Reviewer: Andy Campbell
Story Title: Keystone Kops (part 4)
Writer: Greg Rucka
Art: Stefano Gaudiano & Gary Amaro
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Clem Robins
Associate Editor: Nachie Castro
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
This final issue of the 4-part “Keystone Kops” story wraps up the major plotlines, while still leaving some small things open to revisit in the future.
The story started with Officer Kelly of the GCPD being “infected” by a substance concocted by Dr. Alchemy. Since Dr. Alchemy is a Flash villain, the GCPD sought aid from the police force from Keystone City, most prominently Officers Morillo and Chyre, who are familiar to readers of The Flash. Meanwhile, Officer Kelly has mutated into a huge beast of sorts, so the clock is ticking on finding out what can be done about his condition.
Along the way, we’ve been treated to the interrogation of a Hannibal Lecter-esque Dr. Alchemy, though Lecter was never rude, like Alchemy; some great character moments with Officer Montoya’s father, who hasn’t spoken to her since finding out she was a lesbian; and some just plain great police work from Allen, Montoya, Morillo, and Chyre. The ending is both heartbreaking and heartwrenching at the same time, and you have to read it to know exactly what I mean. I’ll continue to look forward to what Greg Rucka has in store for this book.
I mentioned Lee Loughridge’s colors in my last Gotham Central review, but they bear mentioning again. While very simple in their execution, I think Loughridge’s colors add so much to the pages of Gotham Central. Their simplicity properly sets the mood as a gritty crime story, and the switch in color tones to change the mood is done very well, using sepia tones, blues, etc. It’s a great looking book.
