Commissioner Gordon
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 Worthington "Jim" Gordon (better known as Commissioner Gordon) is a fictional character, an ally of Batman that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939), and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. Gordon made his debut in the first panel of this comic, making him the first Batman supporting character to be introduced.^[1]

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 to ridding the dark and corrupt 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, after his divorce, of Sarah Essen Gordon. Gordon is also the father of James Gordon Jr. and the father or adoptive father, depending on the continuity, of Barbara Gordon, the first modern Batgirl and later Oracle.

Gordon is an important part of the Batman mythos and has appeared in most other media adaptations of the character. This has included video games, Batman: The Animated Series, and the live-action films. Gordon has been played by Lyle Talbot in the serial film Batman and Robin, Neil Hamilton in the television series Batman, Pat Hingle in the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher film series and Gary Oldman in the Christopher Nolan film series.

Contents 1 Fictional character biography 1.1 Early characterizations 1.2 Post-Crisis 1.2.1 Batman: Year One 1.2.2 Wrath Child 1.2.3 Batman: The Killing Joke 1.2.4 No Man's Land 1.2.4.1 The Death of Sarah Essen 1.2.5 Retirement 1.2.6 Return 1.2.7 Blackest Night 2 Gordon and Batman's Identity 3 Family 3.1 Pre-Crisis 3.1.1 Tony Gordon 3.1.2 Barbara "Babs" Gordon 3.2 Post-Crisis 3.2.1 Barbara Eileen Gordon 3.2.2 Barbara "Babs" Gordon 3.2.3 James Gordon Junior 3.2.4 Sarah Essen 4 Other versions 4.1 The Dark Knight Returns 4.2 JLA: Earth 2 4.3 Batman: Gotham Noir 4.4 Batman: In Darkest Knight 4.5 Earth-8 5 In other media 5.1 Television appearances 5.1.1 Batman (1960s TV series) 5.1.2 The Batman/Superman Hour 5.1.3 Super Friends 5.1.4 The New Adventures of Batman 5.1.5 DC Animated Universe 5.1.5.1 Batman: The Animated Series 5.1.5.2 The New Batman Adventures 5.1.5.3 Batman Beyond and other DCAU series 5.1.6 The Batman 5.1.7 OnStar commercials 5.2 Film 5.2.1 Serials 5.2.2 Batman (1966) 5.2.3 Burton/Schumacher film series 5.2.4 Nolan film series 5.2.4.1 Batman Begins 5.2.4.2 The Dark Knight 5.3 Animated films 5.3.1 DC Animated Universe films 5.3.2 Justice League: The New Frontier 5.3.3 Batman: Gotham Knight 5.4 Video games 5.4.1 LEGO Batman: The Video Game 5.4.2 Batman: Arkham Asylum 6 References

[edit] Fictional character biography

In most versions of the Batman mythos, Gordon is at one point or another depicted as commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department. Gordon frequently contacts Batman for help in solving various crimes, particularly those committed by supervillains. Generally it is Gordon who uses the Batsignal to summon Batman, and it has become a running joke of sorts that the Dark Knight will often disappear in the middle of the discussion when Gordon's back is turned. Gordon is usually silver-haired, tall and thin with a mustache and glasses. In most incarnations, he is seen wearing a trenchcoat and a tie along with a suit. On occasion, he wears a fedora. He is also sometimes pictured with a cane, although it is not revealed why he uses it. 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.

[edit] Early characterizations

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.

In Batman Special #1, it's revealed that Gordon, as a young cop, shot and killed two robbers in self-defense in front of their son. The results of this event would lead the boy to become the first Wrath, a cop killer with a costume and motif inspired by Batman, who would come after Gordon for revenge years later and die while trying to get his revenge.

[edit] Post-Crisis

[edit] Batman: Year One

The post-Crisis version of the character was introduced in the 1987 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 is never deputized and Gordon's relationship with him is kept out of the public eye whenever possible. It was also added that he was a Special Forces veteran who is capable in hand-to-hand combat. He is depicted as having an extra-marital affair with a fellow detective, Sarah Essen, due to friction in his marriage. Essen and Gordon correctly deduce Batman's true identity, but are unable (and in Gordon's case, unwilling) to prove it.

