NOTE: This is the only one of the five-part "Gotham Central" comics I've read.
A tale that brings a touch of social modernism/drama to the world to comics in perhaps the only way it could be (while remaining tasteful). GCPD Detective Renee Montoya - while formerly a tertiary, behind the scenes character - is the forefront of this story that brings to light one old and one new secret in her personal and professional life that may threaten to destroy both. Since the start of this story in the "No Man's Land" story-arc (including: Batman Chronicles #16 and Detective Comics #747), Renee has developed a relationship of sorts with supervillain Harvey Dent/Two-Face. She has a new partner at the GCPD; Metropolis transplant Crispus Allen (who eventually becomes the Spectre; an event that starts Renee on the path to eventually becoming the new Question after Vic Sage), who replaces the discharged/disgraced Sergeant Harvey Bullock. And the bombshell to top them all: she's gay! It isn't long before her life begins to fall apart as part a grand scheme that has her outed to both the GCPD and [perhaps worse] her devoutly religious parents and being framed for murder. The plot is eventually revealed to be the master-plan of Two-Face, who is so infatuated with her that after "taking everything away from her" will now come in to make her his. In a struggle that nearly ended with the two killing each other, Batman (who is almost a non-presence in this story) comes to the rescue (sorry for the cliche). Two-Face returns to prison, Renee's name is cleared and she returns to her job; and finally/sadly she officially comes out to her less-than-understanding parents. Happily though, she has he lover to fall back on.
This was a most compelling story with all the power of a televised cop-drama and "not quite conventional" love story that works on every level. While objection abounds, the choice to take Renee's character gay works better than expected, and actually adds to her in a very constructive way (never mind that she gets some more prominent face-time in the comics for it). Two-Face is as compelling and deluded as he ever was, but his visual design leaves something to be desired (he appears to have a look that corresponds to his more "pre-1990's" character design with a left side that looks like deformed green wax); still, he never looses his power as Batman's #2 rogue (interestingly enough). Batman is almost never there for the majority of the story, but his few-and-far-between appearances remain good ones; he is primarily a way to bring about a conclusive ending (as his character actually functions).
This is a great story and will be enjoyed immensely (also, as mentioned above, it is just one step in Renee's further development in the DCU).
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