Jim Gordon (character)
| Commissioner Gordon | |
|---|---|
| File:DetectiveComics779.jpg Detail from the cover art for Detective Comics #779 (Feb. 2003). Art by Tim Sale | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #27 (May, 1939) |
| Created by | Bob Kane Bill Finger |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | James Worthington "Jim" Gordon |
| Supporting character of | Batman |
James "Jim" Worthington Gordon is a supporting character in DC Comics' Batman series. Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, he first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939). He was the first Batman supporting character to be introduced.
In most incarnations of the Batman mythos, Gordon is the police commissioner of Batman's home of Gotham City. He shares the hero’s deep commitment of ridding the dark and corrupting city of crime. In Golden and Silver age comics and on the 1960s Batman television show, Gordon fully trusts, and is even somewhat dependent on Batman. In most modern stories, he is somewhat skeptical of Batman's vigilante method but recognizes the necessity of Batman and the two have a mutual respect and tacit friendship. He was the husband of Barbara Kean Gordon and Sarah Essen Gordon. Gordon is also the father or adoptive father, depending on the continuity, of Barbara Gordon, the original Batgirl and later Oracle, and James Gordon Jr.
Gordon is an important part of the Batman mythos and has appeared in most other media adaptations of the character.
Fictional character biography
Early characterizations
In most versions of the Batman mythos, he is at one point or another depicted as Gotham City's police commissioner. He succeeded Commissioner Grogan in the rank at GCPD. Gordon frequently contacts Batman for help in solving various crimes, particularly those committed by supervillains. Because DC Comics retconned its characters' history in the 1985 miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths, and because of different interpretations in television and film, the details of Gordon's history vary from story to story.
In the original pre-Crisis version of his history, Gordon was a police detective who initially bitterly resented the mysterious vigilante's interference in police business. Although the Batman seemed to fight on the side of justice, his methods and phenomenal track record for stopping crimes and capturing criminals embarrassed the police by comparison. Eventually, Batman met up with Gordon and persuaded the detective that they needed each other's help. Batman was deputized and worked with Gordon as an agent of the law.
Post-Crisis
Batman: Year One
The post-Crisis version of the character was introduced in the late-1980s storyline Batman: Year One, written by Frank Miller. In this version, Gordon was transferred back to the city after spending more than fifteen years in Chicago. A man of integrity, Gordon found that his only ally against the mob-controlled administration was the Batman. One of the most significant differences in this version is that Batman was never deputized and Gordon's relationship with him was kept out of the public eye whenever possible. It was also added that he was a Special Forces veteran who was more than capable of hand to hand combat.
When Gordon needs to summon Batman, he uses the Bat-Signal, a specially modified Klieg searchlight with a stylized symbol of a bat placed on it so that it projects a large emblem shaped in Batman's bat insignia on the sky or buildings of Gotham City. Batman often disappears silently when Gordon's back is turned, often while Gordon is in the middle of a rant about legal red tape.
The miniseries Gordon of Gotham takes place about nearly twenty years prior to the current events of the DC Universe and ten years before coming to Gotham in Batman: Year One. It reveals that Gordon, during his tenure in Chicago, struggled with his wife over conceiving a child while taking university night classes in criminology. He faces brutality among other officers after uncovering corruption within the force. Later, Gordon uncovers evidence of rigging the mayoral election and brings down two of his fellow officers, which leads to his commissioner recommending to him that he transfer to Gotham quickly.
Barbara Gordon
In the original comics, Gordon has a daughter, Barbara, who, unbeknownst to him, fights crime as Batgirl. In the final season of the 1990s Batman: The Animated Series and its later spinoffs, the producers made a slight change to continuity by revealing that Gordon knew Barbara was Batgirl, although whether or not he knew Batman's identity was never indicated. In most current comics, she is his niece-turned-adopted-daughter (though it was hinted that he may actually be her biological father as well.). The stance of this as of One Year Later is unknown.
