Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4 Review

 

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4 Review

Writer & Artist: Rafael Grampá

Colorists: Mat Lopes & Rafael Grampá

Letterer: John Workman

Cover Artist: Rafael Grampá

Variant Cover Artists: Jock, Lee Bermejo & Jamie Hewlett

1:25 Variant Cover Artist: Valentina Napolitano

1:50 Variant Cover Artist: Thobias Daneluz

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 56 Pages

Price: $6.99 US/Variants $6.99 US (Card Stock)

Release Date: June 10, 2026

 

A murderer stalks Gotham. The killer paralyzes victims with one blow. Yet as the victim bleeds out, the killer continues attacking them. The killer leaves behind a pool of blood and circular marks on each victim’s naked back. Chemical residue on one victim led Batman to a derelict mansion, where a gang forced the unhoused to make TNT. And as the abducted people worked and died, the gang's boss watched old cartoons and drew his memories in black and red.

 

As he helps Detective James Gordon find a serial killer, Bruce Wayne plots his own demise. He can no longer afford to divide his time between a carefree playboy and a masked vigilante. For Batman to protect Gotham and cleanse the city of the corruption that breeds violence, Bruce Wayne must die. Yet who created Batman? And is that person still directing the Dark Knight's actions? Let's leap into Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4 and see!

 

Story

As night falls, chaos descends on Gotham. Killers pour into the subway. Family members kill one another. Like zombies, people fill the streets, intent on murder for no other reason than committing violence. And from his tower, Doctorgeist looks down on his city and says, "It is good." Yet not everyone in Gotham associates evil with success. Having captured the serial killer, GCPD Detective James Gordon questions her reasons for killing the former patients of Dr Charles Quinton in Arkham Asylum. And as an explosion rocks the subway, Bruce Wayne rescues Nia Garcia from the masked gangs of knife-wielding killers.

 

Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4 primarily follows Bruce Wayne’s search for where he belongs. Yet, the story also follows the plight of the Unhoused. While James Gordon wishes he could have been a husband and father, the Crying Geisterman takes an abandoned child under his wing. Amid the fast-paced story, James Gordon struggles to understand the supernatural events he has experienced. Bruce gains a fuller picture of what he became a part of when Alfred took him to see Dr Charles Quinton. And Rafael Grampá illuminates why Dr Franz Ebner began researching how to harness the energy generated by each person.

 

Yet Doctorgeist casts a greater shadow over Gotham. Once, he sought to benefit Humanity. Instead, he became swayed by power. Now, Doctorgeist cares only for how much energy he can generate and control. Avarice, corruption, and hatred prevent Gotham from ever achieving its potential. Everywhere he looks, he sees evil. So while Bruce Wayne devotes his life to preserving Gotham, Doctorgeist seeks to end civilization as he knows it in Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4.

 

Art

James Gordon studies an illustration of a face pierced by needles while his captive watches. As bells clang in their tower, people fill the burning streets. As the well-to-do gather atop a building with flutes of champagne, their expressions convey fright, astonishment, and glee. Yet while explosions rock the city above, another detonation in the subway spawns knife-wielding people wearing masks. Bruce leaps to save Nia as a knife impales her former protector, and arrows thunk into the masked marauders.

 

As Mat Lopes and Rafael Grampá adorn the panel-packed pages with a subdued palette, Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4 shows the historic city coming apart at the seams. The Crying Geisterman, scorned by society and his former master, wears an orange coverall. Despite believing his civilian identity no longer serves a purpose, Bruce Wayne wears a blue jacket. Yet he aligns himself with Sage, who wears a yellow jacket, as he rescues people in the yellow subway. As red adorns Little Joe’s, Bruce Wayne’s, and the serial killer’s face, it links them with the warriors sporting the red three-pin symbol. And as violence fills Gotham, Doctorgeist rejoices in his red and black ceremonial robes.

 

As giant stone angels mourn the fires devouring the historic buildings, John Workman fills colored narrative boxes and white dialogue balloons with black uppercase dialogue. The letters grow bold with intonation, swell with raised voices, and rarely shrink. Sound effects include Doctorgeist awakening his sleeper agents, Bruce unleashing his Dark Aura, killers finding camaraderie in slaughter, and the rise of the Batman. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Some people define themselves by their work. Others measure their self-worth by their contributions to family and friends. While Bruce Wayne believes his work matters most, James Gordon wishes he had devoted more time to his family. As their world descends into chaos, both men must decide where they belong in Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4.

 

Rating 9.7/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #4.