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Gotham Academy: Second Semester
Gotham Academy Second Semester, Volume 2: The Ballad of Olive Silverlock
GOTHAM ACADEMY is back for its second semester, again!
In an epic climax to this storyline, Olive faces her true destiny as the fate of Gotham Academy hangs in the balance. Will her friends be able to reach her in time...or will the Academy be lost forever?!
Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER #9-12 and #4.
In an epic climax to this storyline, Olive faces her true destiny as the fate of Gotham Academy hangs in the balance. Will her friends be able to reach her in time...or will the Academy be lost forever?!
Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER #9-12 and #4.
128 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2017
7 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Brenden Fletcher
184 books184 followersBrenden Fletcher is a writer who's worked on DC Comics titles including the bestselling Batgirl of Burnside, Gotham Academy, and Black Canary.
He contributed the acclaimed Flash story to the Eisner and Harvey Award winning Wednesday Comics and has recently launched a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink series for Boom! Studios.
He contributed the acclaimed Flash story to the Eisner and Harvey Award winning Wednesday Comics and has recently launched a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Pink series for Boom! Studios.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
April 16, 2020
Adam Archer and MSSASYK's art is the real star of the show here. The visuals are gorgeous, with a goth animation vibe going on. The book works for both kids and adults with lots of Scooby gang type action. We even get some Batman villains and the return of Damian Wayne.
January 5, 2024
I absolutely love Gotham Academy and it's bittersweet now I've finished the final volume. The Ballad of Olive Silverlock was a great volume, if too short. The art was beautiful, the characters and their banter was perfect, and the plot was really interesting.
While I'm waiting impartially for another Gotham Academy series (the first series got a bind up very recently so there might be hope- Gotham Academy: TR - Trade Paperback), I'll be following these characters that I love as they pop up in other series'; Maps and Tristan are going to be in Batman: The Brave and the Bold which I'm hyped for!
While I'm waiting impartially for another Gotham Academy series (the first series got a bind up very recently so there might be hope- Gotham Academy: TR - Trade Paperback), I'll be following these characters that I love as they pop up in other series'; Maps and Tristan are going to be in Batman: The Brave and the Bold which I'm hyped for!
October 28, 2017
[Read as single issues]
God damn it, I'm going to miss this book. Gotham Academy was a beautiful experiment of a book that probably wasn't marketed as well as it could have been, but at the very least the creative team got to close everything down in their own time, and without leaving too much hanging.
This second and final volume of the book's new iteration brings the story of Olive Silverlock and her friends to a close as the truth behind Calamity is revealed and things get really, really hairy at the Academy. Add in Damian Wayne, Batman himself, and even Two-Face and the Penguin, and you've still got a heartfelt, emotional story about two friends and their love for one another that just so happens to have some superheroes in it for the ride.
The artwork remains absolutely wonderful, even with Karl Kerschl no longer on pencils. Adam Archer's figures coupled with Msassyk's backgrounds give the perfect atmosphere for all of the different locales in the story, from start to finish.
I really hope this isn't the last we see of these characters; Olive, Maps, and co. have all earned their place in the DC Universe and I'd hate to see them go to waste.
God damn it, I'm going to miss this book. Gotham Academy was a beautiful experiment of a book that probably wasn't marketed as well as it could have been, but at the very least the creative team got to close everything down in their own time, and without leaving too much hanging.
This second and final volume of the book's new iteration brings the story of Olive Silverlock and her friends to a close as the truth behind Calamity is revealed and things get really, really hairy at the Academy. Add in Damian Wayne, Batman himself, and even Two-Face and the Penguin, and you've still got a heartfelt, emotional story about two friends and their love for one another that just so happens to have some superheroes in it for the ride.
The artwork remains absolutely wonderful, even with Karl Kerschl no longer on pencils. Adam Archer's figures coupled with Msassyk's backgrounds give the perfect atmosphere for all of the different locales in the story, from start to finish.