Batman: The Killing Joke
In the 1988 graphic novel The Killing Joke, the Joker kidnaps Gordon after shooting and paralyzing Barbara. He then cages Gordon in the freak show of an abandoned amusement park and forces him to look at enlarged photos of his wounded daughter in an effort to drive him insane, thus proving to Batman that even the most grounded, seemingly normal people can lose their minds after having "one bad day." Batman eventually apprehends the Joker and rescues Gordon. Despite the intense trauma he has endured, Gordon's sanity and code of ethics is intact; he insists that Batman apprehend the Joker without harming him in order to "show him that our way works."
In the aftermath of her paralysis, Barbara is forced to end her career as Batgirl, but continues to fight crime as the wheelchair-bound Oracle, information broker to the superhero community and leader of the all-female superhero team, The Birds of Prey.
No Man's Land
The No Man's Land storyline took place after Gotham was destroyed by an earthquake and isolated from outside assistance. Inside Gotham, Gordon struggled to maintain order amidst rampant crime. Batman was mysteriously absent for the initial three months, and Gordon felt somewhat betrayed. He forged an uneasy alliance with Two-Face but was later double-crossed, kidnapped, and put on trial by Two-Face for breaking their "legally-binding" alliance. He escaped punishment, and later met with Batman once again. In this confrontation, Gordon expressed his disgust towards Batman for letting Gotham "fall into ruin". Batman offered to prove his trust by revealing his secret identity, but Gordon refused to look when Batman removed his mask. Eventually their relationship was repaired.
The Death of Sarah Essen
Gordon fell in love with and married fellow officer Sarah Essen. However, Essen could not comprehend why Gordon needed Batman so much, which occasionally put a strain on their relationship. Unfortunately, she was fatally shot by the Joker at the end of the No Man's Land storyline. An enraged Gordon was able to restrain himself from killing Joker, shooting the Joker's knee instead. Not long after this, Gordon was gunned down by a crook seeking revenge for a previous arrest. Though seriously injured, he eventually pulled through.
Retirement
Gordon retired from the police force after having served more than 20 years in it. He remained in Gotham, and occasionally enjoyed nighttime visits from Batman who came to him for company and advice. Commissioner Michael Akins had taken his position.
After Barbara required surgery to save her life from the Brainiac virus, Gordon visited his adopted daughter in Metropolis. She revealed to him her current role as Oracle, as well as her past as Batgirl. Gordon admitted that he knew of her life as Batgirl, but was pleasantly surprised to know of her career as the computer information broker of the heroes. He is very proud of her accomplishments.
Return
As part of DC's "One Year Later" Gordon has returned to the role of Commissioner; as of the year-long jump he has been back in the job for 3 months. The circumstances behind this are currently unknown, though there have been allusions to extreme corruption within the GCPD. These allusions are supported by events within Gotham Central, especially involving Detective Jim Corrigan. Most recently, Gordon survived an attempt on his life by the Joker (Batman #655), who had drugged him with Joker Venom in an attack on the GCPD. He was taken to the hospital in time.
Gordon and Batman's Identity
In most versions of the mythos, Gordon is ignorant of Batman's identity, though some fans and writers feel that Gordon is smart enough to solve the puzzle but chooses not to in order to preserve Batman's effectiveness. In the 1966 Batman theatrical movie, Gordon explicitly states his desire not to know for such a reason. In Batman: Year One, Gordon claims not to see the unmasked Batman well (whom his wife at that time, Barbara, also sees) because he doesn't have his glasses on. The Batman: The Animated Series episode "Over the Edge" ends with a conversation between Commissioner Gordon and Barbara (his daughter not his wife) which implies that Gordon at least knows that Barbara is Batgirl but cannot acknowledge it because that would put him in an uncomfortable legal position. During No Man's Land, Batman attempts to regain Gordon's trust by revealing himself, but Gordon turns his face away, stating that if he wanted to know Batman's identity, he already would.
