This week: We went back to school with Gotham Academy – 1st Grade #1. Plus, check in on the wider DC Universe/DC Absolute Universe with new issues with Batman and Absolute Superman, and an absolute evil one-shot!
Note: The review below contains spoilers. If you need quick spoiler purchase/pass recommendations for the manga in question, please see the bottom of the article for the final verdict.
Gotham Academy – 1st Grade #1
Story: Brenden Fletcher, Becky Croonan, Carl Kirschle
Script: Brenden Fletcher
Artist: Marco Ferrari
Colorist: Yves de la Cruz
Letter: Steve Ones
Gotham Academy has a special place in my heart. When it first launched, it arrived in the midst of a cultural explosion of social media, and I have to imagine timing as important to its success. Over 92% of teens (13-17 people) used social media. After that, it’s an unprecedented number. Meanwhile, fans of all ages flocked online to share their excitement. Twitter thread, Facebook post, Tumblr discussion – Suddenly people all over the world traded theory and celebrated their love for maps and olive silver rock.
Gotham Academy was widely praised for its original characters, layered mystery, and the way it reconstructed Batman’s universe through a fresh perspective. It felt like a whole new world built for a new generation of readers. That’s what I was fortunate enough to be, and the rest, as they say, is history.
So it’s a welcome surprise that on the 11th anniversary, creators Becky Cronan, Brenden Fletcher and Carl Carschul returned with newly addressed artist Marco Ferrari, giving the fans a prequel to the series.
At its core, the issue is about healing from trauma, and that is clear from the first page. This is not something that olive fans remember. This is an olive who lost his mother’s calamity and was forced into sudden wealth at Gotham Academy due to poverty. She is still haunted by the image of a bat and the flames of her worst memories, and the story begins with her familiar roommate walking into the room for the first time, hiding under her bed. Olive’s struggle reflects so many in Gotham’s experiences, but here it unfolds through the lens of a world shaped by a psychic figure. What makes the story more convincing is to see how Olive slowly but surely begins to heal through the connections she forms with those who become the cornerstones of life.
Overall, it’s amazing to see how Cloonan, Fletcher, and Kershl break down the origins of olives. They frame her as a child who is learning to navigate losses while finding the power of others, such as Bruce Wayne’s quiet attention, caring for Alfred Pennyworth (the way I missed him), and the presence of Kyle Mizoguchi. These encounters lay the foundations for the relationship that defines the future of Olive, not only making the previous year the previous year, but also telling stories of survival and growth in the shadow of Gotham legends. Honestly, it makes me feel the same as the original, but I can’t help but want to know more as I know where this story takes these characters.
On top of that, I don’t think there should be a debate between whether Ferrari’s art captures the atmosphere set by Kelschul and Kruna years ago. Ferrari offers their art style, I really had to do double times several times to see who is doing what in this cartoon. His art only strengthens the story, adding to what was previously set. Batman crashes into the Olive’s Dining Room, especially as one page stood out for me. It works very well with previous pages. Batman is back to the literal reality that Olive needs when fire begins to distort everything around her, even herself. The way he can really bore Olive’s feeling on the page, even in the way he sees Batman as all the problems of all the problems except when she saves her.
I can’t help but think that it was intentional. The author is trying to tell us that Olive is denial that he views Batman as a problem, not what her mother was doing to her. Seriously, the environment of art, even the boxes, they all have a story to tell. Most importantly, we look out for the mention of fear, and fear is expected to become a future focus, as it plays an important role in this story and is avoided at the end of this issue.
Maybe I’m watching this comic a little too much, but I have to imagine that Cloonan, Fletcher, and Kershl have to take into account their fanbase age. The deeper layers present in this story must be intentionally there while they portray fresh blood. The theme has grown with the fans and has now tackled a wider theme of trauma and resilience. Find a good balance between Gotham’s dark themes, but implement the joy of friendship and curiosity through the eyes of olives. I know what demographic this comic is leaning towards, but I have no choice but to enjoy what it is.
I think that’s why today’s first year 11 years from now is important. It’s a fun comic that uses existing lore to create your own story and chooses to try something new. They choose to extend the existing story rather than rehashing the old one. You can resonate with your old fans as you approach new readers. I still love it, I still come up with my theory and the cannon in my head, trying to pull apart this comic layer. It’s so much fun and it’s been a long time since I felt that way.
The first year proves that there are still stories to be told in these halls.
Final Verdict: Purchase
round up
The first issue of Matt Fraction in the first issue of his Batman Run hit readers with the viewership, which saw Bruce very human. From that moment on, I knew I was looking forward to in his future chapters. Therefore, it is not surprising that this latest issue is running to the ground. Fractions have this ability to tell heartfelt stories while mixing together some real atrocities, and this issue has made me crave more. It’s great to see Tim Drake return to the Batman title on the mainline, and the way this issue arises makes it clear that he will become an important part of this arc.