I really hope this isn't the last we see of these characters; Olive, Maps, and co. have all earned their place in the DC Universe and I'd hate to see them go to waste.
February 22, 2018
This is the conclusion to all of the weird happenings at Gotham Academy from the past 2 years at the Academy. Friendships are tested, mysterious happenings at every turn, and who knows if Olive can escape her past. Gotham Academy and Gotham Academy Second Semester have all been leading up to this conclusion: Can Olive Silverlock escape the curse of her family?
In all this was a cute read and I was able to fly through it, but I didn't feel that it was as epic of a conclusion as it could have been. After everything that has happened through this series, I thought there should have been more of everything in the end.
All of the loose ends are tied up, and we do finally learn the mystery of Olive's past; however, it just felt a little flat to me. I think the ending was definitely an adorable ending and showcases the importance of friendship and as always I loved the artwork. This series is great for anyone who likes Gotham, not just for Batman, but for the city itself and who likes cute detective stories with strong threads of friendship.
In all this was a cute read and I was able to fly through it, but I didn't feel that it was as epic of a conclusion as it could have been. After everything that has happened through this series, I thought there should have been more of everything in the end.
All of the loose ends are tied up, and we do finally learn the mystery of Olive's past; however, it just felt a little flat to me. I think the ending was definitely an adorable ending and showcases the importance of friendship and as always I loved the artwork. This series is great for anyone who likes Gotham, not just for Batman, but for the city itself and who likes cute detective stories with strong threads of friendship.
April 3, 2018
3 stars. The conclusion to this series and...it was okay. Not gonna lie, I was expecting so much more for the ending especially since I thought the last volume was really good but this didn't impress me. It didn't even feel like an ending. Olive has this whole Jekyll and Hyde thing going on with Calamity and it's hyped to the high heavens throughout the entire series and it has all this potential to be gut wrenching and yet satisfying but then it just fizzles out with a whimper. Womp womp.
All of my complaining aside I'm honestly going to miss this series. It's just such a cute and fun series that I didn't know I would adore so much when I picked up that very first volume. Finishing this just made me appreciate this series more because these characters are just so wonderful and lovable. Also, the artwork in this was fantastic and was the best part. This series deserved a better ending, I'm sorry to keep saying it but it did. This was rushed and the story felt half-assed like they just were tired and wanting to end it.
I still would recommend this series though, that's how much I adore over all. Just be prepared for a lackluster ending.
All of my complaining aside I'm honestly going to miss this series. It's just such a cute and fun series that I didn't know I would adore so much when I picked up that very first volume. Finishing this just made me appreciate this series more because these characters are just so wonderful and lovable. Also, the artwork in this was fantastic and was the best part. This series deserved a better ending, I'm sorry to keep saying it but it did. This was rushed and the story felt half-assed like they just were tired and wanting to end it.
I still would recommend this series though, that's how much I adore over all. Just be prepared for a lackluster ending.
June 25, 2018
I LOVED IT!!!
February 22, 2018
Well, I'm glad that Olive got a happy ending, at least.
The story itself could've been handled much better, to be honest. I've always felt that there was a LOT of potential in this whole series, but it's rarely been capitalized on. This final volume really suffered from some kind of "plotline whiplash," with characters rushing around to all sorts of places and doing various things that they just ZOMG ALL OF A SUDDEN CONVENIENTLY FIGURED OUT when...just, why did it all click right then? Why didn't they investigate things before/put the pieces together previously? There was also another secret society added, and there might've been clues about its existence before, but I honestly don't remember them. It felt shoehorned in, like there just needed to be some placeholder antagonists in there to keep the rest of the gang occupied while Olive was busy being possessed by Amity.
