Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More

How Gotham completely changed Batman and no one noticed

You have to imagine that when Gotham was first pitched, someone understandably said something like, "A Batman show without Batman? How is that going to work?"

Well, apparently it works just fine. At the end of April 2019 Fox aired the Gotham series finale that finally revealed the young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) as Batman, costume and all. After five years on the air, Gotham enjoyed a privilege afforded to too few concluding television series — the chance to end on its own terms. Batman rises, James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) becomes Commissioner, and classic Batman bad guys like the Joker (Cameron Monaghan) and the Riddler (Cory Michael Smith) embark on their long, twisted careers.

Batman's comics are adapted so often into television shows, movies, and video games that it's practically impossible to discuss the character without first making sure everyone in the conversation knows exactly which Batman we're talking about. Even if you were to say, for example, you were talking about "the comic book Batman," it would still beg the question of whether you were talking about standard DC Comics continuity, Frank Miller's Dark Knight comics, Terry McGinnis of Batman Beyond who succeeds Bruce Wayne in the role of Batman, etc.

Regardless of how many adaptations and interpretations there are, the more successful ones always leave a mark on the mythology that changes future tellings, and Gotham is no exception. Here's how Gotham changed Batman.