Likewise, in the 1980s Detective Comics storyline Blind Justice, the world at large incorrectly supposes Batman is dead and Gordon comments to Bruce Wayne that Batman has earned the right to retirement if he so desires. He then rather pointedly asks Bruce's advice on whether or not he should reveal that Batman still lives. In Batman: Year One, Gordon suspects early on that Bruce Wayne may be Batman, though he never follows up on his suspicions, although Sarah Essen is correct in her suspicions, even being correct with Bruce's motivation. In Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, Gordon and Bruce Wayne are portrayed as close friends, with Bruce having revealed his identity to Gordon years ago.
Family
Pre-Crisis
In Pre-Crisis continuity, James Gordon was the biological father of Anthony "Tony" Gordon and Barbara Gordon (later Batgirl). Originally referred to as a college student, Tony later disappeared while hiding from Communist spies. He was later reunited with his sister Barbara and perished in a battle with the Sino-Supermen. (Batman Family #12, Detective Comics # 482) [1]
Post-Crisis
In Post-Crisis continuity, there has been no mention of Tony Gordon. James Gordon has a brother, Roger Gordon. James and his wife, Barbara Eileen Gordon, are the parents of a son, James Gordon, Jr. (Batman #404-407) [2]
Roger Gordon and his wife, Thelma Gordon, are parents of Barbara "Babs" Gordon (later Batgirl and Oracle). When Babs was 12 or 13, her parents (Roger and Thelma) died. She moved to Gotham City and lived with her uncle, aunt and cousin. Eventually, James and Barbara adopted Babs. However, the couple divorced and James retained custody of Babs, while Barbara moved to Chicago with James, Jr. (Secret Origins #20). Barbara and James, Jr. are rarely mentioned and presumably still reside in Chicago. It has recently been revealed that James had an affair with Thelma, and might be the biological father of Babs. (Batman: Gotham Knights #6)
In one post-crisis story, James and Babs visit the grave of his late wife. However, this story is later retconned when it is revealed that his wife is not dead, but instead they are divorced. James eventually marries Sarah Essen. (Batman Annual #13, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #2). Unfortunately, Sarah was murdered by the Joker at the end of the No Man's Land storyline. During the One Year Later storyline, Gordon makes a slight reference to his ex-wife Barbara "doing well," implying that he keeps tabs on her. Whether Gordon is Barbara's uncle or father in rebooted continuity has not been touched on One Year Later.
Alternate realities
Earth-31
James Gordon was referred to in the first issue of the series, All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder. He made a full appearance on issue 6, as a police captain, having a conversations with his ex-partner, Sarah Essen, about Batman. He's still married to Barbara Kean Gordon, who is now an alcoholic, and has a son James Jr. Just as other continuities, his daughter, Barbara, who is fifteen, becomes Batgirl. Frank Miller has commented that the series is set in his Dark Knight Universe, which includes all of the Batman works by Frank Miller, therefore Barbara's inclusion confirms that Gordon had two children during Batman: Year One.
He later appeares in the limited series Batman: The Dark Knight Returns which takes place many years later presents a future where a retiring Gordon not only knows Batman's identity, but is good friends with Bruce Wayne. He then Makes an Cameo on Batman: Dark Knight Strikes Againb, Now retired he wrote a book about Batman who was believed To be Dead.
JLA: Earth 2
On the Anti-Matter Earth, where the evil Crime Syndicate of Amerika live, James Gordon's counterpart is a crime boss named Boss Gordon, who was an ally to Owlman, and it is implied that he had an affair with Martha Wayne, although this might have been a lie meant to anger Thomas Wayne. Boss Gordon was the city's leading crime boss until his empire was toppled by Batman and Commissioner Thomas Wayne.
