
The other large story in this trade is Dead Robin, which is an intriguing story with a hell of a twist, and possibly the only time throughout the 40 issue run that superheroes involving themselves in the story doesn't drag it down.
Michael Lark is absent for this final volume, but Kano and Stefano Gaudiano easily pick up the slack and continue to do this series the justice its stories deserve.
I'm sad to see this series end, and wish there were more stories with these characters - they changed, evolved, laughed, cried, and went through so much in 40 issues that it's really sad to see them go.
December 13, 2013
The thing with crime procedurals and crime genre in most fiction is that you can play on the murder mystery storyline or have the hard hunt on someone you know is guilty. This volume does both, having the Fuzz in Gotham investigate the killings of kids dressed as Robin and a corrupt cop within the force in two separate story arcs. It's very good writing, and while all this is going on Brubaker and Rucka never lose focus on their characters. There is the inclusion of SOME tights, but it's superfluous to what's going on.
Sometimes when you get to the last couple of arcs, they're not as good because it feels like the creators have used up all their good stuff in the first few arcs, but that's not the case with Gotham Central. Each book is as good as the last and they make each case different to keep it interesting for readers.
I'd been hearing for a while how good this series is and I really wish I read it a lot sooner.
Sometimes when you get to the last couple of arcs, they're not as good because it feels like the creators have used up all their good stuff in the first few arcs, but that's not the case with Gotham Central. Each book is as good as the last and they make each case different to keep it interesting for readers.
I'd been hearing for a while how good this series is and I really wish I read it a lot sooner.
February 28, 2012
I can't believe its over. I know it had to end, and I prefer things that do end rather than going on until they become irrelevant or I become bored with them. That being said the childlike fan of things I love just wanted this series to never end. Its a perfect synergy of two things I love: Batman and Police procedurals. These two elements, seemingly disparate, combine into a perfect crystalline structure of storytelling chemistry.
Read this, and get ready to be bummed at the end. You will be treated to the best look into just how corrupt the GCPD as a whole is and how very different a beast the Major Crimes Unit is from most of your rank and file GCPD. This being Gotham, things will not end on the happiest note either.
Read this, and get ready to be bummed at the end. You will be treated to the best look into just how corrupt the GCPD as a whole is and how very different a beast the Major Crimes Unit is from most of your rank and file GCPD. This being Gotham, things will not end on the happiest note either.
July 16, 2016
Of all the volumes of Gotham Central, this is the one that appealed least to me. It's closer ties to the DC Universe happenings at the time were distracting -- although I enjoyed those events at the time. Still, I feel that GC is at its best when it's distanced from the supes. Whenever they're more closely integrated, it's more reminiscent of Busiek's Marvels. And that's fine, but that book is what it is. And GC is at its best when it's showcasing the crime-writing talents of Brubaker and Rucka, sans supes. Still, the series as a whole is impressive.
September 27, 2020
I don't think I had read these issues before and although I kinda knew what happened to Montoya and Allen, I wasn't prepared for the brutal ending to this series. Prior to that there's a bunch of good stuff including the Dead Robin storyline. The tension between the women and men on the job and the masked vigilante that stalks the city continues to drive the book even as Batman remains on the periphery, but in the end this series was always more about the cops than the bat and it ends on a dour downbeat of despair. Really pleased to have collected this series because it's excellent.
April 12, 2011
It's amazing no one thought of this before: a series chronicling the daily business of the Gotham City Police Department. Seeing the actions of Batman and his rogues gallery through the eyes of normal people makes for a fantastic premise, but Brubaker and Rucka never let the premise carry too much of the weight. This series is about the detectives and their lives, and is all the better for it.
January 13, 2018
Great series about the men and women of the M.C.U. and their constant battle against crime with The Bat hanging over their shoulders all the time. The idea of how the force is constantly being shown up by Batman is not a concept that is usually explored or even considered. Solid stories and a rough art style with plenty of shadows makes for a great combination.
9/10
9/10
April 7, 2015
I absolutely loved this series, right up to the end. In the fourth and final volume, I feel like the events of the Infinite Crisis got in the way and as a result, infringed on the quality of this volume. All in all, though, I thoroughly enjoyed this series and definitely recommend it.
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