The 1998 miniseries Gordon of Gotham takes place nearly twenty years prior to the current events of the DC Universe and two months before his arrival in 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 becomes a minor celebrity after a foiling a late-night robbery attempt. However, after deciding to investigate a corrupt fellow officer, he is assaulted and discredited. Gordon then uncovers evidence of rigging in the city council election and brings down two of his fellow officers, which leads to his commander recommending that he take a detective position opening in Gotham.

The story Wrath Child, published in Batman Confidential, issues 13-16 retcons that Gordon, like his pre-Crisis and Nolan film series incarnations, did come from Gotham, but was transferred to Chicago for fifteen years as part of a plan by Gillian Loeb, then a captain, to cover up the events that would lead to the creation of the first Wrath, fearing it'd bring him and other corrupt cops down as the father was a corrupt cop. Gordon complied when Loeb threatened to kill the boy. Gordon would transfer back to Gotham around the same time Batman was starting his career.

In the following years, Gordon quickly rises to the rank of Commissioner after he and Batman weed out corruption within the department. Gordon adopts his niece, Barbara, and eventually divorces his wife.

[edit] Wrath Child

In the story, Wrath Child, (published in Batman Confidential, issues 13-16), a second Wrath (an intended counterpart for Robin) appeared years after the first one died, hoping to finish what the first one started, only to be foiled by Gordon, Batman, and the original Robin, who'd recently become Nightwing.

[edit] 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."

[edit] 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 friendship was repaired.

[edit] The Death of Sarah Essen

Gordon falls in love with and marries fellow officer Sarah Essen. However, Essen cannot comprehend why Gordon needs Batman so much, which occasionally puts a strain on their relationship.

At the end of the No Man's Land storyline, she is fatally shot by the Joker. An enraged Gordon barely restrains himself from killing Joker, shooting the Joker's knee instead.^[1] Not long afterward, Gordon is shot by a criminal seeking revenge for a previous arrest. Though seriously injured, he survives, and eventually makes a full recovery.

[edit] Retirement

Gordon retires from the police force after having served for more than 20 years. He remains in Gotham, and occasionally enjoys nighttime visits from Batman. Despite being retired, Gordon often finds himself drawn to a series of life-and-death circumstances: of The Joker sending him flowers during Last Laugh to being kidnapped by Francis Sullivan, grandson of one of Gotham's notorious serial killers, during the Made of Wood^[2] storyline. After the attack by Sullivan, Batman gives Gordon an encrypted cellphone, the so-called Batphone, in case he needs to contact him, which also carries a transmitter in case of trouble.^[3] He also still has contacts with the country's law enforcement agencies, which the sheriff's departments request Gordon to contact Batman to help investigating a series of unusual murders on a suburb territory outside the city's limits; it turns out to be a paranormal case involving black magic, occult rituals, and the supernatural.^[4] Commissioner Michael Akins has taken his position, with many officers expressing reluctance to follow him. Even Harvey Bullock at one point attempts to humiliate Akins in front of other officers.^[5]

After Barbara requires surgery to save her life from the Brainiac virus, Gordon visited his adopted daughter in Metropolis. She reveals to him her current role as Oracle, as well as her past as Batgirl. Gordon admits that he knew of her life as Batgirl, but is pleasantly surprised to know of her second career as Oracle.

[edit] Return

As part of DC's "One Year Later", Gordon has returned to the role of Commissioner;^[1] as of the year-long jump he has been back in the job for 3 months. He rebuilt the Bat-Signal, but still carries the mobile Batphone that the Dark Knight gave him. 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.

[edit] Blackest Night

During the Blackest Night crossover, while mourning the passing of the original Dark Knight Detective, who was apparently killed in action during Final Crisis, Gordon and his daughter witnessed Green Lantern crash into the Batsignal, after being assaulted by a reanimated version of the deceased Martian Manhunter.^[6] After offering the hero a spare car, the Gordons then find themselves fighting for their lives against the reanimated versions of the original Dark Knight Detective's rogue gallery members at Gotham Central, where Gordon made short work of serial killer Abattoir (in Black Lantern form) with a shotgun (dumping rounds into him leaving nothing but his feet intact, showcasing his nastiness with the 12 gauge). They were rescued by the current Dark Knight, Robin, Red Robin, and Deadman, but were later attacked by Batman and Red Robin's parents, the reanimated Graysons and the Drakes.^[7] While Batman and Red Robin battling the Black Lanterns, Robin takes the Gordons to their underground base. It is later shown that Alfred Pennyworth tends his wounds along with Barbara's at the bunker's infirmary.^[8]

[edit] Gordon and Batman's Identity

In most versions of the mythos, Gordon is ignorant of Batman's identity. There is usually the implication Gordon is smart enough to solve the puzzle, but chooses not to in order to preserve Batman's effectiveness and maintain his own plausible deniability. In the 1966 Batman film, 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. In Batman: The Animated Series, Gordon has implied he deliberately avoids deep investigation on the subject of Batman or Batgirl's identity (that of his own daughter, which he seems more sure of) 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 refuses to look, stating that if he wanted to know Batman's identity, he already would and perhaps already knew years ago but denies his knowledge.

