This is a sort of new type of villain for the Bat-family, one with a kind of power set we don't normally see in Gotham, but the twist Simone brings to it is the wielder is typical Gotham cray cray. This is an origin story of a new Ventriloquist, with a definite 2010s/New 52 vibe in that it's raunchy and darker (& I'm far from prude) in a way I don't anticipate a typical superhero book to be. This makes me miss Wesker and Scarface, but this Ventriloquist is definitely her own flavor, with a two-timing dummy that reeks of S.A.W.'s iconic puppet, bringing a much creepier edge to Gotham. The dummy has the hots for Batgirl, so perhaps Simone is trying to make a statement about latent homosexuality, attraction, something, or just going for edgy.

While not my favorite interpretation of the Ventriloquist (I still love the timid Wesker and Scareface, the dummy who talks like Edward G. Robinson), this version can stand on her own. Yeah, I can work with it. This Ventriloquist is legitimately creepy. Like as if she just stepped out of a horror film. You actually feel sorry for any poor sap who crosses paths with her. This issue exploits the horror suspense effectively, and you are afraid to turn each page.