Publication history
Created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane, Gordon debuted in the first panel of ''Fictional character biography
Of Scottish People, Scottish descent, Gordon had served in the United States Marine Corps prior to becoming a police officer. In most versions of the ''Batman'' mythos, Jim Gordon is at one point or another depicted as Police commissioner, commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department. Gordon frequently contacts Batman for help in solving various crimes, particularly those committed by supervillains. Generally it is Gordon who uses the Bat-signal to summon Batman, and it has become a running joke of sorts that the Dark Knight will often disappear in the middle of the discussion when Gordon's back is turned. Gordon is usually depicted with silver or red hair, eyeglasses, and a mustache. In most incarnations, he is seen wearing a trenchcoat, necktie, and on occasion, a fedora hat. He is also sometimes pictured with a cane, although it is not revealed why he uses it. Because DC Comics retconned its characters' history in the 1985 miniseries ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'', and because of different interpretations in television and film, the details of Gordon's history vary from story to story. He has been married twice; first to Barbara Eileen Kean and then to Sarah Essen.Early characterizations
In the original pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths, Crisis version of his history, Gordon is a police detective who initially resents the mysterious vigilante's interference in police business. He first appears in ''Detective Comics'' #27, in the very first Batman story, in which they both investigate the murder of a chemical industrialist. Although Batman fights on the side of justice, his methods and phenomenal track record for stopping crimes and capturing criminals embarrasses the police by comparison. Eventually, Batman meets up with Gordon and persuades the detective that they need each other's help. Gordon deputizes Batman, and thereafter the Dark Knight works with Gordon as an agent of the law. In ''Batman Special'' #1, it is revealed that Gordon, as a young cop, shot and killed two robbers in self-defense in front of their son. The results of this event would lead the boy to become the first Wrath (comics)#Wrath, Wrath, a cop killer with a costume and motif inspired by Batman, who would come after Gordon for revenge years later.Post-''Crisis'' and ''Zero Hour''
''Batman: Year One''
The post-Crisis on Infinite Earths, Crisis version of the character was introduced in the 1987 storyline ''Batman: Year One'', written by Frank Miller (comics), Frank Miller. In this version, James W. Gordon is transferred back to Gotham City after spending more than 15 years in Chicago. A man of integrity, Gordon finds that Batman is his only ally against the corrupt administration, which is in the pocket of mob boss Carmine Falcone. One of the most significant differences in this version is that Batman is never deputized and Gordon's relationship with him is kept out of the public eye whenever possible. It is also added that he is a special forces veteran who is capable in hand-to-hand combat; he retaliates against an intimidation attempt by corrupt fellow officers with equal violence. He is depicted as having an extra-marital affair with a fellow detective, Sarah Essen Gordon, Sarah Essen. Gordon breaks off their affair after being blackmailed by the corrupt police commissioner, Gillian B. Loeb. Falcone sends his nephew, Johnny Viti, to kill Gordon's wife and son; Batman saves them, however, and helps Gordon expose Loeb's corruption. After Loeb resigns, Gordon is promoted to captain. The 1998 miniseries ''Gordon of Gotham'' takes place nearly 20 years prior to the current events of the DC Universe and two months before his arrival in Gotham in ''Batman: Year One''. It reveals that Gordon, during his tenure in Chicago, struggled with his wife over conceiving a child while taking night classes in criminology. He becomes a minor celebrity after a foiling a late-night robbery attempt. When he decides to investigate a corrupt fellow officer, however, the officer and his cronies assault him, and the police department discredits him in order to cover up the scandal. Gordon then uncovers evidence of rigging in the city council election and brings down two of his fellow officers, which leads to his commander transferring him to Gotham. The story ''Wrath Child'', published in ''Batman Confidential'' issues 13–16, retcons Gordon's origin yet again: in this continuity, Gordon started his career in Gotham, but transferred to Chicago after shooting a corrupt cop and his wife (the parents of the original Wrath (comics)#Wrath, Wrath). The transfer was arranged by Loeb, then a captain, in an attempt to keep himself and his fellow corrupt cops from being exposed. Loeb threatens the future Wrath's life in order to force Gordon to comply with the transfer. Gordon later transfers back to Gotham