Gotham City

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Lore & Background

The history of Gotham is as varied as its depictions, often mirroring real-world events while introducing supernatural elements. One account states it was founded in 1635 by Norwegian mercenary Jon Logerquist before being taken over by the English, paralleling New York's history from New Amsterdam. In Rick Veitch's Swamp Thing #85, Gotham is linked to a major Revolutionary War battle referencing the Battle of Long Island and rumored occult rites. The 2011 series Batman: Gates of Gotham establishes Alan Wayne, Theodore Cobblepot, and Edward Elliot as founding fathers who constructed three bridges in 1881. Peter Milligan's "Dark Knight, Dark City" reveals a bat-demon summoned by Founding Fathers trapped beneath the city, while Shadowpact #5 describes a being sleeping for 40,000 years under its foundations. These dark origins culminated in major crises: the release of the "Clench" virus during "Contagion," followed by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in "Cataclysm." This led to the federal isolation known as "No Man's Land" in 1999, where residents faced gang warfare until Lex Luthor rebuilt the city.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Gotham is punctuated by specific turning points that reshaped its very existence. In 1881, the construction of the Gates of Gotham bridges by ancestors of Wayne, Cobblepot, and Elliot set a stage for generational feuds, particularly between Edward Elliot's line and the Waynes. Decades later, the city faced an existential threat when Ra's al Ghul released the "Clench" virus during the "Contagion" storyline. Just as recovery began, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck in 1998 during "Cataclysm," devastating the infrastructure. The federal government subsequently cut Gotham off from the rest of the United States in 1999's "No Man's Land." During this isolation, remaining residents were forced into gang warfare for survival, facing protection rackets from groups ranging from the GCPD to the Penguin. Eventually, Lex Luthor mounted a campaign to rebuild the city, using the positive publicity to successfully bid for the Presidency of the United States.

Reader's Guide

Gotham City is traditionally depicted in the state of New Jersey, often shown as a twin city to Metropolis on opposite sides of the Delaware Bay. Its visual identity is a composite, primarily influenced by New York City but also drawing inspiration from Chicago, London, and the designs of architect Hugh Ferriss. For live-action films, creators have utilized locations including Chicago (Navy Pier in The Dark Knight), Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Newark, London, Glasgow, Detroit, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Liverpool, and St. Louis. Culturally, writer Dennis O'Neil described it figuratively as "Manhattan below 14th Street at eleven minutes past midnight on the coldest night in November," while artist Neal Adams cited Chicago's alleys as a key basis for Batman's fighting grounds. The city is home to numerous heroes and allies like Robin, Catwoman, Batgirl, and Huntress, alongside a police force featured in series like Gotham Central.

Did You Know?

• Bill Finger chose the name 'Gotham' after seeing 'Gotham Jewelers' in a phone book to make the city relatable to readers everywhere.
• The name 'Gotham' originates from an English village where residents feigned stupidity to avoid a royal visit by King John.
• In 1998, Gotham City suffered a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that led to its isolation from the US in the 'No Man's Land' storyline.
• The city was traditionally depicted as being located in New Jersey, often across the Delaware Bay from Metropolis in Delaware.
• Live-action adaptations have filmed in diverse locations including Chicago, Detroit, Glasgow, Hong Kong, Liverpool, London, Los Angeles, Newark, New York City, Pittsburgh, Tokyo, and St. Louis.

Origins and Naming Conventions

The name "Gotham" was selected by writer Bill Finger after he flipped through the New York City phone book and spotted "Gotham Jewelers." He had previously considered names like "Civic City," "Capital City," and "Coast City." Finger explained, "We didn't call it New York because we wanted anybody in any city to identify with it." The term itself is a 19th-century nickname for New York City, first attached by Washington Irving in the November 11, 1807, edition of Salmagundi. Irving took the name from the English village of Gotham in Nottinghamshire, famous for the "Wise Men of Gotham" legend where residents feigned idiocy to prevent a royal visit by John, King of England.

Geographic Identity and Visual Aesthetics

While traditionally located in New Jersey, Gotham's atmosphere is primarily influenced by New York City, with later inspirations from Chicago and London. Architect Hugh Ferriss' designs significantly shaped the city's look and emotional feel, particularly in later depictions. In live-action media, filming locations have included Chicago (featuring Navy Pier), Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Newark, London, Glasgow, Detroit, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Liverpool, New York City, and St. Louis. The 1989 Batman film influenced the architectural depiction of hidden Pinkney structures in a 1992 storyline. For Batman: The Animated Series, creators Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski emulated a "vintage" color scheme with film noir flourishes and incorporated police airships to create an "otherworldly timelessness."

Historical Foundations and Occult Roots

Gotham's history varies by storyline but often includes supernatural roots. Some accounts cite a founding in 1635 by Jon Logerquist, while others describe the Founding Fathers summoning a bat-demon beneath "Gotham Town." The 2011 series Batman: Gates of Gotham details how Alan Wayne, Theodore Cobblepot, and Edward Elliot built three bridges in 1881. In Frank Tieri's Gotham Underground #2, Tobias Whale claims 19th-century Gotham was run by five rival gangs until the first "masks" appeared. Major historical events include a Revolutionary War battle referencing the Battle of Long Island (Swamp Thing #85) and the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the "Cataclysm" storyline that led to the "No Man's Land" era.

Cultural Atmosphere and Defining Crises

Gotham is depicted as one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world, with Dennis O'Neil likening it to "Manhattan below 14th Street at eleven minutes past midnight on the coldest night in November." Neal Adams noted that Chicago's back alleys were crucial for Batman's battles. The city has suffered devastating events: the "Clench" virus during "Contagion," a 7.6 magnitude earthquake in "Cataclysm" (1998), and the subsequent federal isolation of "No Man's Land" (1999). During this time, residents faced gang warfare until Lex Luthor rebuilt the city. Other historical markers include a founding date of 1820 seen on a city seal in Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, or a 200th anniversary celebrated in Tim Burton's Batman.