Posts filed under Superheroes

The Joker

I’ve already written about my thoughts on the Joker way back in the 2nd week of this blog, but I’ve never discussed his history, which has been coming up more and more (maybe) on Gotham.

The Joker was created by Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, and Bill Finger.  Elements that inspired the idea of the Joker include actor Conrad Veidt as Gwynplaine (a man with a disfigured face), the 1928 film, The Man Who Laughs, and an image in Steeplechase Park at Coney Island.  The Joker first appeared in Batman #1 (1940).

Renee Montoya (What’s the 2nd question)

So where has Montoya been on Gotham for the last few weeks?  She needs to return, she is an important character in the Batman legend.  The character of Renee Montoya was created for the 1992 Batman Animated series but was introduced preemptively in the comics in Batman #475.  Montoya is quickly promoted to detective and is partnered with Harvey Bullock in both the comics and the animated series.  After Bullock is promoted to Lieutenant in the comics, Montoya is becomes partners with Crispus Allen.  In the “Officer Down” storyline, Montoya is angered by a murder attempt on Commissioner James Gordon’s life...

The Riddler (Q:When is a criminal like a mystery?)

Alright Gotham fans, let’s get to the one you’ve been waiting for, Edward Nigma (sometimes spelled Nygma, like on Gotham), aka The Riddler!  The Riddler first appeared in Detective Comics #140 (October 1948). Young Eddie’s obsession with riddles began as a child when while still in school, upon learning there is a contest to see which child can put a puzzle together the quickest, Eddie sneaks into the classroom the night before and puts the puzzle together over and over until he can do it within seconds.  After easily beating all the other kids, Eddie receives his prize, a book about riddles.  This would steer the course for the rest of his life...

Scarecrow (The only thing we have to fear is fear himself!)

Fans of the show Gotham have probably heard that Jonathan Crane and his father are set to appear on the show.  Who is Jonathan Crane?  Jonathan Crane is the villainous Scarecrow, who first appeared in World’s Finest Comics #3 (Fall 1941).  The Scarecrow only appeared twice in the “Golden” age of comics, he next appeared in the “Silver” age in Batman #189 (1967).  After the 1985-1986 miniseries Crisis on Infinite Earths, Scarecrow gets a revamped origin.  In Batman Annual #19 (1995), its is revealed that young Jonathan Crane was constantly bullied all through childhood and into high school for being a bookworm and his resemblance...

Carmine Falcone Nothing’s more important than (the) family

Wow, it’s getting real on Gotham lately, especially with Falcone.  Who is Carmine Falcone?  He first appeared in Frank Miller’s classic Batman: Year One storyline which was a flashback to Batman’s first few months in Gotham City.  In Batman #404 (1987), Carmine “The Roman” Falcone was attending a dinner party with some of Gotham’s most influential including Police Commissioner Loeb...