One of the best comics made in the last decade of DC Comics — hands down, no debate allowed — is “Gotham Central.” Putting elements of the Wire straight into Batman’s backyard, it was an extraordinary book where Batman was essentially the shark from Jaws and all of his rogues and the fallout of his actions took center stage in a unique way — a trick series co-writer Greg Rucka would pull again later with his run on “The Punisher.” It’s the sort of thing you wager that Marvel is hoping to do with Agents of SHIELD, essentially, though with more grit.
While it was unfortunately cancelled, it appears that DC and Warner Bros finally are getting their head back in that game, as Deadline has reported that Fox will be airing Gotham, a new show set in Gotham City and revolving around Commissioner Gordon. Billed as a prequel that explores Gordon’s rise in the GPD (so, Lieutenant Gordon, then), it’ll focus on the crime committed in the streets in relation to the villains that haunt the alleys, with Batman potentially being a non-entity throughout. Which, to me, is perfect.
Bruno Heller, of The Mentalist, is attached as showrunner.
“Gotham Central” was a book definitely ahead of its time, and if it was released today I can guarantee you it would be critically acclaimed and celebrated in the same way the comic blogosphere celebrates a book like “Hawkeye.” That it has taken this long to realize it’s awesomeness enough to give it a show is staggering, but I have high hopes for Gotham – especially if they can somehow get Rucka and Brubaker to consult on the show, though I won’t hold my breath.
