Batman: Gotham After Midnight #12 – Review

By Steve Niles (Writer), Kelley Jones (Artist), and Michelle Madsen (Colorist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: The crazy artwork by Kelley Jones and Michelle Madsen is what got me to check out Gotham After Midnight. Unsurprisingly, it’s also the same thing that has kept me reading the series. While the story by Steve Niles isn’t really bad or anything, it’s not exactly memorable or all that exciting. I’m glad to see the story come to an end…I’m not so glad to see that I won’t be getting a dose of Kelley Jones’ work for a while.

The Story: With Midnight seemingly caught in the blaze that destroyed the old Gotham Windmill, Batman must look to the past to solve the mystery of Midnight. So just who is Batman’s latest foe? The answer to that question may surprise you…

What’s Good: As with the rest of Gotham After Midnight, the highlight of issue twelve is the artwork. Kelley Jones and Michelle Madsen once again make After Midnight a trippy, surreal reading experience in every way. As for the story, the fairly surprising twist doesn’t make up for the fact that the plodding twelve issue plot could have easily been told within eight issues, but at least it caps things off in a fairly interesting manner. Also worth mentioning is that the twist does allow Kelley Jones to show off more of Batman’s crazy computer, which, in my opinion, is a very good thing.

What’s Not So Good: An interesting twist does little to change the fact that Midnight, as a character, isn’t all that interesting or compelling. And since the entire story pretty much hinged on how well Midnight works, it leaves the conclusion of Gotham After Midnight feeling rather weak overall. Another negative about the book is that Batman’s inner monologues tend to feel both forced and somewhat overdramatic. It makes the reading experience worth a roll of the eyes or two.

Conclusion: For both good and bad, Batman: Gotham After Midnight #12 is…well…a lot more of the same. The art rocks and the storytelling is mediocre…just like in the other eleven issues.

Grade: C

-Kyle Posluszny

Batman: Gotham After Midnight #11 – Review

By Steve Niles (Writer), Kelly Jones (Art), and Michelle Madsen (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I’ve been enjoying the Gotham After Midnight series almost entirely because of the ridiculously unique artwork provided by Kelly Jones and Michelle Madsen. While the story isn’t necessarily bad or anything, it’s definitely overshadowed by the art. It helps make even the most basic or generic elements of the story into something incredibly fun to look at. That said, the length of the series is definitely starting to wear on me.

The Story: The penultimate chapter of Gotham After Midnight features Batman facing off against some of his greatest foes as he tries to bring down Midnight. The catch is that all the foes are being controlled by Midnight. But worry not, Batman has a plan…

What’s Good: The latest issue of Gotham After Midnight is very much like the others. If you have been enjoying the series so far, then I see no reason why you’d feel any different about #11. As usual, the crazy visuals and striking (slightly trippy) colors take center stage while the story sets up situations for the art team to go wild. Sure the Midnight story is pretty mindless and downright hokey at times, but it’s pretty hard to care when everything is so much fun to look at. I mean c’mon, how can you not dig a Batman branded Man-Bat catcher?!

What’s Not So Good: Simply put, Gotham After Midnight isn’t a series for everyone. The visuals, the “Adam West” (to steal a term from a colleague) style gadgets, and the generic, predictable storyline will inevitably (and understandably) turn people off. Considering that (thankfully) there is only one issue left, I’m sure you know by now if Midnight is right for you.

Conclusion: What more can I say other than that Gotham After Midnight #11 maintains the status quo. The story remains below average, the visuals remain the highlight, and the series as a whole still feels like it has gone on for too long.

Grade:  C

-Kyle Posluszny

Batman Gotham After Midnight #6 (of 12) – Review

By Steve Niles (writer), Kelley Jones (art and cover), Michelle Madsen (colors), Pat Brosseau (letters)

The Story: Bruce Wayne tries to make nice with Detective Clarkson, while Batman’s frustration grows as he can’t seem to find a method to Midnight’s madness. To make things worse, the Joker returns and further complicates things as he holds a busload of children hostage at a haunted house somewhere in Gotham. It’s another Halloween in Gotham and this one might be the worst yet!

What’s Good? In another issue where it seems like Steve Niles took a lunch break, Kelly Jones comes through as a hero once again. These are truly some of the creepiest Joker pencils I’ve ever seen. It’s as if his insanity has literally deformed him. Michelle Madsen’s colors are a real treat to see as well, such as her use of red lines on Batman’s cowl, where the color paints the character enraged.

What’s Not So Good? The pacing of the series as a whole has proven to be a consistent weakness. Some issues are all action, some all story, and others feel unconnected. This issue falls into the third category. The introduction of the Joker is fine, but he’s out of the action pretty quickly, making this issue feel like a throwaway. There’s no movement on the Midnight story-line aside from learning he’s frustrating Batman (shocker). It’s frustrating to have such potential in such a moment to moment book. Things started off so well, but inconsistency is killing the story.

Conclusion: Every comic will have it’s problems, but each issue in this series seems to have a new one. Whether it’s too much action or story, it’s pretty clear that twelve issues is way too many for this arc. I’d be much more lenient if it was an ongoing series, or even a bunch of one-shots but I shouldn’t be reading a different take on Batman each month within the same title. The big picture Niles portrays is good, but all the remaining filler is becoming more and more cumbersome.

Grade: C

-Ben Berger