The Most Beloved Batman Spin-Off Of All Time Returns Today, Our Review

Published Sep 9, 2026, 2:01 PM EDT Jared is a writer, editor, and Communications Studies graduate who loves popular nerd culture (almost anything to do with Marvel, DC, Star Wars, or The Lord of the Rings) and the interactive storytelling medium. Jared's first console was the PS1, wherein he fell for Spider-Man, Spyro the Dragon, and Crash Bandicoot. Batman and other mainline DC comic books have done a sensational job lately of gently simmering their batches of side characters with increasing levels of significance, even if they’re ultimately back-burned in their supporting roles. Nonetheless, it’s wonderful when these characters have a brighter light shone on them, as was the case with the DC spin-off series Gotham Central. Like how the limited-series Marvel spin-off The Daily Bugle focused wholly on the staff of the eponymous newspaper publication in New York City without ever needing to lean on Spider-Man as a crutch, Gotham Central detailed the exploits of the Gotham City Police Department. Now, while this series isn’t being revived, a new chapter has arrived as part of DC’s Batman: Bad Seeds crossover event, and it’s a treat for readers who enjoy the exploits of characters who dress in uniforms themselves—only not the ones with capes and cowls. Batman: Bad Seeds - Gotham Central #1 tells a good, old-fashioned murder mystery whose trail of breadcrumbs leads to Arkham Towers and the Gotham subway’s A line. It centers on GCPD officers Jim Gordon, Espinoza, and Baker as they respond to the mayhem stirred by Gotham’s enveloping overgrowth, dubbed the “bloom.” The tie-in spin-off’s main villain is soon revealed to be DC’s Victor Zsasz, who’s apparently vehemently unwilling to undergo Dr. Annika Zeller’s revolutionary Crown of Storms treatment, having escaped his confinement, carved “No Crown” into the chest of an Arkham Towers maintenance technician named Charlie, and slain a technical engineer named George. Espinoza is right to presume that Zsasz is “afraid of the Crown” and what he might become when it “calms the electrical signals in his brain,” as this is the same treatment that classic Batman supervillains like Killer Croc and Joker have received in an effort to ‘cure’ their psychosis. Meanwhile, Lonnie Machin’s Anarky is off on his own side quest depicted in this issue, wherein he robs $50,000 of Triad money from the Black Fang and is instantly pursued by Baker, whose badge is on the line if she doesn’t promptly apprehend Anarky, as per Gotham City Police Commissioner Vandal Savage’s orders. Batman: Bad Seeds - Gotham Central #1 ends with a splash page revealing that Zsasz has indeed boarded the subway, as well, meaning that the paths of all these spin-off characters have inadvertently and conveniently converged. Interestingly, it’s still unclear why Zsasz would’ve moved and seemingly attempted to hide George’s body, as Gordon ruminates. That said, Zsasz wielding a star bit screwdriver and wearing George’s attire confidently deduces that he’s the culprit. It’s a two-part story, after all, and therefore, it was perhaps never going to be a scalp-scratching conundrum. That is, unless Zsasz merely stumbled upon George’s body, though George’s wounds are consistent with the murder weapon. Either way, this is a phenomenal side quest, allowing a bunch of terrific side characters to flourish. Plus, it’s always neat to see and learn more about Batman’s Dr. Annika Zeller, who swiftly became one of the most compelling DC characters (and potential Bruce Wayne love interests) in a while, particularly regarding her unprecedented ability to rehabilitate the most sinister and fiendish antagonists in Batman’s rogues’ gallery. If Zsasz truly is frightened by the Crown of Storms, Annika may be dethroning Batman as the worst nightmare of scum and villainy in Gotham. The second and final chapter of this tie-in, Batman: Bad Seeds - Gotham Central #2, is scheduled to be released on October 14. Its solicitation reads as follows: HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE. Trapped on the last operational subway out of Gotham City, officers Gordon and Espinoza, Anarky, Dr. Annika Zeller, and private investigator Harvey Bullock find themselves at each other’s throats in a deadly pressure cooker situation — with none other than Mr. Zsasz at its center. If that wasn’t bad enough, outside the train is a horde of flesh-eating plant monstrosities! Can the motley crew manage to find a way to safety without killing each other first? Batman: Bad Seeds - Gotham Central #1 is out now. Created By Bob Kane, Bill Finger First Appearance Detective Comics Alias Bruce Wayne Alliance Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family Race Human Franchise D.C. One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City. FIRST APP Detective Comics #27 (1939)