But the specifics of plot play second fiddle to Murphys modern retro stylization of Gotham and its inhabitants in both the way the characters have been written and the art he masterfully displays. Where his hand drawn art stops and the digital tools begin mirrors how this Gotham world feels like it could take place in the 1950s but is very clearly set in the here and now. The military grade Batmobile that pops up I could have done without but it pushes the aesthetic out of the past which seems important to Murphy to let us know that he wants to write to us about what he sees happening in the world today. Looking forward to the last episode and more beautiful renderings of the city of Gotham and the Jokers Bowie-esque duo eyeshades.

The story is not for hero story traditionalists. If you thought the lack of diversity in comics was not a problem then this book is not for you. Guns sweeping the streets, and not just any guns but alien rifles that are way too powerful for your average Cleveland citizen. Cops are reaching through to the people that felt suspicious of their motives and methods of operandi. One strange issue of the book is the male Asian character that seems out of place in this intersectional minded world. Having an older male character with a completely non threatening sexual persona that nevertheless is creepy and mysterious is a flat note on an otherwise fun and interesting book.

Sonny Liews art is a bit of a misstep for me. The character design seems quirky in a way where Im thinking everyone is cracking a joke every time they speak. Liew is also trying to stay on the Young Animal brand by making the lead Caroline/Chrysalis character look like a teenager-shes apparently 35. There is a well-written stand up comedian character that looks like a crummy version of Edna Mode from the Incredibles that just slowly grates on you and sabotages the complex emotional weight that Visaggio has slyly crafted.

This book is not for the faint of heart, its depiction of an escalated hate crime being committed by the people in charge of protecting us might be a little triggering for some. But other than a Marilyn Monroe that looks more like Bette Midler I dont have anything bad to say, I hope DC keeps putting out stories like this.

Theres Lar-On a gigantic panting red werewolf hanging out and a dude that looks like a cross between Dr. Strange and Nightwing named Neon (horrible name) shooting out a bunch of red blue and green swirls out of a delicious looking staff-love it all.