It's a shame that Ed Brubaker won't be contributing to this series anymore, given his new exclusive contract with Marvel Comics, but it's hard to miss him when Greg Rucka keeps providing such riveting and believable stories set in the periphery of world in which super-heroes and villains are real. As appealing as it is seeing Gotham City cops delving into the world of a radically different costumed hero -- that of the Flash -- what's far more fascinating is how Rucka follows up on the plotlines from the landmark "Half a Life" story arc and explores the continually evolving life of Detective Renee Montoya. Her intense and personal story eclipses the fun of this cop "cross-over" and the drama tension of this police procedural.
A Gotham cop screams in agony in an emergency room as his body undergoes a transformation as a result of exposure to strange elixirs he stumbled upon in a secret lab. Detectives Crispus Allen and Renee Montoya discover that the costumed criminal known as Dr. Alchemy, the lab's former "owner," is imprisoned in Iron Heights Penitentiary in Keystone City, and their commanding officer sends them there to see if the con can be convinced to help. Meanwhile, Renee reaches out to her estranged father.
I'm more familiar with Kano's work as a penciller or an artist who handles the pencils and inks on a book (see H-E-R-O), so I was surprised to see him turn up here as an inker. I'm pleased he signed on, though, as the collaboration between Gaudiano and him is quite strong. They capture the same kind of gritty, realistic and crisp tone that original series artist Michael Lark did. Kano's inks add much more definition to Gaudiano's line art. Lee Loughridge, of course, is still reinforces a tense and sullen atmosphere with his dark and muted colors. I'm also pleased that despite the rules of Iron Heights, as established in various Flash comics, Alchemy is not seen in costume. The prison togs reinforce the realism of the story.
Rucka has done his homework when it comes to the Flash... or at least, his city. Just like in Gotham, he keeps the super-hero stuff at arm's length. There are references, sure, but little in the way of direct involvement. I was surprised but pleased to see Chyre and Morillo turn up here, but it makes sense, given the nature of the plot.
Renee's long-overdue encounter with her father and her return home to her lover may not make up the meat of the issue, but they certainly stand out as the highlights. Though the circumstances may not be what all of us can relate to, the tension between parent and child is, as is the need to hold a loved one who's the only person on the planet who can make the hurt go away. Renee Montoya may be a paper character, but she breathes when Greg Rucka writes her. 9/10
