Editing Gotham City

{{short description|Fictional city in the DC Universe, best known as the home of Batman}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox fictional location
| name = Gotham City
| image = Gotham City Batman Vol 3 14.png
| image_size = 250
| caption = Shot of Gotham City in ''Batman'' (vol. 3) #14 (March 2017).<br>Art by Mitch Gerads.
| blank_label = [[:Category:Comics publishing companies|Publisher]]
| blank_data = [[DC Comics]]
| first = ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #4<br>(December 1940)
| source = [[Batman]]
| creator = [[Bill Finger]] (writer)<br>[[Bob Kane]] (artist)
| genre = [[Superhero comics|Superhero]]
| type = City
| people = {{collapsible list|{{Plain list |
* [[Aaron Cash]]
* [[Ace the Bat-Hound]]
* [[Alan Scott]]
* [[Alberto Falcone]]
* [[Alfred Pennyworth]]
* [[Amadeus Arkham]]
* [[Ventriloquist (character)|Arnold Wesker/The Ventriloquist]] & [[Scarface (comics)|Scarface]]
* [[Cluemaster|Arthur Brown/Cluemaster]]
* [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]]
* [[Barbara Gordon|Barbara Gordon/Batgirl]]
* [[Clayface|Basil Karlo/Clayface]]
* [[Batman|Bruce Wayne/Batman]]
* [[Bud and Lou (DC Comics)|Bud and Lou]]
* [[Carmine Falcone]]
* [[Kite Man|Chuck Brown/Kite-Man]]
* [[Damian Wayne|Damian Wayne/Robin]]
* [[Dick Grayson|Dick 
Grayson/Nightwing]]
* [[Killer Moth|Drury Walker/Killer Moth]]
* [[Riddler|Edward Nygma/The Riddler]]
* [[Deadshot|Floyd Lawton/Deadshot]]
* [[Francine Langstrom]]
* [[Firefly (DC Comics)|Garfield Lynns/Firefly]]
* [[Gillian B. Loeb|Gillian Loeb]]
* [[Hamilton Hill (character)|Hamilton Hill]]
* [[Harley Quinn|Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn]]
* [[Harvey Bullock (character)|Harvey Bullock]]
* [[Two-Face|Harvey Dent/Two-Face]]
* [[Hugo Strange]]
* [[Humpty Dumpty (comics)|Humphry Dumpler/Humpty Dumpty]]
* [[Creeper (DC Comics)|Jack Ryder/The Creeper]]
* [[Jason Todd|Jason Todd/Red Hood]]
* [[Jean-Paul Valley|Jean-Paul Valley/Azrael]]
* [[Mad Hatter (DC Comics)|Jervis Tetch/Mad Hatter]]
* [[Jim Gordon (character)|Jim Gordon]]
* [[Scarecrow (DC Comics)|Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow]]
* [[Calendar Man|Julian Day/Calendar Man]]
* [[Julie Madison]]
* [[Man-Bat|Kirk Langstrom/Man-Bat]]
* [[Professor Pyg|Lazlo Valentin/Professor Pyg]]
* [[Anarky|Lonnie Machin/Anarky]]
* [[Lucius Fox]]
* [[Mario Falcone (DC Comics)|Mario Falcone]]
* [[Martha Wayne]]
* [[Maxie Zeus]]
* [[Nora Fries]]
* [[Penguin (character)|Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin]]
* [[Ratcatcher (comics)|Otis Flannegan/The Ratcatcher]]
* [[Poison Ivy (character)|Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy]]
* [[Penelope Young]]
* [[Prometheus (DC Comics)|Prometheus]]
* [[Ra's al Ghul]]
* [[Renee Montoya]]
* [[Black Mask (character)|Roman Sionis/Black Mask]]
* [[Sal Maroni]]
* [[Catwoman|Selina Kyle/Catwoman]]
* [[Deathstroke|Slade Wilson/Deathstroke]]
* [[Sofia Falcone]]
* [[Solomon Grundy (character)|Solomon Grundy]]
* [[Stephanie Brown (character)|Stephanie Brown/Spoiler]]
* [[Talia al Ghul]]
* [[Batman (Terry McGinnis)|Terry McGinnis]]
* [[Joker (character)|The Joker]]
* [[Catman (DC Comics)|Thomas Blake/Catman]]
* [[Hush (character)|Thomas Elliot/Hush]]
* [[Thomas Wayne]]
* [[Tim Drake|Tim Drake/Red Robin]]
* [[Vicki Vale]]
* [[Mr. Freeze|Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze]]
* [[Victor Zsasz]]
* [[Great White Shark (character)|Warren White/The Great White Shark]]
* [[Killer Croc|Waylon Jones/Killer Croc]]
}}}}
| races = 
| locations = Ace Chemicals<br>[[Arkham Asylum]]<br>[[Batcave]]<br>Blackgate Penitentiary<br>Gotham City Police Department<br>[[Iceberg Lounge]]<br>[[Wayne Enterprises]]<br>[[Wayne Manor]]
}}
'''Gotham City''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|ɒ|θ|əm}} {{respell|GOTH|əm}}), or simply '''Gotham''', is a [[fictional city]] in the [[Northeastern United States]] that serves as the primary city appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. It is best known as the home of the superhero [[Batman]] and his [[List of Batman supporting characters#Bat-Family|allies]] and [[List of Batman family enemies|foes]]. Created by writer [[Bill Finger]] and artist [[Bob Kane]], the city was first identified as Batman's place of residence in ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #4 (December 1940) and has since been the primary setting for stories featuring the character. In most of its incarnations, Gotham is depicted as one of the most crime-ridden cities in the world.

Gotham City is traditionally depicted as being located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]].<ref name="DC Comics' 1977">''Amazing World of DC Comics'' #14, March 1977. DC Comics.</ref><ref name="WorldsFinest1979">''World's Finest Comics'' #259, October–November 1979. DC Comics.</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">''Detective Comics'' #503 June 1983. DC Comics.</ref><ref name="DC Universe 1990">''Atlas of the DC Universe'', 1990. DC Comics.</ref><ref name="Batman 1993">''Batman: Shadow of the Bat'' Annual #1, June 1993. DC Comics.</ref><ref name="ifanboy.com">Montgomery, Paul (May 18, 2011). [http://ifanboy.com/articles/the-secret-geography-of-the-dc-universe-a-really-big-map/ "The Secret Geography of the DC Universe: A Really Big Map"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815140100/http://ifanboy.com/articles/the-secret-geography-of-the-dc-universe-a-really-big-map/ |date=August 15, 2016 }} iFanboy</ref><ref name="BatmanCult">''Batman: The Cult'' #4, November 1988. DC Comics.</ref> Gotham's look and atmosphere were primarily influenced by [[New York City]], but over the years have also drawn inspiration from [[Chicago]] and [[London]].<ref name="Bopik">{{cite news |first=Barry |last=Bopik |title=Metropolis is New York by day; Gotham City is New York by night |url=http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/metropolis_is_new_york_by_day_gotham_city_is_new_york_by_night/ |date=March 29, 2008 |access-date=March 28, 2013 |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116065946/http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/metropolis_is_new_york_by_day_gotham_city_is_new_york_by_night/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/joker-folie-deux-reveals-where-exactly-gotham-city-is-located|title=Joker: Folie à Deux and The Penguin Place Gotham City in Different US States|publisher=IGN|accessdate=October 2, 2024|date=October 1, 2024}}</ref> Architect [[Hugh Ferriss]]' designs also influenced the look and emotional feel of Gotham City, particularly in its later depictions.<ref>{{Citation |last=Ferriss |first=Hugh |title=Trinity Portland Cement Company Promotional Materials, Lobby and Escalators, Presentation Drawing |date=1943 |url=https://www.artic.edu/artworks/190961/trinity-portland-cement-company-promotional-materials-lobby-and-escalators-presentation-drawing |access-date=2022-12-07 |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207105212/https://www.artic.edu/artworks/190961/trinity-portland-cement-company-promotional-materials-lobby-and-escalators-presentation-drawing |url-status=live }}</ref> Bill Finger said that he chose the name "Gotham", and not New York, so that all readers in any city could identify with it.<ref name=NYTimes>{{cite web|author=[[Safire, William]]|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE6D9123AF933A05754C0A963958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2|title=ON LANGUAGE; Jersey's Vanishing 'New'|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 30, 1995|archive-date=December 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207233943/https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE6D9123AF933A05754C0A963958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2}}</ref>