Batman: In Darkest Knight
In the Elseworld story Batman: In Darkest Knight, Jim Gordon is an honest cop who distrusts the Green Lantern (who in this reality is Bruce Wayne) because of his near limitless power. Green Lantern comes to him in order to find the identity of the man who killed his parents but he rebukes him, later on he relents and goes over the files and narrows it down, but he is then interrupted and killed by Sinestro who ruptures his heart.
Unknown
In Lord Havok and the Extremists #3, an alternate version of Gordon, known as Zombie Gordon is featured as part of Monarch's army. A flesh-hungry beast, Zombie Gordon is kept in line by Bat-Soldier, via a large chain.
Other media
Appearances in film
Serials
In the 1949 15-episode movie serial Batman and Robin, Commissioner Gordon was portrayed by Ed Wood regular Lyle Talbot.
Burton/Schumacher film series
In the 1989 Batman film, and its three sequels, Gordon is portrayed by Pat Hingle. In the first film, he regards the Batman as a rumor at best and vigilante at worst, though by the end of the film, he and the citizens of Gotham publicly acknowledge his usefulness, and receive from him the gift of the Bat-signal. In the sequels, Gordon plays only a minimal role compared to his role in other media, but is shown to completely trust Batman and publicly defend him. Although Barbara Gordon is his daughter in the comics, in the last Schumacher film of the series, Batman & Robin, her name is changed to Barbara Wilson and she is Alfred Pennyworth's niece. There are no known women in his life in this series, although his wife appeared with him at the party Bruce Wayne was hosting in Batman and Poison Ivy seduces him and he gives in, giving her the keys to Police Headquarters in Batman & Robin.
Nolan film series
In the 2005 film Batman Begins Gordon is portrayed by Gary Oldman. The film partly concerns Gordon's rise from beat cop to Sergeant and, by the end of the film, Lieutenant. He did his best to comfort the eight-year-old Bruce Wayne after the murder of his parents, when he was a young man, and Wayne later recognizes him as one of the few honest police officers in the city and would always remember his kindness as it gave Bruce the strength he needed after his parents' death. Seventeen to eighteen years later, after being promoted as a detective-sergeant on the force, while working late on his office, Bruce, wearing a ski-mask, visited Gordon's office, to ask Gordon about Carmine Falcone's criminal operation and the police inability to stop the notorious crimelord. When Bruce threatens Gordon with a common office stapler, which was thought to be a pistol, Bruce suggested that they form an alliance. This is kept secret from all other police officers, with Gordon proving pivotal in Batman's defeat of Ra's al Ghul by driving the Batmobile to destroy the Gotham monorail tracks and prevent the madman from vaporising the water supply. James Gordon's involvement in saving Gotham results in his promotion to the rank of lieutenant. He developed a Bat-Signal with the department's spare searchlight to summon Batman in times of need. Gordon called the Batman to announce his promotion on the force, his appreciation to the Dark Knight, and also to discuss a criminal whose identity is a mystery. The criminal has committed an armed robbery and double homicide, with an apparent taste for theatrics, leaving a calling card: a Joker playing card.
Although he does not condone vigilantes, Gordon sees that it is necessary to operate outside of laws in the crime-filled Gotham City, especially since most members of Gotham's police department are mired in corruption. Before the emergence of Batman, he was increasingly jaded and disillusioned of the corruptions around him. The arrival of the Dark Knight gives the police detective the hope he needs to build a better Gotham for his wife and children. After being promoted as a lieutenant, he is determined to clean the department up from within. The detective is still clueless of who Batman is, or that he is one of the people who inspired the Dark Knight to be what he is now.
Oldman will reprise his role of Gordon in the sequel The Dark Knight. In the trailer, Gordon is seen destroying the Batsignal with a fire axe, presumably on the orders of his superiors as a public denouncement of Batman's vigilante activities.
Animated Films
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Robert Hastings provides the voice of Gordon in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. He also provides the voice of the character in Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero and Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman.
