Last month we had the start of a mini-series giving us the ‘history’ of Gotham City. Or more importantly, the architects of Gotham City. It’s an interesting idea because I don’t think we ever had this close look at the history of a city in a comic until now. The first issue was strong with the story but the art was a bit tough to get used to. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t evil to swallow. With this issue, can the art improve?

First let’s get with the writing, and boy what a great story we’re getting by Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgins. Whether Snyder is doing just the plotting or ideas for the book you can tell Snyder’s hands are all over the story. The backstory, the steampunk villain, and the way Dick talks all screams Snyder to me. But give credit to Higgins who is putting all of Snyder’s ideas into a strong mystery playing out. I was so enchanted with the backstory on the two architects of Gotham I would’ve rather seen that the entire issue then just a third of it. But then you get great stuff with Dick, Damien and Cassandra’s relationship, and some good moments with Penguin and Hush too, We still have yet to see much in this new villain for the mini, but with strong hints at who it might be I am certainly intrigued still and not annoyed by this.

Now we get to the art and unfortunately I can’t say it is strong. It isn’t bad, there are some great pages in here. I especially loved how McCarthy laid out the flashback sequences and they were probably the best parts of the issue. But outside of that, the characters are very inconsistant with their reactions (especially to what they’re saying) and in general the antaomy is pretty rubbery. McCarthy is really good at backgrounds and keeps the idea that Gotham City is much as a character as the human beings in this story. But at the end of the day I just wished the characters were better represented.

It’s a shame that the art couldn’t be as strong as it could be. Cause Scott Snyder and Kyle Higgins are telling a really fascinating story about the history of Gotham’s architecture. Add in some good character moments with the cast and you got a well written mini-series going here. Even though the art isn’t bad, it could be a lot better especially with the character anatomy. In the end though I do like this mini and I’m glad I stuck with it in issues.