Storyline: Ongoing
Date: October 24, 2007–June 11, 2008
Price: $2.99
Writer: Frank Tieri
Artist: Jim Calafiore and Jack Purcell

Synopsis: An action-packed tale that features Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batwoman and just about every other Gotham guest-star imaginable. As more and more evildoers seemingly disappear into thin air, Gotham City finds itself in the midst of a villainous vacuum. Who will rise to commandeer the remainder of Gotham’s rogues? As several factions scramble to stake their claim, Batman and friends strategize a counter-attack!

Opinion: Oohhh, three DC reviews in a row from me, huh? Think I like Batman?

Riiight, just a little. (And don’t worry, I will be covering other superhero titles, too.)

Well, I’ve read this entire nine-part comic series just so I could give you an insightful report on its conclusion. But wait, there’s more! (You’ll get a free, complimentary comic book action figure with each comment—nahh, just kidding.) I realize there haven’t been any other Gotham Underground reviews on the site, so I’ll be catching you up as I go along. So it’s kind of like nine reviews rolled up in one! How cool is that?

My big review of #9 happens at the end, so let’s kick it off with Part One and the first comic in this mini series after the jump! Aren’t you excited?!

Gotham Underground #1: Kidnappings!

The first issue sets the stage for the story arc. The Gotham underground has been in disarray since the death of the Black Mask; with no named successor to the ruler of the crime underworld, the gangs are literally fighting in the streets over the title. Meanwhile, Batman is keeping an eye on the Penguin’s current affairs under the guise of Matches Malone, a supposed hired hand in the Iceberg Lounge. While the Penguin is trying to help infamous criminals get a ticket out of Gotham, a group called the Suicide Squad has been kidnapping them—for reasons unknown.

Nightwing is also investigating the chaos of the underground through its illegal gambling operations, and it becomes obvious that there’s someone new in town … and he’s bringing the big guns.

All in all, this was a pretty awesome first issue. Clearly the story is set up well, so there should be no problem following its progression. The dialogue is great, and so is the art (I REALLY liked Two-Face—creee-py!) by Calafiore and Purcell. It’s not boring at all, and definitely made me want to read more.

… So on to issue numero dos!

Gotham Underground #2: Gangs of Gotham

Things are continuing nicely. In this issue, Tobias Whale explains his grudge and why he’s come to Gotham. Other familiar players come into the game—like Scarface, Lockdown, Killer Moth, and Firefly. Each is properly introduced, so there isn’t anyone you should be wondering about; except one, and for good reason (highlight this to find out who and click here to learn more about the character: The Spoiler).

“Matches Malone” finds himself in Blackgate Prison after being taken in the last comic, and it isn’t exactly what he was expecting. The Riddler is curious about just what the Penguin is really up to with this “underground railroad” for resident criminals who want to flee Gotham. Finally, the end of the comic reveals that someone wants Matches dead, and they’re letting none other than Mr. Zsasz take the swing.

Another good issue, even though it felt a bit short. Once again the art is amazing and the plot is interesting; I certainly love the mix of characters being brought into the game.

Gotham Underground #3: “Fancy meeting you here …”

This comic was cooool, but not as easy to follow as the past two. It starts off the Scarecrow recounting what happened immediately after the end of the first issue. Over at Blackgate Prison, Matches/Bruce faces off with Zsasz and it’s awesome. The art and “feel” of the scene (with the colors and shadows) in Bruce’s tiny cell are amazing, so it’s definitely worth seeing yourself.

Elsewhere, the Penguin meets with Tobias Whale, who isn’t interested in negotiation; Robin meets with Oracle to try to figure out what’s going on in the criminal underworld. Although Oracle isn’t much help (and this is where things start to go fuzzy, because I’m not sure exactly what transpired before between her and Bruce, as it’s only hinted at here), she is able to tell Robin about someone named Johnny Denetto until the two of them are attacked by the Spoiler, who was seen spying on Robin in the last issue.

The last page shows a new gang. I’m not sure who they are, so it’s definitely a hook to keep reading.

Gotham Underground #4: “Scars”

Okay, as cool as this comic was, I have some problems with it. But I’ll get to that in a second.

