I’m not really sure what’s going on in Gothtopia, and without more information, I’m hesitant to junk it. Any of you who read through Detective Comics #27, aka the $4.99 book celebrating Batman’s seventy-fifth birthday, then you saw the beginnings of Gothtopia. If not, well, it looks as though the Bat-Family in Gotham (so thus far not Nightwing) has been drugged or hypnotized into believing they live in the perfect city. Gothtopia is Gotham City as seen through the eyes of some strong happy pills.
Nothing bad happens in Gothtopia, the weather is always nice, and people look out for each other. Even the architecture screams purity and goodness. Batgirl #27 is the story of Bluebelle, who is Batgirl with a different name, a different outfit, and a way happier history. Dad’s still a cop, but mom is in the picture, and baby brother isn’t a psychopathic killer – he volunteers at a homeless shelter. Barbara Gordon of Gothtopia has the greatest life ever.
The best part of this storybook life is her costumed alter ego Bluebelle. Batgirl #27 doesn’t explain how Bluebelle ties into this world’s Batman, nor does it go too far into how Bluebelle became the belle of the ball. Writer Gail Simone instead injects a new form of Joker, one delivered through a connection soon shared with Barbara. Simone’s snappy dialogue and always-impressive storytelling skills give Batgirl #27 some real swing. How this all ties together, and what the deal is between the normal DCU and that of Gothtopia, has yet to be seen. Batgirl #27 doesn’t solve any Gothtopia mysteries, but it’s entertaining as hell and helps propel interest in the story.
The pencils happening in Batgirl #27 are very, very strange. It’s clear artist Robert Gill was given an agenda to keep Gothtopia bright and cheery, which he does. The line work is thin, which keeps the panels airy and light. Gill’s movement within the panels is exceptional, and his panel placement interesting. At first glance, the pencils could seem rushed, or even unfinished, but as the story ends, you understand that the work is this way to make the darkness falling over Gothtopia seem even more disturbing. It may not work on every page, but overall Robert Gill executes Batgirl #27 well.
Helping keep this city visually upbeat, are the nearly Candyland colors from Blond. It’s not easy to color an entire story almost exclusively in white that is accented by pastels. Blond pulls it off nicely, allowing Gothtopia to shine. The colors never become overbearing, and even find subtly during the more intense scenes.
Batgirl #27 and Gothtopia could assuring in either another multi-verse story, or it could be setting readers up for DC’s own Ultimates type run. Only time will tell.
(4 Story, 4 Art)