The worst thing, though, was Maps suddenly turning on Olive. And I get it, seeing her brother in the infirmary, and likely there because of Olive, would've been hard to deal with, but...well. Honestly, I always found Maps to be a pretty annoying character. She doesn't listen, she's always in her own little world, she's overly enthusiastic about EVERYTHING even when people are struggling just to exist and might not really want to hear her babble about 'being a hero' and such; but for all her faults, she was always loyal. She's stubborn and dedicated to who and what she loves. So to have her just...suddenly have this friendship crisis and decide that Olive isn't worth saving, and then call her a witch and tell her to stay away from Kyle is just. UGH. Olive is supposedly her best friend, and I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, a best friend is someone important. Someone vital. Someone who you never give up on, regardless of the cost to yourself, because you love and care about them so damn much, that turning on them or turning them away would be akin to losing a part of yourself. It just felt wrong, like the writers wanted to throw some drama in there for the sake of drama. I mean, Kyle CHOSE to go after Olive, and it was Amity controlling Olive who hurt him on accident when HE PUT HIMSELF IN THE LITERAL LINE OF FIRE. So, just...for THAT to be the breaking point for Maps? No. Unacceptable.
...And, well. I honestly really wanted Kyle and Olive to get back together. He was so supportive, so loyal, so willing to go to bat (...or...racket?) for her 100% of the time regardless of the cost to himself. I feel like...she needs him, and he definitely still wants her, so...why couldn't there be more hinting that they'd become a couple again, once Olive had some time to heal from the emotional trauma of being possessed by Amity? Instead we get, "oh, we're closer than ever, and he's important to me, just maybe not in THAT way" which is just...bullshit. ~WE'RE ALL A FAMILY~ okay sure, whatever, but you're JUST TELLING US THIS, and I'm not feeling it even a little. Zero emotional weight. And for someone like me who LOVES "found family" things...that says a lot.
TL;DR, ultimately this series disappointed me, since I feel like it had a TON of potential that just wasn't used, or was mis-used.
The story itself could've been handled much better, to be honest. I've always felt that there was a LOT of potential in this whole series, but it's rarely been capitalized on. This final volume really suffered from some kind of "plotline whiplash," with characters rushing around to all sorts of places and doing various things that they just ZOMG ALL OF A SUDDEN CONVENIENTLY FIGURED OUT when...just, why did it all click right then? Why didn't they investigate things before/put the pieces together previously? There was also another secret society added, and there might've been clues about its existence before, but I honestly don't remember them. It felt shoehorned in, like there just needed to be some placeholder antagonists in there to keep the rest of the gang occupied while Olive was busy being possessed by Amity.
The worst thing, though, was Maps suddenly turning on Olive. And I get it, seeing her brother in the infirmary, and likely there because of Olive, would've been hard to deal with, but...well. Honestly, I always found Maps to be a pretty annoying character. She doesn't listen, she's always in her own little world, she's overly enthusiastic about EVERYTHING even when people are struggling just to exist and might not really want to hear her babble about 'being a hero' and such; but for all her faults, she was always loyal. She's stubborn and dedicated to who and what she loves. So to have her just...suddenly have this friendship crisis and decide that Olive isn't worth saving, and then call her a witch and tell her to stay away from Kyle is just. UGH. Olive is supposedly her best friend, and I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, a best friend is someone important. Someone vital. Someone who you never give up on, regardless of the cost to yourself, because you love and care about them so damn much, that turning on them or turning them away would be akin to losing a part of yourself. It just felt wrong, like the writers wanted to throw some drama in there for the sake of drama. I mean, Kyle CHOSE to go after Olive, and it was Amity controlling Olive who hurt him on accident when HE PUT HIMSELF IN THE LITERAL LINE OF FIRE. So, just...for THAT to be the breaking point for Maps? No. Unacceptable.
...And, well. I honestly really wanted Kyle and Olive to get back together. He was so supportive, so loyal, so willing to go to bat (...or...racket?) for her 100% of the time regardless of the cost to himself. I feel like...she needs him, and he definitely still wants her, so...why couldn't there be more hinting that they'd become a couple again, once Olive had some time to heal from the emotional trauma of being possessed by Amity? Instead we get, "oh, we're closer than ever, and he's important to me, just maybe not in THAT way" which is just...bullshit. ~WE'RE ALL A FAMILY~ okay sure, whatever, but you're JUST TELLING US THIS, and I'm not feeling it even a little. Zero emotional weight. And for someone like me who LOVES "found family" things...that says a lot.
