Reviewer: Andy Campbell
Story Title: Dead Robin part 3 of 4
Writers: Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka
Pencils: Kano
Inks: Stefano Gaudiano
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Clem Robins
Associate Editor: Nachie Castro
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Comics
Gotham Central is one of those books that delivers month in, month out. That this storyline is such a pleasure to read is no surprise, but it’s still a treat.
For those who missed the first 2 parts of the story, a boy dressed as Robin was found dead, which of course led to speculation as to whether this was the genuine article. When another dead Robin turned up, though, it pretty much put that idea to rest, but made the mystery no less… creepy. This issue advances all of the plot threads, and begins to weave them together. Captain Sawyer is being driven over the edge, Detective Chandler’s weapon is still in Batman’s possession after she shot him, Robin continues his rooftop meetings with Stacy, and Simon Lippmann (Gotham Gazette reporter) continues to grumble that Captain Sawyer asked him to reveal one of his sources. By the end of the issue, and its shocking reveal, things have taken a darker turn.
While this art style wouldn’t work for most books, I can’t imagine Gotham Central being drawn any other way, so props to Kano and Gaudiano for their great work. Another nod to colorist Lee Loughridge, who has gotten kudos from me before for the spot-on coloring in Gotham Central.
