Turning Points was a five issue limited series published in early 2001, detailing the ups and downs of the relationship between Batman and Commissioner Gordon, across the whole of the characters' histories in the Post-Crisis DC Universe. Part 1 is set shortly after the "Year One" story arc by Frank Miller."Turning Points, Chapter One:
Uneasy Allies"
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Steve Lieber
Colours: Tom McGraw
Letters: Willie Schubert
Synopsis: Now-Captain James Gordon returns home late, having missed another session with his marriage counsellor. He enters his apartment to find it empty, save for divorce papers left by his wife, Barbara, who says she has taken their son James with her back to Chicago. Gordon isn't given too long to feel sorry for himself, as he's called in to solve a hostage crisis at a Gotham cathedral. A man named Dr. Hale Corbett of Gotham University has taken a wedding hostage, and is wielding deadly force. Hiding in the bushes is Batman, who has yet to take action because he seeks Gordon's approval and trust. Gordon ascertains that Corbett lost his wife and daughter in a car crash that morning, and is now lashing out at the world. Gordon tries to reason with Corbett based on their shared feelings of loss, but isn't getting through. He covertly meets with Batman and gives him permission to take action. Batman breaks into the cathedral, spooking Corbett who nearly becomes dangerous before Batman subdues him.
Gordon goes home, tired and depressed, to find the Batman waiting there for him. Batman offers his sympathy for Gordon's recent loss, but Gordon grows angry and rejects the Batman's sympathy, stating they are not friends and accusing the Batman of knowing nothing about loss. The Batman counters that he knows more than Gordon thinks, and that "everyone needs a friend", before leaving.
My Thoughts: This story is mainly meant as a pastiche of "Year One" and on that level works fairly well, though it comes nowhere near the level of excellence of that seminal story-arc. The parallels between Gordon, Corbett, and Batman are well handled, and the story's emotional content is far stronger than it's rather pedestrian plot -- but then I think that's the point. The connection between Batman and Gordon goes beyond the uneasy alliance forged by circumstance in "Year One" and towards a more amicable relationship and bond.
The Art: Steve Liber is intentionally working in the style of David Mazzuchelli here, and occasionally it works. His Gordon is dead-on right, and his Batman is often very good, though sometimes doesn't look quite right. Lieber shows considerable talent and skill as an inker, but his actual line-work isn't a hundred percent up to par. He still does a very good job of evoking the world and characters created by Mazzuchelli in "Year One" -- aside from Gordon and Batman there are also appearances by Merkel and Branden. Unfortunately, Lieber's valiant efforts are somewhat undone by colourist Tom McGraw. While McGraw's colouring choices would've been right in any other book, in the context of aping the "Year One" style, they appear flat, primary, and out of place beside the work of Richmond Lewis.
The Story: Greg Rucka's writing is probably the saving grace of this short tale. He has a strong command of the personalities of both the "Year One" Gordon and Batman, and does a good job of aping Frank Miller's style from that book. He continues Miller's dual narration from Gordon and Wayne, while letterer Willie Schubert copies Todd Klein's different journal/writing styles for the two characters. Rucka gives a good portrait of Gordon, especially, continuing the style of "Year One" wherein Gordon was a main character and Batman almost a supporting one. Rucka gives good references back to "Year One" as well as clever foreshadows to later series such as The Long Halloween.
Notes and Trivia: First time Gordon's wife Barbara leaves him.
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