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Gotham High — Melissa de la Cruz, Writer; Thomas Pitulli, Artist; Miguel Muerto, Colorist
Ratings: Ray — 5/10
The DC original graphic novel line has never reflected continuity, instead preferring to reimagine its lead characters through the filter of modern-day teenagers — often in a world without any other heroes.
That’s led to fascinating takes on characters including Cassandra Cain, Barbara Gordon, Mera, Selina Kyle, Wonder Woman, Raven, and others. But buried under those modern flourishes and alternate universes has always been a recognizable core character. Even if the story has changed, the inspiration still comes from their most iconic comic book tales.
That’s not the case with Gotham High, a teen-angst revamp of Gotham’s most iconic characters. The most dominant inspiration here seems to be the early-2000s WB drama Smallville, which compressed Superman’s long history into an overwrought tale of Superman’s early doomed friendship with Lex Luthor.
Gotham High focuses on the trio of Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle, and Jack Napier, reinventing them as the center of a teenage love triangle. But all three characters are so radically different from their classic versions that it’s hard to see anything of the…