TL;DR, ultimately this series disappointed me, since I feel like it had a TON of potential that just wasn't used, or was mis-used.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2020
After 2 volumes of build up, the finale of Gotham Academy is here! .... and its a not really a bang, but more of a fizzle unfortunately.
Olive and Maps have had a ... tumultuous friendship I would say. And it is strained to its limit in this finale when Olive starts getting taken over by her ancestors spirit. She does one of the worst things that she can do as far as Maps is concerned, and that's attack her brother. Maps pretty much finds this unforgivable and turns her back on Olive. Brenden Fletcher provides some good characterization between Olive and Maps, incorporating not only their history for each other, but their weariness of each other, now that so much has changed.
The art, as always is a fantastic complimentary cartoon style that fits the tone perfectly. Even during the more "adult" oriented scenes, the art only helps to smooth over the rougher aspects of the plot. Great job by the art team.
As mentioned, the finale kind of fizzles towards the end, as things end up pretty much as you would expect them to. And while I appreciated the ending tonally, I though there was some missed opportunities regarding the plot that could've elevated the book a bit more. However, it being an all ages book, I definitely understand why Fletcher went the way he did.
Overall, I would say this was a pretty good series. But without introducing new characters, I could certainly see how the book ran its course. Recommended for fans of all ages books.
Olive and Maps have had a ... tumultuous friendship I would say. And it is strained to its limit in this finale when Olive starts getting taken over by her ancestors spirit. She does one of the worst things that she can do as far as Maps is concerned, and that's attack her brother. Maps pretty much finds this unforgivable and turns her back on Olive. Brenden Fletcher provides some good characterization between Olive and Maps, incorporating not only their history for each other, but their weariness of each other, now that so much has changed.
The art, as always is a fantastic complimentary cartoon style that fits the tone perfectly. Even during the more "adult" oriented scenes, the art only helps to smooth over the rougher aspects of the plot. Great job by the art team.
As mentioned, the finale kind of fizzles towards the end, as things end up pretty much as you would expect them to. And while I appreciated the ending tonally, I though there was some missed opportunities regarding the plot that could've elevated the book a bit more. However, it being an all ages book, I definitely understand why Fletcher went the way he did.
Overall, I would say this was a pretty good series. But without introducing new characters, I could certainly see how the book ran its course. Recommended for fans of all ages books.
January 10, 2018
The finale to Second Semester, and perhaps the finale to Gotham Academy, is a pretty plotty volume, focusing on Amity and her attempt to destroy Gotham.
Despite that plottiness, Fletcher and Cloonan do a good job of revisiting the things that make Gotham Academy great: there's more Scooby hijinks, more weird Academy secrets, and more friendship. I'd had some fears that this volume would be all action, but the authors leave just enough space for it to breathe. Oh, and it's got another delightful interlude with Damien; the authors should really write a book just about him and Maps.
This is definitely a good end to the Olive story that we've seen over the course of Gotham Academy, and a great milestone for the Maps story, and if it's an end to Gotham Academy itself, we readers will be satisfied.
Despite that plottiness, Fletcher and Cloonan do a good job of revisiting the things that make Gotham Academy great: there's more Scooby hijinks, more weird Academy secrets, and more friendship. I'd had some fears that this volume would be all action, but the authors leave just enough space for it to breathe. Oh, and it's got another delightful interlude with Damien; the authors should really write a book just about him and Maps.
This is definitely a good end to the Olive story that we've seen over the course of Gotham Academy, and a great milestone for the Maps story, and if it's an end to Gotham Academy itself, we readers will be satisfied.
