REVIEW: ‘Gangs of Gotham’ Issue 1

Gangs of Gotham Issue 1 is published by DC Comics and written by Christopher Cantwell, art by Mike Henderson, colors by Trish Mulvihill, and letters by Becca Carey.

In the aftermath of the Bad Seeds crossover, a group of characters goes undercover within Gotham’s most dangerous factions.

The Bad Seeds crossover paused much of the criminal activity within the streets of Gotham, but now they are working to fill the void left behind by both Vandal Savage and others. Gangs of Gotham is something of a sequel to the Gotham Central tie-in, and it can be difficult for newcomers to process what is happening. Much of that confusion is Cantwell’s choice, because Anarky is such an erratic character.

Lonnie Machin is the lead character in Gangs of Gotham Issue 1. He seems aimless in his actions, but there’s actually a much larger conspiracy and machinations on multiple sides, with a power struggle among the city’s gloomier members. The pacing is slow and methodical, digging into the fabric of the city, the characters, and the plot, because it is approached from two sides.

Whilst Anarky is the main story, another player is placed within this dangerous melting pot of menace. What’s also interesting is how the story begins from the bottom rung of the ladder. Lonnie starts the comic with just a quarter to his name, and that gets taken from him. This highlights just how far he has to climb.

The cast in this opening issue is fascinating. There are two main characters, but the second is only woven into the story towards the end of Gangs of Gotham Issue 1. At the helm is Anarky, who is just so downtrodden.

He really starts out with nothing, no friends, family, or backup. His placement within the book sees him in conflict with just about everyone, from the cops to the members to just random people on the street. There is a defiance within him, standing up to authority whilst also genuinely needing some help.

The narration arrives through the medium of a letter from Anarky addressed to Batman. Whatever you want to say about Anarky (he was a coward at the end of the last issue he appeared in) but he is plucky and can take a beating and stand up again.

The art instantly creates a location with so much personality. The East End of Gotham, which is where most of this issue takes place, is presented as run-down, rough, and licking its wounds. The first panel shows the clean-up effort. The design of Anarky within Gangs of Gotham Issue 1 is fantastic. There are times when his mask is visible, usually as he strides into action. The mask is spectacular because it reeks of individuality. It looks homemade and sinister, as does the rest of his getup.

But when the mask comes off, he’s just a young man who looks beaten up and bedraggled. All of the characters involved in this series are normal humans, not metahumans. That means any injuries stick with them, and Lonnie gets beaten up a lot. The whole comic is rough and violent, with scrappy and intense brawls throughout. The weapons used are whatever comes to hand, from bottles to buckets of water to cans of gasoline. It leads to some intense action sequences that are breathtaking, and each blow brings consequences.

The colors are also terrific. The lighting can be bright during many of those pages, making Anarky stand out in the open. He isn’t like a member of the Bat-Family, slinking away in the shadows. Instead, he’s stuck in grubby alleys with a very vibrant red hoodie that makes it impossible for him to hide. The lettering is also easy to read.

Gangs of Gotham Issue 1 spills personality onto the streets. The story is entertaining, intelligent, and layered. Anarky is a haphazard protagonist, and he’s just the tip of an iceberg of a lively cast. The characters that were in the Gotham General tie-in to Bad Seeds are expanded upon and given more of the city to roam in, and the gangland story gives it a structure. And the lack of superpowers and very few bats gives the comic a gritty, dangerous edge.

Gangs of Gotham Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.