Gotham Adventures remains, for the most part, a title whose existence I'm grateful for, but whose appeal for me personally isn't that high. I like the creative team, especially the artist, and I enjoy the self-contained stories and the animated series-based characters and settings, but I am definitely not the target audience. This issue has a solid plot with an unusual take on a Batman villain, a story that is sure to resonate with the younger readers that the title aims for and the usual terrific artwork. It's a good read, but those seeking out more sophisticated stories would be better served to look to the main Batman line.
There's a simplicity to this title that is absolutely important to the book's goals, but it seems that Peterson often oversimplifies the plot, underestimating the intelligence of his audience. The point that Bane is selfish, and that he's taking advantage of disadvantaged kids, is made pretty effectively with his first appearance in the issue and with his speech to the unnamed leader kid, but there are still two more scenes where Robin drives the point further home for the readers. While the plotting makes sense, it is also extremely predictable.
Which doesn't mean there aren't some well-staged scenes or effective surprises early on. The revelation of Robin's undercover role came as something of a surprise, and when he blows his cover to announce Batman's presence it's a very effective moment. In fairness, the latter has plenty to do with Levins & Beatty's work on that scene, as Robin bashes Bane through a window to meet up with his foe outside. The rain and deserted construction setting makes for a good background to the events of the finale.
Levins has been the draw for me on this title ever since he joined the book a while back. His use of perspective and "camera angles" is especially great. I loved the opening shot of Bane, camera behind him, surrounded by police officers, and I've noticed that Levins often shoots Batman and Robin from below, so that we're always looking up at them, which helps to reinforce their presence. Loughridge's color work on the book is also impressive, very simple and clean and never overwhelming the artwork.
Every so often, including about two months ago, Peterson knocks one out of the park with Gotham Adventures, and turns in a book that is exciting for kids and adults alike. In general, however, I find this book to read a little young for me, as with this issue. That's fine, however, as giving younger readers a book that they can enjoy is really the book's raison d'etre, and Marvel could take a lesson or two from DC's approach to Gotham Adventures in terms of providing a younger-readers Spider-Man book.
