Over the last 87 years, Batman creators have transformed Gotham into the greatest city in comics, populating it with characters like Joker, Robin, and Catwoman. Throughout that time, the city has been shaped by a variety of key events, from devastating attacks to the introduction of new villains. At every turn, Bruce Wayne has been there to protect his people from whatever the multiverse throws their way.
Gotham never ceases to be a fascinating place in the DCU, one defined by its darker, Gothic underbelly and backstory. As readers continue picking up their Batman comics, it’s worth revisiting the stories that changed the city, both for the better and worse.
Dark Nights Metal #1-6 (2017)
In 2017, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo reunited for their most epic Batman saga to date when they helmed DC’s Dark Nights: Metal event. After peering into the Dark Multiverse, Bruce Wayne catches the attention of the evil god Barbatos, who launches an invasion of Earth-0, with Gotham as ground zero. As his city is warped and twisted around him, the Caped Crusader is forced to rely on his Justice League allies to repel the nightmare Batmen led by Batman Who Laughs.
The aftermath of Dark Nights: Metal was felt for years in Gotham, so much so that Wayne himself felt responsible enough to aid in its recovery. With Batman Who Laughs now on the scene, the Caped Crusader was given a brand-new nemesis, becoming his most formidable foe for the next three years. As one of the most cataclysmic events in the city’s history, as well as the climax of Scott Snyder’s work in the main continuity, it’s crucial reading.
Batman: No Man’s Land Brought Gotham City to Its Knees
Batman #563-565, Detective Comics #730-733, Legends of The Dark Knight #116-119, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #83-87, Batman: No Man’s Land #1
In 1999, DC gave Batman an epic challenge to bring the 20th century to an end with the “Endgame” event. It takes place in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that turns swaths of the city to rubble. In response, the US government shuts off access to it, forcing innocent Gothamites and villains alike to live in an apocalyptic-style state of chaos and squalor. It falls to the Caped Crusader to serve as the closest thing to a lawman in town.
At the time, “Endgame” was the single most devastating thing to happen to Gotham in its history, eclipsing even the greatest of villain victories in the past. It saw his rogues’ gallery carve up the city among themselves, throwing in a light Western theme as Bruce Wayne patrols the ruins, bringing criminals to justice. An event some readers would have loved to have seen continue even longer, it upset the status quo in a way few stories have been willing to since.
Batman: Joker War Laid Siege in Gotham City
Batman #95-100 (2021)
After James Tynion IV and Jorge Jimenez took over as the main Batman creative team, they gave the Clown Prince of Crime one of his greatest triumphs in “Joker War.” Having deduced his enemy’s identity, the villain wages war on Gotham itself, plunging it into a state of seemingly endless chaos and anarchy. Amidst the violence, new antiheroes spring up to fight back, all while the killer clown threatens to leave Wayne penniless.
At its time, “Joker War” was the most consequential Batman arc since The New 52, and forced Bruce Wayne to make do with less. His wealth went to Dick Grayson, his nemesis who was seemingly finished for good, and he realized Catwoman had been involved in a betrayal. It could have been the next “Hush” if DC had a better handle on its direction at the time, and it left fans feeling more stakes in the series than they had in years.
Batman: Endgame Almost Devastated Gotham City Forever
Batman #35-40 (2014-2015)
As Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman run reached its tipping point, Joker emerged as the hero’s greatest challenge during the “Endgame” story. Beginning with the Caped Crusader having to battle Jokerized versions of his JLA teammates, it leads to the revelation that the killer clown plans to release his toxin as a pathogen. With hordes of Gothamites turning into maniacal murderers, the hero must cobble together a team of allies to save the city.
“Endgame” is one of the few stories where the feud between hero and villain affects the entire city, an attack that rivals even the worst of Scarecrow’s fear gas. The story elevated Joker from the street-level adversary he’d been in years before a threat powerful enough to set the JLA itself against Batman. After a tank battle on the streets of Gotham and the infection of countless locals, nobody looked at him the same again.
Batman: Under the Red Hood Gave Bruce Wayne a Unique Challenge
Batman #635-641 & 645-650
After Batman lost Jason Todd to The Joker in “A Death in the Family,” he is shocked and disturbed to see his old ward return in “Under the Red Hood.” From Judd Winnick, Doug Mahnke, and Tom Nguyen, the story follows the arrival of a masked vigilante, the Red Hood, whose violent methods draw the attention of Bruce Wayne. Realizing his former sidekick is back from the dead, it triggers a reckoning between the old friends.
