Detective Comics #851, Batman #684 "The Last Days of Gotham" Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

"Last Days of Gotham" part 1 of 2!

DETECTIVE COMICS #851

http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10681_180x270.jpg (http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10681_400x600.jpg)

Written by: Dennis O'Neil
Art by: Guillem March

Longtime BATMAN writer and editor Dennis O'Neil returns to The Dark Knight for this special two-part tale. Joined by artistic rising star Guillem March (JOKER'S ASYLUM: POISON IVY), O'Neil's "Last Days of Gotham" dives into the soul of a city that has lost its most famous citizen, its favorite son, its beloved protector. How will Gotham City react in the wake of the horrible tragedy that has befallen The Caped Crusader?

Comments?

Note: To be continued in BATMAN #684.

[Spider-Man]

So based on the cliffhanger of the last issue and the preview pages from the next issue, this seems to all be a dream. Does this mean that Batman R.I.P. could all be a dream to? While I may not understand half of what is going on I have to say that I am interested to see what happens.

[James Harvey]

The two-part storyline wraps up with "Last Days of Gotham," Part 2 of 2!

BATMAN #684

http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10682_180x270.jpg (http://dccomics.com/media/product/1/0/10682_400x600.jpg)

Written by: Dennis O'Neil
Art by: Guillem March

In a world without a Batman, what happens when Commissioner Gordon lights the Bat-signal, in desperate need of assistance against the growing tide of crime sweeping his city? What does Nightwing do when his longtime partner fails to aid him in yet another of Two-Face's villainous assaults against Gotham? Without The Dark Knight to protect its walls, Gotham City may be facing its final days!

Comments?

[Temple Fugate]

I want to say this story was a disappointment, but they never exactly promised much in the first place. Having Denny O'Neil coming in and writing a 2-parter made me feel like this was a bigger deal than it really is.

For what it's worth, it's a good story. But who is this Face of Gotham, and why does she speak in the most condescending narration boxes I've ever read? I expected the "star" of the story to actually DO something besides standing around and talking.

And what's with Gordon not having much faith in Nightwing? This whole story feels a bit off from what I've been reading in Detective Comics for the last six years.

The title doesn't even make sense. These are hardly the last days of Gotham...unless DC is getting ready to go all Bludhaven on it in Final Crisis... but they'd never do that, would they?

With all the other stories happening around the DCU lately, it's okay that we get simple stories like this one. Not every book can be about the end of the multiverse. But even the simple stories should have something its readers can take away with them. I feel no different now than before I started reading this.