BATMAN: BAD SEEDS - GOTHAM CENTRAL #2 (DC COMICS)
Talk about a train ride from Hell!
Jim Gordon & Espinoza are trying to stop Victor Zsasz from killing his next target. Dr. Annika Zeller has drawn the attention of the psycho killer. The pair enter the Gotham Subways to intercept.
On this train ride, there’s more danger lurking. Anarchy is running wild after causing more mischief in the chaos of “Bad Seeds”! All these parties on a packed train car means it’s not gonna take much to make everything explode!
BATMAN: BAD SEEDS - GOTHAM CENTRAL #2 by Christopher Cantwell, Jacob Phillips & Becca Carey (DC COMICS) continues its’ side adventure!
Let’s take a look at the latest.
BATMAN: BAD SEEDS - GOTHAM CENTRAL #1 by Christopher Cantwell, Jacob Phillips & Becca Carey (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Cantwell never takes the foot off the gas pedal for this issue. Having Gordon dealing with not only Anarchy but Zsasz in disguise proves to be more complex than thought. Gordon’s best monologues can’t save himself from what’s next. The writing shows how unhinged Zsasz has become in his vision of Zeller. It adds more depth to Gordon’s attempt to save the Doctor. Luckily, odds break in his favor when a certain Bat family member comes crashing through.
Readers watch Batgirl (Stephanie Brown) come flying on the scene. The writing shows her valiant efforts to help improve but not stop the situation. If anything, it plays into Anarchy’s favor. Cantwell shows the fears kick in for reckless acts from Espinoza and Harvey Bullock. This causes greater damage to a shadowy figure’s delight. It causes a cold reaction to move this group against certain doom. Dialogue hits its mark conveying the looming threats. It pushes events into a fiery finish.
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Phillips kickstarts the wild scenario with a strong face-off with Gordon and Anarchy. The back and forth struggle gives way to a more terrifying reality due to the Green’s attack. Zsasz’s manic expressions add the right amount of uneasiness to panels. This worsens as time goes on. Once an action packed half panel welcomes Batgirl into the fight does the story shift its’ speed.
Coloring rotates the mood as the train goes dark while the inside fills with worry. Gordon’s expressions don’t break as he treks onward. A wild half panel spells more doom for one character as the race against time resumes. Phillips spotlights the fears in the eyes of the characters knowing their chances of survival are fading fast. This moves events to an explosive full page blast. Readers can’t escape this point as it sets a dark path forward with more hope lost inside its’ flames. Solid way to close.
FINAL GRADE: 8.5
One fateful train ride derails any thoughts of survival as “Bad Seeds” takes over Gotham! Cantwell’s writing pushes the fear aspect to new heights. Phillips delivers phenomenal looks at the literal struggle to survive. The road through Gotham is always paved with good intentions.
Let me know your thoughts on BATMAN: BAD SEEDS - GOTHAM CENTRAL #2 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