April 20, 2018
The art is consistently excellent and the friendships are as cute and fun as ever. I can't get over the details in this series, the imaginative Hogwarts qualities of Gotham Academy. The only drawback to this concluding chapter to the series? That conclusion itself. We finally learn Calamity's deal and it's...fine. Olive spends this volume in a Jekyll & Hyde spiral, which isn't particularly fun or interesting. All the other characters run around and interact smartly, but it's kind of just a race to the conclusion. The earlier volumes when everyone was just hanging out were clearly better, but, as previously noted, I'll take Gotham Academy in any form.
August 29, 2022
Wow, what a great finale to Gotham Academy Second Semester! I really hoped this would continue, as I enjoyed these graphic novels so much. Still set in Gotham, but without the usual heroes and villains that we know of. This gave a great insight into what else is going on in Gotham and brought us closer to some very special kids in Gotham Academy. The artwork once again was stunning and the storyline was beautifully written!
January 20, 2018
Nice ending for a good teen comic. It's a real shame they didn't sell copies of this through services like scholastic. Because it is much better than the praise it received.
Gotham Scooby Gang Forever.
Gotham Scooby Gang Forever.
March 8, 2018
That was a good read. The story was much better than volume 1. I hope there is something left for semester three! Maybe go back to more single issue adventures and less of this multi-issue mega story that is "Important!".
April 4, 2018
Olive is having a hard time. My biggest complaint about the Second Semester volumes is that they're missing a lot of the fun, light-hearted tone of the initial two. These are still good, but certainly have a more somber feel to them.
August 9, 2017
:'( They're my family, too. I can't believe it's over.
August 28, 2017
Pretty obvious that the creative team was forced to rush this final story. I will really miss the kids of Gotham Academy. #pizzaclub
September 18, 2017
[Read as individual issues]
A fitting conclusion to Olive's story, drawing in familiar Gotham faces. Maps and Damian still make the Best Team.
A fitting conclusion to Olive's story, drawing in familiar Gotham faces. Maps and Damian still make the Best Team.
July 16, 2020
This was a pretty good story. I enjoy the friendships and the art is pretty cute as well. Overall, I would like to see more of these characters.
August 7, 2025
This is a cohesive and action-packed volume that finally brings every mystery from the series to a satisfying conclusion. The first issue in this volume felt a little out of place, and I assume that's the #4 that was for some reason moved to this volume instead of the previous one. The only other thing is that the secret society business in this story arc felt a little bit sudden for something that was a big part of the mystery all along. I'm glad this was set in what seems to be most of the cast's sophomore year so there's room for more adventures in the future, should there be an idea that the creative team wants to explore. This cast of characters is so lovable and I wouldn't mind reading about more of their adventures.
January 28, 2018
And so ends Gotham Academy... Unfortunately, with more of a whimper than a bang. It's not that the book wasn't full of action, but it was disjointed and far to quick for a book that started so decompressed. Not that this was the fault of the creators. They were told the book was done, so they had to wrap things up as fast as possible. I'm glad we got an ending and I will miss these characters and this view of Gotham. It was a very refreshing take on this iconic city, and I think there was a lot that could have been done with the inhabitants of the school. If only DC had pushed this as a straight to trade rather than a single. Boo.
February 21, 2018
I kind of understand why this was cancelled :/ the first series was amazing! It had a great kids-adventurers vibe with a classic dark and spooky Gotham feel to fit in with the setting. But this series....just didn't click. I think if they focused more on smaller arcs that fit one trade instead of this massive, multi-series arc with Olive, it could've been much more successful in the long run. Like Lumberjanes, but with spooky Gotham stuff.
March 27, 2018
This looks like it could be a really fun series. Unfortunately, I didn't realise this volume was so late in the series--I thought it was the second volume. As a result, there was no explanations and no character development. This would not have been an issue if I already knew these characters, but I didn't and this wasn't the best introduction to them. If you're interested in this series, I recommend starting with an earlier volume!
July 4, 2018
Gotham Academy: Second Semester: The Ballad of Olive Silverlock picks up where the previous trade paperback left off, collecting the remaining five issues (4, 9–12) of the 2016.