Locations used as inspiration or filming locations for Gotham City in the live-action ''Batman'' films and television series have included [[St. Louis]],<ref name=MeTV>{{cite web|url=https://www.metv.com/lists/holy-microscope-here-are-19-little-details-you-never-noticed-in-batman|publisher=[[MeTV]]|title=Holy microscope! Here are 19 little details you never noticed in 'Batman'|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=January 11, 2018|access-date=June 18, 2023|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322183129/https://www.metv.com/lists/holy-microscope-here-are-19-little-details-you-never-noticed-in-batman}}</ref> [[Chicago]],<ref name="WorldwideBBegins">{{cite web|url=http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/batmanbegins.html|title=Film locations for ''Batman Begins''|publisher=Movie-locations.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423004000/http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/batmanbegins.html|archive-date=April 23, 2019|access-date=December 25, 2010}}</ref><ref name=IGNInterview/> [[Pittsburgh]], [[Los Angeles]], [[New York City]], [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]], [[London]], [[Glasgow]],<ref name=Reelz>{{cite news|author=J.S., Brent|title=Juicy Plot Details Revealed as The Dark Knight Rises Moves to Pittsburgh|url=http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/11046/juicy-plot-details-revealed-as-the-dark-knight-rises-moves-to-pittsburgh/|publisher=Reelz Channel|date=June 12, 2011|access-date=June 15, 2011|archive-date=August 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811035450/http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/11046/juicy-plot-details-revealed-as-the-dark-knight-rises-moves-to-pittsburgh/}}</ref><ref name=PittPostGazette>{{Cite news |first=Barbara |last=Vancheri |date=August 21, 2011 |title=Fans glimpse final round of 'Dark Knight' filming |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11233/1168937-100.stm |access-date=August 23, 2011 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310204805/https://old.post-gazette.com/pg/11233/1168937-100.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=MTV>{{cite web|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2011/10/28/dark-knight-rises-donald-trump/|title='Dark Knight Rises' Meets... Donald Trump?|last=Wigler|first=Josh|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=February 15, 2012|access-date=February 15, 2012|archive-date=October 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030031300/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2011/10/28/dark-knight-rises-donald-trump/}}</ref><ref name=NJ.com1>{{Citation|title=Gridlock in Gotham: 'Dark Knight' filming in Newark likely to cause massive traffic delays this week|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=November 2, 2011|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/dark_knight_filming_in_newark.html|access-date=November 5, 2011|archive-date=November 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104144433/http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/dark_knight_filming_in_newark.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NewYorkPost>{{Citation| title='The Dark Knight Rises' to film in Newark| newspaper=New York Post| date=November 3, 2011| url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/the_dark_knight_rises_to_film_in_UPEWXPpwgAOSjuLjSq6wvL| access-date=November 5, 2011| archive-date=November 5, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105205333/http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/the_dark_knight_rises_to_film_in_UPEWXPpwgAOSjuLjSq6wvL| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=NJ.com2>{{cite web|last=Di Ionno|first=Mark|title=Di Ionno: Trying to unmask Newark's secret identity as a Batman film location|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|date=November 5, 2011|url=http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2011/11/di_ionno_the_dark_knight_rises.html|access-date=July 21, 2012|archive-date=November 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106185852/http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2011/11/di_ionno_the_dark_knight_rises.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Hong Kong]], [[Detroit]],<ref>{{Cite web |title='Batman v Superman': 10 key metro Detroit filming locations |url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/movies/julie-hinds/2016/03/25/batman-v-superman-locations-detroit-michigan-filming-ben-affleck-metropolis-gotham-henry-cavill-gal-gadot/82165492/|author=Hinds, Julie|website=[[Detroit Free Press]] |language=en-US|url-status=live|access-date=August 12, 2023|archive-date=August 12, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230812165238/https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/movies/julie-hinds/2016/03/25/batman-v-superman-locations-detroit-michigan-filming-ben-affleck-metropolis-gotham-henry-cavill-gal-gadot/82165492/}}</ref> and [[Liverpool]].<ref name=LiverpoolEcho>{{Cite web |last=Flaherty |first=Jess |date=March 11, 2020 |title=Liverpool turns into Gotham city as 'The Batman' filming preparation gets underway |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/liverpool-turns-gotham-city-batman-17905737 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312131605/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/liverpool-turns-gotham-city-batman-17905737 |archive-date=March 12, 2020|access-date=March 13, 2020|website=[[Liverpool Echo]]}}</ref>

==Origin of name==
In [[Jim Steranko]]'s ''History of the Comics'', writer [[Bill Finger]], on the naming of the city, said, "Originally I was going to call Gotham City '[[Civic City]].' Then I tried 'Capital City,' then '[[Coast City]].' Then I flipped through the New York City phone book and spotted the name 'Gotham Jewelers' and said, 'That's it,' Gotham City. We didn't call it New York because we wanted anybody in any city to identify with it."<ref name=NYTimes/><ref>{{cite book |author-link=Jim Steranko |last=Steranko |first=Jim |title=The Steranko History of Comics |publisher=Supergraphics |location=Reading, PA |year=1970 |isbn=978-0-517-50188-7 |page=44}}</ref>

"Gotham" has been a [[nicknames of New York City|nickname for New York City]] that first became popular in the 19th century; [[Washington Irving]] had first attached it to New York in the November 11, 1807, edition of his ''[[Salmagundi (periodical)|Salmagundi]]'',<ref name=HistoryOfNYC>Burrows, Edwin G. and Mike Wallace. ''Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898''. (Oxford University Press, 1999), 417.</ref> a periodical which lampooned New York culture and politics. Irving took the name from the English village of [[Gotham, Nottinghamshire]], which was known for the [[Wise Men of Gotham]] story, a legendary incident where the village's residents feigned idiocy to prevent a royal visit from [[John, King of England]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-got1.htm |title= Gotham |publisher= World Wide Words |date= February 6, 1999 |access-date= July 13, 2011 |archive-date= August 18, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220818045716/http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-got1.htm |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-24760791 |title=The real Gotham: The village behind the Batman stories |date=January 1, 2014 |last=Lowbridge |first=Caroline |work=BBC News |access-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-date=January 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101181145/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-24760791 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Gotham City map (Amazing World of DC Comics).jpg|thumbnail|275px|A map showing Gotham City to be located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[New Jersey]] from ''Amazing World of DC Comics'' #14 (March 1977). Art by [[Dick Dillin]].|left]]
Gotham City, like other cities in the DC Universe, has varied in its portrayals over the decades, but the city's location is traditionally depicted as being in the state of [[New Jersey]].<ref name="DC Comics' 1977"/><ref name="Batman 1993" /><ref name="ifanboy.com" /><ref>''The World's Greatest Super Heroes'', August 13, 1978. DC Comics.</ref><ref>''World's Finest Comics'' #259, October–November 1979</ref><ref>''The New Adventures of Superboy'' #14, October 1981. DC Comics.</ref> Gotham and Metropolis are sometimes portrayed as [[twin cities]] on opposite sides of the [[Delaware Bay]], with Gotham in New Jersey and Metropolis in [[Delaware]].<ref name="WorldsFinest1979" /><ref name="DC Universe 1990" /><ref name="ifanboy.com" /><ref>''Secret Files & Origins Guide to the DC Universe 2000'' #1 (March 2000)</ref> [[File:Batman Knight over Gotham.jpg|thumb|275px|Batman overlooks Gotham, his home city. Art by [[Alex Ross]].]]
==History==
[[File:Gotham-City-1881.jpg|thumb|Gotham City in 1881 from ''Batman: Gates of Gotham'' (April 2011). Art by Trevor McCarthy.]]

