Tag: Gotham City Police Department

Posted in Book Reviews, DC comics, Graphic Novels

REVIEW: Batman: Gordon of Gotham by Chuck Dixon

Posted on by elishasbookreview
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*No Spoilers*

Collects BATMAN: GORDON OF GOTHAM #1-4, BATMAN: GCPD #1-4 and BATMAN: GORDON’S LAW #1-4.

Gotham City Police Commissioner Jim Gordon stars in this new collection of crime stories from the 1990s that stars the colorful, determined cops of Batman’s home town.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The first story in this volume, Batman: Gordon’s Law, Commissioner Gordon has stumbled upon a coverup of a huge money laundering bust, the only trace is the few remaining $1,000 dollar bills.

However, Commissioner Gordon refuses Batman’s aide. Thus, he starts his mission to bust up the corruption within the Gotham Police Department.

I felt like this novel set the tone for the rest of this collection. It was gritty, rough, and brought Gordon into a light not many others get to see. He might be the commissioner of Gotham City, but he’s still a cop no matter what politics may dictate.

Seeing him take on this case without much of Batman’s aide, makes you truly see how rough and corrupt not only the Gotham Police Department is, but Gotham City as a whole. Gordon is just one man, but he’s doing his best to clean up the police corruption.

The second story, Batman: GCPD includes three stories from three of Gotham City’s finest detectives. I have read some of the comics surrounding the GCPD, and I have enjoyed them. It’s interesting to see an inside look into Gotham’s police department.

The story starts when Sargent Harvey Bullock beats up a costumed low-life and his partner goes to request a transfer. Commissioner Gordon grants her the transfer, and so he reassigns Bullock a new partner. All while Harvey is dealing with a rampant serial killer, Internal Affairs breathing down his neck, and his partner getting kidnapped on her new case. As well as another set of detectives on the hunt for a string of high-stakes thefts.

I found Sargent Bullock’s case the most interesting, someone in Gotham is going around killing seemingly random men and only leaving them with a teddy bear dressed up as their profession. The mystery was entertaining and intriguing.

Overall, I enjoyed this second story in this collection. I would say the writing was good, and the characters had interesting storylines and characteristics.

The final and main story: Batman: Gordon of Gotham is as fantastic as the other two stories in this epic volume. The story is about Gordon opening up to Batman about a time in his past when he was a beat cop in Chicago. He shares a story about an assassin who got away.

I love how Gordon is telling Batman a story about his past. Both are lonely characters and to see them bonding in this way makes me happy. I just figured the this was just Gordon getting something off of his chest. Boy, was I wrong!

After storytime is over, Batman tells Gordon something he already knew he had to do: go get sweet vengeance.

Overall these three stories, I enjoyed each of them for different reasons. I would highly recommend this collection for lovers of crime dramas, Commissioner James Gordon, and of course Batman. Even though Batman doesn’t have that much of a presence in this collection, it’s not Batman’s story, it’s the hard-working detectives at GCPD who make this collection worth reading.

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Posted in Book Reviews, DC comics, Graphic Novels

REVIEW: Gotham Central, Book 2: Jokers and Madmen

Posted on by elishasbookreview
Joker week

*No Major Spoilers*

In this action-packed graphic novel follows the Gotham City Police Department. Major Crimes Unit has a more difficult job than the Batman. Having to deal not only with the corruption that makes Gotham what it is, but having to deal with the psychos in costume.

Things have gotten complicated for the police since the court started throwing out cases because the police had been somewhat reliant on calling Batman to help them. However things just gets worse when a sniper starts running loose in Gotham, no one in Gotham is safe!

A cold case resurfaces as new matters bring up old memories for one retired cop with a drinking problem. How does a hostage situation turn into a cold case where the boy’s locker room gets blown to bits? Read this book to find out!

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I enjoyed this book! It has plenty of the famous Batman villains in this collection of stories! I especially loved the story involving the Joker! Just wow! There’s a method to his madness, and only Batman knows how the Joker works!

I was expecting a lot of Batman showing up and saving the day, but this is a story where the G.C.P.D. does all the saving without having to depend on Batman to do their job. I loved how they showed just how much effort the G.C.P.D. puts into their jobs. Made me feel like I was watching Law & Order (pick whichever one you want, they’re all great in their own way)!

I did at times, lose track of the characters. Most of the male cops were your stereotypical male cops. The female cops however were great! You can see how tough it is to be a female in a males’ role.

One thing I didn’t like about it was the artwork (I know I’m being picky here). I’m not a fan of watercolor or anything that looks like watercolor. Just a nitpick from me.

I loved this graphic novel. I give it my 10/10, would recommend for anyone who loves comics, and crime! Also the Joker, this week is Joker themed after all.