Batman: I Am Gotham

The recent “Batman wedding” may have some lapsed Bat readers seeking out the Tom King run.

The wedding story (the near-miss down the aisle of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle) marked the 50th issue written by King, which started with the DC “Rebirth” Batman No. 1.

Judging from the first collection of the King/Batman issues, it’s a run worth finding. 

“I Am Gotham” opens with a great Batman bit as he tries saving Gotham from being struck by a disabled jetliner. Batman gets a helping hand from the super-powered sibling duo of Gotham and Gotham Girl. 

As a kid, Gotham and his parents were saved by Batman. He wants to help others as he was helped. Seeing the siblings’ superpowers and their desire to help, Batman realizes he and Gotham City could use the help. Batman, after all, doesn’t think he will live forever … gasp, readers sure do think he will.

After eight decades of stories, it seems like Batman has lived forever and it’s hard to imagine there’s something new to do with the character.

But Tom King finds new reserves while hewing close to Batman traditions.

He pulls out some Bat-tropes that haven’t been seen in many years, such as Bat-disguise Matches Malone, and an old 1960s bit of Alfred donning the Batman costume and driving the Batmobile.

King also writes laugh-out-loud dialogue in places – something unexpected and welcome in the grim world of Batman. But King manages it without taking anything away from the drama of the plot.

The first trade-paperback collection includes “Batman: Rebirth” No. 1 and “Batman” issues 1-6, as well as several pages of variant cover art. 

If the “I Am Gotham” storyline is any indication, the Tom King Batman run will be worth finding as separate back issues or in more trade paperback collections.