Gotham City was founded in 1635 by Jon Logerquist, a Norwegian mercenary, before subsequently being taken over by the English; this parallels the [[history of New York City]], which was founded by the [[Dutch Republic|Dutch]] as [[New Amsterdam]] before [[Conquest of New Netherland|being conquered]] by [[Kingdom of England|England]] and renamed [[Province of New York|New York]].<ref>''Atlas of the DC Universe''. Mayfair Games.</ref> During the [[American Revolutionary War]], Gotham City was the site of a major battle between [[Patriot (American Revolution)|American]] and [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] forces (paralleling the real-life [[Battle of Long Island]]). This was detailed in [[Rick Veitch]]'s ''Swamp Thing'' #85 featuring [[Tomahawk (character)|Tomahawk]]. Rumors held it to be the site of various [[occult]] rites.

The 2011 comic book series ''[[Batman: Gates of Gotham]]'' details a history of Gotham City in which Alan Wayne (Bruce Wayne's ancestor), Theodore Cobblepot ([[Penguin (character)|Oswald Cobblepot]]'s ancestor), and Edward Elliot ([[Hush (character)|Thomas Elliot]]'s ancestor), are considered as the founding fathers of Gotham. In 1881, they constructed three bridges called the Gates of Gotham, each bearing one of their last names. Edward Elliot became increasingly jealous of the Wayne family's popularity and wealth during this period, jealousy that would spread to his great-great-grandson, Thomas Elliot or Hush.<ref>'''Batman: Gates to Gotham'', May 2011. DC Comics.</ref>

The occult origins of Gotham are further delved into by [[Peter Milligan]]'s 1990 story arc "Dark Knight, Dark City",<ref>{{cite web|author=Burgas, Greg|title=Dark Knight, Dark City|url=http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/04/13/comics-you-should-own-flashback-batman-452-454/|date=April 13, 2010|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 29, 2012|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927184121/http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2010/04/13/comics-you-should-own-flashback-batman-452-454/|url-status=dead}}</ref> which reveals that some of the [[Founding Fathers of the United States]] are involved in summoning a bat-demon which becomes trapped beneath old "Gotham Town", its dark influence spreading as Gotham City evolves. A similar trend is followed in 2005's ''[[Shadowpact]]'' #5 by [[Bill Willingham]], which expands upon Gotham's occult heritage by revealing a being who has slept for 40,000 years beneath the land upon which Gotham City was built. Strega, the being's servant, says that the "dark and often cursed character" of the city was influenced by the being who now uses the name "Doctor Gotham". In ''[[Gotham Underground]]'' #2 by [[Frank Tieri (comics)|Frank Tieri]], [[Tobias Whale]] claims that 19th century Gotham was run by five rival gangs, until the first "masks" appeared, eventually forming a gang of their own. It is not clear whether these were vigilantes or costumed criminals.

Many storylines have added more events to Gotham's history, at the same time greatly affecting the city and its people. Perhaps the greatest in effect was a long set of serial storylines, which started with [[Ra's al Ghul]] releasing a debilitating virus called the "Clench" during the "[[Batman: Contagion|Contagion]]" storyline. As that arc concluded, the city was beginning to recover, only to suffer an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the [[Richter magnitude scale|Richter Scale]] in the 1998 "[[Batman: Cataclysm|Cataclysm]]" storyline. This resulted in the federal government cutting Gotham off from the rest of the United States in the 1999 storyline "[[No Man's Land (comics)|No Man's Land]]", the city's remaining residents forced to engage in gang warfare, either as active participants or paying for protection from groups ranging from the GCPD to the Penguin, just to stay alive. Eventually, Gotham was rebuilt and returned to the U.S. as part of a campaign mounted by [[Lex Luthor]], who used the positive publicity of his role to make a successful bid for the position of President of the United States.{{Volume needed|c=y|date=June 2021}} Suggestions of other Gotham City histories include a founding date of 1820 seen in a city seal in ''[[Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders]]''.

==Culture==
''Batman'' writer and editor [[Dennis O'Neil]] has said that, figuratively, Batman's Gotham City is akin to "Manhattan below 14th Street at eleven minutes past midnight on the coldest night in November".<ref>O'Neil, Dennis. Afterword. ''Batman: Knightfall, A Novel''. New York: Bantam Books. 1994. 344.</ref> Batman artist [[Neal Adams]] has long believed that Chicago has been the basis for Gotham, stating "one of the things about Chicago is Chicago has alleys (which are virtually nonexistent in New York). Back alleys, that's where Batman fights all the bad guys."<ref name=Today>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/dark-knights-kind-town-gotham-city-1C9412739|title=Dark Knight's kind of town: Gotham City|work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=July 20, 2008|access-date=February 18, 2023|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122822/http://www.today.com/id/25774413#.UzZCF8d4Q9U}}</ref> The statement "Metropolis is New York by day; Gotham City is New York by night" has been variously attributed to comics creators [[Frank Miller]] and [[John Byrne (comics)|John Byrne]].<ref name="Bopik"/>

[[File:Gotham City Batman Vol 1 615.png|thumbnail|Airships are commonly depicted flying over Gotham City.<ref name="Batman' 2011">''Batman'' (vol. 2) #2, December 2011. DC Comics.</ref> Art by Jim Lee.]]
In designing ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'', creators [[Bruce Timm]] and [[Eric Radomski]] emulated the [[Tim Burton]] films' "otherworldly timelessness", incorporating period features such as black-and-white [[title card]]s, police [[airship]]s (although no such thing existed, Timm has stated that he found it to fit the show's style), and a "vintage" color scheme with [[film noir]] flourishes.<ref name="LeatherWingsComm">Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, audio commentary for "On Leather Wings", ''Batman: The Animated Series'', Warner Bros, Volume One box set DVD.</ref> Police airships have since been incorporated into Batman comic books and are a recurring element in Gotham City.<ref name="Batman' 2011"/>

Concerning the evolution of Gotham throughout the years, former ''Batman'' editor [[Paul Levitz]] has stated, "Each guy adds their own vision. That's the fun of comics, rebuilding a city each time".<ref name=Today/>

===Architecture===
[[File:Helsinki Railway station towe&statues.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.7|[[Art Deco]] and [[Art Nouveau]] buildings, such as [[Helsinki Central Railway Station]], inspired the look of Gotham in the 1989 film ''Batman''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/760478/Helsinki-a-cruisers-guide.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/760478/Helsinki-a-cruisers-guide.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Helsinki: a cruiser's guide |newspaper=The Telegraph |date= February 27, 2008|access-date=May 14, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>]]
In ''[[Batman: Gothic]]'', Gotham Cathedral plays a central role in the story since it is built by Mr. Whisper, the story's antagonist.