Gotham Academy: Second Semester: The Ballad of Olive Silverlock opens with a one-shot story (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #4) written by Brenden Fletcher and penciled by Jon Lam. It is a one-shot story which features a carnival, The Carnival Midnight, which arrives at Gotham Academy that Headmaster Collingwood Hammer has a history with. Of course with a mystery – the Pizza Club is not far behind.
The rest of the trade paperback focuses on the concluding story of Amity Arkham's revenge on Gotham City, who is using Olive Silverlock as her vessel. Her first stop was the Dent Ancestral home, which she burned down, which brought Harvey Dent as Two-Face out of the shadows to confront Calamity and they find akin with each other – Gotham has wrong Harvey Dent just as it did with Amity Arkham – together they decided their next target – Oswald Cobblepot.
They head to the Iceberg Club and they confront the Penguin, who unlike Harvey Dent, knows a lot more about Amity Arkham, because of one of his ancestors – Millie Jane Cobblepot. Incensed, Amity Arkham tried to kill the Penguin, but he mentioned that Bruce Wayne knows everything. Kyle Mizoguchi managed to locate and rescue Olive Silverlock and managed to snap her out of Amity Arkham's control, but not being severely burned in the process.
Kyle Mizoguchi managed to tell the Pizza Club where to go to help Olive Silverback – Wayne Manor. The team up with Damian Wayne and later Robin with Maps Mizoguchi was simple adorable and too precious for words. I'm glad that they team-up once again and it saddens me that it would be perhaps their final time together. In the end, with the help from Robin, Maps Mizoguchi learned to forgive Olive Silverlock for hurting her older brother and to save Olive Silverlock from herself.
Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, and Karl Kerschl penned the entire trade paperback except for the first issue (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #4) who was written solely by Brenden Fletcher. For the most part it was written rather well and a wonderful conclusion to a series and to have Olive Silverlock's story end in a satisfying manner. I am saddened that we won't see this iteration of the Pizza Club again.
Gotham Academy: Second Semester: The Ballad of Olive Silverlock had three pencilers. Adam Archer penciled four issues (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #9–12) with Jon Lam penciling the first issue (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #4) and Msassyk helped with one issue (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #9). Artistically, the trade paperback flowed very well. All three artists meshed well with each other and complemented each other styles.
The series as a whole was executed rather well. I enjoyed the premise of the series and while none of these characters are superheroes per se, they do super-heroic things. I really enjoyed reading about their exploits and it was a crazy and fun read. I am sadden that their adventures ended too soon and while the last issue suggests that there are more stories to tell – I don't think we'll see the Pizza Club or Gotham Academy again.
All in all, Gotham Academy: Second Semester: The Ballad of Olive Silverlock is a wonderful conclusion for the series. It is a lovely series that I quite enjoyed reading and I'm saddened that this is the last time that we meet these characters and I would miss not reading new stories about them.
Gotham Academy: Second Semester: The Ballad of Olive Silverlock opens with a one-shot story (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #4) written by Brenden Fletcher and penciled by Jon Lam. It is a one-shot story which features a carnival, The Carnival Midnight, which arrives at Gotham Academy that Headmaster Collingwood Hammer has a history with. Of course with a mystery – the Pizza Club is not far behind.
The rest of the trade paperback focuses on the concluding story of Amity Arkham's revenge on Gotham City, who is using Olive Silverlock as her vessel. Her first stop was the Dent Ancestral home, which she burned down, which brought Harvey Dent as Two-Face out of the shadows to confront Calamity and they find akin with each other – Gotham has wrong Harvey Dent just as it did with Amity Arkham – together they decided their next target – Oswald Cobblepot.
They head to the Iceberg Club and they confront the Penguin, who unlike Harvey Dent, knows a lot more about Amity Arkham, because of one of his ancestors – Millie Jane Cobblepot. Incensed, Amity Arkham tried to kill the Penguin, but he mentioned that Bruce Wayne knows everything. Kyle Mizoguchi managed to locate and rescue Olive Silverlock and managed to snap her out of Amity Arkham's control, but not being severely burned in the process.
