Batman: I Am Gotham (Comics) | Review

What happens when Gotham City suddenly gains two brand new superheroes who possess abilities that might actually surpass Batman's own considerable skills and resources? This question drives the entire narrative forward with relentless tension.

DC's opening arc for the legendary Batman run by writer Tom King (Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Superman: Up in the Sky) doesn't just answer this question– it completely flips everything you think you know about Bruce Wayne's role as protector on its head. This isn't your typical welcome-the-new-heroes story.

What happens when Gotham gets two new superheroes more powerful than Batman himself? Tom King's opening arc for his legendary Batman run doesn't just answer this question– it flips everything you think you know about Bruce Wayne's role as protector on its head.

The story kicks off with a spectacular plane crash that introduces us to Gotham and Claire, two incredibly powerful metahumans who seem like the perfect answer to every single problem Gotham City faces. They're strong, dedicated, and genuinely want to help protect innocent people. Batman should be relieved, right? Wrong.

King masterfully explores Bruce's control issues through these new characters. Gotham and Claire represent everything Batman wishes he could be– truly superhuman protectors who could end crime permanently. But that's exactly what terrifies him.

The deeper you dive into the story, the more you realize this isn't about superpowers at all. King uses Gotham and Claire as mirrors to reflect Batman's deepest insecurities about his own limitations. Every heroic act they perform becomes a reminder of what Bruce Wayne can't accomplish through gadgets and training alone.

The arc builds toward the inevitable question that drives everything forward relentlessly throughout the story: what happens when good intentions meet unlimited power without the strong moral anchor that keeps Bruce Wayne grounded and focused on justice?

King's genius lies in making readers question whether Batman's methods are actually superior or simply different from other approaches. The story forces you to confront uncomfortable truths about vigilante justice and the thin line between protection and control.

The psychological warfare between Batman and the new heroes creates genuine suspense because both approaches to heroism have real merit. You'll find yourself switching sides multiple times throughout the story, which is exactly what King intended to achieve.

The brilliance lies in how King makes both sides sympathetic. Gotham and Claire aren't traditional villains– they're heroes whose methods reveal fundamental flaws. Meanwhile, Batman's suspicion feels both justified and self-defeating. The psychological chess match between trust and paranoia drives every page.

What makes this storyline particularly effective is how King skillfully avoids providing easy answers throughout the narrative. There's no clear moment where Gotham and Claire become obviously wrong or where Batman's paranoia becomes obviously right for readers.

Instead, the mounting tension builds steadily through small moments and quiet conversations that gradually reveal the fundamental incompatibility between Batman's worldview and theirs, creating an atmosphere of inevitable conflict that permeates everything.

This storyline connects beautifully to King's broader themes about Batman's psychological state, setting up character dynamics that will clearly resonate throughout his run. You'll also catch references to previous continuity while King establishes his distinct voice.

Artwork by David Finch (Wonder Woman: Resurrection, Wonder Woman: War-Torn) captures both the grandeur and the underlying menace perfectly throughout every panel. His Batman feels imposing and deeply paranoid, while Gotham and Claire radiate an almost divine presence that makes their eventual fall even more impactful.

The spectacular action sequences absolutely pop off the page with incredible energy and visual detail, but it's really the quieter, more intimate character moments where David Finch truly shines and demonstrates his exceptional artistic talent most effectively.

King's writing strips away unnecessary complexity to focus on raw character motivation. His dialogue feels natural, especially Bruce's internal monologue. The pacing builds tension without dragging, and King makes superhero concepts feel emotionally grounded. This is psychological thriller writing disguised as a superhero comic-book.

Batman: I Am Gotham succeeds because it takes a simple concept– new heroes help Batman– and cleverly uses it to examine the dark psychology that makes Bruce Wayne both absolutely necessary and genuinely dangerous to everyone around him.

King doesn't just tell us Batman has trust issues; he shows us why those issues might be the only thing standing between Gotham and catastrophe. This arc works as both a standalone story and as the perfect introduction to King's Batman run.

Whether you're a longtime Batman fan or jumping in completely fresh, I Am Gotham delivers the kind of smart, character-driven storytelling that reminds you exactly why Batman remains DC's most compelling and complex hero. It's absolutely essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what makes the Dark Knight tick.

Batman: I Am Gotham is collected in Batman Vol. 1: I Am Gotham, available in both trade paperback and deluxe hardcover editions. Readers can also experience the story digitally through Amazon Kindle, ComiXology and DC Universe Infinite.