Gotham Academy #13

This was great! I was really scared that the absence of Karl Kerschl was going to kill this book for me. While different than whatKerschl was doing, Archer manages to bring a life and exuberance to the characters that was quite endearing. The story by Brenden Fletcher is also one of the most comical and simultaneously heartfelt chapters of Gotham Academy yet. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the characters. When written with sincerity, you can't help but fall in love with them. Read Full Review

The Robin War tie-in was rather weak. It makes sense that the youth movement would hit Gotham Academy, but Riko didn't really add anything to the story, other than giving Maps someone new and interesting to bounce off of. The short cameo by Damian at the end was much cooler, and the potential for more Damian/Maps team-ups might be the first time I'm excited for a new Damian Wayne story. Read Full Review

Adam and Sandra Hope Archer do a solid job with the artwork here, though longtime fans may miss what we usually get in terms of visual color pop – particularly us digital readers. They definitely capture the designs and look with their own spin on it, not straying far but making it their own, and the visual pacing and layouts are well done, though perhaps lacking in some of the creative overall page layouts we get. I certainly wouldn't mind this team coming back for more standalone tales. Fletcher's story is one that weaves into the larger narrative and it works well, though it does feel like a little bit of character personality might be missing without Cloonan involved. With its focus more on Maps and Riko, that's understandable as well. While I cringed at an event tie-in – and having another issue a week after the previous one – it worked out better than I expected and gave Maps a little more time in the spotlight, which is always a good thing. Read Full Review

It's impressive when a newer series can tie in to an event without losing any sense of its own identity, and that's exactly what Brenden Fletcher is able to accomplish in this issue. Read Full Review

GOTHAM ACADEMY #13 is still an interesting issue, but the “Robin War” crossover elements read as forced, bringing my overall opinion of the issue down a bit. Read Full Review

With Maps' past connection to Red Robin, "Gotham Academy" #13 made perfect sense to be a tangential tie-in to "Robin War." The initial anger and then attraction Maps shows towards Riko is fun, and the final page sets up some great potential for Maps in the issues to come. "Gotham Academy" fans shouldn't be scared off by the "Robin War," and "Robin War" readers shouldn't be afraid to look at "Gotham Academy." It's a win-win situation. Read Full Review

I wouldve given it a higher rating but the art this month wasnt for me. Read Full Review

It's a smooth, light read that kept my interest peaked till the end. Given time to adjust my tastes, I'm sure the new art direction will take hold and become a satisfying new norm, I just wasn't quite ready for it yet. Read Full Review

Fans can expect their regularly scheduled awesomeness to return, beginning with the 4-issue Gotham Academy Yearbook coming in January. I'm looking forward to it. Read Full Review

Although we see something referenced in previous chapters of "Robin War," this issue worked much better as just another installment ofGotham Academy,rather than a "Robin War" tie-in. If you're already a fan of this book, buy it. If you're considering picking it up for the "Robin War" element, skip it. Read Full Review

Vancha

Jan 02, 2016

Felt like a bad Halloween issue that was clunkily tied-in to Robin War. Olive is still a huge Mary Sue and Maps single-handedly carries the issue, as usual.

El Chapulin Colorado

Jan 28, 2017

Cant recommend it as a tie-in or a Gotham Academy issue. The issue deals with the Detective Club trying to solve a zombie mystery with Riko (from We Are Robin) getting involved by accident; the zombie turns out to have some sort of connection with Olive and the Court of Owls (who Riko gets a glimpse of and later in the main event it has some impact on the story)