We get to really see some of who this guy Denetto is—and he’s pretty damn cool. What happens with Bruce is also awesome (I’m going to have to have him teach me how to self-induce a trance-like state sometime …); the Scarecrow gets revenge against Scarface and the others with him for mocking him, although things turn sour for Crane afterwards. Over in Metropolis, the Spoiler manages to escape, as does Bruce, running straight into a distressed-looking Great White Shark (as in the character). The comic ends with a warning to the Gotham Police Department from Tobias Whale.

Now, there were three things I didn’t like about this comic. Firstly, we only find out who one of the members of the mysterious new gang is (the one that we were introduced to at the end of the #3). In the second issue we found out from Robin that Nightwing has been going undercover as his own version of Matches Malone: Freddie Dinardo. Here we seem him spying on the Penguin’s affairs in a “Heatwave costume.” Little does he know someone else is keeping a close eye on him.

Secondly, I don’t like the way Bruce escapes from the infirmary: with a gun. I mean, we know how opposed Bruce is to guns—they go against everything he believes in, and he hates them even more because of what happened to his parents. Well, I guess it’s not really a big deal considering he only used it to blow open the sealed doors, but I would have preferred to see him loathe to even pick up the weapon in the first place.

Thirdly, I hate when they make reference to how things are about to change using the storm metaphor. It’s so overused. The last few pages show Gordon and Bullock talking, and they go straight for that blasted metaphor. Ugh.

This one definitely wasn’t as good as the past few, even though it was still really intriguing. Let’s hope the next installment is better. Onward!

Gotham Underground #5: “Pieces of the Puzzle”

By the way, I’m loving these covers. They don’t give anything of what’s inside away; in fact, they don’t necessarily have anything to do with what’s in the comic. They’re just great art. Can’t go wrong there.

Whoa! This DEFINITELY got better. Actually, I’d say this might be the best issue of this mini-series so far, which is a relief considering the last one was somewhat of a letdown.

This comic indeed connects the pieces of the puzzle. What is great about Gotham Underground is the flashbacks. They’re done well. They’re nicely incorporated into the comics in a way that they don’t seem excessive or out-of-place and they don’t slow down the story at all. They’re used where they’re needed. It certainly gives GU an edge.

It starts out recalling the connection between Johnny Denetto (who was once called “Handsome Johnny”—and he sort of reminds me of Harvey Dent/Two-Face, one of my favorite Batman characters) and Tobias Whale, consequently some of the two characters’ origins, and how Denetto managed to drive Tobias out of Metropolis and into Gotham.

What’s cool about the design of this issue is that the title of the storyline is applied to the pages. Meaning panels often look like puzzle pieces; it’s even more interesting because some images are covered by a white puzzle piece or they’re removed and then added somewhere else—as a device that both adds to the style of the comic but also is important to the story. It’s kind of ingenius.

At last we get to see the Joker! Yess! The scene in the Iceberg Lounge with the Joker, Penguin, and a guy named Mr. Jessup is awesome and has some truly funny pieces of dialogue that aren’t overdone. Also, it is here that we discover how the Penguin got involved; the Scarecrow’s earlier suspicions about him are proven.

Finally, we find out who’s been trying to have Bruce killed in Blackgate Prison—and it’s not who you think (highlight this for a hint: if you’ve read the Knightfall story arc from back in the ’90s, this character should definitely come to mind).

Believe me when I say this’ll put you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait to see how Bruce gets out of this one.

If you’ve been enjoying Gotham Underground, you absolutely cannot miss out on this issue!

Gotham Underground #6: Breaking Out

The guns are out and war is about to break loose on the streets of Gotham.

The comic begins with Great White recalling to Bruce/Matches how he got from Arkham to Blackgate, leaving our hero wondering even more where the Suicide Squad has been taking the criminals it has kidnapped. Meanwhile, Tobias Whale is prepping his army as the Penguin does the same. It took a few issues, but it finally makes sense about the gang Nightwing is working undercover with. Recently we discovered that the Spoiler—or someone dressed like her—is working for the Penguin, who wants her to take care of Intergang and “Johnny Stitches.”

Over at Blackgate Prison, Bruce manages to escape with the help of Alfred, but things go seriously downhill for “Freddie Dinardo” (aka Nightwing) when Vigilante shows up.

