Someday Kara might listen…
Creative Staff:
Story: Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing
Art: Lynne Yoshi, Jose Marzan, Jr.
Colors: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Letterer: Wes Abbott
What They Say:
Barda Free, GCG strategist, is determined not to let the new kid slow them down. Can Kara win her over? Is it even worth trying?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The opening issues of Gotham City Garage fired on all cylinders for me as we got to see what this future world was like and how it was run. Kelly and Lanzing put a creative thing in place where there’s still a lot of uncertainties to be puzzled out but it was designed so that you’d want to have it all unfold and explore it. Brian Ching set the tone going into the run and this issue brings us Lynne Yoshi and Jose Marzan, Jr. on it for the artwork. There’s definitely a carryover of the look to be sure in the designs but there’s almost a slightly more cartoonish aspect to it, especially with Kara’s expressions. It’s also more brightly colored which changes your view of things as well, especially if you were looking for a more grim and gritty book to get furthered here.
Now that Kara has settled in a bit she’s still trying to find her place in the Garage. She held the focus of the first two issues but this one shifts the narrative to Barda Free as she has to deal with Kara when it comes to her training and bringing her out into the field. She’s definitely not ready for prime time but the simple truth is that if you’re using resources you have to contribute. It’s not a bad rule but you also have to make sure they’re ready otherwise you lose a whole lot more. With a new convoy out on the move and a planned raid on it, Kara’s brought in to participate but she has to listen to Barda. Suffice to say you know that it won’t go well in that regard and that Kara will keep putting herself in a lot of danger because of it.
While we get some fun action with the raid and the introduction of the Red hood motorcycle club where we see Kara put in some really bad positions even as she takes on more than she should, the real focus is on Barda. It’s through her narration that she talks about her time with Granny and the Parademons. It’s here that she wishes for a better life for the sheltered Kara that now has to face the harshness but also a wish that should could have that kind of better life as well. The mission with Banshee plays well and the trio certainly cope with things as best as they can, especially with Kara going somewhat rogue, but the focus on Barda is what delivers as she’s quickly fleshed out with a lot of opportunities ahead to really bring some good emotion to her.
In Summary:
Gotham City Garage moves forward well with its story here under Kelly and Lanzing but the visuals for it is something that definitely makes it feel like a shift in how it’s perceived. I like what Yoshi and Marzan, Jr. do here with it but it’s obviously not what we had before and some of that comes from the setting change out into the desert wilds. The narrative shift from Kara to Barda may also be problematic for some but we’re going to see these characters fleshed out bit by bit and not just with a Kara focus, so I’m definitely excited to learn about them and thrilled that Barda got this much attention early on. I’m hopeful for more world building going into the next few issues and I’m keen to see more of the Red Hood MC and what the clay will bring next as well. Definitely a fun issue with a lot of potential ahead.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: August 30th, 2017
MSRP: $0.99