Gotham Central 2: Jokers and Madmen

If this (not to mention various other Gotham central stories) never get adapted to screen then there is no justice in HollywoodNormally I read comics for the cool artwork but the character driven noir that if Gotham central, despite its comparative drabness, is just out of this world. We get lots of insight into Gotham and its cops.There's a mixture of super villains and ordinary murderers that make for some good guessing throughout each story.There's a certain amount of tragedy and senselessness that you'd expect in noir but Greg ruckus characters make it worth plowing through. Even the Major crimes unit itself can feel like a character as demonstrated by how the detectives who start a case may not be the ones who close it, but the reader doesn't feel cheated whenever that happens.Moments like a frantic lieutenant probson racing to the roof to light the bat signal once the presence of a major rogue is revealed, the banter between veteran detectives crowe and Davies, marcus driver testifying at the trial of mr freeze and more make for a volume that I literally couldn't put down to go to bed.Whoever gave Gotham central the axe after just three years made a blunder big enough to rival the infamous cancelation of firefly after one seasona must read for any and all DC comics Fans (except maybe those who only like the kid friendly material).

If you’re not a huge Batman fan, but enjoy Brubaker’s crime stories then this run is for you. They’re set in Gotham among the detectives but are more like Brubaker’s other crime and noir books than any Batman book. Rucka’s stories work the same way and Lark’s art is perfect for the tone here.

I have not finished this book yet but am already blown away by the story. I got this at the 4.99 price point for digital and couldn't be happier. As someone who is newish to the medium, the price point is a great way to delve into some of the past classics and cult titles.The writing is better than I expected and the art, while lacking detail, grew on me. The artist(s) does a wonderful job telling his side of the story. Buy away if you are on the fence, you will not be disappointed!!!Edit: After reading through the whole book I had to dock a star for the art. The first issues of this edition were drawn by another artist or 2 in Michael Lutz's style. I found the change a little jarring. While Lutz's art in this book lacks detail, man does it do well in helping push the story forward. Not so much with the stand in(s). Lutz was back on for the the final arc of this book(Unresolved), which dealt with a cold case and the disgraced detective Harvey Bullock. As a result, this book finished quite strong.

If you're a comic fan, you've heard people rave about Gotham Central, the book that focuses on what it would be like to be a normal cop in Gotham City. The praise for the book has been pretty universal and I'm definitely adding to it. The Joker story in this trade is easily in the top 10 for my favorite Batman stories ever. I would caution, however, that others could feel differently and feel the story wanders across the line of decency in light of some of the recent events such as the Aurora theater shooting (which occurred long after this book was published) or even the DC sniper. I personally have no problem with works of fiction mimicking real-life tragedies as long as it's not done in a tawdry way, but I think it's only fair to give that warning. I think that Rucka and Brubaker craft the story not for shock value or exploitation, but to explore the fear and terror that go along with the feelings of helplessness when events like this occur.Ultimately, I think it's a fantastic read and that this is the best trade in the series. Highly recommended.

This series is so good and unique for DC. The story after the joker arc I thought was pretty weak and actually I believe it's the only weak out of the 4 trades. The rest of the story is wonderful.

An improvement over the first volume, 'Jokers and Madmen' keeps everything I loved about the previous and kicks everything up a notch.In the second edition of Gotham Central, all the characters who were stuck mainly doing cameos and filling up space in the previous volume take there turn at getting developed. With Brubaker and Rucka writing, everyone has such great personality, something to many other comics lack.But the real reason this is better that the first may surprise you: less Batman. Yes, while Batman is great, having him come in and resolving the situation can get annoying at times, so having the GCPD do a better job of handling their cases themselves worked great. Long live Gotham Central.

A more grounded take on the city of Gotham, this series is more like “NYPD Blue” than “The Dark Knight”, and this approach to the material really works to great effect. I’m a lifelong Batman fan in whatever medium I can get him, and this series (along with Batman: the Animated Series and the Arkham games) sits at the top of my recommendation list.

As others have written, this is not a Batman story, although he makes a couple brief appearances. It’s a great take on the people working in the Gotham police department. If you like noir-style stories, get this.

Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka have woven another wonderful chapter amidst the annals of Gotham. The unique perspective of the Gotham Central series creates a wonderful experience for the 'Bat-fan'. 'Jokers & Madmen' does masterfully what its predecessor accomplished by showing you the lives of the GCPD in the wake of Jim Gordon's retirement. It analyses how they cope with being undermined by a masked vigilante, as well as the post-traumatic stress of dealing with criminals that cause them to lose limbs due to frost bite or macabre mutilation at the demented and malevolent hands of various Arkham escapees; which the courts cannot keep incarcerated due to their unstable mental health.'Jokers & Madmen' is as gritty and dark as it is human, without the synthetic chic which some of the other Batman comics tend to have oozing from themselves in spades. Rather than making the protagonists 'super men and women', the detecetives of the GCPD are merely flawed human beings with insecurities and secrets which they wish to keep hidden from a community which they serve, protect... and fear. A community which has seen men like Oswald Cobblepot become a respected and successful entrepeneur, and a city where the Joker can cause mass panic and widespread fear, all the while the last hope of these men and women of the law, is a dark and hooded figure whom operates outside of it.'Jokers & Madmen' delves into the dark secrets of Gotham, of its heroes and its villains, its detectives and its antagonists. This tome uses characters old and new & blends them together in such a way that is as organic as it is entertaining, creating a fresh perspective of Gotham and its Dark Knight. A must for any true 'Bat-fan' who enjoys solid character development, dark realism and alternative perspectives on the Dark Knight, while exploring the usual more periphery heroes of Gotham City; the Detectives of GCPD, those that have to gather the evidence at a crime scene, face the fury of Arkham's attendees and after battling with the likes of Two-Face and Joker must write up the police reports of this dark city's Jokers & Madmen.

Just a bit dry. The cop stories are ok but they end up boring me. They read like Law and Order if they did a comic and then whenever a properly interesting villain turns up instead of just a bloke who kidnaps child (which frankly is the evening news). When a clever villain does turn up batman appears and saves the day but it is like looking at an infinitely more interesting comic.Wouldn't get these. the art and story are fine just not as grabbing as batman, hence his huge popularity

Fantastic book, highly recommended to fans of Gotham City or Ed Brubaker.

In the second volume we are given a chance to get to know the members of the SCU in Gotham City as they deal with the Joker's first appearance. He assassinates the mayor, a school superintendent, takes a news reporter hostage, and then allows himself to be captured. Also a cold case involving the Mad Hatter that the detectives sink their teeth into following a hostage situation that provides a small lead to pursue.

I JUST LOVE THIS SERIES!.This comic book depicts what Gotham in dc universe is.This volume two is just too good to explain.It tells the condition of Gotham’s trusted(yes,I’am being sarcastic)police force When it comes to the most hedious,sadistic and down right chilling crimes committed by probably the most deranged minds in the DC universe.it showcases all the villains perfectly and I loved it.