In a 1992 storyline, a man obsessed with Pinkney's architecture destroys several Gotham buildings to reveal the Pinkney structures they had hidden; the editorial purpose behind this was to make Gotham resemble its depiction in the 1989 ''Batman'' film.<ref>{{Cite comic | Writer = Grant, Alan | Artist = [[Norm Breyfogle|Breyfogle, Norm]]| Story = The Destroyer Part One: A Tale of Two Cities| Title = [[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]|Issue = 474|date=February 1992| Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref><ref>{{Cite comic| Writer = Grant, Alan|Penciller = [[Chris Sprouse|Sprouse, Chris]]| Inker = Patterson, Bruce| Copencillers = Anton Furst|Story = The Destroyer Part Two: Solomon|Title = [[Legends of the Dark Knight]]| Issue = 27|date=February 1992| Publisher = DC Comics }}</ref><ref>{{Cite comic| Writer =Grant, Alan| Penciller = [[Jim Aparo|Aparo, Jim]]| Inker = [[Mike DeCarlo|DeCarlo, Mike]]|Story =The Destroyer Part Three| Title = [[Detective Comics]]| Issue = #641|date=February 1992| Publisher = DC Comics}}</ref>

''Batman Begins'' features a CGI-augmented version of Chicago while ''The Dark Knight'' more directly features Chicago infrastructure and architecture such as [[Navy Pier]]. ''The Dark Knight Rises'' forgoes Chicago, instead shooting in Pittsburgh; Los Angeles; New York City; Newark, New Jersey; London; and Glasgow.<ref name=Reelz/><ref name=PittPostGazette/><ref name=MTV/><ref name=NJ.com1/><ref name=NewYorkPost/><ref name=NJ.com2/>

==Notable residents==
Over the years, in various Batman-related titles in the chronological [[DC Comics]] continuity, the Caped Crusader enlists the help of numerous characters, the first being his trusty sidekick, [[Robin (character)|Robin]]. Although a singular title, many have donned the mantle over the years. The first being [[Dick Grayson|Nightwing]], then came [[Jason Todd|Red Hood]], [[Tim Drake|Red Robin]], [[Stephanie Brown (character)|Spoiler]] and finally Batman's son [[Damian Wayne]]. In addition to the Robins or former Robins, there is also [[Selina Kyle|Catwoman]], [[Barbara Gordon|Batgirl (Barbara Gordon)]], [[Cassandra Cain|Batgirl (Cassandra Cain)]], [[Duke Thomas (character)|Signal]], [[Batwing (DC Comics)|Batwing]], [[Kate Kane|Batwoman]], and [[Helena Bertinelli|Huntress]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Manning |first=Matthew |title=Batman Character Encyclopedia |publisher=DK Children |year=2016 |isbn=9781465444981 |location=New York}}</ref>

Other DC characters have also been depicted to be living in Gotham, including the hitman [[Hitman (DC Comics)|Tommy Monaghan]];<ref>[[Garth Ennis|Ennis, Garth]] (w). [[John McCrea (comics)|John McCrea]] (a). "A Rage in Arkham". ''[[Hitman (DC Comics)|Hitman]]''. April 1996. DC Comics.</ref> Jason Blood, the host of the demon [[Etrigan the Demon|Etrigan]]; the [[Green Lantern]] [[Alan Scott]];<ref>''Detective Comics'' #784–786. DC Comics.</ref> the original [[Spectre (DC Comics character)|Spectre]] ([[Jim Corrigan]]);<ref>''More Fun Comics'' #94. DC Comics.</ref> [[Black Canary]];<ref name="Secret Origins #50. DC Comics">''Secret Origins'' #50. DC Comics.</ref> [[Starman (Ted Knight)|Starman]];<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #89. DC Comics.</ref> and the Grey Ghost.<ref>''Sensation Comics'' #25. DC Comics.</ref>

DC's [[The New 52|2011 reboot]] of ''[[All Star Western]]'' takes place in an Old West-styled Gotham. [[Jonah Hex]] and [[Amadeus Arkham]] are among this version of Gotham's inhabitants.<ref>[[Palmiotti, Jimmy]]; [[Gray, Justin]] (w); Moritat (a). ''[[All Star Western]] Vol. 1: Guns and Gotham'' (November 6, 2012). DC Comics. (Reprints issues 1–6).</ref>

Apart from Gotham's [[superhero]] residents, the residents of the city feature in a back-up series in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' called ''Tales of Gotham City''<ref>''Detective Comics'' #488–490, 492, 494, 495, 504, 507. DC Comics.</ref> and in two [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] called ''Gotham Nights''. Additionally, the Gotham City Police Department is the focus of the series ''[[Gotham Central]]'', as well as the mini-series ''Gordon's Law'', ''Bullock's Law'', and ''[[Batman: GCPD]]''.

===Mayors===
The first Gotham mayor depicted in comics was in ''Detective Comics'' #68 (October 1942).<ref>''Batman'' #12 (October 1942). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Detective Comics'' #68. DC Comics.</ref> Theodore Cobblepot, great-grandfather of the [[Penguin (character)|Penguin]], was mayor in the late 19th century.<ref>''Gotham Underground''. DC Comics.</ref> An unnamed mayor encountered the [[Court of Owls]] in 1914 and was killed by them.<ref>''Batman and Robin'' #23.2. DC Comics.</ref> Archibald Brewster was mayor during the [[Great Depression]].<ref>''Daily Planet Guide to Gotham City''. West End Games.</ref> Mayor Thorndike was killed by the Made of Wood killer in 1948.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #784-786. DC Comics.</ref> Mayor [[Aubrey James]] was a contemporary of [[Thomas Wayne]] who was stabbed to death.<ref>''Legends of the Dark Knight'' 204-206. DC Comics.</ref> Mayor Jessop was in office shortly after the Wayne murders.<ref>''Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne'' #5. DC Comics.</ref> A man named Falcone was purportedly mayor during the earliest days of Batman's career.<ref name="Secret Origins #50. DC Comics"/> Shortly after, Mayor Wilson Klass directed the GCPD to turn a blind eye to Batman's activities after Batman saved his daughter.<ref>''Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight'' #11-15. DC Comics.</ref> [[Hamilton Hill (character)|Hamilton Hill]] was in office when the [[Joker (character)|Joker]] debuted,<ref>''Batman Confidential'' #24. DC Comics</ref> and a man named Gill was mayor early in Batman's career,<ref>''Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight'' #169-171. DC Comics.</ref> as was former police commissioner Grogan.<ref>''Two-Face: Year One'' #2. DC Comics.</ref> An unnamed bald mayor was killed by a villain known as Midnight.<ref>''Batman: Gotham After Midnight'' #7. DC Comics.</ref> Men named Carfax,<ref>''Detective Comics'' #121. DC Comics.</ref> Bradley Stokes,<ref>''Detective Comics'' #179. DC Comics.</ref> Sheppard,<ref>''World's Finest Comics'' #69. DC Comics.</ref> Taylor,<ref>''Detective Comics'' #375. DC Comics.</ref> and Hayes<ref>''Batman'' #207. DC Comics.</ref> all served as mayor. Mayor Charles Chesterfield was killed by a sentient fat-eating blob of grease.<ref>''Batman: Gotham Knights'' #18. DC Comics.</ref>