Another good issue, although I wish I knew a little more about Oracle, Vigilante, and the Spoiler. But there’s only so much a comic can explain in one issue about character interaction and history, so I guess that’s what Wikipedia is for, right? At any rate, I can’t wait to see what happens next. Now things are really heating up.

Gotham Underground #7: War

Whoa! This issue is very cool. There’s an awesome scene between “Freddie” and the Riddler in the beginning. Now, as a side note, I really love how these characters are brought to life in Gotham Underground. Batman’s Gallery of Rogues is, erm, unique to begin with, but Frank Tieri does such a good job giving each and every one a distinguished voice.

Outside, war is breaking out between Tobias’s and the Penguin’s forces, and Batgirl and Huntress join the fight, soon followed by Wildcat and Robin. There’s a ton of humor packed into this book, which helps to keep the mood light and fun despite the bloodshed.

The Penguin finally gets the upper hand with Tobias, who reluctantly agrees to join forces to stop Johnny Stitches and Intergang.

But my favorite part of this comic had me cheering: when Batman shows up and stops Vigilante. Batman—not Matches Malone, not Bruce, but Batman. Cape and cowl and all. And the panel in which he first makes his appearance is fantastic. It really makes you feel his presence.

Just two more comics to go!

Gotham Underground #8: The Ticking Clock

Yes! Batman’s back in the game and he totally kicks Vigilante’s self-righteous butt! But Vigilante was only a warm-up—he’s ready to take back his city.

Man, there’s not a panel in this book where Bats doesn’t look awesome. Like page eight, where he swoops down over Vigilante, and page fifteen where Batman is shrouded by Vigilante’s smokescreen. The art is simply amazing.

Anyway, the Penguin’s victory wasn’t as glorified as he thought. It looks like Johnny Stitches and Intergang have had an ace up their sleeve the whole time. For one, Stitches got to Riddler—sending the Penguin Eddie’s bloody glasses and the cut-up body of Jessup. When the Penguin agrees to sit down and talk with Stitches, he reveals that Tobias isn’t on the Penguin’s side anymore; the Spoiler is conveniently absent. What is more, with a few words Johnny is able to break up the Penguin’s cavalry by threatening to do to their families what he did to Jessup—and he has the names to prove he isn’t bluffing. Stitches is giving him a day to get out of Gotham.

Overall, another awesome issue of Gotham Underground!

Gotham Underground #9: The Day the Penguin Died

… Isn’t really the day the Penguin died. Heh.

This is it! The conclusion of the fantastic mini-series, Gotham Underground. Let’s get on with the review of #9!

This issue focuses a lot on the Penguin, obviously, and starts off with a little bit of Cobblepot history, showing why the Penguin will refuse to leave Gotham City. If he has to go out, he plans to go out with class.

A banged-up Riddler returns to help out his friend; when Batman says he’s going to take back his city, he means it. Let’s just say the Penguin has a new boss.

… And Johnny Stitches ain’t too happy about his promised revenge against Tobias Whale. In other words, he didn’t exactly get revenge as much as he got a new partner.

There’s a nice little touch of humor that goes way back to, like, the first or second issue, which is a nice way to end it. The only problem is the blank factors.

For example … Dude, what the hell happened to Bane (see #5’s hint)?! I was really looking forward to a clash between him and Bruce, and finding out whether Great White was right about Bane’s reputation nowadays. And speaking of White, what’s the “other world” that he said the Suicide Squad was supposedly taking the kidnapped Gotham criminals to? What’s its real connection to the Penguin and his “underground railroad”? What happened to the Spoiler; not to mention all the snatched criminals like Two-Face and Mr. Freeze? Will these unanswered questions be solved in a continuation? (As far as I know there isn’t one planned.) Quick, somebody call the Riddler!

At any rate, it’s been pretty solid, folks, and a fun read overall with great dialogue and a great band of vivid characters. Just as importantly, each issue has done a good job at keeping readers—even ones jumping into the story—in the loop. Gotham Underground is definitely worth reading in its entirety, even despite the mentioned letdowns at the end. And yeah, those are some serious disappointments. It would be perfect if Gotham Underground got a second run, but since it’s labeled as a limited series, I doubt it. I guess Tieri just dug himself in too deep of a storyline for a nine-part mini-series.

Well, that’s it for me! I hope you enjoyed my jumbo review. Let me know what you thought!

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