Gotham on Fox tells the origin of many characters in DC’s Gotham City
(PCM) DC has been incessantly getting it wrong convoluting their universes. Just look at the *New52 in print. Fans are appalled that DC won’t revert to the original origins. Then you have the film Green Lantern, and reboots of Superman. Only Chris Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy made for a great superhero franchise while still not staying true to canon. It’s frustrating to those that read comics and know the original backstories.
Yes, print and cinema are uniquely different but then we get 5 shows all part of the same TV universe that don’t connect (except Arrow and Flash – different timeline saves DC on this one) which will confuse the casual DC viewer.
Now DC is offering the ultimate backstory. The youth of Bruce Wayne and the rise of Commissioner James Gordon.
Gotham Begins with the death of Bruce Wayne’s Parents
I was surprisingly impressed with this first Gotham episode. Batman’s world is hallowed ground, I hope respect to timelines of supporting characters is honestly respected. DC has gold if they want it. Marvel’s shared universe is split by licensing snafu’s. DC rebooted with a crap *New52. So much lost respect for DC by fan faithful can be regained if they ‘begin’ to get their house in order with Gotham.
What made Gotham worthwhile wasn’t merely the fair depiction of characters that are pulled from the original print universe, it was more than Gotham being visually presented as a character in somewhat accurate detail.
Gotham City as seen by Batman in the video game Arkham City
Through CGI, aerial shots of Manhattan from the north side of the East River use Roosevelt Island as what may be assumed to stand in for the narrows, but many cross town flyovers do a better job of giving Gotham the real but seedy feel you need in order to immerse yourself into this show.
Gotham on Fox shows promise due to a great deal of non-predictable situations. Yes, we know that major characters can’t die, but the situations they find themselves in and how they turn out are not too easily figured out. In short, so far it’s good story telling.
There will be many stars made from this show. Benjamin McKenzie as James Gordon is both believable as a young Gordon and compelling as a good cop with promise. Donal Logue as the long time loathsome Harvey Bollock isn’t such a new take on the character as it is refreshing. He’s established as someone that has good cop sensibilities but accepting of the culture he is a part of in Gotham.
Another star waiting to be launched is Robin Taylor in what will clearly be a breakout role for him. Robin Taylor takes on becoming The Penguin, or as The Penguin insists, Oswald Cobblepot.
Robin Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot in Gotham on Fox
Inside one episode you can see his would be transformation into the Penguin we know. Penguin’s personality is one of ruthless aggression for power. Robin Taylor’s direction as Oswald becoming Penguin is spot on. Taylor cites having been provided source print material from DC’s Geoff Johns in an effort to be true to canon.
David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne and Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle in Gotham on Fox
The choices of 13 year old David Mazouz as a young Bruce Wayne is solid, but the real stand-out is the selection of 15 year old Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle. Visually Cameren appears to have both star power and the athletic exuberance that fits the Catwoman image.
There would be plenty to nit-pick such as Selina Kyle being witness to Bruce Wayne’s life like a fly on the wall, and her dropping into a cat like fashion pose in the middle of a crowded sidewalk, but this is however loosely based on a comic book. Implying the bigger than life world of Gotham should be expected.
Gotham has hinted to make the show a true origin series that has a endpoint. That in itself is relief as every story has a beginning middle and end. Gotham has promised to end with Bruce Wayne donning the cape and cowl. Makes you want to see it through doesn’t it?
*New52 is the rebooting of the entire DC Universe. It took place in 2011 after the conclusion of Flashpoint in 2011.
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