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 guessing Bruce's motivation. In Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, Gordon and Bruce Wayne are portrayed as close friends, with Gordon having discovered his identity years before. In Blackest Night: Batman, Gordon is present when Deadman refers to the current Batman as "Grayson" and after the current Robin took Gordon and his daughter to the new Batman's underground base and meet Alfred Pennyworth, it is reasoned to believe that he is now aware of the original Batman's identity along with the current Dark Knight's. During the Hush story arc, while working with Superman, Batman discusses whether or not Perry White has figured out Superman's secret identity. Theorizing that White is too good a reporter to not have figured it out, he draws the same comparison to himself and Gordon, stating that Gordon is too good a cop to not have figured it out.

[edit] Family

[edit] Pre-Crisis

[edit] Tony Gordon

In Pre-Crisis continuity, James Gordon was the biological father of Anthony "Tony" Gordon. 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).^[9] In Post-Crisis continuity, there has been no mention of Tony Gordon.

[edit] Barbara "Babs" Gordon

Babs Gordon (Batgirl) is the biological daughter of James Gordon in Pre-Crisis continuity.

[edit] Post-Crisis

[edit] Barbara Eileen Gordon

Barbara Eileen^{[citation needed]} Gordon is Gordon's ex-wife. In one Post-Crisis story, Gordon and Babs visit the grave of his late wife. However, this story is later retconned when it is revealed that she is not dead, but instead they are divorced. Frank Miller's All Star Batman and Robin depicts the character as an alcoholic.

During the "One Year Later" storyline, Gordon makes a slight reference to his ex-wife "doing well", implying that he keeps in touch with her.

[edit] Barbara "Babs" Gordon

Barbara "Babs" Gordon (later Batgirl and Oracle) is the daughter of Gordon's brother Roger and Roger's wife Thelma. When Babs was 12 or 13, Roger and Thelma died. Babs moved to Gotham City and lived with her uncle, aunt and cousin. Eventually, Gordon and Barbara adopted her. However, the couple divorced and Gordon retained custody of Babs, while Barbara moved to Chicago with Gordon, Jr. (Secret Origins #20). It has recently been revealed that Gordon had an affair with Thelma, and might be the biological father of Babs (Batman: Gotham Knights #6). Whether Gordon is Barbara's uncle or father in rebooted continuity has not been touched on since "One Year Later".

[edit] James Gordon Junior

Gordon and his wife, Barbara Kean-Gordon, are the parents of a son, James Gordon, Jr. (Batman #404-407).^[10]

[edit] Sarah Essen

Sarah Essen (Batman Annual #13, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #2) was first referenced as Gordon's wife during the future tale The Dark Knight Returns. She first appeared fully in Batman: Year One as a co-worker Gordon has an extra-marital affair with. After marrying Gordon, Sarah is murdered by the Joker at the end of the No Man's Land storyline.

[edit] Other versions

[edit] The Dark Knight Returns

James Gordon appears in the limited series Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, which presents a future where a retiring Gordon not only knows Batman's identity, but is good friends with Bruce Wayne. He then makes a cameo on Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again. Now retired, he wrote a book about Batman, who was believed to be dead.

Gordon is also referred to in the first issue of the series, All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder, set in the same universe as and prior to The Dark Knight Returns. 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, at least in Miller's version of the continuity.

[edit] JLA: Earth 2

On the Anti-Matter Earth, where the evil Crime Syndicate of America live, James Gordon's counterpart is a crime boss named Boss Gordon, an ally to Owlman, and it is implied that he had an affair with Martha Wayne. Boss Gordon is the city's leading crime boss until his empire is toppled by Batman and Commissioner Thomas Wayne.

