Gotham City - History

According to Swamp Thing #53 (and various subsequent comic book stories), Gotham City was founded in 1635 by a Swedish mercenary and was later taken over by the Kingdom of Great Britain. During the American Revolutionary War it was the site of a major battle and various occult rites were rumored to have been conducted within the city. Perhaps for these reasons Gotham is a dark and foreboding place rife with crime, grime, and corruption. Despite this, Gotham City has maintained a thriving economy and is considered a major economic center of activity. See also:

Gotham City, Gotham City - History, Gotham City - Architecture, Gotham City - GCPD and corruption, Gotham City - Arkham Asylum, Gotham City - Recent events, Gotham City - Mayors, Gotham City - Residents, Gotham City - Notable areas landmarks institutions and businesses, Gotham City - Geography, Gotham City - Sources

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Several maps of Gotham City have been produced over the years. Many of them are directly based on Manhattan and other real coastlines, and others are completely original. One map showing Gotham City in relation to Metropolis (the home of Superman), published in Superboy #22 (October 1981), placed Gotham City and Metropolis on opposite sides of a large bay. Another map of Gotham City pictured in Swamp Thing (volume 2) #53 (October 1986) was directly based on the geography of Rhode Island. A map of Gotham City used in the 1989 fi ...

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Gotham City, Gotham City - History, Gotham City - Architecture, Gotham City - GCPD and corruption, Gotham City - Arkham Asylum, Gotham City - Recent events, Gotham City - Mayors, Gotham City - Residents, Gotham City - Notable areas landmarks institutions and businesses, Gotham City - Geography, Gotham City - Sources

Read more here: » Gotham City: Encyclopedia II - Gotham City - Geography

In addition to Arkham Asylum, other major facets of Gotham City seen in Batman comics include: Blackgate Maximum Security Penitentiary – the city’s main prison, located on Blackgate Isle. Brentwood Academy – a privately run high school once attended by Tim Drake (Robin III). The Clocktower – A tower in central Gotham which once located the secret headquarters of Barbara Gordon, currently known as Oracle. Crime Alley – Formally "Park Row," Crime Alley is a small side street, located in the Eas ...

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Gotham City, Gotham City - History, Gotham City - Architecture, Gotham City - GCPD and corruption, Gotham City - Arkham Asylum, Gotham City - Recent events, Gotham City - Mayors, Gotham City - Residents, Gotham City - Notable areas landmarks institutions and businesses, Gotham City - Geography, Gotham City - Sources

Read more here: » Gotham City: Encyclopedia II - Gotham City - Notable areas landmarks institutions and businesses

One of Gotham City's most famous residents is Bruce Wayne, CEO of Wayne Enterprises and noted philanthropist and playboy. A number of heroes associated with Batman have operated in Gotham City. These include several youths in the role of Robin (Batman's sidekick), Nightwing (the original Robin Dick Grayson's adult superhero identity), Batgirl and The Huntress. Apart from Gotham's superhero residents, the residents of the city were featured in a back up series in Detective Comics, "Tales of Gotham City" and in two limited series called Gotham Nights. In addition, the Gotham City Police Department is the focus ...

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Gotham City, Gotham City - History, Gotham City - Architecture, Gotham City - GCPD and corruption, Gotham City - Arkham Asylum, Gotham City - Recent events, Gotham City - Mayors, Gotham City - Residents, Gotham City - Notable areas landmarks institutions and businesses, Gotham City - Geography, Gotham City - Sources

Read more here: » Gotham City: Encyclopedia II - Gotham City - Residents

A list of Gotham City's mayors, in chronological order from earliest to latest: Hamilton Hill — before KnightSaga Armand Krol — early 1990s; during KnightSaga; lost election to Grange; later died from the Clench virus unleashed by Ra's al Ghul in the "Legacy" storyline Marion Grange — late 1990s; failed to prevent the federal government from declaring No Man's Land before being assassinated by agents of Nick Scratch. Daniel Danforth Dickerson III — early 2000s; elected mayor following No Man's Land; corrupt; assassinated by the Joker< ...

See also:

Gotham City, Gotham City - History, Gotham City - Architecture, Gotham City - GCPD and corruption, Gotham City - Arkham Asylum, Gotham City - Recent events, Gotham City - Mayors, Gotham City - Residents, Gotham City - Notable areas landmarks institutions and businesses, Gotham City - Geography, Gotham City - Sources

Read more here: » Gotham City: Encyclopedia II - Gotham City - Mayors