AsGotham Knightslooks to capture the hearts of both new audiences and fans of the much-lovedArkhamseries, it has a huge task ahead. Theabsence of Batman and Jim Gordonmust be made up for in some way as Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and Red Hood all look to pick up the slack. The Court of Owls are pulling the strings of the criminal underworld in Gotham, and fighting to maintain control of the city’s decrepit, lawless streets will take all the expertise and abilities of the aforementioned members of the Bat Family.
Gotham is a city that’s dominated by crime, with only a few individuals like Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne fueling the regular citizens' desire for a brighter tomorrow. With the pair gone, it sets upGotham Knights' story to be one that will be more influenced by the setting’s worst traits than ever, and so for players that are excited to begin the journey it could be wise to understand its origins and how Gotham was shaped. A history of hope, broken promises, and real-world comparisons, Gotham’s comic book beginnings in December 1940 have spurred on so much world-building and lore, solidifying it as a town that simply won’t behave.
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A History of Crime
While the vast majority of Batman comics focus on what Gotham is like in the modern day, it has been given a suitable origin story that dates back generations. Much of its history resembles the forging of New York City, as a Norwegian mercenary founded it in the 17th century before the British took it over. TheCourt of Owls, the very same organization at the forefront ofGotham Knightsgot its start here, too.
It’s said that Gotham was built upon a dark and evil being later named Doctor Gotham who is responsible for the malice and the crime that the city has become known for. In the 1800s the city sees its first glimpse of gang warfare as five rival outfits sought to run the city. It’s unclear if those groups would later become Joker’s goons, Carmine Falcone’s criminal empire, or the Red Hood Gang, but it’s clear that evil intentions and unlawful activity would be rife in Gotham for the years that would follow. This leads into perhaps the most significant event in Gotham’s history, as doctor and philanthropistThomas and his wife Martha Wayne were murdered in the now-notorious Crime Alley. This would be the origin story of the Batman, who quickly becomes the city’s most effective means of crime prevention.
Gotham City Under Batman’s Watch
Since returning to the city as the vigilante known as Batman, Bruce Wayne channels his inner aggression on the crime that has festered in Gotham, and the city has been subject to so many threats from new, and old villains that are constant thorns in Batman’s side. Memorable examples include Joker attempting to poison Gotham’s water supply inThe Man Who Laughsand the simplyunforgettable storyline inBatman: The Long Halloweenwhere the titular character attempts to catch and apprehend the Holiday Killer.
Often just Batman’s existence will provoke villains to come out of the woodwork. Despite the efforts of Bruce Wayne, Jim Gordon, the Bat Family, and the GCPD officers who have yet to be corrupted, Gotham is forever cursed to be a setting that is shaped by its undesirables rather than its positive influences.Gotham Knights’emphasis on the people Batman has inspired the mostputs it in an exciting point in the city’s dark history. Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Tim Drake, and Jason Todd have their own legacy to forge.
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Gotham City’s Real-World Influences
While it has quirks entirely its own, Gotham City was initially conceived as a comparable location to a handful of real-world places. Its name predates the comics by hundreds of years, as the term ‘Gotham’ was initially coined in Middle-Ages England with a village in Nottinghamshire given the now-iconic name. It was a place that had the reputation of being the home of simple-minded or foolish inhabitants after a visit from King John went wrong, and in the following centuries New York City was given ‘Gotham’ as a nickname, also. Architecturally,DC Comics' Gotham Cityis clearly more aligned with the latter rather than the quaint English midlands village.
New York is the closest parallel to Gotham City as it exists today, with writers comparing it to Manhattan at midnight. The consensus is that the Big Apple when shrouded in darkness resembles Gotham, andSuperman’s home city of Metropolisin the day. However, there are similarities between Gotham City and the Midwest city of Chicago that can’t go ignored. The gothic architecture, links to organized crime, and the inclusion of an overground monorail are all similar to that of the Windy City, and so while a small village in rural England may be where it got its name, Chicago and New York City are where Gotham gets so much of its iconic charm.
Gotham is a City of Storied Sin
From the psychologically horrifying halls of Arkham Asylum to the heritage and regality of Wayne Manor, Gotham City and its surrounding area is molded by trying times and desperate men. It’s a city that always seems to be on the brink of collapse, and asMatt Reeves’The Batmanprovides perhaps the best live-action version of the setting to date,Gotham Knightshas a huge legacy to live up to when it releases later this year. The very existence of The Court of Owls in the game is a significant indicator thatGotham Knightswon’t be afraid to peel back the layers of the city and use its history as a narrative tool, but there is simply so much there that it can’t hope to capture it all.
WB Montreal has the opportunity to prove that Gotham City is the reason why Batman’s stories (in the comics or otherwise) flourish, not the other way around. Bruce Wayne is gone, andNightwing and the rest of the Bat Familywill be left to their own devices in a bid to keep the regular citizens of the city safe from the mountains of corruption, crime, and villainy.
Gotham Knightsreleases October 25 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
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