Justice League: The New Frontier
In Justice League: The New Frontier, Gordon makes a cameo appearance in the interogation scene with King Faraday and Martian Manhunter.
Batman: Gotham Knight
Gordon's also set to appear in Batman: Gotham Knight, voiced by Jim Meskimen.
Television appearances
Batman (1960s TV Series)
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In the 1960s Batman series, Gordon was played by Neil Hamilton, and is portrayed as not only having the Bat-Signal at his disposal, but also an emergency "hotline" telephone that connects directly to the Batcave. Batman and Robin are regular visitors to his office. The series occasionally made light of his dependence on Batman. In one episode, when Batman is apparently unavailable, he laments that the police will have to solve a case "ourselves"
The Batman/Superman Hour
Actor Ted Knight provided the voice of James Gordon in The Batman/Superman Hour.
Super Friends
- Gordon makes two appearances in Super Friends. He first appeared in Challenge Of The Superfriends, episode "Superfriends, Rest In Peace", as The Riddler and Cheetah hold Gordon hostage so they can kill Batman with the Noxium Crystal. The second is in The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, episode "The Fear". Along with Jonathan Crane, Gordon is trying to find and arrest The Scarecrow. Gordon and Batman are both unaware that Crane is the Scarecrow.
- He did also appear in some of the related comic with the show.
The New Adventures of Batman
In Filmation's 1977 cartoon series The New Adventures of Batman, Commissioner Gordon, voiced by Lennie Weinrib, is prominently featured as are Batgirl and Bat-Mite.
Batman: The Animated Series
In the 1990s Batman: The Animated Series, Gordon is voiced by Robert Hastings, and his relationship with Batman was similar to that in the comics, with the alliance largely kept between Batman, Gordon, and Harvey Bullock. Many scenes in the series portray Batman and the Commissioner having clandestine meetings at the Bat-signal. A flashback in the episode "Robin's Reckoning" depicts Gordon as a brown-haired police Lieutenant investigating the murder of Dick Grayson's parents. In the episode "What Is Reality?" Batman must save Gordon's life and outwit The Riddler in a computer game at the same time.
Commissioner Gordon also appeared in the follow-up to Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures. In the episode "Over the Edge" Batgirl suffers from The Scarecrow's fear toxins, producing a nightmare where Batgirl dies in battle without telling her father her secret. When Commissioner Gordon finds out, he blames Batman and starts a man hunt against his former ally after discovering his secret identity. After Barbara awakens, she tries to admit her secret to the real Commissioner Gordon, who says that he trusts his daughter with whatever choices she makes and that she doesn't need to tell him anything. On a revelation on Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Gordon is one of the few people who knew what happened to Robin and the Joker on a night at Arkham Asylum, and for the boy's sake, he kept it a secret. This event may also have led Gordon to learn who was under the cape and cowl of Batman. Hastings continues his role as Commissioner Gordon in guest appearances on Superman: The Animated Series, Gotham Girls and Static Shock. The spinoff show Batman Beyond also had Barbara following in her father's footsteps and becoming Gotham's new police commissioner.
The Batman
In the animated series The Batman, James Gordon is voiced by Mitch Pileggi. He is depicted as a newly appointed Gotham City police commissioner after an incident involving the Joker, the Penguin, and the Riddler. He ends the manhunt against Batman and goes public with his support for the Batman in order to help make Gotham safer for his daughter, Barbara (who, as in every other incarnation, becomes Batgirl).
A young officer was seen trying to comfort Bruce Wayne after his parents’ murders in a flashback in the episode Traction was seen and following Gordon's introductory episode, Night and the City, there arose speculation about the officer being a young Gordon, especially after a line by Alfred on how Gordon had "loomed large over [Bruce’s] life.” Former The Batman producer/character designer Jeff Matsuda, confirmed that while not intended as a tie-in for Batman Begins (which, as noted above, has a similar scene) that the officer was indeed Gordon.[1]
References
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