2. “Motive” (Issues 3-5)

As much as I love Greg Rucka's work on the series, my absolute favorite story arcs of the series were the ones written by his co-writer Ed Brubaker (slight spoiler for my number one entry, I guess?). Also, I find it super fitting that the second story in the series is also the second best.

"Motive" is a classic two-pronged detective story.  As Marcus Driver and Romy Chandler try to close the case that got Detective Fields killed in the first issue, SGT. Davies and Detective Crowe get to work catching F-list Batman villain Firebug. The mystery unwinds and untangles until both cases are solved neatly, in perfect procedural fashion. Driver and Chandler make a perfect pair and Driver's personal stake in the case ratchets up the intensity. Plus, the mystery in itself will keep you guessing, like any good detective story. I think "Motive" is so good because it nails all the beats of a procedural cop drama but still feels fresh and innovative. It never stops feeling like Gotham Central. Plus, Firebug is seriously underused.

And no, I don't mean FireFLY.

I mean FireBUG.

Different guys.

One is DEMONSTRABLY dumber than the other.