[edit] Batman: Gotham Noir

In the Elseworld title set in 1940s Gotham, Jim Gordon is an alcoholic hard-boiled private detective who had left the police force following a failure to solve the disappearance of a judge. He is Selina Kyle's former lover and Bruce Wayne's wartime partner.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Earth-8

In Lord Havok and the 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.

[edit] In other media

Commissioner Gordon has appeared in very many Batman television shows and movies, both animated and live-action.

[edit] Television appearances

[edit] Batman (1960s TV series)

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".

[edit] The Batman/Superman Hour

Actor Ted Knight provided the voice of James Gordon in The Batman/Superman Hour.

[edit] Super Friends

Gordon makes two appearances in Super Friends. He first appeared in Challenge of the Superfriends, episode "Superfriends, Rest In Peace" voiced by Danny Dark. 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 also appeared in some of the comics related to the show.

[edit] 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.

[edit] DC Animated Universe

[edit] Batman: The Animated Series

In the 1990s Batman: The Animated Series, Gordon is voiced by veteran voice actor Bob Hastings (who previously voiced Superboy in Filmation's 1960s Superman cartoon), and his relationship with Batman was similar to that in the comics. Gordon in the series is also shown to frequently defend Batman's cause for justice among those who don't trust the Dark Knight, namely 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 red-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. In the episode "I Am The Night," it is revealed that Batman also sees Gordon as a surrogate father figure, as he would have been the same age as his father if he had still been alive, and is deeply affected after Gordon is seriously wounded by drug runner James "The Jazzman" Peake, who holds a grudge against him after Gordon had arrested him six years previously. Subsequently, Batman contemplates giving up his crime-fighting career, out of a lack of faith in himself, until the Jazzman makes another attempt on the hospitalized Gordon's life, which Batman prevents.

[edit] The New Batman Adventures

Commissioner Gordon also appeared in the follow-up to Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures. Like the rest of the cast, Gordon was slightly redesigned for the new series. Although his design remains relatively similar to before, his build became more slender than previously, and his hair was then cropped into a flat-top design. In the episode "Over the Edge" Batgirl suffers from the Scarecrow's fear toxins, producing a nightmare where she dies in battle without telling her father her secret. When Commissioner Gordon finds out, he blames Batman and starts a manhunt against his former ally after discovering his secret identity on Barbara's computer. After Barbara awakens, she tries to admit her secret to her father, who says that he trusts her with whatever choices she makes and that she doesn't need to tell him anything. The episode implies that Gordon already knows that his daughter is Batgirl, but keeps it to himself. In the episode "Holiday Knights" it is shown that Batman and Gordon meet every year on December 31 in a diner for a meal together; to celebrate, as Gordon puts it, "another year of survival."

[edit] Batman Beyond and other DCAU series

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 sake of the boy and his friendship with Batman, he kept it a secret, and it is implied that he also learned and kept secret Batman's true identity. 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. While Barbara keeps a photo of him on her desk at work, he is never seen in the series and no indication of his status is given, leaving it unclear if Gordon is still alive, although given his age it seems unlikely.

[edit] 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 (much to the chagrin of Angel Rojas) and goes public with his support for the Batman in order to help make Gotham safer for his daughter, Barbara (who, as in most other incarnations, 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 below, had a similar scene) that the officer was indeed Gordon.^[11]

[edit] OnStar commercials

In the "Batmobile" OnStar commercial, Batman calls Gordon to tell him he will be coming. An unknown actor says "Gordon here" when Batman calls.

[edit] Film

[edit] Serials

In the 1949 15-episode movie serial Batman and Robin, Commissioner Gordon was portrayed by Ed Wood regular Lyle Talbot.

[edit] Batman (1966)

Commissioner Gordon played by Neil Hamilton was in Batman: The Movie, based on the 1960s TV series. He advised Batman and Robin which supervillains were at large.

[edit] Burton/Schumacher film series

In the 1989 film Batman, and its three sequels, Commissioner Gordon is portrayed by Pat Hingle, though in these films Gordon's role is rather minimal compared to his role in other media. In the first film, he regards the Batman as a rumor at best and vigilante at worst, though by the end of the film, after Batman saves the city from the Joker, Gordon and the citizens of Gotham publicly acknowledge his usefulness, and receive from him the gift of the Bat-Signal. In Batman Returns (1992), when the Penguin has Batman framed for murder, it is implied Gordon is not entirely convinced, as he was not willing to use lethal force in order to apprehend him (seen during a scene in which two Gotham officers open fire on Batman, knocking him off a building, before Gordon arrives and orders them to stop). In Batman Forever (1995), Gordon is shown to be fairly acquainted with Bruce Wayne, though whether or not he knows Bruce's secret identity as Batman is never revealed. Although Barbara Gordon is his daughter in most continuities, in Batman & Robin (1997), her name is Barbara Wilson and she is Alfred Pennyworth's niece. In Gordon's last appearance in the film, Poison Ivy uses her pheremones to make him fall in love with her in order to get the keys to police headquarters and the Bat-Signal, and almost kills him with her toxic kiss, but changes her mind at the last second, claiming "You're too old for me." Gordon's wife briefly appears in Batman, but isn't seen or mentioned in the sequels.

[edit] Nolan film series

[edit] Batman Begins

In the 2005 reboot 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 does his best to comfort the eight-year-old Bruce Wayne after the murder of his parents such letting him know that their murderer has been captured, and Bruce later recognizes him as one of the few honest police officers in the city.

In the novelization, Gordon is transferred to Chicago during the time frame between the Waynes' murder and the reappearance of Bruce after his seven-year disappearance. It is hinted that "something bad went down" during his time as a Chicago PD officer, something Gordon "took the heat for", and was forced to return to Gotham because the GCPD was the only police force that would hire him after what took place in Chicago. In a bit of expanded dialogue, when Detective Flass sneaks cash away from a street vendor, and tells Gordon he's nervous about Gordon reporting it, Gordon says, "I'm no rat. In a town this bent, who's there to rat to anyway?"

While Bruce Wayne develops his Batman identity, Gordon is the first person in law enforcement that he contacts. They form a secret alliance against Carmine Falcone's criminal operation. Gordon proves important when Batman fights Ra's al Ghul. Batman gives Gordon the task of destroying the monorail tracks around Gotham City with the Batmobile, halting Ra's plan to destroy the city. He is promoted to lieutenant and devises the first Bat-Signal. The movie ends with Gordon talking about another criminal who robbed a bank and leaves a calling card in the form of a Joker playing card. In this film, he is shown with a young son rather than a daughter; it was only at the sequel that Gordon and his wife were shown to have a daughter as well.

Many critics, and writer David Goyer, have noted that Oldman's portrayal of Gordon bears a strong resemblance to the way the character was drawn by David Mazzucchelli in Batman: Year One.^[12]

[edit] The Dark Knight

Oldman reprises his role of Gordon in the 2008 sequel The Dark Knight. Gordon's wife Barbara is played by Melinda McGraw, his son James Junior is played by Nathan Gamble and his unnamed daughter is played by Hannah Gunn. In the film, Gordon is leading Gotham PD's Major Crimes Unit and forms a tenuous alliance with Batman and district attorney Harvey Dent to round up the remaining members of Carmine Falcone's mob. When the Joker reveals that Commissioner Loeb is one of his upcoming targets, Gordon arrives at his office with other officers to offer protection, but he fails when Loeb dies upon drinking a glass of scotch mixed with acidic poison by corrupt police.

At the funeral of Commissioner Loeb, Gordon foils the Joker's attempt on Mayor Garcia's life. He appears to have taken a bullet for the mayor and died, but it is revealed that he faked his death to protect his family. After Harvey Dent claims to be Batman, Gordon disguises himself in order to join the police convoy taking Dent to Central Holding. Following a vehicular battle with the Joker on the streets of Gotham, Gordon rescues both Batman and Dent, captures the Joker, and is promoted to Police Commissioner by the mayor. That same night, two corrupt cops and the Joker's men abduct Dent and his fiancee, Rachel Dawes, placing them in separate buildings with oil drums rigged to explode. While Batman is able to rescue Dent, Gordon does not arrive in time to save Rachel. Disfigured in the explosion and driven insane by the death of his fiancée, Dent becomes the vigilante Two-Face and seeks to claim vengeance against Gordon, whom he blames for Rachel's death. While the Joker holds two ferry boats hostage, Two-Face kidnaps Gordon's wife and children and forces Gordon to plead for their lives at the site of Rachel's death. Determined to make Gordon suffer as he had suffered, Two-Face flips his coin to determine whether his son should live or die. Batman, left with no other choice, pushes Two-Face off the building to his death in order to save Gordon's son.

