As much as they're my preferred medium, I have to admit that comic books have a pretty major flaw. For visuals, they've got it covered with their unique combination of art and text, but for the other senses? Nothin'. I can tell you all about the history of Batman's war on crime and the different ways that it's changed over the past 77 years, but if you asked me to tell you what Gotham City smells like, I'd be completely unable to. Until now!

It seems that Tom King and David Finch have recognized this problem and taken steps to correct it in the pages of Batman #3, thanks to some very evocative descriptions of the sights and scents of the Dark Knight's hometown. Check out a preview below!

Okay, so maybe there's a little more to it than the smells of Crime Alley. I'm always up for seeing an example of Batman's efficacy (and even his necessity) that's told through direct parallels to his own origin, especially if it's got that good, good John Workman lettering. As for what this has to do with the arrival of the super-powered Gotham and Gotham Girl, that remains to be seen when the issue hits shelves next week.

Here's the official solicitation: