Lieutenant James "Jim" Gordon is a member of the Gotham City Police Department and an ally to Batman. During the investigation into Riddler's murder spree, Gordon worked closely with Batman, attempting to understand and stop Riddler's games. Eventually, their investigation led to the arrest of Carmine Falcone, who was revealed by Riddler to be controlling the GCPD and city officials, only for Riddler to assassinate Falcone and allow himself to be arrested. As Riddler's final plan to flood Gotham went underway, Gordon protected Bella Reál, while Batman defeated the Riddler's Cult and protected the civilians from danger.
Biography[]
GCPD Lieutenant[]
Partnership with Pete Savage[]
- "What are you doin' to me? We used to be partners!"
- ―Pete Savage to Jim Gordon[src]
Living in Gotham City, New Jersey, Jim Gordon had joined the Gotham City Police Department and eventually rose to the rank of Lieutenant. During this time, Gordon became partnered with Pete Savage, who he maintained a close friendship with, still believing that Savage was as dedicated to upholding the laws as he was. Gordon would work at the GCPD under the leadership of Chief Mackenzie Bock. During this time, Gordon would also become a father to Barbara Gordon, who he would raise while still also maintaining his work with the GCPD.[1]
Arresting Salvatore Maroni[]
- "After everything we did to take down the Maronis? He busted the entire operation."
- ―Jim Gordon to Batman[src]
While Gordon was partnered with Pete Savage, they worked together to bring down the Maroni Crime Family, by finding and taking down their Drops facilities. This was also done with the assistance of Mayor Don Mitchell, Jr.. As a result of Gordon and Savage's work, Salvatore Maroni was arrested and sent to Blackgate Penitentiary, as the Maroni Crime Family lost much of their past strength. In the aftermath of the bust, Savage was promoted to the Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department and Mitchell gained huge support, while Gordon remained a Lieutenant, although he did not question why he did not also get a promotion for his work bringing down Maroni.[1]
Befriending a Fellow Protector[]
- "We've been doing this for two years, I don't even know your real name, man."
- ―Jim Gordon to Batman[src]
Gordon eventually came into contact with the vigilante Batman, developing a strong working relationship with him over the two years they worked together. Despite much of the Gotham City Police Department having a lot of mistrust against Batman, due to his position as a vigilante, Gordon believed in him and chose to trust him, even when his trust in the GCPS began to full away. Despite the trust however, Batman still did not reveal his true identity to Gordon.[1] The duo also placed a bat-shpaed spotlight on top of an abandoned skyscraper for Gordon to signal Batman whenever he was needed.
Riddler Investigation[]
Assassination of Mayor Mitchell[]
Gordon summoning Batman to a meeting
- "Wait. He's involved in this?"
"No, he's not involved."
"How do you know?! He's a goddamn vigilante! He could be a suspect!" - ―Pete Savage and Jim Gordon[src]
When Gordon learnt that Mayor Don Mitchell, Jr. had been murdered in his home, he was informed that a card had been left behind at the crime scene, addressed to Batman, which had also contained a riddle that nobody was able to break yet. Believing Batman to be an asset to their investigation, Gordon decided to summon him with the Bat Signal and had invited him to inspect the crime scene in person.
Gordon allows Batman on the crime scene
Despite the objections of many officers from the Gotham City Police Department, Gordon personally led Batman into the crime scene, with the officers glaring at Batman as he arrived. When Martinez attempted to prevent Batman from entering, Gordon insisted that he be let through. Gordon and Batman then found the corpse of Mitchell, whose face was wrapped in duct tape, with no more lies written across it.
Gordon looks around at the crime scene
Gordon and Batman then inspected the crime scene, which was clearly linked to Riddler, with Gordon questioning the detective about what was found, with the detective noting that Mitchell died from head trauma. As Gordon commented all of the blood, the detective noted that this came from his hand, as his thumb was cut off, with Batman noting that Mitchell was alive when the thumb was cut off, considering the ecchymosis.
Gordon asking for Batman's view points
The detective went on to explain that Mitchell's wife and son were trick or treating when Riddler attacked, leaving Mitchell alone. Gordon was then handed the card that was addressed to Batman, which had been left on the scene by Riddler, as Gordon read out the riddle inside, while also noting that there was a cipher included with the letter, as Gordon then showed it to Batman and asked if it meant anything to him.
Gordon shows Riddler's clue to Pete Savage
Just as they studied the card, Gordon and Batman were interrupted by the arrival of Pete Savage, who furiously confronted Gordon bringing Batman there, noting that the Gotham Gazette and the rest of the press were downstairs and would be horrified to see Batman there. Savage noted that he gave Gordon a lot of slack due to their time as partners, but claimed that Gordon was crossing a line with Batman.