Kyle Mizoguchi managed to tell the Pizza Club where to go to help Olive Silverback – Wayne Manor. The team up with Damian Wayne and later Robin with Maps Mizoguchi was simple adorable and too precious for words. I'm glad that they team-up once again and it saddens me that it would be perhaps their final time together. In the end, with the help from Robin, Maps Mizoguchi learned to forgive Olive Silverlock for hurting her older brother and to save Olive Silverlock from herself.
Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, and Karl Kerschl penned the entire trade paperback except for the first issue (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #4) who was written solely by Brenden Fletcher. For the most part it was written rather well and a wonderful conclusion to a series and to have Olive Silverlock's story end in a satisfying manner. I am saddened that we won't see this iteration of the Pizza Club again.
Gotham Academy: Second Semester: The Ballad of Olive Silverlock had three pencilers. Adam Archer penciled four issues (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #9–12) with Jon Lam penciling the first issue (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #4) and Msassyk helped with one issue (Gotham Academy: Second Semester #9). Artistically, the trade paperback flowed very well. All three artists meshed well with each other and complemented each other styles.
The series as a whole was executed rather well. I enjoyed the premise of the series and while none of these characters are superheroes per se, they do super-heroic things. I really enjoyed reading about their exploits and it was a crazy and fun read. I am sadden that their adventures ended too soon and while the last issue suggests that there are more stories to tell – I don't think we'll see the Pizza Club or Gotham Academy again.
All in all, Gotham Academy: Second Semester: The Ballad of Olive Silverlock is a wonderful conclusion for the series. It is a lovely series that I quite enjoyed reading and I'm saddened that this is the last time that we meet these characters and I would miss not reading new stories about them.
June 30, 2018
I have such mixed feelings about this series, and about this volume in particular. The basic premise — a young girl whose mother was forcibly institutionalized and then died in custody is possessed by the vengeful ghost of a long-dead woman who was burned at the stake by the scions of her community and attempts to hunt down their descendants — has a lot of promise, but it’s weirdly undercut by the fact that nobody the reader is meant to sympathize with seems to acknowledge that, hey, Amity’s ghost has a legit grievance here. There are ways to tell this story (not even getting into how fucked up what happened to Millie Jane Cobblepot was) that don’t imply that wanting justice for something horrible that happened to you (especially a very gender-coded horrible thing like being accused of witchcraft or put in a mental health institution for disagreeing with a man) is evil. So there’s that. This volume specifically had some really inconsistent characterization as well. Maps rejecting Olive was just plain lazy storytelling to build up drama, and it was especially egregious in a storyline where the saving grace is the power of friendship. It’s really frustrating because this could have been such a powerful story about the power of female friendship in the face of patriarchal violence, but it just... isn’t. But aside from that, it’s still a cute little comic with nice art.
October 14, 2021
You'd think it'd be so cool to read a story with both Two-Face and Penguin in it, but it still smells like so much fanfiction in here.
It was fun to see Damian for a spell, but I don't like that he gets relegated to Maps's support character in this series, he's just there to lift her up and lite push her into becoming a Robin. It would have been cool if Maps became a Robin of her own volition, but she doesn't seem very motivated to do so herself outside of Robin encounters.
I liked the first story in this collection, but it does highlight a problem with this series: it wants to tell one-off stories as well as a bigger plot, but the one-offs and main plot can't exist at the same time. You can't just do a flashback/sidequest to an unrelated story when the main plot is coming towards the climax. It really messes with the pacing.
All in all, I'm disappointed with this series. I liked the first volume so much, but this series just never lived up to its potential. Such a shame, because I really liked the characters!
It was fun to see Damian for a spell, but I don't like that he gets relegated to Maps's support character in this series, he's just there to lift her up and lite push her into becoming a Robin. It would have been cool if Maps became a Robin of her own volition, but she doesn't seem very motivated to do so herself outside of Robin encounters.
