Review of Batman: Gotham Gotham

ECC Ediciones brings us a comprehensive edition of Lee Bermejo’s stories in the Dark Knight universe, titled Batman: Doomed Gotham.

Over the years, artist Lee Bermejo has become not only a respected cartoonist, but also a creative force that has carved his own corner in the DC Universe. Now ECC Ediciones collects the stories related to the Dark Knight in a massive edition titled Batman: Doomed Gotham.

Lee Bermejo’s Gotham City

The stories contained in this volume have their own context and are somewhat separate from other Batman adventures and characters. In Bermejo’s hands, Gotham City is a gritty, gritty and dark city, a twisted version of any big city where the worst is completely excluded.

The writer’s hyperrealistic style is essential to achieve this atmosphere, where everything is closer and more plausible even if someone like Superman enters the scene. Somehow this reality is evoked with the same energy as the films of the seventies and eighties set in New York, where crime is the law and in no way the exception, it feels like living forever in the fear that crime is everywhere. There is no corner and hope.

For these reasons in particular, it is commendable that Bermejo has been able to successfully develop Pajama-type stories in this area. It’s clear that writers like Alex Ross aren’t colorful and idealized superheroes, but they’re still people who don suits to fight crime or change their lifestyle.

The eternal struggle of Batman

In the first of the stories covered here, we find our vigilante sharing the spotlight with Deathblow (Michael Cray), created by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi for Weed Storm, a label originally owned by Image Comics. Written by Brian Azzarello, we find an espionage plot that wanders through different eras and wants to be morally ambiguous, and Bermejo’s art is admirable, still defining his style, without volumes. It is still characteristic of art.

After a cartoon-style cliffhanger where Lex Luthor shares the spotlight with the Clown Prince of Crime, we arrive at a highlight like Batman: Noel – A Christmas Story . A work inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol where our protagonist explores his past, present and future. In this case, we see Bermejo establish himself as a cartoonist in one of his best works, where he elaborates on the binding of vignettes to make the narrative more loose.

Next up we have a well-drawn black and white short story to continue Joker, the jewel of the voice. Here we follow The Dark Knight’s nemesis closely in the crime story in which we see a character very similar to Heath Ledger’s character in The Dark Knight, both works being very close in time. In a way, this work exemplifies Bermejo’s vision of this unique universe.

We continue with Batman: Doomed, a story that begins in the media with a team of paramedics fighting to keep the Dark Knight alive in the back of an ambulance. From this, an investigation plan is created in which Batman tries to prove that he did not kill the Joker (yes, he must have died) and various magical characters (Constantine, the Charmed One, Deadman, the Watcher, Etrigan, the Swamp or Zatanna) are going to be involved, which adds more complexity, the story sometimes to Gothic horror takes it to familiar ground.

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Bermejo’s infamous streak, we return to refocus the story on the Joker. And to finish off Batman: Detective, we have a collection of specially curated covers to tell the story of Gotham City’s heroes and villains.

Lights and shadows

In conclusion, this volume serves as an anthology that embodies Bermejo’s unique and dark vision of Gotham City and its inhabitants. The best thing about the comic lies in its unparalleled atmosphere, achieved through Bermejo’s style that makes the city and its characters incredibly intimate and recognizable. Stories like Batman: Noel – A Christmas Carol and The Joker stand out for their powerful and visually stunning narratives, offering deep and complex interpretations of these iconic characters. In addition, the use of locations from the most brilliant and gothic to the most complex and psychological adds a rich variety to the collection.

However, not everything in the comic is perfect. Some stories may seem disconnected or overly edited, making full immersion difficult for some readers. The consistent darkness and realistic tone, while unique, can feel lonely to those who prefer a more traditional portrayal of superheroes. Despite these points, here’s a work that offers a fascinating and unique look at one of the most beloved universes in comics, presenting Bermejo as a creative force capable of reimagining the Dark Knight’s story in a new and captivating way.

Published by ECC Ediciones, this volume is presented in hardcover cardboard format. The volume contains 624 full-color pages and covers the US editions of Batman/Deathstroke: After Fire, Superman/Batman #75, Batman: Noel, Batman: Black & White Vol. 4 (rule #1), The Joker, Batman: Devastated, The Joker: 80th Anniversary (A Man Fell Into A Hornet’s Nest) and Batman: Dear Detective, as well as the original cover and final volume with covers for each of the included issues. Options. It has a recommended retail price of €64.50 and goes on sale in May 2024.