Gotham City Monsters (2019) #1 Review

by Nathan Koffler on September 11, 2019

Writer: Steve Orlando
Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan
Colorist: Trish Mulvihill
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC


Gotham City Monsters #1 contains some great monsters and a great story and that already is enough to get me reading. This introductory issue gives us updates on each monster’s current situation and sets up the conflict that they will be fighting against. This kind of issue isn’t always exciting, but the story needs it. It definitely doesn’t hurt that writer Steve Orlando doesn’t just write two pages of panels that essentially act as bios for each monster. Instead, he introduces each character by allowing us to see whatever their life looks like at the moment. It shows us a little bit of who they are and why they’re each in need of fighting this bigger villain.

Artist Amancay Nahuelpan steals the show in this first issue by creating some amazing artwork that highlights the gritty atmosphere of the story. The monsters all look incredible and interesting which has me more way more invested in them than I normally might have been. But my favorite thing about Nahuelpan’s artwork in this issue is the frequent use of violence and gore. I am a horror fan way more than a DC fan, so one way to satisfy the horror fan in me is to provide great horror elements among the typical DC style. I enjoyed the first issue of Gotham City Monsters because it actually feels like an action/horror comic and that is heavily due to the artwork. 

In general, there is always a battle that I have with many series from DC because the bleak tone does appeal to the horror fan in me, but I just find myself having trouble getting into the stories and the way they’re told. Gotham City Monsters opens up a passageway for me because I enjoyed this first issue and it makes me want to read more about these characters. Of course, I’ll read the rest of this series with pleasure, but I am now also a little interested in seeing what else along these lines the big two may have to offer. 

Which leads me to another great thing about Gotham City Monsters #1, which is how easily it was for me, someone who hasn’t read a DC comic book in years, to pick it up and not be completely lost. Of course there was some info that would have made the reading experience smoother if I had known it, but for the most part, it was easy to jump right in which makes this series much more engaging for me. 

Overall, Gotham City Monsters #1 is an entertaining read thanks to great storytelling, gorgeous and gory artwork, and some excellently written dialogue. 
 

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside