BAD SEEDS: GOTHAM CENTRAL #2: Runaway Train!

Gordon, Bullock, Zeller, and more are trapped on a runaway train below the streets of Gotham while Victor Zsasz is on a violent rampage, and murderous plants await outside the train. Can the crew find a way to stop the train and survive the perils facing them, or will they become another mark on Victor’s body?

Creative Team: Christopher Cantwell, Jacob Phillips, and Becca Carey.

The Story:

Chris delivers chaos in its purest form with this issue, and it’s a beautifully done, contained issue at that. So much happens all within the confines of this train, and it’s a masterclass in storytelling. Chris holds nothing back in terms of showing how psychotic Zsasz is as he goes on a killing spree putting Gordon in a tough spot, trying to not lose anyone else and putting Victor down without killing him. It truly shows how Jim is so much of Batman in many ways whether that is a good or a bad thing. The action is intense within this issue and it’s not just from Victor either. Batgirl makes an appearance and we are left on an intense cliffhanger in the final pages.

The Art:

The artwork is top-notch in this issue, with Jacob nailing the horror style elements excellently. There is a burnt yellow glow being used to illuminate the train car that works so well when Victor is on his rampage. It adds shadows and plays off the detail in his face and eyes that brings fear to these panels. As the issue moves on, the colorwork changes, leveraging deep purples, which work so well for how this issue flows. Becca’s lettering adds a level of desperation to our characters voices that build throughout this issue and aid in the cliffhanger we are left with.

Final Thoughts:

Bad Seeds: Gotham Central #2 is an excellent entry, building more mythos for the Bad Seeds event. It’s a contained issue that doesn’t hold back in terms of violence and desperation from our characters, who are confined to the underbelly of Gotham City, which is layered in chaos from top to bottom.

Overall Grade: 9.5/10.

Let us know how you feel about this issue and check out more reviews by Matt!