around the same time Batman starts his career. While still a lieutenant, Gordon convinces Loeb's successor to implement the Bat-Signal as a means to contact Batman and also to frighten criminals. It is around this time that the first Robin (comics), Robin, Dick Grayson, becomes Batman's sidekick. Gordon initially disapproves of Batman recruiting a child to fight dangerous criminals, but soon grows to not only accept the boy but trust him as much as he does Batman. Gordon quickly rises to the rank of commissioner after he and Batman weed out corruption within the department. After the death of his brother and sister-in-law, he adopts his niece, Barbara Gordon, Barbara. Soon after he adopts Barbara, he divorces his wife, who returned to Chicago with their son James Gordon Jr., James Jr., while he retains custody of Barbara, who eventually becomes''Batman: The Killing Joke''
In the 1988 graphic novel ''Batman: The Killing Joke, The Killing Joke'', Joker (comics), the Joker Kidnapping, kidnaps Gordon after shooting and paralysis, paralyzing Barbara. He then cages Gordon in the freak show of an abandoned amusement park and forces him to look at enlarged photos of his wounded daughter in an effort to drive him Insanity, insane, thus proving to Batman that even seemingly normal people can lose their minds after having "one bad day". Batman eventually apprehends the Joker and rescues Gordon. Despite the intense Psychological trauma, trauma he has endured, Gordon's sanity and ethical code are intact; he insists that Batman apprehend the Joker without harming him in order to "show him that our way works".Marriage
Soon after Sarah Essen Gordon, Sarah Essen returns to Gordon's life, they rekindle their romance and get engaged. However, Essen cannot comprehend why Gordon needs Batman so much, which occasionally puts a strain on their relationship. Later, Gordon suffers a heart attack; his chain-smoking over the years has weakened his heart. This event later lead DC Comics to partner with the American Heart Association to create a public service announcement to raise awareness of the danger of tobacco smoking and how it would threaten one's health. In ''Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight'' Annual #2, shortly before their planned wedding, former Lieutenant Arnold Flass (Gordon's former partner) beats Gordon and kidnaps James Jr. for ransom in exchange for letting a corrupt judge go free. Batman saves James Jr., while Gordon, Essen, Flass and the judge are trapped and must work together to escape. For a brief period following the ''Batman: Knightfall, Knightfall'' and ''Prodigal'' storylines, Gordon is removed from his post as commissioner and replaced by his own wife, due partly to his own disinclination to trust Batman after two substitutes — Azrael (comics), Jean-Paul Valley and Dick Grayson — assume the role and do not bother to tell him about the switch.''No Man's Land''
The ''No Man's Land (comics), No Man's Land'' storyline takes place after Gotham is destroyed by an earthquake and isolated from outside assistance. Inside Gotham, Gordon struggles to maintain order in the midst of a crime wave. Batman is mysteriously absent for the initial three months, and Gordon feels betrayed. He forges an uneasy alliance with Two-Face, but the partnership does not last; Two-Face kidnaps Gordon, putting him on trial for breaking their "legally binding" alliance. Gordon escapes, however, and later meets with Batman once again. In this confrontation, Gordon berates Batman for letting Gotham "fall into ruin". Batman offers to prove his trust by revealing his secret identity, but Gordon refuses to look when Batman removes his mask. Eventually, the two repair their friendship. At the end of the ''No Man's Land (comics), No Man's Land'' storyline, the Joker kills Sarah Essen-Gordon. An enraged Gordon barely restrains himself from killing Joker, shooting the madman in the knee instead. Not long afterward, Gordon is shot by a criminal seeking revenge for a previous arrest. Though seriously injured, he survives, and eventually makes a full recovery.Retirement
Gordon retires from the police force after having served for more than 20 years. He remains in Gotham, and occasionally enjoys nighttime visits from Batman. Despite being retired, Gordon often finds himself drawn to a series of life-and-death circumstances, such as the Joker sending him flowers during ''Last Laugh (comics), Last Laugh'', or being contacted by the temporarily reformed Two-Face, Harvey Dent to stop Batman from killing the Joker, to being kidnapped by Francis Sullivan, grandson of one of Gotham's notorious serial killers, during the ''Made of Wood'' storyline. After the attack by Sullivan, Batman gives Gordon an encrypted cellphone, the so-called Batphone, in case he needs to contact him, which also carries a Tracking and tracing, transmitter in case of trouble. He also still has contacts with the country's law enforcement agencies, through which the sheriff's departments request Gordon to contact Batman for help investigating a series of unusual murders on a suburb territory outside the city's limits; it turns out to be a paranormal case involving black magic, occult rituals, and the supernatural. Commissioner Michael Akins has taken his position, with many officers expressing reluctance to follow him out of loyalty to Gordon. After Barbara requires surgery to counter the life-threatening effects of the Brainiac (character), Brainiac virus, Gordon visits her in Metropolis (comics), Metropolis. She reveals to him her current role as Oracle, as well as her past as Batgirl. Gordon admits that he knew of her life as Batgirl, but is pleasantly surprised to know of her second career as Oracle.Return
As part of DC's "One Year Later", Gordon has once again become Gotham's police commissioner. He rebuilds the Bat-Signal, but still carries the mobile Batphone that Batman gave him. The circumstances behind this are currently unknown, though there have been allusions to extreme corruption within the GCPD. These allusions are supported by events within ''Gotham Central'', especially involving Detective Jim Corrigan. Gordon survives an attempt on his life by the Joker (''Batman'' #655), who had drugged him with Joker Venom in an attack on the GCPD. He is taken to the hospital in time.''Blackest Night''
During the ''Blackest Night'' crossover, while mourning the passing of the original Batman, who was apparently killed in action during ''Final Crisis'', Gordon and his daughter witness Hal Jordan, Green Lantern crash into the Bat-Signal, after being assaulted by a reanimated version of the deceased Martian Manhunter. After offering the hero a spare car, the Gordons then find themselves fighting for their lives against the reanimated versions of the original Batman's List of Batman Family enemies, rogues gallery at Gotham Central, where Gordon makes short work of serial killer Abattoir (comics), Abattoir (in Black Lantern Corps, Black Lantern form) with a shotgun. They are rescued by the current Dick Grayson, Dark Knight, Damian Wayne, Robin, Tim Drake, Red Robin, and Deadman (DC Comics), Deadman, but are later attacked by Batman and Red Robin's parents, the reanimated Graysons and the Drakes. While Batman and Red Robin battle the Black Lanterns, Robin takes the Gordons to their underground base. It is later shown that Alfred Pennyworth tends his wounds (Gordon is unconscious, thus protecting the team's secret identities) along with Barbara's at the bunker's infirmary.The New 52
In September 2011, The New 52 rebooted DC's continuity. In this new timeline, Jim Gordon is still the commissioner of the GCPD and a former Marine but is younger than his traditional portrayal; he still has the red hair and mustache from ''Batman: Year One''. He is still married to his wife Barbara, and he and Barbara are the biological parents of Barbara "Babs" Gordon (a.k.a. Batgirl). During the ''Forever Evil'' storyline, commissioner Gordon enters Blackgate Penitentiary in order to save the warden. When a turf war erupts between the Arkham inmates, Gordon helps to evacuate the citizens from Gotham City. In ''Batman Eternal'', the storyline begins when Gordon is tricked into shooting at an unarmed suspect in an underground train station, resulting in a train derailing and Gordon being arrested. While incarcerated, Gordon is visited by his son, who makes arrangements to leave his father's cell open and provide him with an opportunity to escape Blackgate, believing that his father's actions are the result of him at least subconsciously acknowledging the 'truth' that Gotham is beyond saving and his attempts to be a hero are pointless. However, despite his doubts, Gordon decides to remain in prison, concluding that Gotham is still worth saving and simply musing that he may just be getting old and made a mistake. Although villains such as the Penguin (comics), Penguin attempt to attack Gordon while in prison, Gordon uses Batman's example to inspire fear in his 'fellow inmates' with minimal effort until he is released as the final assault on Gotham begins, proceeding to rally all of Gotham to stand up and take back their city to aid Batman for everything he has ever done for them.Batman
Following Bruce Wayne's apparent death in battle with the Joker during the events of ''Batman'' (vol. 2) #40,''Batman'' (vol. 2) #40 Gordon took up the mantle of Batman using a mecha style suit to fight crime in Gotham City. Gordon first appears as Batman in ''Divergence'' #1, a DC Comics 2015 Free Comic Book Day issue, in which he is shown to be sponsored by the mega-corp Powers International. He also notes that this is "the worst idea in the history of Gotham", as he suits up, but agreed to the offer when various sources argued that there was nobody else capable of understanding Gotham the way Batman had done over the years, Gordon contemplating the merits of a Batman who works with the system rather than outside it. However, he begins to recognize the problems of this approach when he discovers that some of his past arrests have been