A guest appearance by Red Robin, a field trip turned “mission impossible” by Maps, answers to questions you have been wondering about since the premiere issue, and a pinch of self-deprecation. This book just has it all! The formula that the creative team adheres to is becoming addictive: a solid story in 20 pages that bring you answers while also inviting new questions, all while keeping you entertained throughout. Go team Maps! Detective Club assemble! Read Full Review

Once again, GOTHAM ACADEMY produces an issue that not only gets my highest recommendation, but is easily my pick for best book of October so far. The plot is integral to the series, the characters are fun to read about, and the art looks great. Honestly, what else can you ask for in a comic book?Do you have any thoughts on GOTHAM ACADEMY #11 or this review? Let us know in the comments below, or on Twitter@Comicsverse. Read Full Review

Gotham Academy #11 is another strong issue that benefits from such a strong supporting cast. This is Olive's story, but you care just as much about the people around her; in fact, the way her friends love her so much is part of the reason readers love her so much. Look forward to more action, adventure, and some serious nods to Batman: The Animated Series. Read Full Review

Taking the chance to dive into Gotham Academy mid-story did not disappoint. I definitely see what the hype was about and will be making an effort to work through the entire series. Despite the serious tone, this is also a series I can see myself recommending to kids or therapists, who are regularly looking for material to connect and use with their clients. Read Full Review

Gotham Academy has been working Olive's past in a really good way throughout the run so far and each new reveal and tidbit of information has been enticing. Things take on a greater scope here with what's revealed in the records room and it uses a really good connection with Batman and Robin that doesn't feel forced as it adds more to the overall narrative. There's a lot of great little bits throughout this, especially with Maps and her enthusiasm and mask, but also some nice touches with Red Robin. The artwork continues to be strong though the more muted color tones this time around just made it feel a bit less engaging than it has before. Read Full Review

Gotham Academy #11 is an example of Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, Karl Kerschl, Msassyk, Serge Lapointe, and flashback artist Mingue Helen Chen firing on all cylinders from the fiery, panoramic views of Gotham City to Maps' infectious passion for all things Bat- and adventurous and even the sad, quiet moments as Olive ponders whether she will be insane and evil like her ancestors. It's a wonderful brew of adventure, both animation and painted-style art, and a little bit of commentary on the not-so-heroic side of Batman and Robin mixed with a dark look into our heroine, Olive Silverlock. Read Full Review

Featuring more gorgeously eerie scenes with Calamity from Karl Kerschl, Gotham Academy #11 adds some fuel to the slow burn story of Olive's mysterious past and shows the series has serious staying power as DC's strongest young adult-oriented title. Read Full Review

Maps is a smart and well-written character. Younger readers will feel affirmed by seeing Maps' leadership. The plotline of Olive's mom being alive could have fallen flat after spanning several issues, but Cloonan and Fletcher keep our attention by adding surprise elements. While we need to hear more from Olive, Gotham Academy is a fun read that balances drama and mystery with hijinks and humor. Read Full Review

The art by Kerschel, with Msassyk, was spectacular this issue. The extended flashback to Batman and Robin fighting Calamity, with its more painted style, is an issue highlight. Read Full Review

Last month I rated the book lower than usual for the monster of the week quality of the stories, but this month with the tale back in full swing I am going to boost the score. I highly recommend this issue. Read Full Review

I feel like things are moving a bit better, and I'm still guessing what's up with Olive's family and their longstanding history of pyrokenesis. It's wildly interesting and Kyle's disappearance is bothersome. Is he a suspect? Go find out! Read Full Review

The mystery of Sybil Silverlock continues as Olive discovers a big secret about her family, while Maps has a fun interaction with a fun surprise hero. While the arc is continuing kind of slow, this issue was a lot of fun as we learned more of Olive with some great interactions between some great characters. Art is always amazing in this book, not much I can say there. Read Full Review

With all its mysterious elements, this issue is definitely fun and the collaboration of writing and art work are superb. The mix of full and irregular frames, sparing use of close-ups and the smooth story telling voice keeps the mood and pace of the story spot on for readers. As this series progresses, I find myself particularly enjoying the well delivered depth of the back stories and its expert merging with the forward arcs of the characters. Read Full Review

"Gotham Academy" #11 is another fun issue in a solid series. With the cliffhanger setting up next month's issue, it looks like we're going to see even more of this family-by-choice drawing in to protect one another. That's a big plus, and one of the strengths of "Gotham Academy." All in all, an enjoyable read that makes you want to come back for more. Read Full Review

The art in this issue seems to have been taken up a notch. It's the urban environments where the artists seem to do their best work, which makes me wonder if they aren't wasted on this title and it's academy grounds.

Writing-wise, the same issues abound. The story doesn't lend itself to self-insertion, making it hard to read from the perspective of Olive, meaning her blank-slate of a character only serves to make her really boring to read. As usual, it's the weirder side-characters that redeem the issue (in this case, Maps and a little Pomeline). We also get another clumsily wedged-in guest appearance, this time from Red Robin. While mostly true to character, his acceptance of Maps and her throwing a batarang at him felt unnatural to the point of dream-sequence-esque. The Flashback sequence was nice though, and another victory for the art team this issue. more