In order to preserve Dent's image as the city's "White Knight" and prevent the Joker from winning the "battle for Gotham's soul", Batman tells Gordon that he will take the blame for all of Two-Face's murders, so that the public will never need to know of Dent's rampage and his charges against the mob will remain intact. Gordon reluctantly agrees. After eulogizing Dent as a hero to the city, Gordon destroys the Bat-Signal in front of his men and calls for a manhunt against Batman, although he secretly tells his son that Batman is not just a hero; he's something even more, "a Dark Knight".

[edit] Animated films

[edit] DC Animated Universe films

Bob Hastings, who voiced Gordon in Batman: The Animated Series and its follow-up, The New Batman Adventures, reprised his role in the spin-off films, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero, and Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Batman: Gotham Knight

Gordon appeared in Batman: Gotham Knight, within three segments: Crossfire, In Darkness Dwells, and Deadshot. He is voiced by Jim Meskimen.

[edit] Video games

[edit] LEGO Batman: The Video Game

He appears in LEGO Batman: The Video Game for the PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation 2, PC, and Xbox 360, serving as a boss in the villains' story (with the exception of the DS Version) and is a playable character.^[13]

[edit] Batman: Arkham Asylum

Gordon appears in the video game, Batman: Arkham Asylum, voiced by Tom Kane. He is introduced accompanying Batman who monitors the readmission of the recently captured Joker in the beginning of the game. Once Joker breaks free Batman tells Gordon to alert the Warden and goes after Joker. Once Batman follows the Joker to the other end of intensive treatment, Joker shows video footage of Frank Boles (a guard working with Joker) taking Gordon hostage. Though Boles is quickly killed once Joker realizes he was being tracked by Batman, Harley Quinn keeps Gordon under her watch in the medical facility. Batman arrives to stop Harley and frees Gordon only to be quickly encountered by Bane. After the battle with Bane, which results in the Batmobile destroyed and Bane underwater, Gordon boards a ferry with a guard to be sent back to Gotham by Batman to handle the bomb case. Gordon isn't seen again until the end of the game when Batman confronts Joker for the final time. Once Batman defeats the two Titan-induced guards and multiple Joker goons, Gordon is dropped from the ceiling tied up. Joker aims his Titan dart gun at Gordon and pulls the trigger, but Batman quickly jumps in front of Gordon taking a hit for him. The Joker then uses the Titan on himself. Gordon is later seen on the roof strapped to an electric chair while Titan Joker and Batman (who uses the cure on himself) battle. Once Joker is defeated, Gordon and Batman are quickly joined by multiple members of GCPD and SWAT members. Gordon is talking to his daughter, Barbara, a.k.a. Oracle, about the events that night. Gordon offers a ride home to Batman, considering the Batmobile was destroyed, when an alert on Gordon's radio states that Two-Face has robbed Gotham's second national bank and watches as Batman takes off in the Batplane.

It is also mentioned that a younger version of Gordon was the only officer who was sympathetic to the child Bruce Wayne on the night his parents were murdered.

[edit] References

v • d • e Batman Creators Bob Kane · Bill Finger · Other creators Supporting characters Alfred Pennyworth · Commissioner James Gordon · Harvey Bullock · Lucius Fox · Renee Montoya · Talia al Ghul · Vicki Vale Batman Family Robin (Dick Grayson · Jason Todd · Tim Drake · Stephanie Brown · Damian Wayne) · Batgirl (Betty Kane · Barbara Gordon · Cassandra Cain · Stephanie Brown) · Nightwing · Azrael · Batwoman · Catwoman · Huntress (Helena Wayne · Helena Bertinelli) · Bat-Mite · Ace the Bat-Hound Batman Family enemies Bane · Catwoman · Clayface · Harley Quinn · Joker · Killer Croc · Mad Hatter · Man-Bat · Mr. Freeze · Penguin · Poison Ivy · Ra's al Ghul · Riddler · Scarecrow · Two-Face Locations Gotham City · Arkham Asylum · Batcave · Blackgate Penitentiary · Gotham City Police Department · Wayne Enterprises · Wayne Manor · Blüdhaven Equipment Batarang · Batcomputer · Batsuit (Utility Belt) · Bat-Signal Vehicles Batboat · Batcopter · Batcycle · Batmobile · Batplane · Redbird Miscellanea Publications (Detective Comics · Batman) · Storylines Alternate versions of Batman · Alternate versions of Robin · Alternate versions of Barbara Gordon See also: Batman in other media · Robin in other media · Barbara Gordon in other media