“Under the Red Hood” is important for two key reasons: it established Gotham’s single most violent vigilante, one whose lethal methods made Batman uneasy, and it expanded the ever-growing Bat family. After years of Jason Todd being a divisive figure in DC, his transformation to Red Hood transformed him into a fan-favorite.
Batman: Knightfall Saw Bane Break the Bat
Batman #492-500, Detective Comics #659-666, Showcase 93 #7-8, Batman: Shadow of the Bat #17-18 (1993-1994)
In 1993, Batman was pushed to his breaking point during the “Knightfall” saga when Bane set his worst enemies loose upon Gotham. Joining a GCPD manhunt for the criminals, Bruce Wayne becomes more exhausted as he fights more villains, weakening him for the new challenger to strike. Famously having his back broken at the hands of Bane, his defeat forced Jean-Paul Valley to don the cape and cowl, only to threaten the mantle through his brutality.
“Knightfall” stands as both a testament to Bruce Wayne’s tenacity and the perfect full introduction to one of his greatest nemeses, Bane. His victory set the city back, making everyone feel the fear of the reign of a villain and forcing Batman to set out to recover his strength. With the foe still running amok today, looking back on his greatest triumph is an essential part of understanding modern Gotham.
Batman: The Court of Owls Rewrote the History of Gotham City
Batman #1-11 (2011-2012)
In 2011, DC began its New 52 initiative, kicking off with Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s epic run on Batman with “The Court of Owls” story. It follows Bruce Wayne’s realization that a secret society his father once spoke of in stories is real, composed of Gotham’s elite families. Eager to rid the city of their corrupting influence, he sets out to infiltrate them, leading him on a collision course with their deadly assassin, Talon.
“The Court of Owls” rewrote everything readers thought they knew about Gotham, explaining the hidden hand of its wealthiest citizens in shaping its destiny. In taking the group on, Batman freed his city, for the most part, of their influence, finally allowing it to pursue its own destiny. Of course, as is always the case, Gotham wasn’t able to shed all its corruption, and the weakened court returned from time to time.
Batman: Year One Explained the Corruption of Gotham City
Batman #407-410 (1987)
In 1987, Frank Miller continued his work on Bruce Wayne when he teamed up with David Mazzucchelli to explore his origin story in his “Year One” arc. Rather than relying on the usual cavalcade of costumed villains, the story pits the Caped Crusader against Gotham’s crime families as he sets out to rid it of corruption. At the same time, a freshly transferred Jim Gordon contends with crooked cops in the GCPD, allowing both characters to emerge as the city’s heroes.
The “Year One” arc gave characterization to the criminal underbelly of Gotham City, exploring what it was like before the arrival of costumed villains. From here, the various mob families became key players in the future of the city, becoming powerful rivals to Batman in their own right. Readers wouldn’t have stories like Batman: The Long Halloween without the brilliance of Miller and Mazzucchelli’s origin story for Bruce Wayne.
Dick Grayson Began the Greatest Sidekick Legacy In Comics
Detective Comics #38 (1940)
In 1940, Batman officially transitioned from a standalone solo hero to beginning DC’s greatest family legacy when he took on Dick Grayson as Robin in Detective Comics #38. In a story by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, readers were introduced to the young sidekick with an origin story that explained him from the jump. A young acrobat whose parents were murdered, nobody was surprised when Wayne identified with him and took him in.
Detective Comics #38 set up a legacy that has spanned 96 years, inspired countless copycats across comics, and given Batman one of his greatest allies. As far as modern readers are concerned, there is no Bruce Wayne without a great sidekick and wider family to keep him safe and grounded. Together, the Dynamic Duo became icons of the Golden Age and laid the groundwork for some of the most important stories in Gotham.
Bob Kane and Bill Finger Built the Gotham City Readers Love Today
Batman #1 (1940)
In 1940, Batman moved to his own solo series, with a debut anthology issue from Bill Finger and Bob Kane that established two of his greatest adversaries: The Joker and Catwoman. In particular, the arrival of the Clown Prince of Crime forces the Dynamic Duo into action against the maniacal villain’s killing spree. Here, the very concept of Gotham City as readers know it today was born.
One of the most consequential pieces of DC history ever published, Finger and Kane changed the trajectory of the publisher forever. Before, the hero’s rogues’ gallery was little more than two-bit crooks, all-in-one adversaries, and mad scientists. After the publication of Batman #1, Gotham became ground zero for the rich comic book tradition of costumed villains like The Joker and Catwoman.
- First Film
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Batman: The Movie
- Cast
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Adam West, Kevin Conroy, Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson, Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Josh Hutcherson, Will Friedle, Anson Mount, Will Arnett
- Created by
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Bill Finger, Bob Kane
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