Gotham Academy #18

When Yearbook announced, I was originally very excited for the idea of having several fun mini Gotham Academy stories in the book each month. What I failed to notice was that these mini stories would be written and drawn but different guest creative teams. The first two issues of the yearbook arc were a rather weak collection of stories but thankfully issues 16 and 17 provided a much collection of stories.

Issue 18 concludes the Yearbook arc and serves as the final issue for this first series. This issue of Gotham Academy picks up where the previous issue left off and contains four short stories in addition to Maps and Olive's ongoing story.

Two of the stories deal with Maps while one focuses on professor Milo and another on Pomeline. Its an amusing collection of stories at the very least. Professor Milo's story adds some background to the character overall and sheds some light on some of his actions in the beginning of the series. Maps stories are both short but humorous while Pomeline story shows a touching scene with her mother.

This issue is also graced with a good amount of art for each of stories. Adam Archer continues to draw the scenes in between each mini story and does a good job. Professor Milo's story is drawn by Moritat who does a wonderful job capturing the mood of the short story. Minkyu Jung does a stellar job with Map's first story and while Faith Hicks does a good with the second. Lastly Natasha Alteric does a great job presenting the story with Pomeline which is also written by her.

Overall, this is an entertaining end to the Yearbook arc. The issue ends somewhat abruptly and had this been the end of the series overall, it would have been disappointing. Thankfully, Gotham Academy will return as Gotham Academy: Second Semester in September. The series will also be getting a 6-issue crossover with Boom!'s Lumberjanes comic in June. This last issue also reveals that Gotham Academy will receive a special one-shot in August.