There's usually nothing new about a new Batman book. The character is so popular that every week there are spin-offs and new series that spring up to capitalize on the Dark Knights immense popularity. I talked to artist Michael Lark recently and he expressed his fear that what might kill this new book, is the expectations. You see, he was afraid that most readers would be expecting the one thing that isn't here: Batman.
Gotham Central takes two of comics hottest "crime fiction" writers; Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker, and pairs them with the accomplished "comic noir" art of Michael Lark. It follows the officers of the Gotham City Police Department as they go through their day trying to solve crimes in a city that is known for bizarre criminals and a dark protector. In the opening pages we see two detectives checking out a routine tip that turns out to be anything but routine when they stumble across Mr. Freeze. They're no match for the supercriminal, at least not without any backup or warning. When one partner is killed, the other officers hope to solve the crime quickly, before "The Bat" swoops in and take the case away from them. The story features a few names that are familiar to regular Batman readers: Maggie Sawyer moves over from Metropolis' SCU, Detectives Boch and Montoya. Beyond the few familiar faces, there is little here that is in common with a Batman book. Mostly, this is a book about very human cops solving crimes without superpowers or flashy gimmicks. More NYPD Blue than Justice League.
Rucka and Brubaker have both garnered raves on various books for their realistic approach to crime drama. After this initial story arc, they will be taking turns writing each arc that follows. In a very short time, Michael Lark has proven to be one of the best artists around at expressing drama with shadow. His style conveys time, place and mood like in a way that most "superstar" artists can only grasp at. You will seldom find yourself lingering over one of Larks pages. They are such a natural part of the narrative that they move you forward without you ever stopping to realize that you're looking at static pictures. His is by no means the prettiest art you will see, but in this context it is the perfect art to compliment the story.
The big question for DC is whether or not this book will find its' audience. Fans of gritty crime fiction may pass it up thinking that it is another spandex clad hero book. Batman fans may pick it up and be sorely disappointed by the very earthbound nature of the characters. I wouldn't bet highly on its' success on today's crowded comic racks. However, if there is a book that deserves to be given the kind of chance that has paid off handsomely for TV shows such as Law And Order, then this book would be it. In just 22 pages they have defined their characters without long balloons of exposition. They have established their mood without pages of background information. Given a few more issues, I think that they will have a book that fans care about.
If the right fans pick it up.