Gotham Central - Stories/Story Arcs

Stories/Story Arcs

• In The Line of Duty

(Gotham Central #1-2)
Written by Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka. Art by Michael Lark.

Marcus Driver's partner Charlie is killed by Mr. Freeze while the pair are investigating a lead, making the MCU (Major Crimes Unit) aware of a bigger plot by Freeze.

• Motive

(Gotham Central #3-5)
Written by Ed Brubaker. Art by Michael Lark.

The MCU investigate the late Charlie Fields' unsolved case, involving the murder of a teenage girl and the villain Firebug.

• Half a Life

(Gotham Central #6-10)
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Michael Lark.

Renee Montoya is outed at the station as a lesbian and finds her work environment and personal life turned upside down. The Batman villain Two-Face appears in this arc, having fallen in love with Montoya and kidnapped her.

This is probably the most famous Gotham Central story, having won a number of awards.

• Daydreams and believers

(Gotham Central #11)
Written by Ed Brubaker. Art by Brian Hurtt.

A story told from the point of view of MCU temp Stacy as she writes to her friend Meg about her life in the MCU and her fantasies (including romantic fantasies about Batman).

• Soft Targets

(Gotham Central #12-15)
Written by Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka. Art by Michael Lark/Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano.

The cops of Gotham find themselves literally under fire from the Joker, as he begins sniping both police and civilians in his murderous campaign. Every second becomes valuable; as to further the damage, Joker has made a website featuring streaming webcam footage from his next positions.

• Life is Full of Disappointments

(Gotham Central #16-18)
Written by Ed Brubaker/Greg Rucka. Art by Greg Scott.

A murder investigation is passed between three different sets of detectives across the three issues, allowing a glimpse into the various lives of the detectives. This story also features The Huntress.

• Unresolved

(Gotham Central #19-22)
Written by Ed Brubaker. Art by Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano.

An old murder case involving the Mad Hatter is reopened. However, the now disgraced Harvey Bullock suspects that the Penguin is involved.

• Corrigan

(Gotham Central #23-24)
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano.

Crispus Allen's job is threatened after corrupt Jim Corrigan removes evidence from a scene. This story also features the death of Batman villain Black Spider and ties into the Batman War Games crossover.

• Lights Out

(Gotham Central #25)
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano.

At Akins' orders, the Bat-Signal is removed from Gotham Central after the events of War Games, which lead the MCU to (further) distrust Batman.

• On The Freak Beat

(Gotham Central #26-27)
Written by Ed Brubaker. Art by Jason Alexander.

A murder investigation in which Catwoman is a suspect is further complicated when Catwoman learns about detective Josie Mac's psychic powers, a secret she has kept from the others at the MCU. This story also features Slam Bradley.

• Keystone Kops

(Gotham Central #28-31)
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Stefano Gaudiano/Stefano Gaudiano & Kano.

An officer is transformed into a monster after an accident involving an old laboratory belonging to Flash villain Doctor Alchemy. Dr. Alchemy later changes the composition of Renee Montoya's necklace, causing it to permanently scar her chest with the dual venus symbol.

• Nature

(Gotham Central #32)
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Steve Lieber.

A story told from the perspective of one of the many corrupt police officers of Gotham City. This story features the character Poison Ivy.

• Dead Robin

(Gotham Central #33-36)
Written by Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka. Art by Kano & Stefano Gaudiano.

A boy's body is found, wearing a Robin costume. The MCU must assume that the boy really is Robin, and Batman becomes a major suspect. This story also features the Teen Titans.

• Sunday Bloody Sunday

(Gotham Central #37)
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Steve Lieber.

Tying into the events of Infinite Crisis, this story features Crispus Allen trying to get home to his family in a disaster-stricken Gotham City. This issue also features Captain Marvel and the death of The Fisherman.

• Corrigan II

(Gotham Central #38-40)
Written by Greg Rucka. Art by Kano & Stefano Gaudiano.

Allen goes after the corrupt Jim Corrigan, only to be killed. Corrigan uses his connections and well placed lies to get off clean, persuading a disgusted Montoya to leave the force.