EDITORIAL: GOTHAM - What Can Make It A Better Series?

Gotham has been a general whipping boy on the level of red-headed stepchild by much of the fandom (sorry to the red-headed stepchildren of the world, no more of you will be backhanded during the course of this editorial). Mostly because of the issues audiences are having with the commonly stated “Batman series, without Batman” argument followed by the usual “meh” and *shrugs* most internet personalities choose to use today. Most of the time because it’s the comic-nerd-hipster-trendy thing to do. Then there's always the DC vs Marvel argument the fandom continues to popularly champion on the internet.

I’ve had various discussions, both online and sitting as a panelist at conventions, over the pros-and-cons of this series. While I’m a broken record making the same statement, “It’s Law & Order set to a Gotham City background in the DC Universe.” Nothing more. I have to amend my statement and consider that there are a variety of options we can likely see in the future of this show. It doesn’t just have to be a Law & Order format.

Even if we don’t expect certain things, if the ratings are negatively affected (at all) in terms of the direction the show takes, we can likely see adjustments to the series with a variety of the scenarios I’m going to discuss (suggest) below.
 

Even if the time period feels closer to our present day, the feeling of the series will still take on a film noir aspect and hopefully a gothic and baroque architecture styling that will invoke the glorious and eerie night of this particular city. One we’re used to seeing the Dark Knight use to his advantage as he swoops through it chasing criminals and super villains. Which honestly hasn't (really) been captured as gloriously Gothic as it was in the Burton films.

While this series focuses on recreating this tone and capturing the past of its myriad characters I’m hoping to see it shine with some golden age comic book love. By introducing Gotham to characters from the beloved Justice Society of America story arcs that were combined into the same universe as forefathers/predecessors of the Justice League. With many changes to the source material characters like the original Flash and Green Lantern, Jay Garrick & Alan Scott, both can (then) make appearances.

While those characters might be much too larger-than-life for Gotham if they appear as superheroes, I can easily see them show up just as their normal selves. Possibly before ever gaining any powers. Other characters like Wildcat having cameos as a much younger boxing champion, who happens to be a vigilante in Gotham, would be welcome. It would also provide a revisionist look at for Young Bruce to start his path toward training how to fight. Wildcat is all about breaking the fear of the attack and the fear of standing your ground when squaring off with your opponent. It all begs the question...

 

I'd also ask, which may be the more important question (at the very least a conversation starter)..

A question that makes me wonder if the answer lies in the fate of the first season and if it will be revisited if it succeeds to gain a 2nd.

I'd even Include suggestions that appearances be made by heroes like Sandman, Starman, Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite. Atom’s, Al Pratt and even Jim Corrigan, who in the original comic was the Spectre and post-crisis killed Crispus Allen leading Crispus to become the Spectre (something I’ve already mentioned in my Gotham Breakdown article). Even if theses heroes are potentially only introduced by their secret identities, as opposed to their superhero personas, it would (again) be a welcome addition. I’m certain at some point we’re likely to get Vic Sage (The Question) as a detective of sorts whom is Montoya’s crime fighting mentor. Another detail we've also talked about in the Gotham breakdown article.
 

The Question
 

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At the moment, the series introduced a large pantheon of would-be villains in a very heavy-handed pilot. The next episode will be focused on Selina Kyle, followed by Balloonman (yes, Balloon...Man) in the 3rd episode; a character that is no longer in the DC universe after the Crisis on Infinite Earths series of comics destroyed most of the multi-verse. So we know (based on this left-field character inclusion) we’re going to see heroes and villains (not always a super-villain version) that normally wouldn’t be included in this timeline. So outside of the box thinking (like above) is not fanciful or wild to speculate.


Episode 4 will likely have a lot of opportunity to showcase a variety of characters, with a title like ‘Arkham’ I’m curious if Gordon and Bullock will be visiting the sprawling facility and if we’ll be able to spot the faces and/or nameplates of any of its current inmates.


I know a lot of readers of this article are still be on the fence over this series, while others sing its praises as the DC fandom tends to do. I’m wondering (for myself as well) what would make this show over-the-top for everyone watching and to attract those who are not. The only concept I have aside from what the network has been leaking about Cobblepot and the rest of the existing characters--Gotham will need to expand itself to include either lesser known heroes and villains (like Balloonman) or possibly include more characters from the JSA and even the Brave and the Bold line of comics (with obvious revisions).

I wouldn't go as far as saying that the superhero aspect need be superheroic. I think the overall focus of the show is always going to be on Jim Gordon in the Law & Order tradition of television sans the ubiquitously recognized "Dong Dong!" noise (although I'm surprised to not have seen a fan trailer or fanfiction using this yet). But that aspect doesn't need to remain in the generic crime stopping aspect of this series. It can also allow Gordon to bare witness to fanciful things that are frightening to him, due to his lack of understanding or anyone else for that matter. Because he's witnessing an era of meta-humans beginning to emerge where some of these beings may appear to be god-like to his understanding. While much of the expectation to this is nonexistent. There's no reason I can think of that wouldn't allow DC/WB/CW to open this up slowly and carefully to further our love and connection to this series. We may never get any type of super-heroics for that matter and it may be solely routed in baser human nature and psychology, like much of the Batman realm. I for one have high hopes.