Gordon and Pete Savage discuss Batman
In response, Gordon showed Savage the card Riddler had left, leading to Savage believing that Batman was involved in the killing, as Batman was a vigilante and so therefore Gordon knew nothing about him. While they were arguing, Batman told them that the answer to the riddle was that a liar lies still when he is dead. Savage then walked over to Batman, as he suggested that Halloween must be his favourite night of the year.
Gordon and Pete Savage meet the press
When an officer had informed Savage that the press were ready for his statement, Savage told Gordon that he wanted Batman to leave. When Gordon escorted Batman to the exit, they stopped by the room where Mitchell's son was being comforted, as Batman made eye contact with the boy. Once Batman had left, Gordon stood by Savage as they made statements to the press, confirming Mitchell was killed by Riddler.[1]
Finding the Thumb Drive[]
- "Jesus. I'm gonna catch hell for this, Pete's gonna bust a gasket."
""He lies still." About her?"
"Maybe. That's the Iceberg Lounge. It's under the shoreline loss, where Falcone's holed up." - ―Jim Gordon and Batman[src]
Not too long after investigating the crime scene, Batman invited Gordon back to Don Mitchell, Jr.'s mansion and checked his garage, after Batman found out that the cipher spelled out "DRIVE". Batman found a car with shears lodged in one of the tires, the one that presumably cut off the mayor's thumb, which had been left behind by Riddler. After using the thumb drive, images revealing the mayor stepping out of the Iceberg Lounge with a woman, implying that the mayor was unfaithful. Gordon then accidentally leaked the photos to the media via his email.[1]
Assassination of Pete Savage[]
Gordon and Batman investigating the trap
- "What kind of demented son of a bitch does this to a person?"
"More symbols. It's another cypher."
"He blasted these out after his message went viral. Bastard murders you and your reputation." - ―Jim Gordon and Batman[src]
On the news, Riddler had sent in a video showing Commissioner Pete Savage with a cage over his head, and rats biting his hands. Gordon and Batman went to investigate at the morgue, and when seeing Riddler's elaborate death trap, Gordon asked what kind of demented person would do this to Savage. Batman responded by implying that Savage had it coming, to which Gordon got fired up about before Batman showed him a photo of Savage talking to a drug dealer outside the Iceberg Lounge. Gordon was shocked to find out that Savage was corrupt, and Batman said that maybe Savage was not who Gordon thought he was. Martinez then came down the stairs to warn the two that others were coming, and the two left the morgue.[1]
Gil Colson's Riddles[]
At Don Mitchell, Jr.'s funeral, Gordon informed Chief Mackenzie Bock that Gil Colson had not been seen or heard from since the prior night. Gordon stopped once he realized Bruce Wayne was listening into the conversation. Just afterwards, screaming was heard outside, and a car bashed through the doors and stopped next to the casket. Gordon led other cops to the car and ordered the person inside to get out of the car. Upon doing so, Gordon realized that it was Colson, and lowered his gun. Another cop then yelled that he had a bomb on his neck, and the place was evacuated.
Gordon watches Gil Colson exiting the car
When it had reached nighttime, a camera was keeping watch on Colson while the Gotham City Police Department figured out what to do without Colson dying. This is when Batman arrived, and Gordon tried to defend what he was doing. The GCPD watched as Colson answered the riddles given to him by Riddler, and then saw the bomb explode, as well as Batman being knocked unconscious. Batman was then arrested and taken to Gotham City Police Headquarters, while he remained unconscious.[1]
Assisting Batman's Escape[]
Gordon attempting to restrain Batman
- "Listen to me, we gotta get you outta here."
"That'll put a lot of heat on you."
"Well, you punched me in the face. Take this key, though that door, hallway to the stairs then go to the roof." - ―Jim Gordon and Batman[src]
Gordan was present as Batman had been laid out on a table in the Gotham City Police Headquarters, where his pupils were checked while he remained unconscious. Once a member of the Gotham City Police Department had attempted to unmask Batman, he awoke and fought one of them off before realizing he was in an interrogation room full of other officers, including Gordon. Mackenzie Bock then confronted Batman, to which Batman responded by lashing out, before being restrained by Gordon. Batman had then questioned if Gordon was betraying him too, before Gordon then asked Bock to talk to Batman alone. Gordon then gave Batman a key and told him to get to the roof. Batman then asked whether or not Gordon would get in trouble for it, to which Gordon responded by telling Batman to punch him. While they were speaking, Batman noticed William Kenzie was watching them, as Gordon explained who he was, to which Batman noted that Kenzie was one of the men he had fought in the Iceberg Lounge, leading to Gordon questioning if Kenzie worked for Penguin and Carmine Falcone. Just as Gordon looked back at Kenzie, Batman punched him across the face before running out of the interrogation room, with the rest of the cops chasing after Batman, but he was able to escape thanks to Gordon's instructions.[1]
Chase of the Penguin[]
- "A rat with wings. A stool pigeon. That's not you? The symbols in the maze, right here. It says you are El Rata Alada."
