Product Description: In the best tradition of Batman: Year One and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, this second book in Titan's Gotham Central series continues the film noir makeover of the Batman mythology! Detective Renee Montoya, as seen in the ongoing Batman series, has been hiding a secret from her family, her fellow officers and the world at large - her sexuality. But when she is 'outed' by a prominent Gotham City newpaper, she must somehow contend with personal and private upheavals in her life. And when the man responsible for these revelations is found dead, Montoya becomes the prime suspect for his murder - and her fellow officers must clear her name!
Greatest Renee Montoya story ever! NOTE: This is the only one of the five-part "Gotham Central" comics I've read.
A tale that brings a touch of social modernism/drama to the world to comics in perhaps the only way it could be (while remaining tasteful). GCPD Detective Renee Montoya - while formerly a tertiary, behind the scenes character - is the forefront of this story that brings to light one old and one new secret in her personal and professional life that may threaten to destroy both. Since the start of this story in the "No Man's Land" story-arc (including: Batman Chronicles #16 and Detective Comics #747), Renee has developed a relationship of sorts with supervillain Harvey Dent/Two-Face. She has a new partner at the GCPD; Metropolis transplant Crispus Allen (who eventually becomes the Spectre; an event that starts Renee on the path to eventually becoming the new Question after Vic Sage), who replaces the discharged/disgraced Sergeant Harvey Bullock. And the bombshell to top them all: she's gay! It isn't long before her life begins to fall apart as part a grand scheme that has her outed to both the GCPD and [perhaps worse] her devoutly religious parents and being framed for murder. The plot is eventually revealed to be the master-plan of Two-Face, who is so infatuated with her that after "taking everything away from her" will now come in to make her his. In a struggle that nearly ended with the two killing each other, Batman (who is almost a non-presence in this story) comes to the rescue (sorry for the cliche). Two-Face returns to prison, Renee's name is cleared and she returns to her job; and finally/sadly she officially comes out to her less-than-understanding parents. Happily though, she has he lover to fall back on.
This was a most compelling story with all the power of a televised cop-drama and "not quite conventional" love story that works on every level. While objection abounds, the choice to take Renee's character gay works better than expected, and actually adds to her in a very constructive way (never mind that she gets some more prominent face-time in the comics for it). Two-Face is as compelling and deluded as he ever was, but his visual design leaves something to be desired (he appears to have a look that corresponds to his more "pre-1990's" character design with a left side that looks like deformed green wax); still, he never looses his power as Batman's #2 rogue (interestingly enough). Batman is almost never there for the majority of the story, but his few-and-far-between appearances remain good ones; he is primarily a way to bring about a conclusive ending (as his character actually functions). This is a great story and will be enjoyed immensely (also, as mentioned above, it is just one step in Renee's further development in the DCU).
Great storyline. Incredible writing! Wow! This is a real gem of a book. I picked it up without knowing what to expect from a Batman spin-off about Renee Montoya, but I was more than pleasantly surprised by the deft writing and dark, gritty drawing. The reason behind why Montoya's enemies outed her is pretty twisted, showing that the insane mind doesn't realize its own craziness.
I really liked the feel of how the plot was carried out. It was well paced and kind of gave me the feeling like I was watching a cop drama movie or TV series. You could really get a sense of the tone, inflection, and emotion in the character's voices by reading the dialogue. It's nice to find such tense drama in a book.
There is not too much Batman in this version of Gotham City, but Renee Montoya's story kind of leaves you going, 'Batman who?'
DC needs more books like this Who cares about superheroes? Gotham cops are a million times more interesting. Rarely in comics will you find writing and art of this quality, especially together in one book. Renee Montoya is the most interesting, emotionally complex character that DC has produced in years. See the rest of Gotham Central as well as 52 and Crime Bible for a continuation of her story.
Just Twisted Enough to Be Gotham All the characters play out their roles in perfect pitch. The story throws Montoya's life through the wringer and the reasoning behind it just feels, well, twisted enough to make sense in Gotham. I liked the gritty cop's-life tale-telling style and the art complimented the story well. Overall, I loved this particular issue...
WOW Gotham Central: Half a Life is about Gotham cop Renee Montoya. Montoya comes from a traditional Hispanic family. Her parents own a grocery. Their constant concern is that their only daughter is not eating enough, and when is she going to get married and give them grandchildren? That is a big problem for Renee, who is a lesbian and secretly dating a female chef.
When photos appear at work, Renee is mocked and scorned by her co-workers. Her brother confronts her - doesn't she know this will kill their parents? Tell them the photos were doctored, begs Renee. But things go from bad to worse when Renee is framed for the murder of the creep taking the photos. If she didn't do it, who did? And what does Two-Face have to do with this?
The story is right after the year-long No Man's Land storyline that took up the entire Batman comic line for the year of 1999. The beginning of Half a Life contains references to life during and after the federal designation of Gotham City as a condemned disaster area. Highly recommend the five No Man's Land GNs if you haven't read it.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
