Becky Cloonan, Brendan Fletcher, & Karl Kerschl “Gotham
Academy volume 2: Calamity” (DC, 2016)
If you’re not hip to the concept, the elevator pitch is
simple: kids going to a boarding school
in Gotham find out that the school is, well, Gothamy.
This is a great book.
Cloonan & Fletcher have created a loveable Scooby Gang of kids that
find mystery and adventure all while rarely leaving the (creepy) grounds of
their boarding school.
This is not a like a teen X-men book, where all the kids are
superheroes, they are just regular kids who happen to live in Gotham. Yes there is some crossover with characters
from the Batverse. But take it from me,
I’m the first person to complain about needless crossovers & this book didn’t
make me want to scream at all.
So yeah, think more Lumberjanes than X-Men.
Karl Kerschl does a great job on the art. He has what feels to me a more Japanese
influenced style than what you often see in comics. It really sets the book apart & lets you
know that this just isn’t your normal cape book. He keeps the numerous YA characters easy to
identify and action is easy to follow.
I was very happy with this book, & find myself looking
forward to volume 3!