"You are El Rata? It says that?" - ―Jim Gordon and Penguin[src]
Gordon was called by Batman to meet at the Bat Signal, implying he had found another clue, with Gordon noting that Batman should have pulled the punch he hit him with, to which Batman insisted that he had pulled it a bit. Batman told Gordon that in the cage, the cipher translated to "You are El Rata Alada." Batman suggested it could be the Penguin, to which Gordon agreed, and asked how they would go about getting after him. They planned to interrupt the drug deal which William Kenzie was also a part of, as they confirmed that Salvatore Maroni's operation of selling Drops had not been shut down like Gordon had believed. While they were searching the area, Catwoman blew their cover when she managed to steal some drug money and escape. Gordon watched as Batman chased after the Penguin in the Batmobile, eventually managing to catch up with Penguin and capture him. With Penguin captured, Gordon asked if he was El Rata Alada as Riddler suggested, to which Penguin insisted that he was not a rat, noting that Carmine Falcone would kill him if he was. Furious, Gordon proceeded to show Penguin the crime scene photographs of Pete Savage, insisting that Penguin open his eyes and look at them, so he could understand the seriousness of the situation. Penguin then informed Gordon and Batman that their translation was incorrect, as it should be "La" not "El", and that he did not know what the two were talking about. The two realized they had smacked into a dead end and left.[1]
William Kenzie's Confession[]
Gordon then saw the Bat Signal in the sky and arrived at the same time as Batman, confusing both of them. They went up the elevator and saw that Catwoman had caught William Kenzie and lit the Bat Signal to let the two know. Kenzie tried to play victim, by pleading Gordon for help, but after being pressured to do so, he told the three about how everyone was getting money off of the Gotham Renewal Corporation. He then told them that Carmine Falcone had ratted out Maroni to Don Mitchell, Jr. to get more money off the renewal. Catwoman then kicked Kenzie off the building and went after Falcone on her own. Gordon and Batman saved Kenzie and then went to the Iceberg Lounge.[1]
Arresting Carmine Falcone[]
Gordon takes Carmine Falcone into custody
- "Do you understand these rights? Do you understand?"
"Yeah. I'll see you when I walk out."
"With these rights in mind, is there anything else you wish to tell me?" - ―Jim Gordon and Carmine Falcone[src]
Gordon had returned, once Batman prevented Catwoman from killing Carmine Falcone, and then brought him out to Gordon. Falcone told Gordon that Gotham City Police Department worked for him, and that he would be out of jail in no time. Gordon then showed him the many police officers waiting outside and said to him that it was not all of them. He told Falcone his rights, and then Penguin exited the Iceberg Lounge with The Twins and called Falcone a rat for his betrayal of Salvatore Maroni. Falcone mocked him, calling Penguin a gimp, which clearly enraged Penguin while Gordon and Batman looked on. Penguin then pulled out a gun, and Falcone fell dead, with Gordon's men putting Penguin into handcuffs, despite him insisting that he did not shoot. Batman realized that Falcone had died under a flickering streetlight, and also realized that the shot had come from a neighboring building. Gordon and Martinez realized the same thing, and Batman and the cops infiltrated Edward Nashton's Apartment. Once they arrived inside the apartment, they only found Batman, who confirmed that Riddler had already gotten away, only for Gordon to get a call from Martinez, confirming that Riddler had been stopped escaping down the fire escape and had been seen entering a coffee shop down the street, as Gordon ordered his men to find and arrest Riddler.[1]
Arresting the Riddler[]
- ""My confession"...? What's he confessing to? He already told us he killed Mitchell."
"This isn't over." - ―Jim Gordon and Batman[src]
Gordon was informed by Batman that Riddler had escaped, but Martinez came in and told Gordon that a witness saw a person use the fire escape and was sitting in the corner diner. The Gotham City Police Department entered the diner, and the Riddler readily surrendered. Gordon showed him two IDs and asked which one was him. The Riddler refused to tell, but upon further investigation of his Apartment, it was revealed that he was Edward Nashton, a forensics accountant. Martinez and another cop then dragged the Riddler out of the diner, and he was taken to Arkham State Hospital.[1]
Battle at Gotham Square Garden[]
- "Right! Hey, listen, QUIET! We got an active situation. We need to sweep the building for explosives and get the mayor-elect outta here now! Where is she?"
