“Bad Seeds” is over but Anarchy is still running wild in the streets of Gotham!
The Torus has laid down an ultimatum that Lonnie Machin can’t say no to.
Unite the low level street gangs as one unit or become another victim of the Minotaur.
GANGS OF GOTHAM #1 by Christopher Cantwell, Mike Henderson, Trish Mulvihill & Becca Carey (DC COMICS) sees the next phase of Gotham street life commence.
Let’s take a look at what happens now.
GANGS OF GOTHAM #1 by Christopher Cantwell, Mike Henderson, Trish Mulvihill & Becca Carey (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Cantwell puts Anarchy in crime quicksand and sees how fast he can sink,. The opening pages tease the trouble he’s in. Machin is disheveled as he saunters through the Gotham slums. The run-in with Gordon and Espinoza is less than cordial as the pressure is mounting. This leads to a startling revelation as events begin to take shape.
The writing shows Anarchy at the mercy of the Minotaur. Their conversation is business cold as the orders are given out. Machin’s response stays true to character. Words fall short of improving the situation as Anarchy is put to work. Readers watch as he runs into the first major player. Their encounter spins into a more dangerous corner. Once settled into the job, old habits begin to surface. This leads into a wild scenario that plays into his favor. All roads move to a shocking closing act. Once here, the story takes a massive turn as another party has vested interest into the dealings here. Solid build for more to shake up Gotham stat quo.
MORE BAD SEEDS!
Henderson and Mulvihill bring out the grimy looks of Anarchy’s world with much delight. An excellent two page spread shows the chaos brewing in the streets. This spills into smaller panels as the odds fall against Machin’s favor. A full shot of Machin “doing some business” ushers in a formal introduction of events. Carey’s lettering stands out as Lonnie goes into details of his assignment.
The full shot of him sitting before the Minotaur casts an eerie mood as business is being laid out. Machin’s expressions try to water down the situation to no avail. Once his first encounter falls short, readers watch as the next play turns dangerous fast. A bold strike lights an explosive encounter. Action scenes pour into a fantastic two page spread. The brutal interaction spills into more devious acts before the final act shakes everything up again. The final page cements the high stakes as a new element is added. Get ready for this one.
FINAL GRADE: 8.7
Linnie Machin’s new job draws some vested attention as Gotham rebuilds from “Bad Seeds”. Cantwell pieces together a complex tale with Anarchy slowly breaking. Henderson and Mulvihill orchestrate the dirty deeds with impressive art. Buckle in as the battle for street supremacy begins.
Let me know your thoughts on BATMAN: BAD SEEDS - GOTHAM CENTRAL #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
