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[Comic Book Review] “Gotham By Midnight” Staggers Into Horror

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“Gotham by Midnight” offers a devilish look at a different type of seedy underbelly of Gotham. The all too often neglected supernatural elements of the Batman universe are brought to the forefront here, and it’s a haunting reminder of just how sinister a place Gotham can be.

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WRITTEN BY: Ray Fawkes

ART BY: Ben Templesmith

PUBLISHER: DC Comics

PRICE: $2.99

RELEASE: November 26, 2014

The Batman renaissance continues this month with something slightly different than all the rest. This is a supernatural book more in the vein of Constantine than of Batman proper. However, you have a little bit of Gotham Central in the mix and a hint of The X-Files and you’ve concocted Ray Fawkes’ recipe for “Gotham By Midnight.”

And while all the ingredients are fantastic, the actual final result feels a little undercooked. It’s not an easy task to launch an all new storyline in an established universe. There is a lot of heavy lifting that needs to be done in order to service the story, and sadly Fawkes’ script concerns itself with the lifting more than anything.

There is a terrible amount of exposition. Even by first issue standards. The pacing is out of wack because of it and it all doesn’t really amount to much either. We’re introduced to the mysterious precinct thirteen through the eyes of newcomer Sergeant Rook. He’s pitted against our Midnight team. The people who clean up the more unsightly monsters in Gotham, or so we’re told. We don’t often get to see much in the way of creepiness in these opening pages. Instead there is a constant reminder of what could lie in wait, and Rook’s incessant disbelief that such a place or concept could exist.

Fawkes’ script is more concerned with telling rather than showing, a shame really, given the incredibly creepy talent Ben Templesmith’s pencils bring to the book. His moody use of color shows a Gotham unlike we’ve ever seen in the New 52. It’s awash in pale moonlight, dirty browns stain the walls and earthy tones constantly unnerve.

Templesmith’s fantastic character designs are as gaunt and unsightly as the city itself. Furrowed brows and pale skin are normal things here. Although one wonders if Rook is capable of smiling… Templesmith’s art does its best to bring the creepy factor up to ten whenever given the opportunity, but doesn’t really let loose until the final page.

“Gotham By Midnight” should be a worthy addition to anyone’s pullist because the premise is just so damn awesome. Yet, Fawkes fails to deliver on the promise of the premise here in the debut issue. He instead offers a by the books introduction to a world we’re already pretty familiar with. Despite this, the dialogue is pointed and chilling. The art is captivates in its depiction of the most horrific parts of the already dreadful Gotham, and Jim Corrigan is an irresistible protagonist.

 

I can’t wait to see more, if only because I feel shortchanged by this debut issue.

 

Comics

‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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