When I saw these DC heroines reimagined as fierce biker chicks, I could instantly envision a live action or animated series set in this universe. Shortly thereafter, creators Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly announced their plan for a comic book series of the same name. I couldn’t wait to dive in and that’s unusual for me, as I’m not typically a comic book collector. Well played, DC. Mission accomplished. You reeled me in… and at 99 cents per digital download, it was an investment I was more than happy to make.
“I will fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.” – Diana of Themyscira
(Wonder Woman – 2017 Film)
Starting with Hope…
Set in a post-apocalyptic world where our legendary DC heroes are half-remembered dreams, myths to most, and Lex Luthor reigns supreme, Kara Gordon (yes, she should sound familiar) longs for better days. She imagines her childhood hero – who happens to be the same as mine – fighting for the downtrodden, the oppressed, and the helpless, meting out justice.
However, it seems Wonder Woman can only be found the pages of Kara’s contraband comic books. Diana, Princess of the Amazons, does not exist in her world. There is no Justice League. There is no justice… not in this gray, numb existence in Gotham City… or rather The Garden, as Lex has renamed it – a place where you accept his love or suffer the consequences.
In this bleak world, Lex controls the masses with nanotechnology – brain implants (similar in concept to the caps worn by humans in The Tripods, or think of the evil Federation in Blake’s 7 controlling the populace with drugs – but I digress, as I often do…). A RoboCop looking army called The Gardeners, resembling none other than Batman, patrols the streets, keeping the sleep-walking city residents in check.
Kara, a compassionate tech, not unlike her sister before her, learns her father, Jim Gordon, has been keeping a secret from her. Before he is able to reveal too much, he and his daughter come under attack. He urges her to leave, to run to the sky. Lex sets his army loose on Kara, and heeding her father’s words, she runs for it, leaping across rooftops to reach for the sky. Dodging a hail of bullets and leaping through the protective dome encasing The Garden, she narrowly escapes… and in doing so, discovers her powers… and the world beyond The Garden.
Live Free, Die Hard – Meet our Road Warriors…
In the wasteland outside the dome, Kara encounters a group of Furiosa-like rebels. This is a chance to see your favorite DC heroines (and villains) in a completely different light. Never assume anything in Gotham City Garage. Here, the good guys aren’t always good and the bad guys… well… see for yourself.
The women of Gotham City Garage are freedom loving outlaws, anti-heroes, engaged in an ongoing struggle against tyranny and oppression — fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves. This is an amazingly odd, but fascinating, team up — Big Barda alongside Silver Banshee, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn – presumably with more familiar faces to come, but I take it at face value and go along for the ride.
Andy Says – A Hell of a Thrill Ride…
Brian Ching does the art for the first issue and is followed by Lynne Yoshii for issue #2 and the series will have rotating artists from the DC Talent Development Workshop.
Each issue of Gotham City Garage is divided into two installments or chapters. Each installment is a fast-paced, action-packed roller coaster ride. Creators Kelly and Lanzig deliver a huge dose of girl power in these quick shots (Did you say female empowerment? Yes please, may I have another?) and I, for one, cannot be happier. This series is a well-written, engaging, shot of adrenaline that leaves you wanting more. And yes, after only three installments, I definitely want to see this in animated form (at least). Make it so, DC!
Gotham City Garage debuted on August 16th, 2017, and the first three installments of this digital series are available for download via the DC Comics App, readdcentertainment.com, iBooks, ComiXology, Google Play, Kindle Store and Nook Store, with new issues released bi-weekly, then weekly, with full issues coming out in print starting in October 2017.
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