In another stunning triumph, this issue brings a surprising but wholly factual indictment of the Dark Knight Detective's defects in an unusually effective way. Read Full Review

Batman may win the battle this time, but Russell and Bogdonavic leave readers with a gut-punch, knowing that not even Gotham's wealthiest man can figure out how to win the war. Read Full Review

The social commentary here is pretty blunt and the situation goes into some dangerous and degrading directions quickly, which is the kind of entertainment that the Joker wanted. Batman's attempts at cleaning up the city aren't exactly wrong but he's taking the wrong approach when it comes to how and who he's going after when the reality is that a host of other factors must be addressed. It's one thing when it comes to the top-tier name characters and their agendas, but focusing on the reality of low-level crime and why it happens is what was needed instead of just him causing overcrowded prisons and expanding the prison complex. Russell accomplishes a lot here and we get some great artwork with it but it's just way too depressing of an issue. Read Full Review

Mark Russell brings some critical social commentary to Gotham, but it doesn't pass the sniff test as a Batman comic book.  The Joker is the real star, but the whole thing feels misplaced.  It's a joke that you know the punchline too immediately, but have to sit through 20 minutes for the comedian to get to it.   That isn't much fun, and even if that's not Russell's goal here, it's a slog to get through. Read Full Review