I’m a big fan of the DC universe, and I always love seeing re-imaginings of some of my favourite superheroes. If you’re looking to see Batman in a high school setting, accompanied by a few pre-villains, then you should definitely pick up a copy of this book. Not only will readers delight in the narration of Selina Kyle, but they’ll love the way this story moves along. You’ll find romance, attempted kidnapping/murder, and more in this graphic novel. Add it to your TBR, especially if you’re a big fan of the Batman universe.
Gotham High delves into the lives of a few of DC universe’s most famous characters before they take up their namesakes. It begins after 16-year old Bruce Wayne gets kicked out of his boarding school and returns to Gotham to find nothing is how he left it. His family home is a shell of what it used to be and the girl next door, Selina Kyle, rules Gotham High dangerously with the help of her friend Jack Napier. After a kidnapping rattles the school, Bruce goes on the hunt for answers, while wondering if he’s being used as a pawn in a bigger game. Nothing is as it seems, especially at Gotham High, where everyone is a suspect, and the stakes are raised every day.
If I’m being honest, I love a good origin story for villains. One of my favourite origin stories is for Catwoman as Selina Kyle is such a complex villainess. She’s caring for an ailing family member and has to resort to dark things to help her achieve success. Meanwhile, Bruce is trying to adjust to being back in his family home after years of trying to forget about his parents murders. As for Jack Napier, he is having fun swindling the rich from their money in games of cards and he’s also nursing a bit of an obsessive crush on Selina.
The high school setting worked for me because I feel like I could see how the characters develop under different circumstances. Bruce is having to navigate a space where he’s at an advantage because of his advanced schooling. His already brooding personality is further explored as he tries to make friendships. Selina rules the school, but is still committed to her education, while Jack is definitely a jack of all trades. Despite the fact that this is a graphic novel, there’s a commitment to exploring these characters’ personalities in a different way. You see more of what they’re experiencing as opposed to being told. I like this kind of storytelling quite a bit.
The story does tackle some darker themes, in traditional Batman universe fashion. There’s kidnapping involved, that also goes into developing other villains that are sprinkled throughout the story. I don’t want to mention names, but there are definitely some other prominent villains in between. It is still a YA graphic novel so it doesn’t go into too much dark detail, but most readers can infer what’s going on without having it explained.
Oh boy, did I love the romance going on in this story. Maybe I’m a little mean though. Most of you know that I do love a good romantic story. That’s not necessarily going on here, but I am OBSESSED with the way that it was handled. Selina is such a badass young villainess. Now, what I didn’t exactly love was what happened toward the end. I feel like it could have been handled in a different way, but it makes sense to the story, particularly in the Batman universe.
Let’s talk about the ending. I’m not going to give out any spoilers, but I both loved and hated the way this story ended. It’s so good, and promises that there’s something more to the story. However, cliff-hanger endings make me so impatient! I wanted a resolution more than we got, and I’m sure other readers will feel the same way. If you do, come and yell with me!
Overall, this graphic novel is definitely a 9/10 for me. I loved it, and if you love reading about villains and heroes before they become who they are, then this is definitely a read you should try. You should also try it if you’re more of a visual person, because I loved Thomas Pitilli’s illustration skills. He brought the world of Gotham High to life, and I can’t wait to see what might come next.
Gotham High is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
Will you be picking up Gotham High? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Alex and Eliza and The Witches of East End comes a reimagining of Gotham for a new generation of readers. Before they became Batman, Catwoman, and The Joker, Bruce, Selina, and Jack were high schoolers who would do whatever it took–even destroy the ones they love–to satisfy their own motives.
After being kicked out of his boarding school, 16-year-old Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham City to find that nothing is as he left it. What once was his family home is now an empty husk, lonely but haunted by the memory of his parents’ murder. Selina Kyle, once the innocent girl next door, now rules over Gotham High School with a dangerous flair, aided by the class clown, Jack Napier.
When a kidnapping rattles the school, Bruce seeks answers as the dark and troubled knight–but is he actually the pawn? Nothing is ever as it seems, especially at Gotham High, where the parties and romances are of the highest stakes … and where everyone is a suspect.
With enchanting art by Thomas Pitilli, this new graphic novel is just as intoxicating as it is chilling, in which dearest friends turn into greatest enemies–all within the hallways of Gotham High!
