A compilation of a truly fine series set in the Major Crimes Unit of Gotham City, these two stories are among the best-written of any DC comics I've read in years. The first one is about the effort to find the killer of a teenage babysitter, and also about a new Firebug, and how the two cases intertwine. The second is about Detective Renee Montoya, and her being outed as a lesbian within the department. The two stories are mature, nuanced, and about real human beings, flawed as most but trying to be good cops. In a way, it reminds me of "Hill Street Blues", which is high praise indeed. Batman only makes token appearances here, and even though his occasional appearance is intriguing in how it resonates with the cops here, I am much more interested in the ordinary human beings here, who in many cases have elevated themselves by their committment to their work and the people they protect into something higher. I quite like the artwork too, reminiscent of Frank Miller's in the "Batman - Year One" series. ( )

Books "in the world of" a particular hero can be hard to pull off, and there's been a lot of crappy mini-series done in that vein. But this one's a winner, using the excellent supporting cast of Gotham's finest to shine the light on what it's like to be a cop on a force that has so many supervillains and vigilantes it must often seem pointless. Very well written, my only quibble is with the terrible, half-finished art. Highest possible recommendation! ( )

Why do the cops always seem to resent Batman? Is it because they are bad guys?
More likely they are a little frustrated at living in the shadow of a rich underwear pervert who swoops in and solves cases that they are powerless to pursue.

This police procedural never feels cheesy, never makes fun of the helpless cops. It evokes a some of the tension in Warren Ellis's "Scars" and shows these dogged professionals doing their best in a universe set up for a different main character.

The big guy only makes a couple of appearances, because the book isn't about him. When he shows up, he is the star again, but that just drives home the point of it.

I'm hoping the library has more of this series... ( )

A fine pair of stories focusing on the cops at Gotham Central. Batman only makes a couple of bit appearances, but his presence is always felt in the background. The first story involves Mr. Freeze, the second Firebug, but the real main characters here are the plainsclothes cops themselves. It's refreshing to see well-written and moving stories that portray the cops as highly motivated human beings, with a fine sense of duty and integrity. Fine artwork too, that reminds me of Frank Miller's work on Batman - Year One. ( )