Hamilton Hill became mayor through the backing of crime boss [[Rupert Thorne]] but was ultimately ousted from office<ref>''Batman'' #381</ref> and replaced by George P. Skowcroft.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #551.</ref> An unnamed mayor is killed by Deacon Blackfire's followers and replaced by Donald Webster.<ref>''[[Batman: The Cult]]''. DC Comics.</ref> Mayor Julius Lieberman is killed by a [[Predator (fictional species)|Predator]].<ref>''Batman Versus Predator''. DC Comics/Dark Horse Comics.</ref> Mayor Goode served briefly<ref>''Robin II'' #3. DC Comics.''</ref> before being replaced by an African American man.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #648. DC Comics.</ref> Armand Krol became mayor<ref>''Batman: Shadow of the Bat'' #7-9. DC Comics.</ref> and died of the Clench virus after leaving office.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #699. DC Comics.</ref> A woman, Marion Grange, became mayor with the backing of Bruce Wayne but was assassinated in [[Washington, D.C.]], while trying to secure federal aid for Gotham after an earthquake.<ref>''Batman: Road to No Man's Land''. DC Comics.</ref> In the wake of [[Batman: No Man's Land|No Man's Land]], Daniel Danforth Dickerson III served as mayor only to be killed by a sniper, after which he was replaced by David Hull.<ref>''Gotham Central'' #12. DC Comics.</ref> Seamus McGreevy served as mayor in the midst of a criminal conspiracy known as "The Body".<ref>''Batman: City of Crime''. DC Comics.</ref> An unnamed woman was mayor when Batman returned to Gotham a year after ''[[Infinite Crisis]]''.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #817. DC Comics.</ref> [[Sebastian Hady]] was a corrupt mayor who was eventually killed by the League of Shadows.<ref>''Detective Comics'' #951. DC Comics.</ref> Councilwoman Muir served as interim mayor when the city was in the grip of a virus that only affected men.<ref>''Batgirl and the Birds of Prey'' #15-17. DC Comics.</ref> [[Michael Akins]], former commissioner of police, was appointed mayor,<ref>''Detective Comics'' #969. DC Comics.</ref> and later replaced by a man named Atkins.<ref>''Batman vs. Ra's al Ghul'' #1. DC Comics.</ref> In the wake of [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]]'s takeover of the city, a man named Dunch served as mayor,<ref>''Batman'' (vol. 3) #86. DC Comics.</ref> and in the aftermath of the [[Joker War]], anti-vigilante mayoral candidate Christopher Nakano wins election in a landslide.<ref>{{cite news|title=DC December 2020 solicitations and covers|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-december-solicitations-covers/|publisher=Newsarama|date=September 11, 2020|access-date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=September 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911180200/https://www.gamesradar.com/dc-december-solicitations-covers/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==In other media==
===Television===
In multiple episodes of the [[Batman (TV series)|1960s live-action ''Batman'' television series]], Batman is seen consulting a transparent map of Gotham, which is an inverted map of [[St. Louis]].<ref name=MeTV/>

The live-action TV series ''[[Gotham (TV series)|Gotham]]'' was filmed in New York City and was an important requirement of the show's creative team.<ref name=DenOfGeek>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/gotham-the-evolution-of-batmans-hometown/|title=Gotham: The Evolution of Batman's Hometown|date=2015-05-04|website=Den of Geek|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-27|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327231402/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/gotham-the-evolution-of-batmans-hometown/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to executive producer [[Danny Cannon]], its atmosphere was inspired by the look of New York in the 1970s films of [[Sidney Lumet]] and [[William Friedkin]]. Clues to this include and signs showing phone numbers bearing the [[area code 212]].<ref name="gothamreborn">[http://www.fox.com/watch/318588995990 "''Gotham: The Legend Reborn'' Preview Special: Behind The Shadows (Part 3)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903101432/http://www.fox.com/watch/318588995990 |date=September 3, 2014 }}. [[Fox Broadcasting Company]]. Retrieved August 30, 2014.</ref> [[Donal Logue]], who portrayed [[Harvey Bullock (character)|Harvey Bullock]], described different aspects of that series' design of Gotham City as exhibiting different sensibilities, explaining, "for me, you can step into things that almost feel like the [[roaring 20s]], and then there's this other really kind of heavy ''[[Blade Runner]]'' vibe floating around. There are elements of it that are completely contemporary and there are pieces of it that are very old-fashioned&nbsp;... There were a couple of examples of modern technology, but maybe an antiquated version of it, that gave me a little bit of sense that it's certainly not the 50s and the 60s&nbsp;... But it's not high tech and it's not futuristic, by any means."<ref>{{cite web |last=Hankins |first=Brent |url=http://nerdrepository.com/interview-donal-logue-talks-conflict-character-development-gotham/ |title=Interview: Donal Logue talks conflict and character development in 'Gotham' |publisher=Nerd Repository |date=February 18, 2014 |access-date=February 18, 2014 |archive-date=February 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218185440/http://nerdrepository.com/interview-donal-logue-talks-conflict-character-development-gotham/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The fifth episode of ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'', entitled "Schooled", indicates that Gotham is located in [[Connecticut]], near [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]].

The 2019 series ''[[Batwoman (TV series)|Batwoman]]'', which is set in Gotham City, was filmed in [[Chicago]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-batwoman-pilot-filming-chicago-20190325-story.html |title='Batwoman' TV pilot filming scenes in Chicago this week |last=Swartz |first=Tracy |date=March 25, 2019 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407231313/https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-ent-batwoman-pilot-filming-chicago-20190325-story.html |archive-date=April 7, 2019 |access-date=April 7, 2019}}</ref>

The 2024 series ''[[The Penguin (TV series)|The Penguin]]'' is set in Gotham City.

====DC Animated Universe====
{{main|DC Animated Universe}}
Gotham City is featured heavily in ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]''. When describing Gotham City [[Paul Dini]], a writer and director of the show, stated "In my mind, it was sort of like what if the 1939 World's Fair had gone on another 60 years or so".<ref name=DenOfGeek/> In the episode "[[Joker's Favor (Batman: The Animated Series)|Joker's Favor]]", a driver's license lists a Gotham area resident's hometown as "Gotham Estates, [[New York (state)|NY]]". In the episode "Avatar", when Bruce Wayne leaves for England, a map shows Gotham City, at the joining of Long Island and the Hudson River. The episode "Fire from Olympus" shows a character's address in a police file indicating that Gotham City is located in New York state. The episode "The Mechanic", however, implies that Gotham resides in a state of the same name; a prison workshop is shown stamping license plates that read "Gotham: The Dark Deco State" (as a reference to the artistic style of the series). The episode "Harlequinade" states that Gotham has a population of approximately 10 million.

''[[Batman Beyond]]'' (1999–2001) envisions a Gotham City in 2039, referred to as "Neo-Gotham".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/batman-beyond-neo-gothic-delves-into-the-mysteries-of-old-gotham-this-summer/|title=Batman Beyond: Neo-Gothic delves into the mysteries of Old Gotham this summer|website=[[Newsarama]]|author=Marston, George|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=April 9, 2023|access-date=April 13, 2023|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406164924/https://www.gamesradar.com/batman-beyond-neo-gothic-delves-into-the-mysteries-of-old-gotham-this-summer/}}</ref>

====Arrowverse====
{{main|Arrowverse}}
Gotham City was first shown in the [[Arrowverse]] as part of "[[Elseworlds (Arrowverse)|Elseworlds]]", a 2018 [[fictional crossover|crossover]] storyline among the shows, which introduced [[Batwoman]], although it had been referred to several times previously.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/batwoman-make-arrow-verse-debut-next-crossover-1112799 |title=Batwoman to Make in 'Arrow'-verse Debut in Next Crossover |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |work=Hollywood Reporter |date=May 17, 2018 |access-date=May 17, 2018 |archive-date=May 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518001654/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/batwoman-make-arrow-verse-debut-next-crossover-1112799 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'' episode "Marathon", a map shows Gotham City in place of Chicago, Illinois.

====Theme parks====
Themed lands meant to represent Gotham City have been physically constructed in several different theme parks around the world. WB Movie World in Germany featured a Gotham City section that housed [[Batman Adventure – The Ride]], and [[Six Flags Magic Mountain]] opened a section called the "Gotham City Backlot" that featured [[Batman: The Ride]]. The section featured at Magic Mountain was designed by park designer Kevin Barbee, and alongside the opening of Batman: The Ride coincided with the largest expansion the park had ever undergone in 23 years, with the theming elements primarily having been inspired by the ''Batman'' films directed by Tim Burton. Both the ride and the Gotham City Backlot opened on March 26, 1994.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-26-ca-38648-story.html |title=Batman Scales the Mountain: Gotham City Area, Roller Coaster Are Largest Expansion in Magic Mountain's 23-Year History at the Los Angeles Times |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=March 26, 1994 |access-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808024627/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-26-ca-38648-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Magic Mountain section closed at the end of the park's 2010 season and was later rethemed and rebranded as the "DC Universe", featuring characters and attractions other than just Batman. It reopened in 2011.

