If you have read any of my Gotham Academy reviews before you will know that I am a huge fan of this series. This issue doesn't disappoint. It strikes a wonderfully creepy note with one of my favorite settings the haunted carnival. I strongly recommend this issue particularly to first time Gotham Academy readers since it is a single issue story. Read Full Review

Gotham Academy has a decent enough standalone story here but it's one that doesn't do anything really special or expand things in an interesting way. All of the characters within the Academy are ripe for exploration – including Hammer – but this wasn't the way to do it as it does come across as just killing time. Particularly since the main cast of kids in the Detectives Club just didn't feel like their usual selves. The book does feature some solid artwork from Jon Lam, Ace Attorney nods aside, and I wouldn't mind seeing more of him on the book at some point with better material to work with. There are some creative moments, that opening title splash page for instance, but mostly there's just not a lot to work with here. Read Full Review

Here's a meandering, out-of-continuity story that is better executed than conceived. As always, a very pretty-looking book, but it's gone a bit off the rails lately, focusing more on the Scooby-Doo hallway hijinks than the characters that made this series interesting. Also, there's been much less Maps involvement lately! Look, Gotham Academy Second Semester team, you know what side of the bread your butter is on! Make with more Maps! Read Full Review

Still, these nitpicks are balanced by the character designs which I adore. Yes, some line work and coloring seems sloppy, but I believe this is because the background work of Msassyk steals the show. The smooth painted feel of the background world often clashes with the line work of Archer when examined up close, but the art as a whole remains the best part of Gotham Academy. Read Full Review

A slight step forward for a book that's been spinning its wheels for some time. Gotham Academy's worst sin is that it's really just been more of the same each month, without any huge stakes or big plot advancements. It's strange to say that an issue that actually takes place before the current story arcs is a move in the right direction, but it succeeds by virtue of just being different. I wish this story had more time to develop, especially with the narratively-rich “spooky carnival” plot device, but what's here is perfectly serviceable. I just really want it to be more than that. Read Full Review