11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Read, June 1, 2005
This review is from: Gotham Central Vol. 2: Half a Life (Batman) (Paperback)
One of the best-written, most consistently entertaining mainstream comics on the shelves today, Gotham Central is the four-color cousin of popular TV police procedurals like Hill Street Blues, Homicide and NYPD Blue - telling stories of the DC Universe's toughest town from the perspective of the hardened detectives of the GCPD's Major Crimes Unit. Technically a Batman-family title, it is the one that is simultaneously the least and most reliant on the Dark Knight's presence, one that looms heavily over every story arc even if he himself rarely appears in them.
"RENEE MONTOYA HAS A SECRET." says the back cover blurb rather coyly. Specifically, she's a lesbian, a truth she's kept from her parents, her fellow officers, and her current partner, Crispus Allen. When she's outed and the man seemingly responsible turns up murdered, her backup gun found at the crime scene and incriminating evidence at her home, she finds herself under arrest and fighting not just for her job and her reputation, but for her life when help comes from a most unexpected source. Unexpected in the original run, at least. In this trade collection, DC generously includes two reprinted stories - all for only $14.99! - that serve as preludes (one from Batman Chronicles #16, the other from Detective Comics #747, both written by Greg Rucka but not illustrated by Michael Lark), shedding light on and setting up what originally seemed like an out of left field situation for those not well-versed in Gotham continuity.
The strength of this collection lies not in its overarching plot - solid though it is, despite some elements that suggest a fondness for Thomas Harris' Hannibal Lecter novels - but in its three-dimensional characterizations and smart dialogue, a trait that marks much of Rucka's work, both in comics and his novels, particularly when it comes to strong women. From the conflicted Montoya and her deeply predjudiced parents; to her arrogant but stand-up partner, Allen; to the bigoted taunts of her fellow officers, including the female ones, Rucka manages a realistic, nuanced take on a potentially exploitative subject, without any of the heavy handed objectifying, glamorizing or proselytyzing that one might expect in a relatively mainstream comic book. (Or, say, from Mark Millar.) Montoya works as the emotional center of the story, more about her than her sexual preference, because Rucka has given her multiple layers and not simply settled for a cipher on which to hang his story, an important factor that makes the ending work as well as it does, even when Batman and one of his classic rogues gets involved.
Gotham Central in general, and the "Half A Life" collection specifically, are stellar representatives of the best the form currently has to offer.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK!!, June 30, 2005
This review is from: Gotham Central Vol. 2: Half a Life (Batman) (Paperback)
Half a Life is the second story arc of a continuing comic called Gotham Central. And Gotham has never looked this gritty since Miller left for warmer climates. Michael Lark, who deserves immense amounts of money for the unbelievable work that he does, provides artwork that is to die for. It's dark and taut and each panel is perfection. Greg Rucka provides us with a very, very excellent character in Renee Montoya. She is tough as balls, intense, and very human. This is powerful storytelling.
Gotham Central has turned out to be one of the best comics in the past couple of years. Pushing Batman and his cast of crazy villains to the side as cameos and giving us the meat of the cops lives and cases provides hours of riveting reading. And rereading. Because these stories have depths and nuances that you didn't pick up the first time, trust me.
BTW, highly suggest Bruebaker and Lark's Scene of the Crime GN. Good stuff there too! Really good!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
WOW, April 25, 2006
This review is from: Gotham Central Vol. 2: Half a Life (Batman) (Paperback)
Gotham Central: Half a Life is about Gotham cop Renee Montoya. Montoya comes from a traditional Hispanic family. Her parents own a grocery. Their constant concern is that their only daughter is not eating enough, and when is she going to get married and give them grandchildren? That is a big problem for Renee, who is a lesbian and secretly dating a female chef.
When photos appear at work, Renee is mocked and scorned by her co-workers. Her brother confronts her - doesn't she know this will kill their parents? Tell them the photos were doctored, begs Renee. But things go from bad to worse when Renee is framed for the murder of the creep taking the photos. If she didn't do it, who did? And what does Two-Face have to do with this?
The story is right after the year-long No Man's Land storyline that took up the entire Batman comic line for the year of 1999. The beginning of Half a Life contains references to life during and after the federal designation of Gotham City as a condemned disaster area. Highly recommend the five No Man's Land GNs if you haven't read it.
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