I liked the first story in this collection, but it does highlight a problem with this series: it wants to tell one-off stories as well as a bigger plot, but the one-offs and main plot can't exist at the same time. You can't just do a flashback/sidequest to an unrelated story when the main plot is coming towards the climax. It really messes with the pacing.
All in all, I'm disappointed with this series. I liked the first volume so much, but this series just never lived up to its potential. Such a shame, because I really liked the characters!
November 7, 2018
These stories might center around Olive & her struggle with the flame-entity known as "Calamity" that is trying to take her over, but her friend Maps is the true star of these books. She has no fear, she pursues mysteries relentlessly, and is just FUN. (I did start to wonder if she has had a break from reality at times.)
What I really want is a series featuring Maps. No super powers, no giant bankroll to fund ridiculous tech (I'm looking at you Batman), but just an stoppable will to do good and an eternally hopeful attitude.
Maps encounters Damien Wayne in the Wayne mansion, where Two Face & his thugs are attempting to kidnap Damien & force Bruce to open his vault:
Maps is the BEST
What I really want is a series featuring Maps. No super powers, no giant bankroll to fund ridiculous tech (I'm looking at you Batman), but just an stoppable will to do good and an eternally hopeful attitude.
Maps encounters Damien Wayne in the Wayne mansion, where Two Face & his thugs are attempting to kidnap Damien & force Bruce to open his vault:
Maps is the BEST
December 18, 2017
This has been one of my favourite comic book runs and the conclusion is definitely satisfying. The artwork, as always, is beautiful. And the characters are so loveable by this point that you don't want anything but to see them succeed. *Spoilers* It's good to see Damian come back (it's time for Maps to appear in one of his books now - Teen Titans/Gotham Academy crossover anyone?), and the Penguin and Two-face cameos were pretty cool. *Done.* I hope that the Detective Club get the chance to have more adventures together at some point, but for now, it's time to say goodbye to them with this wonderful volume of adventure, mysteries, and friendship.
March 1, 2023
The two volumes of "Gotham Academy Second Semester" form a close knit unit that serves as a satisfying sequel to the first series and a clear resolution of the story arc it started. As in the first, series, these books focus on a group of misfits at Gotham Academy who band together to solve a mystery that threatens to destroy not just their school but Gotham itself. The focus on friendship and found family works well and the various members of the Detective Club all get a decent amount of "air time" while the story focuses on the ups and downs of Olive and Mia's friendship and eventually resolves the mystery surrounding Olive's strange behavior.
December 3, 2018
4 1/2 stars
I'm going to miss this series so much! While the ending may have been a bit rushed, Gotham Academy still stands as one of DC's best titles in regards to its characters. While the overall plot had its faulty moments, the cast of characters remains charming and fleshed out it in a way that few other books of this genre can claim. Sadly, it always seems to be the titles with the most promise are cancelled. Perhaps DC will one day realize what a gem it had and renew the series or take the risk of developing it for an animated format, what a treasure that would be.
I'm going to miss this series so much! While the ending may have been a bit rushed, Gotham Academy still stands as one of DC's best titles in regards to its characters. While the overall plot had its faulty moments, the cast of characters remains charming and fleshed out it in a way that few other books of this genre can claim. Sadly, it always seems to be the titles with the most promise are cancelled. Perhaps DC will one day realize what a gem it had and renew the series or take the risk of developing it for an animated format, what a treasure that would be.
May 4, 2018
3.5
I really enjoyed a lot about this series but this ending felt rushed. Maybe it's because I waited so long in between starting and finishing the series that I've forgotten some things but I feel like the history could have been explored in far greater depth. Also several of the side characters where not used to their full potential, becoming mostly set dressing.
I am grateful that this series does have a resolution, I just wish things had been developed more.
I really enjoyed a lot about this series but this ending felt rushed. Maybe it's because I waited so long in between starting and finishing the series that I've forgotten some things but I feel like the history could have been explored in far greater depth. Also several of the side characters where not used to their full potential, becoming mostly set dressing.
I am grateful that this series does have a resolution, I just wish things had been developed more.
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