Thank you to DC for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review!
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Alex and Eliza and The Witches of East End comes a reimagining of Gotham for a new generation of readers. Before they became Batman, Catwoman, and The Joker, Bruce, Selina, and Jack were high schoolers who would do whatever it took--even destroy the ones they love--to satisfy their own motives. After being kicked out of his boarding school, 16-year-old Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City to find that nothing is as he left it. What once was his family home is now an empty husk, lonely but haunted by the memory of his parents' murder. Selina Kyle, once the innocent girl next door, now rules over Gotham High School with a dangerous flair, aided by the class clown, Jack Napier. When a kidnapping rattles the school, Bruce seeks answers as the dark and troubled knight--but is he actually the pawn? Nothing is ever as it seems, especially at Gotham High, where the parties and romances are of the highest stakes ... and where everyone is a suspect. With enchanting art by Thomas Pitilli, this new graphic novel is just as intoxicating as it is chilling, in which dearest friends turn into greatest enemies--all within the hallways of Gotham High! WOW! I was blown away by Gotham High. I don’t usually read comics, or superhero novels, but this one checked all of my boxes and made for a fun afternoon read. I loved de la Cruz’s take on Bruce, Selina, and Jack—she’s made a Batman enthusiast out of me! The kidnapping storyline was fast-paced, and even though it wasn’t spelled out for me I could follow the plot easily. However, I was mostly motivated by the characters. The character development was careful and I appreciated the effort taken to humanize each of them. My favorite part was the flashbacks to Selina and Bruce’s childhood friendship, and the moments where they reconnected in the present. Gotham High is about in/famous characters before they came into their full selves, and it succeeds at building their personalities and getting the reader to empathize (even with future villains). I’m not an avid follower of the Batverse, so I appreciated this background info and I look forward to seeing the gang grow into their heroic selves in future installments. I’ve seen a lot of reviews talking about the ways women are presented in this book, and I don’t disagree. However, I don't think a work in the DC universe exists in a vacuum, and so the context and the characters’ backgrounds also matter when reading. Yes, the characters are human and in high school, however they’re still Batman, Catwoman, and the Joker. Those personas are important to consider as well, and I think Selina’s behavior makes perfect sense in that context. Pitilli’s art is incredible. Each page is packed with color and pop, and I definitely want to see more of his work. I especially love the way he used color and light to give emphasis in scenes. As Gotham High is a graphic novel, there’s very little text in the book, but I had absolutely no issue with that. I could look at the illustrations all day long. The characters appear so dynamic, and the scenes are in such vivid color that they leap off the page. Overall, I’m giving Gotham High 5/5 stars. This graphic novel is a great adventure read that all will enjoy. You might also enjoy Mera: Tidebreaker, another DC graphic novel.
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The BaronessHey, I'm Shreya! I love to read, write, travel, and drink tea. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of bookshop.org and I will earn a small commission if you click the above link and make a purchase.
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