The story goes through a flashback of Bruce teaching Tim how to drive, and dodges Gotham’s goon shortly after Tim is locked up in an armored vehicle and shot by Trigger’s happy cop. While reading, I really felt the weight in my chest. The book is not embarrassed to show Tim and Bruce being beaten, and does not mess with the brutality from the officers who hurt him. I feel the whole problem is confusing, and fractions make it clear that this is not the same GCPD as before. Commissioner Vandal Savage is now holding the police, which is showing up at a man patrolling the streets of Gotham.
Then there’s Jorge Zimenez. His art has always been outstanding, but here it feels like he is working on a whole new level. There’s a breathtaking full-page spread where Bruce uses bat spikes to stop armored vehicle Tim from being trapped. It’s absolutely fantastic, and it’s not even the best moment in the book.
The scene where Bruce and Tim exchange quiet appearances must be given to the scene where they are reading in another flash before only two panels line up, each one moving to the police officer aiming for the gun. It’s easy, but the execution was perfect and it drew me even deeper into the story. Needless to say, with each new gadget, fractions give a spotlight on what it does, along with Jimenez’s design for gadgets, and such a cool little addition. Combined with Fraction’s writing and humor, this art has made the issue unforgettable. I couldn’t get enough.
I was already excited to see the next issue as to how this problem would end. Now I need to see it. Because seeing street-level action again in Batman title is great, and I’m a sucker when Gotham puts on the bat. This problem cannot be fully recommended.
Whenever I can see the absolute Cal El reflected in his journey on Earth, I really love it. There are so many outstanding moments in it that I fall in love with Superman again. This issue covers how he fell into control of Brainiac and how he barely came back thanks to his AI, Sol. From there we see his cross-earth trip. This is a different place from Clark Kent on the mainline. He is rebellious and does not want to participate in human society, but like Superman does, he influences his life and saves people regardless of his feelings. He learns from the world in his own way. Cal is easy in his pursuit. He may have been able to move forward rapidly in society, but he chose to maintain his position as the son of the Redlands. He worked in physical labor and worked in the sun as a farmer. This issue explores what makes Cal, for better or worse. He struggles with the injustice of life on Earth, the responsibility to control his powers, and even the temptation to whether he should kill him. His emotions spill out of him like a child. Because at this moment he is still a child, and is trying to find his place in a world full of uncertainty. As Sol tells him, all he really needs is… loneliness. This is one of the most powerful moments in this issue. That doesn’t stop either. I’ve continued to give this issue.
Jason Aaron just knows how to pull my string and delves deep into what Superman is so beloved in this series. Even in a world where nothing is right, Smallville plays an important role in Superman’s life, with Cal’s kindness being returned ten times to Smallville citizens Lois and Jimmy, even introducing the absolute Lanarang. This issue ends there with a truly heartfelt moment that I don’t ruin. And we learn to bring RA’s complete plan to Kansas to bring out Cal to bring out Cal. We must point out their details rolling Kansas signs. It must be pointed out that this once got its decisive absolute Superman shot, blowing his cape and state motto, “Star by Aspera” (“to the Star via Difficulty”). If that’s not foreseen, I don’t know what. I had a great time with this issue. It’s great to see Cal in a complete circle, find a friend and accept what he needs to do. This is a superman who is (literally) alien to readers, yet familiar in all the right ways.
Can’t wait for question #13.
We’ve been a year on our absolute enemy and it’s crazy to finally see the big bad that’s been in the spotlight. For the first time, all the absolute antagonists are on one table, and you also get the first look of the absolute green arrow. When I saw Al Ewing writing this, I knew I was there for a real treat, and the more I read, the more I began to understand how DC pulls the strings. First and foremost, what a wonderful ride. I’m really immersed and willing to dig deeper into everything Ewing had on the table. This issue continues to be overlaying and breaking down how these antagonists see our absolute heroes, what they represent and how they differ from the other “abnormalities” they faced.
The standout moment was Joker’s monologue, when we first met him in a full-length conversation. Despite his name, Ewing reveals that he is crazy. And it’s not the craziest moment and you can’t even mention it without ruining anything really crazy with this issue. Artistically, Giuseppe Kamunkoli and Stefanonesi offer a creepy yet grounded look that reinforces every moment, and the final reveal is a hit as the standout scene in question. This book solidifies yourself as a must-have, whether you’re an absolute fan, an Elseworlds lover, or someone who appreciates strong storytelling. This is a great way to set the absolute arc future and can’t wait to see what happens next.
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