[[Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi]] features a section themed after Gotham City, including rides based on Batman, the Riddler and the Scarecrow as well as a walk-through attraction called "The Joker's Funhouse". The park and its Gotham City section were designed by [[Thinkwell Group]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thinkwellgroup.com/project/warner-bros-world-abu-dhabi/ |title=Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi at Thinkwell Group |access-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814034825/https://thinkwellgroup.com/project/warner-bros-world-abu-dhabi/ |url-status=live }}</ref> DC characters as they appear in both the attractions themselves as well as through live performers feature costumes based on [[The New 52]] comic book relaunch from 2011. The Gotham City section neighbors another section themed after [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]], home of [[Superman]].

===Films===
====1989 Batman series====
{{main|Batman (1989 film series)}}
[[File:Gotham skyline.JPG|right|thumb|Gotham City's [[skyline]] in the 1989 ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' film]]
''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' (1989) director [[Tim Burton]] wanted a timeless alternative to New York and described it as "hell burst through the pavement and grew".<ref name=DenOfGeek/> The look of Gotham was overseen by production designer [[Anton Furst]], who won an Oscar for supervising the art department.<ref name=EntertainmentWeekly>{{cite magazine |last=Daly |first=Steve |url=https://ew.com/article/1992/06/19/designing-set-batman-returns/ |title=Sets Appeal: Designing 'Batman Returns' |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=June 19, 1992 |access-date=December 25, 2010 |archive-date=October 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010170405/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,310819,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Furst stated ''Batman'' was "definitely based in many ways on the worst aspects of New York City" and was inspired by [[Andreas Feininger]]'s photographs of 1940s New York. Furst's draftsman [[Nigel Phelps]] created numerous [[Charcoal (art)|charcoal drawings]] of the buildings and interior sets for the production.<ref name=BuildMoviescapes>{{Cite book|last=Hanson|first=Matt|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f48nl_3Up8gC&q=furst+%22the+worst+aspects+of+New+York%22&pg=PA37|title=Building Sci-fi Moviescapes: The Science Behind the Fiction|date=2005|publisher=Gulf Professional|isbn=978-0-240-80772-0|language=en}}</ref>

Following the death of Furst, Burton tapped [[Bo Welch]] to oversee production design for ''[[Batman Returns]]'' (1992). Burton wanted Welch to re-imagine Gotham, stating "''Batman'' didn't feel big to me – it didn't have the power an old American city has".<ref name=Ranker>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ranker.com/list/what-city-inspired-gotham/eric-vega|title=The Many Inspirations For Every Onscreen Portrayal Of Gotham City|last=Luis|first=Eric|date=2019-10-30|website=Ranker|language=en|access-date=2020-03-27|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327231402/https://www.ranker.com/list/what-city-inspired-gotham/eric-vega|url-status=live}}</ref> Welch wanted to expand on the same basic concept for the sequel but moved away from European influences to show more American [[Art Deco]]/[[World's Fair]] elements.<ref name=EntertainmentWeekly/><ref>{{cite magazine|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117901465.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|title=Review: 'Batman Returns'|quote=Lensed seemingly entirely indoors or on covered sets, pic is a magnificently atmospheric elaboration on German expressionism. Its look has been freshly imagined by production designer Bo Welch, based on the Oscar-winning concepts of the late Anton Furst in the first installment. Welch's Gotham City looms ominously over all individuals, and every set-from Penguin's aquarium-like lair and Shreck's lavish offices to Bruce Wayne's vaguely 'Citizen Kane'-like mansion and simple back alleys-is brilliantly executed to maximum evocative effect|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=June 14, 1992|access-date=December 25, 2010|archive-date=April 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427011546/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117901465.html?categoryid=31&cs=1|url-status=live}}</ref> When asked what inspired his interpretation of Gotham, Welch stated "[H]ow can I create a visual expression of corruption and greed? That got me thinking about the fascistic architecture employed at world's fairs&nbsp;... That feels corrupt because it's evocative of oppressive bureaucracies and dictatorships&nbsp;... So I looked at a lot of [Third Reich] art and images from world's fairs".<ref name=Ranker/> To physically make the city seem darker, he designed tall "oppressively overbuilt" cityscape that physically blocked out light.<ref name=Variety>{{cite web |last=Daly |first=Steve |url=https://ew.com/article/1992/06/19/designing-set-batman-returns/ |title=Sets Appeal: Designing 'Batman Returns' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 19, 1992 |access-date=December 25, 2010 |archive-date=October 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010170405/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,310819,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Ranker/>

When [[Joel Schumacher]] took over directing the [[Tim Burton / Joel Schumacher Batman film series|''Batman'' film series]] from Tim Burton, Barbara Ling handled the production design for both of Schumacher's films, ''[[Batman Forever]]'' (1995)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-production-designer-barbara-ling-quentin-tarantino-production-value-news/|title=How 'Once Upon A Time In Hollywood' Production Designer Barbara Ling Brought Quentin Tarantino's Favorite Restaurants Back Into The '60s — Production Value Video Series|last=Grobar |first=Matt|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=November 7, 2019|access-date=February 10, 2020|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110021035/https://deadline.com/video/once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-production-designer-barbara-ling-quentin-tarantino-production-value-news/}}</ref> and 1997's ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/batmanandrobin.html |title=Film locations for ''Batman & Robin'' |website=The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations |access-date=December 25, 2010 |archive-date=November 29, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129120053/http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/batmanandrobin.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shoestring.org/mmi_revs/batman-robin.html |title=Barbara Ling's no-holds-barred production design makes Gotham look more surreal than ever |publisher=Shoestring Radio Theater |access-date=December 25, 2010 |archive-date=September 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903065038/http://www.shoestring.org/mmi_revs/batman-robin.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ling's vision of Gotham City was a luminous and outlandish evocation of modern [[Expressionist architecture|Expressionism]]{{cn|date=March 2025}} and [[Constructivist architecture|Constructivism]].<ref>''Batman & Robin'' DVD extras</ref> Its [[Futurist architecture|futuristic]] design, which ''[[Washington Post]]'' critic Desson Howe felt evoked the 1982 film ''[[Blade Runner]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/batmanforever.htm|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|title='Batman Forever': Robin Debuts|last=Howe |first=Desson|url-status=live|language=en-US|access-date=March 7, 2022|archive-date=January 19, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119040902/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/batmanforever.htm|quote=Departing from former ''Batman'' director Tim Burton's gothic approach to New York, Schumacher and production designer Barbara Ling compulsively layer the background with a [[Futurist architecture|futuristic city design]] that seems to aim for ''Blade Runner'' by way of ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''}}</ref> were described by Ling in her book, ''Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: The Production Design of Batman & Robin'' as a cross between 1930s Manhattan and the "Neo-Tokyo" of ''[[Akira (1988 film)|Akira]]''. Ling cited "[[neon sign|neon-ridden]]" Tokyo and the [[Machine Age]] as her influences, describing her Gotham as "like a [[World's fair|World's Fair]] on [[Methylenedioxymethamphetamine|ecstasy]]".<ref>Barbara Ling, ''Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: The Production Design of Batman & Robin''. 2005. [[Warner Home Video]]</ref> When Batman is pursuing [[Two-Face]] in ''Batman Forever'', the chase ends at Lady Gotham, the fictional equivalent of the [[Statue of Liberty]]. During Mr. Freeze's attempt to freeze Gotham in the film ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]'', the targeting screen for his giant laser locates it somewhere on the [[New England]] shoreline, possibly as far north as [[Maine]]. The soundtrack for ''Batman & Robin'' features [[Gotham City (song)|a song named after the city]] and sung by [[R. Kelly]], later included on international editions of his 1998 [[double album]] ''[[R. (R. Kelly album)|R.]]''

