8. “Corrigan” (Issues 23-24)

If you know one single thing about GCPD, you know that they are corrupt as hell. And they don't come much crooked-er than Crime Scene Investigator Jim Corrigan, known for swiping evidence to sell online to private collectors. And when Crispus Allen gets into trouble with Internal Affairs and the bullet that will clear his name goes "missing" in Corrigan's hands, Detective Montoya goes on the warpath.

Not only does this story set up story threads that pay off way later on, but it also gives the reader a better view into the sickness and corruption that infests the GCPD. The MCU may be full of upstanding detectives handpicked by Jim Gordon himself, but the rest of the force? That's a snake pit you don't want to find yourself on the wrong side of.

If "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is a story about Crispus saving Renee, "Corrigan" is a story about Renee protecting Crispus. Not only will they fight for each other, but Renee is a force to be reckoned with. Also, the arc includes a beatdown that is satisfying in the moment but ultimately tragic, which is a writing trick that series co-writer Greg Rucka pulls off excellently.