SPOILERS AHEAD
I didn't read the I am Gotham arc or much of what King wrote in Batman. Which means I'm not too familiar with Gotham Girl, her story or if she's being written in character. I assume she is though her inclusion is what made me think King would be more involved in this arc. If this was her last story it would seem odd that King chose not to write it. She's dying because of her powers and Batman admits that's not the main reason he wanted her to quit being a hero.
The inclusion in what appears to be Bane makes sense given the connection he has with Gotham Girl but doesn't he give away a big clue with the venom? Batman should at least suspect his role in something bigger since he realizes they walked into a trap and not Gotham Girl just deciding to form her own direct path to her grave. This doesn't seem like something she'd be able to put together especially with her current state of mind.
The narration boxes Flash and Batman have remind me of the Loeb Superman/Batman writing. Which can be good but the repetition can be a bit annoying. Thankfully it stops before it gets too bad although it might get to that point in a trade if they keep doing it in further issues. They both know there's a tension between them and Barry is trying to ease it by acting more lighthearted. I'm undecided if that works in light of Barry essentially losing his surrogate son in Wally. I do understand they need to be at least professional before they start to snap at one another. Having Barry smile just doesn't feel like a genuine reaction. Quipping? Well it's more of a Wally thing to me but sure.
I feel like the story really picks up once they discover Claires' obsessive fan girl room that's covered in pictures of different heroes. I think the art really pulled off this moment with the level of detail given to the images on the wall. I've seen other pages that have similar moments where you can't really see the individual images well. Claire isn't just into Gotham based heroes which leads to Barry finally snapping when he sees her costume design then Wallys' Kid Flash design. It was a moment I think was handled really well as Barry recalls Wally explaining his suit then draws comparison to Gotham Girl and the Robins. How involved was Bruce in Gotham Girl or the Robins' lives if he didn't even help them design their costumes? Gotham Girl claims he abandoned her.
The inclusion in what appears to be Bane makes sense given the connection he has with Gotham Girl but doesn't he give away a big clue with the venom? Batman should at least suspect his role in something bigger since he realizes they walked into a trap and not Gotham Girl just deciding to form her own direct path to her grave. This doesn't seem like something she'd be able to put together especially with her current state of mind.
The narration boxes Flash and Batman have remind me of the Loeb Superman/Batman writing. Which can be good but the repetition can be a bit annoying. Thankfully it stops before it gets too bad although it might get to that point in a trade if they keep doing it in further issues. They both know there's a tension between them and Barry is trying to ease it by acting more lighthearted. I'm undecided if that works in light of Barry essentially losing his surrogate son in Wally. I do understand they need to be at least professional before they start to snap at one another. Having Barry smile just doesn't feel like a genuine reaction. Quipping? Well it's more of a Wally thing to me but sure.
I feel like the story really picks up once they discover Claires' obsessive fan girl room that's covered in pictures of different heroes. I think the art really pulled off this moment with the level of detail given to the images on the wall. I've seen other pages that have similar moments where you can't really see the individual images well. Claire isn't just into Gotham based heroes which leads to Barry finally snapping when he sees her costume design then Wallys' Kid Flash design. It was a moment I think was handled really well as Barry recalls Wally explaining his suit then draws comparison to Gotham Girl and the Robins. How involved was Bruce in Gotham Girl or the Robins' lives if he didn't even help them design their costumes? Gotham Girl claims he abandoned her.
Williamson to his credit does briefly touch on some key issues for Batman. The recent break up with Selina (which he doesn't get to talk about due to Iris' call interrupting) and the lack of attention given to the kids he takes in. While we don't get to delve into the latter as much as I'd like I am glad Barry asked if Claire went to Sanctuary. This is key since he entrusted Wally with them but the center wasn't able to help Claire. Barry already suspects Bruce is not being upfront with him. This does sadly highlight the fact no one seemed to know what they were doing when they built the place and how badly the Trinity failed them. Iris herself gives Barry a message to tell Batman which he tactfully doesn't mention.
The pacing was much better than last issue and we're finally getting into the conflict between the leads. I would have liked to have address the current issues with Batman further but I got more than I normally would have in other books. If the next issues can really push the leads into finally unloading all the baggage they have been carrying it would be a worthwhile arc just for dealing with their grief,
Questions Asked: Does no one in the superhero community communicate? Barry didn't know Bruce and Selina didn't get married? Wouldn't the bat family know and tell other people? Dick really didn't tell Wally about it in fear of Bruce pushing them away again? They all decided to keep quiet about it even though someone else could have pulled a Barry and put Bruce in such an awkward position? Even Bruce is taken aback by this, honestly shocked that Barry doesn't know. So I think that information is out there but Barry is strangely out of the loop.
Is Barry really that great of CSI person if he moves at fast speeds in places their trying to gather evidence at? He could unintentionally trample on something or blow away the information they need.
Why is it important that Batman AND Flash be at the same place? Because they might break under pressure and lash out at each other? Does everyone outside the superhero community know Wally died yet? Is it all tied to Bane and suggesting he is responsible for HIC?
Is Barry really that great of CSI person if he moves at fast speeds in places their trying to gather evidence at? He could unintentionally trample on something or blow away the information they need.
Why is it important that Batman AND Flash be at the same place? Because they might break under pressure and lash out at each other? Does everyone outside the superhero community know Wally died yet? Is it all tied to Bane and suggesting he is responsible for HIC?
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