====The ''Dark Knight'' trilogy====
{{main|The Dark Knight Trilogy}}
Director [[Christopher Nolan]] has stated that [[Chicago]] inspired his portrayal of Gotham, and the majority of both ''[[Batman Begins]]'' (2005) and ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' (2008) were filmed there.<ref name=Today/> However, Nolan's Gotham City was deliberately set in New Jersey to honor Gotham's location in the comic books.<ref name=Distractify>{{cite web |url= https://www.distractify.com/p/the-batman-filming-locations |title= These Are the Cities Standing in for Gotham in 'The Batman' |website= Distractify |date= March 4, 2022 |access-date= March 6, 2022 |archive-date= March 6, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220306213912/https://www.distractify.com/p/the-batman-filming-locations |url-status= live }}</ref>

For ''[[Batman Begins]]'', Nolan desired that Gotham appear as a large, modern city that nonetheless reflects a variety of architectural styles and periods, as well as different socioeconomic strata. The production's approach depicted Gotham as an exaggeration of New York City, with elements taken from Chicago, the elevated freeways and monorails of [[Tokyo]],<ref name=IGNInterview>{{cite web | first=Jeff | last=Otto | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/622/622719p1.html | title=Interview: Christopher Nolan | website=IGN | date=June 5, 2006 | access-date=November 6, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331134903/http://movies.ign.com/articles/622/622719p1.html | archive-date=March 31, 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> and the "[[Kowloon Walled City|walled city of Kalhoon]]"{{sic}} in [[Hong Kong]], which was the basis for the slum in the film known as The Narrows.<ref name=WorldwideBBegins/><ref name=IGNInterview/>

In ''[[The Dark Knight]]'', more Chicago and New York influences were observed. On filming in Chicago, James McAllister, key location manager stated, "visually it's that look like you would see in the comic books". Nolan also stated "there's all these different boroughs, with rivers to interconnect. I think it's hard to get away from that, because Gotham is based on New York."<ref name=Today/>

For ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'' (2012), the production utilized [[Pittsburgh]]; [[Los Angeles]]; [[New York City]]; [[Newark, New Jersey]]; [[London]]; [[Glasgow]]; and [[Toronto]] for shots of Gotham City.<ref name=Reelz/><ref name=PittPostGazette/><ref name=MTV/><ref name=NJ.com1/><ref name=NewYorkPost/><ref name=NJ.com2/>

====DC Extended Universe====
{{main|DC Extended Universe}}
Within the [[DC Extended Universe]], Gotham City is located in Gotham County, [[New Jersey]]. In ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]'', paperwork mentions that the city is in "Gotham County", and Amanda Waller's files on Deadshot and Harley Quinn in ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]'' reveal Gotham City to be located in the state of New Jersey.<ref name="APP">{{cite news |date=August 5, 2016 |title=Review: 'Suicide Squad' |url=http://www.app.com/story/entertainment/movies/2016/08/05/review-suicide-squad-another-super-dc-mess/88286868/ |newspaper=Asbury Park Press}}</ref><ref name="CBR">{{cite web |date=August 7, 2016 |title="Suicide Squad": The Biggest Revelations From The Latest DC Film |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/suicide-squad-the-biggest-revelations-from-the-latest-dc-film |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819131655/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/suicide-squad-the-biggest-revelations-from-the-latest-dc-film |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2016 |publisher=[[CBR.com]]}}</ref> [[Zack Snyder]] confirmed that [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] and Gotham City are in close geographical proximity to each other.<ref>{{Cite magazine| url=https://www.wired.com/2015/07/dawn-of-justice-gotham-metropolis/| title=Zack Snyder Turned Gotham City and Metropolis into the Bay Area| magazine=Wired| date=July 11, 2015| access-date=March 7, 2017| archive-date=March 13, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313080330/https://www.wired.com/2015/07/dawn-of-justice-gotham-metropolis/| url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Boston Globe]]'' compared the close proximity of Gotham City and Metropolis to [[Jersey City]] and [[Manhattan]].<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2016/03/23/chaotic-joyless-superhero-showdown/roD16b4FzoQm6oue4oA6LJ/story.html|title ='Batman v Superman' is dark and chaotic|last=Burr |first=Ty|newspaper=[[Boston Globe]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=March 24, 2016|access-date=March 7, 2022|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326004336/https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2016/03/23/chaotic-joyless-superhero-showdown/roD16b4FzoQm6oue4oA6LJ/story.html}}</ref> A television ad for [[Turkish Airlines]] that premiered during [[Super Bowl 50|the 2016 Super Bowl]] featured [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Bruce Wayne]] ([[Ben Affleck]]) promoting Gotham as a tourist destination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/batman-v-superman-gotham-metropolis-863008|title='Batman v Superman': Gotham and Metropolis Detailed in New Promo|last=McMillan |first=Graeme|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=February 8, 2016|access-date=March 7, 2022|archive-date=January 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119143554/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/batman-v-superman-gotham-metropolis-863008/}}</ref>

To create Gotham in ''Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'', the creative team "decided to recreate and combine large sections of existing selected city sections and adapt the architecture and layout to fit Gotham's. Thousands of photographs were put through MPC's photogrammetry pipeline to create geometry and textures for each city section."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/batman-v-superman-doomsday-gotham-city-concept-art/|title=Batman V Superman Concept Art: Early Doomsday & Gotham City Designs|date=2017-02-13|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-27|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327231406/https://screenrant.com/batman-v-superman-doomsday-gotham-city-concept-art/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In ''[[Birds of Prey (2020 film)|Birds of Prey]]'', which takes place in Gotham, the entire shoot took place in Los Angeles. It was originally expected to be filmed in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, but the production received a tax credit from California, incentivizing the location change.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/harley-quinn-spinoff-film-birds-prey-california-tax-credit-recipients-1129269/|title=Harley Quinn Spinoff Film 'Birds of Prey' Among Latest California Tax Credit Recipients| website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|last=Kilday |first=Gregg|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=July 23, 2018|access-date=March 7, 2022|archive-date=March 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304220057/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/harley-quinn-spinoff-film-birds-prey-california-tax-credit-recipients-1129269/}}</ref>

