It’s hard to keep finding new ways to describe how good “Gates of Gotham” is. Issue #3 is another well constructed and highly entertaining book that dives further into the history of Gotham city. But even more interesting is the look we’re getting into the lives of the “first families” of Gotham in particularly the Waynes. So often the Waynes have been portrayed in strictly positive light but here we see that their first interests in expanding Gotham may be based more on personal gain. I’m loving this history lesson and I’m intrigued with the way Gotham’s past is melding with the present.

The team of Kyle Higgins, Scott Snyder, and Ryan Parrott have created and interesting and fresh story for Batman fans, something that isn’t as easy as it sounds. Their near perfect mix of flashbacks and present day pages have an almost poetic flow to them. In this issue, the flashbacks really steal the show as the current story doesn’t really progress that much. But even with the lack of any significant progression, the current pages give us some great interaction between Dick, Tim, and Damian. We also get a greater sense of Dick’s struggle with the weight of the burden that comes with being Batman. This is particularly driven home by a brief but cutting statement by the Penguin. Whether it be the politics and power jockeying in the past or the search for answers in the present, this story click’s on every level. It’s a smart and layered tale that has truly drawn me in.

It’s been tough for me to fully embrace Trevor McCarthy’s art. That being said, this issue felt like a step forward. My biggest issues with his work have been with his present day pages. Sometimes his characters look off and he tends to overdo his action panels. That may be why the look of this book impressed me more. There’s no real action to speak of and with the exception of a few character inconsistencies and the continued weird depiction of the Penguin, the current pages are solid. The flashback pages are what’s really visually striking. I love the way the panels are framed and Guy Major’s almost antique colors work perfectly with McCarthy’s pencils. It’s beautifully appropriate and has a wonderful period feel.

Simply put this is one fantastic mini-series. It’s a well structured story that keeps getting better and better. It’s a book that I look forward to and I can’t wait to see everything play out.