I’ve just finished reading Gotham Academy #7, “The Curse of the Inishtree Quill,” and it was good, as expected, but the main character, Olive Silverlock, was nowhere to be found. She was reportedly off-campus attending to important business. This was disappointing, but in her absence we did get a visit from Gotham’s prodigal son, Damian Wayne, so I digress.
The story opens with a scuffle between Damian and Eric in Professor Scarlet’s classroom. Although Damian has a history of not playing nice, in this case, his actions were warranted to stop an unprovoked attack by Eric on Professor Scarlet. When the dust settles, it’s clear Damian’s fighting skills have earned him a new admirer in Maps.
It doesn’t take long before more students around campus also begin acting strangely. This motivates Maps to enlist Damian’s help to solve the mystery. She also confides in Professor Macpherson who shares here knowledge of Scotland folklore which contains an ancient curse linked to an avian illness known for causing aggressive behavior.
I don’t want to ruin all the surprises, but the issue’s biggest secret, which is tied to the source of the madness, has to do with an item Maps took from Headmaster Hammer’s office of confiscated student items in issue #5.
By the end, Maps has earned a Batarang souvenir from young Damian, both she and the mystery item are headed back to Headmaster Hammer’s office and a disconcerting last frame leaves us wondering about Olive’s return for the next issue.
My rating: 6/10.