====''The Batman''====
{{main|The Batman (film)}}
The 2022 [[Matt Reeves]] film ''[[The Batman (film)|The Batman]]'' delves into the criminal underbelly of Gotham City through noir-style storytelling and highlights themes of corruption rampant within the city's government and police department.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.cnet.com/news/the-batman-director-matt-reeves-wants-to-put-you-off-kilter/ |title= 'The Batman' Director Matt Reeves Wants to Put You Off-Kilter |publisher= [[CNET]] |date= March 6, 2022 |access-date= March 6, 2022 |archive-date= March 5, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220305202523/https://www.cnet.com/news/the-batman-director-matt-reeves-wants-to-put-you-off-kilter/ |url-status= live }}</ref> The film used [[London]], [[Glasgow]],<ref name="syfy">{{Cite web |last=Oller |first=Jacob |date=February 21, 2020 |title='The Batman' Suits Up for the Graveyard Shift in Bat-Cycle Set Photos |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-batman-batsuit-motorcycle-set-pictures |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222041534/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-batman-batsuit-motorcycle-set-pictures |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |access-date=February 21, 2020 |website=[[Syfy Wire]]}}</ref> [[Liverpool]],<ref name=LiverpoolEcho/> and Chicago as filming locations for Gotham City,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reelchicago.com/article/exclusive-photos-the-batman-filming-in-chicago-loop/|title=Exclusive Photos – The Batman filming in Chicago Loop|work=Reel Chicago|last=Roche |first=Matthew|date=October 20, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2022|archive-date=January 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118063441/https://reelchicago.com/article/exclusive-photos-the-batman-filming-in-chicago-loop/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/the-batman-set-chicago-motorcycle-photos-video/|title=The Batman Set Shows Dark, Gritty Gotham With Easter Eggs in Exclusive Set Video|work=[[ComicBook.com]]|last=Davis |first=Brandon|date=October 19, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2022|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125143627/https://comicbook.com/dc/news/the-batman-set-chicago-motorcycle-photos-video/}}</ref> although it was modeled on New York City.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/the-batman-review-robert-pattinson-matt-reeves-1235188970 |title= 'The Batman' Review: A Tortured Robert Pattinson Goes Even Darker Than 'The Dark Knight' |work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date= February 28, 2022 |access-date= March 6, 2022 |archive-date= March 5, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220305211115/https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/the-batman-review-robert-pattinson-matt-reeves-1235188970/ |url-status= live }}</ref> A towering skyscraper similar to the [[Empire State Building]] looms over Gotham City with an emblazoned sign that reads "Gotham Empire". A busy, commercial intersection called "Gotham Square" is seen in several shots and resembles [[Times Square]] with its bright signs and giant digital screens. The film's concluding sequence, while filmed at London's [[The O2 Arena|O2 Arena]], is called "Gotham Square Garden", taking its naming convention from New York's [[Madison Square Garden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2022/03/03/the-batman-made-me-feel-miserable-about-living-in-nyc|title='The Batman' made me feel miserable about living in crime-ridden NYC|newspaper=[[New York Post]]|date=March 3, 2022|access-date=March 6, 2022|archive-date=March 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305162619/https://nypost.com/2022/03/03/the-batman-made-me-feel-miserable-about-living-in-nyc/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====''Joker'' (2019) and ''Joker: Folie à Deux'' (2024)====
{{Main|Joker (2019 film)|Joker: Folie à Deux}}
''[[Joker (2019 film)|Joker]]'' director and producer [[Todd Phillips]] imagined Gotham as a "version of Gotham was the pre-'80s boom New York, or urban northeastern center, but not the iconic New York". When asked how he re-imagined the city, production designer Mark Friedberg stated "our version of Gotham was what groomed him. It was both an appreciation for how severe things got in the city, but also for the world of possibility that lived in the version of that city."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/joker-gotham-production-designer-interview-mark-friedberg-69053/|title=The Design of 'Joker' Just Might Make You Sympathize With the Villain|date=2019-09-25|website=Backstage|language=en|access-date=2020-03-27|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327231403/https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/joker-gotham-production-designer-interview-mark-friedberg-69053/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film shot on location and used landmarks in New York City; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Newark, New Jersey. In ''[[Joker: Folie à Deux]]'', Gotham is explicitly stated to be in [[New York State]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/joker-2-confirms-gotham-city-real-world-location/|title=Joker: Folie à Deux Confirms Gotham City's Real-World Location|first=Manuel|last=Demegillo|date=October 1, 2024|website=CBR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesunbreak.com/2024/10/03/joker-folie-a-deux-review/|title=Joker: Folie à Deux sends in the (sad, sociopathic, murderous) clowns|first=Chris|last=Burlingame|date=October 3, 2024|website=The SunBreak}}</ref>

====Animated films====
[[File:Gotham Knight Skyline.jpg|thumb|The Gotham City skyline in ''Batman: Gotham Knight'' (2008)]]
{{Main|DC Animated Universe}}
During the events of the [[direct-to-video]] film ''[[Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero]]'' (1998), a computer screen displaying [[Barbara Gordon]]'s personal information refers to her location as "Gotham City, NY", and also displays her area code as being 212 – a [[Manhattan]] area code.

The 2008 direct-to-DVD film ''[[Batman: Gotham Knight]]'' shows Gotham as a large city with many skyscrapers and a bustling population.

===Video games===
Gotham City appears in several video games, including ''[[Batman Begins (video game)|Batman Begins]]'', ''[[DC Universe Online]]'', [[Gotham Knights (video game)|''Gotham Knights'']] and ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]''. The city makes another appearance in a video game with ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'', where the player can fight outside or inside [[Wayne Manor]], on top of a building and in an alley. Other games that feature the city include ''[[Lego Dimensions]]'' and Rocksteady's ''Arkham'' franchise.

[[File:Gotham City Arkham.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Gotham City in ''Batman: Arkham Knight'' (2015)]]
Gotham City appears as a location in the 2017 video game ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]'' as part of a [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] in commemoration of Batman's 80th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/batman-glides-to-fortnite-on-batman-day|title=Batman Glides to Fortnite on Batman Day|date=2019-09-21|publisher=Epic Games|language=en|access-date=2021-02-25|archive-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226124644/https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/batman-glides-to-fortnite-on-batman-day|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the fourth incarnation of the game's iconic [[Tilted Towers]] area. Players are able to use the Batglider after falling from a great height, as long as they remain in the confines of Gotham City. The location was removed on October 13, 2019, during the game's [[Fortnite seasonal events #Chapter 1|"The End" live event]], in which it was sucked into a [[Black Hole]] along with the rest of the ''Fortnite'' Chapter 1 Island.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|url=https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2019/10/13/20909812/fortnite-down-black-hole-chapter-2-the-end|title=Fortnite Has Been Down for Hours as Millions of Players Stare at Black Hole|date=October 13, 2019|website=[[The Verge]]|language=en|access-date=February 25, 2021|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320185134/https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2019/10/13/20909812/fortnite-down-black-hole-chapter-2-the-end|url-status=live}}</ref> The assets used for Gotham City, devoid of any Batman branding, are featured in ''[[Fortnite Creative]]'' under the name "Dark Tilted".

====Batman: Arkham====
{{main|Batman: Arkham}}
''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]'' (2009) opens with Batman driving [[Joker (character)|Joker]] from Gotham City to [[Arkham Asylum]]. Joker also threatens to detonate bombs across Gotham. In ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'' (2011), the slums of Old Gotham City (the northern island) were converted into Arkham City. Inside the prison walls, this part of Gotham contains various landmarks throughout the story, like [[Penguin (comics)|Penguin]]'s Iceberg Lounge, the Ace Chemical Plant, the [[Black Mask (comics)|Sionis]] Steel Mill, the Old Gotham City Police Department building, and the Monarch Theatre with the Wayne murder scene in Crime Alley. Most of these locations have major events in the story. In ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]'' (2013), an earlier, younger version of the city can be seen than that of other games in the ''Batman: Arkham'' series. In addition to the northern island, this installment in the series lets players explore a new southern island, connected to the former by the Pioneer's Bridge. The setting of ''[[Batman: Arkham Knight]]'' (2015), Central Gotham City, is five times larger than Old Gotham. In the novelization for ''Batman: Arkham Knight'', it is revealed that Crime Alley was later renamed Wayne Way months after the 'death' of Batman.

==References==
===General references===
* Brady, Matthew and Williams, Dwight. ''Daily Planet Guide to Gotham City''. Honesdale, Pennsylvania: [[West End Games]] under license from [[DC Comics]], 2000.
* Brown, Eliot. "''Gotham City Skyline''". ''Secret Files & Origins Guide to the DC Universe 2000''. New York: DC Comics, 2000.
* [[Alan Grant (writer)|Grant, Alan]]. "''The Last Arkham''". ''[[Batman: Shadow of the Bat]]'' #1. New York: DC Comics, 1992.
* [[Jeph Loeb|Loeb, Jeph]]. ''[[Batman: The Long Halloween]]''. New York: DC Comics, 1997.
* [[Miller, Frank]]. ''[[Batman: Year One]]''. New York: DC Comics, 1988.
* [[Grant Morrison|Morrison, Grant]]. ''[[Arkham Asylum]]''. New York: DC Comics, 1990.
* [[Dennis O'Neil|O'Neil, Dennis]]. "''Destroyer''". ''[[Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight]]'' #27. New York: DC Comics, 1992.

===Inline citations===
{{reflist}}

{{Batman}}
{{Batman (TV series)}}
{{DC Comics populated places}}
[[Category:DC Comics islands]]
[[Category:DC Comics populated places]]
[[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1940]]
[[Category:Fictional populated places in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Gotham City| ]]