- ―Jim Gordon to GCPD[src]
Following Riddler's arrest, vans placed strategically around Gotham City had exploded, which caused the seawalls to collapse. This then caused water from Gotham Harbor to flood into the city, trapping many people inside Gotham Square Garden. Gordon got in, trying to get to Bella Reál, knowing she was not safe. Reál refused to leave and tried to calm down the crowd.
As she was trying to calm the crowd, she was shot in the stomach by one of Riddler's Cult but saved and protected by Gordon. He asked one of the firefighters how to get up to where Riddler's followers were. When he got up there, he stopped Batman from beating up one of the cult members.
He then watched as Batman sacrificed himself by cutting an electrical wire, and fell into the water below, only for him to emerge from the water and rescue the trapped citizens.
In the aftermath of the flooding, Gordon had joined other members of the Gotham City Police Department, as they stood behind Reál, who gave a speech about how Gotham would recover in the wake of the attack.[1]
Penguin's Rise to Power[]
Following the Massacre at the Falcone Mansion and the Bombing of Crown Point, Gordon lit up the Bat Signal to summon Batman to discuss Penguin's recent rise to power in Gotham's underworld.
Personality[]
Gordon is level-headed and steely, with his ability to keep cool in the face of danger making him a natural born leader. He is very righteous and dedicated to the law, and trusts Batman deeply. He does not show much emotion, always focused on the task at hand.
He is one of the few known public people in Gotham City who is not corrupt and is completely honorable, Gordon is also not afraid of going against powerful criminals such as Carmine Falcone and take him down.
Gordon is aware that most people in position of power are corrupt and don't do their jobs efficiently, therefore he doesn't trust anyone else apart of Batman. He is brave and can be very imposing while facing criminals which has made him one of the closest allies of Batman.
Despite his awareness of the corruption, Gordon can easily get surprised when he finds out secrets of his close co-workers such as Pete Savage, this shows that he is not so clever, at least not as much as people like Batman, Falcone or Riddler are.
Abilities[]
- Expert Detective: To Be Added
- Skilled Marksman: Gordon knows how to handle firearms, including pistols and shotguns.
- Skilled intimidator: Gordon is very intimidating, although not on the same level of Batman. He is very fearless and he's always the one who stands up and threatens any suspect to get a confession. When Colson interrupted the funeral of the late Mayor of Gotham with a car, Gordon was the first who stepped forward and demanded to show up and put his hands in the air. When interrogating the Penguin, he made the criminal feel uncomfortable by showing him a picture of the late commisioner's head forcing him to look and open his eyes.
Equipment[]
Weapons[]
- Smith & Wesson M&P9: To be added
- Mossberg 590: To be added
Vehicles[]
- 2016 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor: To Be Added
Facilities[]
- Gotham City Police Headquarters: To Be Added
Relationships[]
Family[]
Allies[]
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Enemies[] |
Appearances[]
| Appearances for Jim Gordon |
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In chronological order:
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Trivia[]
- In the DC Comics, Jim Gordon is the Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department, and one of Batman's greatest allies and close friends. He is a controversial political figure in Gotham City because of his willingness to work alongside a vigilante, but he is one of the most honest police officers in the service, on occasion struggling against corruption from within. He frequently works outside the law, when necessary, although he maintains a strict and unbreakable moral code.
- According to The Batman: The Official Script Book, Gordon is in his mid-forties. This places his date of birth between 1972 and 1981.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Jim Gordon in The Batman is the sixth live-action incarnation of the character, following incarnations portrayed by Lyle Talbot, Neil Hamilton, Pat Hingle, Gary Oldman, Ben McKenzie, and J. K. Simmons.
- J. K. Simmons was originally going to appear in The Batman, with the actor expressing interest in reprising his role. However, Matt Reeves decided to recast the role, wanting to disassociate the film with the DC Extended Universe.
- Before Jeffrey Wright was cast, director Matt Reeves originally wanted Mahershala Ali for the role of James Gordon.
- This version of Jim Gordon is the first live-action version of a character to be a person of color, while in other depictions, Jim Gordon is a white man. Previously Gordon was African-American in The Lego Batman Movie
- Xavier Lake was a stunt double for Jeffrey Wright in the role of James Gordon.
- James Gordon was meant to serve as the main protagonist of the cancelled GCPD series.[3]
References[]
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- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Reeves, Matt & Craig, Peter (writers); Reeves, Matt & Clark, Dylan (producers); & Reeves, Matt (director) (March 4, 2022). The Batman.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Batman: The Official Script Book
- ↑ "The Batman: TV Spin-Off Will Reportedly Focus on James Gordon" - IGN
