Gotham City
Gotham City is the fictional American metropolis where Batman operates, appearing in DC Comics since 1940.
The city is characterized by gothic architecture, rampant crime, and pervasive corruption—a dark urban landscape requiring a vigilante hero.
Gotham has become shorthand for any crime-ridden, morally compromised city: This place is turning into Gotham City.
The name derives from an older nickname for New York City.
Gotham's cowled crimefighter's identity
- RobinBird-derived given name
- NightwingWing active after dark
- BatcaveUnderground superhero base
- Wayne ManorFictional billionaire's mansion
Batgirl · Batmobile · Bat-Signal · Dark Knight · utility belt · grappling hook · batarang · cape
Gotham's chaos-loving nemesis
- CatwomanWhip-wielding antiheroine
- PenguinBritish publishing imprint
- RiddlerPuzzle-obsessed costumed criminal
- Two-FaceInsincere, duplicitous individual
Bane · Harley Quinn · Mr. Freeze · Ra's al Ghul · Arkham Asylum · rogues gallery · supervillain · nemesis
Obscured by darkness
- grittyCoarse or courageous
- hardboiledTough, cynical fiction style
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- femme fataleTreacherous enchantress
alleyways · neon · trenchcoat · fedora · nightclub · smoky · cynical · pulp
Dishonest abuse of power
- mafiaCriminal organization using intimidation
- gangsOrganized criminal groups
- organized crimeStructured illegal enterprise
- underworldRealm of the departed
smuggling · racketeering · extortion · murder · robbery · heist · bribery · drug trade
Extremely tall urban buildings
- gargoylesDecorative architectural waterspouts
- rooftopsUpper surfaces of buildings
- narrowsConstricted water passage
- docksShip mooring structures
waterfront · bridges · elevated trains · Gothic architecture · art deco · industrial · grimy · sprawling
Major superhero publisher
- DC UniverseComic publisher's shared continuity
- graphic novelsBook-length illustrated stories
- Detective ComicsSuperhero anthology series
- animated seriesDrawn episodic television program
Christopher Nolan · Tim Burton · Frank Miller · Year One · comic book
Bruce Wayne
Gotham's cowled crimefighter's identity
Batgirl · Wayne Manor · Batmobile · Bat-Signal · Dark Knight · utility belt · grappling hook · batarang · cape · cowl
Joker
Gotham's chaos-loving nemesis
- CatwomanWhip-wielding antiheroine
- PenguinBritish publishing imprint
- RiddlerPuzzle-obsessed costumed criminal
Two-Face · Bane · Harley Quinn · Mr. Freeze · Ra's al Ghul · Arkham Asylum · rogues gallery · supervillain · nemesis · archenemy
shadowy
Obscured by darkness
- grittyCoarse or courageous
- hardboiledTough, cynical fiction style
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
femme fatale · alleyways · neon · trenchcoat · fedora · nightclub · smoky · cynical · pulp · mystery
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- mafiaCriminal organization using intimidation
- gangsOrganized criminal groups
- organized crimeStructured illegal enterprise
underworld · smuggling · racketeering · extortion · murder · robbery · heist · bribery · drug trade · crime boss
skyscrapers
Extremely tall urban buildings
- gargoylesDecorative architectural waterspouts
- rooftopsUpper surfaces of buildings
- narrowsConstricted water passage
docks · waterfront · bridges · elevated trains · Gothic architecture · art deco · industrial · grimy · sprawling · brownstones
DC Comics
Major superhero publisher
- DC UniverseComic publisher's shared continuity
- graphic novelsBook-length illustrated stories
- Detective ComicsSuperhero anthology series
animated series · Christopher Nolan · Tim Burton · Frank Miller · Year One · comic book
- DC ComicsSuperman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash
- BatmanBatman, Bruce Wayne, Joker, Robin, Batmobile
- Fictional PlacesHogwarts, Mordor, Narnia, Gondor, Westeros
- Comic LocationsMetropolis, Arkham Asylum, Batcave, Fortress of Solitude, Asgard
- Cartoon PlacesBikini Bottom, Springfield, Duckburg, Quahog, Townsville
Gotham CityMetropolis
Hero's fictional American city
Shangri-La · Paradise Island · Emerald City · Rivendell · Asgard
Gotham CityUtopia
Imagined perfect society
Metropolis · Paradise · Eden · Zion · New Jerusalem