BecauseGotham Knightsoperates under its own original narrative umbrella, it is uncertain what events and lore from Batman’s franchise mythology have already unfolded by the time of the game’s story. It is evident that Bruce Wayne has been Batman for an extensive period inGotham Knightsdue to the established Bat Family, but other key details are only assumed or speculative.
Gotham City Police Commissioner Jim Gordonmay not be the most exciting character when put next to Batman or any other colorful crimefighters, but his presence has always played an integral part in depicting Gotham City’s cesspool. However,Gotham Knights' Gordon is apparently dead, which beckons questions as to how and why this may be important to WB Montreal’s narrative.
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Unpacking Jim Gordon’s Surprising Fate in Gotham Knights
Bruce Wayne reminds the Bat family that Jim Gordon is deceased and that they are alone now in his own sendoff video. BecauseGotham Knights' narrative is wholly original, Gordon’s death could have been the result of any number of incidents, whether it was a failed attempt to thwart petty crime or a tragic circumstance authored by one ofGotham Knights' myriad supervillains. Regardless, the announcement of Gordon’s death provides implications about whatGotham Knightshas in store for players and what they should expect from the story.
Gotham Knights' original continuityalso leaves a lapse in whether Gordon has experienced the same landmark story beats as his source material andBatman: Arkhamseries counterparts. The little ofGotham Knightsthat has been shown through cinematic trailers and gameplay presentations spell out familiar histories and character developments, so it may be inferred that the events that led toGotham Knightsare similar to those from iterations before it.
It can only be assumed at this point that Gordon was still the catalyst of righteousness in Gotham’s corrupt precincts and that his partnership with Batman held a light to criminal activity in Gotham. It is also presumed that Batman was not alone in his efforts to fight crime in Gotham for the last while if Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood are around and composed as distinct characters. But with Gordon and now Batman out of the picture,Gotham Knightswould be able to focus solely on its four playable protagonists without fans' lingering expectations.
Rocksteady’sBatman: Arkhamfranchise, on the other hand, centered a lot of attention throughout each game on Gordon’s importance to the story.Batman: Arkham KnightrehashedBatman: The Killing Joke’s key narrative themes to emotionally compromise Gordon, whileWB Montreal’s ownBatman: Arkham Originsshared a prequel narrative for Gordon as much as it did for Batman. Instead,Gotham Knightscould be actively attempting to distance itself from that seminal franchise with Batman and Gordon’s deaths.
AnintriguingGotham Knightsfan theoryhas previously noted an owl as part of Gordon’s Gotham City Police Department badge shield, and how that could potentially signify the Court of Owls' control over the city. If true, Gordon’s death may have been the result of more sinister and orchestrated means, rather than a random tragedy or other happenstance. For now, it is unclear how important or relevant Jim Gordon even is toGotham Knightsoverall, but his death’s impact should naturally be felt byGotham Knights' lone female protagonist.
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What Jim Gordon’s Death Means for Gotham Knights' Protagonists
While Jim Gordon’s death must be felt throughout Gotham if he inherits the same character traits from other iterations, his death must surely have the greatest impact on his daughter, Barbara.Gotham Knights' Barbara Gordon has some curious character developments to explain as well, such as how Oracle’s wheelchair is spotted inGotham Knights' cinematic reveal trailer, though she is able to walk and is Batgirl in the present day. It would then seem thatGotham Knightsis adapting Batgirl’s New 52 comic continuity and the surgical procedure that reverses her paraplegia.
It is not stated how long it has been since Gordon’s death, but it could still be aplot device inGotham Knightsfor the tired narrative trope of having Barbara thrust into action as a result of her father’s demise.Gotham Knights' reveal trailer highlights a snapshot of Gordon piggybacking a younger Barbara besides the GCPD badge as mementos that Barbara keeps. With Barbara’s roles as Batgirl and Oracle seemingly married inGotham Knights, it will be interesting to see if her father’s death becomes a larger narrative thread for her to follow.
Bruce Wayne makes an interesting point of noting that the GCPD has not trusted the Bat family’s vigilante efforts since Gordon’s death. This suggests that Gordon’s death could have been averted somehow and that either Batman or another Bat family affiliate is held publicly accountable for his death in particular. Rather, it could suggest that Gordon was the only connective tissue that allowed the Bat family to operate as vigilantes and now that he is dead the GCPD has reverted back to an inherent lack of trust.
Ultimately, Gordon’s death means that there will be no official support from Gotham’s finest, though the four playable protagonists seem capable on their own. The GCPD may not end up being largely involved in terms ofGotham Knights' gameplayanyhow, so Gordon’s death and the refusal of GCPD services may not be significant altogether apart from narrative beats. Gotham City is sure to be rife with criminal activity in Batman’s absence, but the lack of GCPD assistance will likely feel inconsequential to players in Gotham’s open world.
Jim Gordon’s death may or may not be expanded uponwhenGotham Knightsreleases next year, but time will tell if his death is simply a plot device engineered to isolate the Bat family as Gotham’s sole saviors. Indeed, Batman and Gordon’s deaths being legitimate and irreversible could truly make way for Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood to fully receive the spotlight inGotham Knights.
Gotham Knightsreleases in 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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