murdered while out on parole and he is forbidden from investigating the crime himself. Gordon later meets the currently-depowered Superman when Clark comes to Gotham to investigate evidence that the weapons currently being used against him were created in Gotham, but their initial meeting results in a fight as Superman doesn't believe that Gordon is the new Batman and Gordon doubts Superman due to him currently working with Luthor. Although Gordon doubts Superman's abilities as a hero due to his current powerless state, he eventually works with Superman to stop Vandal Savage stealing an artificial sun created in Gotham to use as part of his latest plan, their alliance helping Gordon recognize Superman's continued merits as a hero while Superman in turn acknowledges that the new Batman gets the job done. Gordon later works with the Justice League to investigate the death of a large monster, the heroes noting after the case has concluded that Batman's high opinion of Gordon's abilities as a detective were well-founded. Despite Gordon's best efforts, political issues in the department result in new villain Mr. Bloom destroying his armour and mounting a massive assault on Gotham after seriously injuring Gordon, prompting the amnesic Bruce Wayne — ironically inspired by a conversation with the equally — amnesiac Joker — to try and reclaim his role as Batman. The crisis concludes with Bloom defeated by the returned Batman using some of Gordon's equipment while working with his old ally. The return of the true Batman prompts the GCPD to shut down the program and restore Gordon to his role as commissioner, Gordon musing that the world needs Batman to face its nightmares so that normal human beings can learn to cope with the more regular problems.DC Rebirth
In June 2016, the ''DC Rebirth'' event relaunched DC Comics' entire line of comic book titles, in which Jim Gordon has a continued role in ''Detective Comics'' and the third volume of ''Batman''. In December 2017, DC Comics ended the ''Rebirth'' branding, opting to include everything under a larger ''DC Universe'' banner and naming, and Gordon continues to be featured in ''Detective Comics'' and the third volume of ''Batman''. For a time Gordon is corrupted by the toxin used by The Batman Who Laughs, an alternate version of Batman contaminated by the chemicals that drove the Joker insane, but Batman is able to get help from Superman in capturing Gordon and the other infected heroes until a cure can be found. In 2021, DC began publishing a new ''Joker'' series. The first story arc (at least through the first six issues) is told primarily from Gordon's perspective. He has retired from public service and agrees to look for Joker on behalf of a secretive organization. His daughter Barbara provides intelligence and communications support.Gordon and Batman's identity
In most versions of the mythos, Gordon is ignorant of Batman's identity. There is usually the implication that Gordon is intelligent enough to solve the mystery, but chooses not to in order to preserve Batman's effectiveness and maintain his own plausible deniability. In the 1966 ''Batman (1966 film), Batman'' film, Gordon explicitly states his desire not to know for just such a reason. In the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths, Crisis era, a 1952 story (Batman #71) shows Gordon trying to uncover Batman's identity merely for his own satisfaction, but Batman discovers Gordon's scheme and skillfully outwits him. A later story in the 1960s shows Gordon giving a bedridden Bruce Wayne (who had contracted a nearly fatal fever as Batman) "Chinese oranges", a natural treatment for the fever. Later, Bruce opines to Dick Grayson if it is possible that Gordon is beginning to suspect Batman's identity. In ''Batman: Year One'', Gordon claims not to see the unmasked Batman well (whom his wife at that time, Barbara, also sees) because he wasn't wearing his eyeglasses. Gordon suspects that Bruce Wayne may be Batman, though he never follows up on his suspicions. In ''Batman: The Animated Series'', Gordon has implied he deliberately avoids deep investigation on the subject of Batman or Batgirl's identity. Likewise, in the 1980s ''Detective Comics'' storyline ''Blind Justice'', the world at large incorrectly supposes Batman is dead and Gordon comments to Bruce Wayne that Batman has earned the right to retirement if he so desires. He then rather pointedly asks Bruce's advice on whether or not he should reveal that Batman still lives. When Hugo Strange attempted to determine Batman's identity early in his career (in a story written in the post-''Crisis'' era), he began his research by focusing on muggings and murders committed in the last few years based on the idea that Batman was prompted into his current role by a traumatic loss as a result of criminal activity, prompting Gordon – upon learning of Strange's research – to reflect that Strange had already made a mistake as he was underestimating the physical demands that would be required for Batman to have reached his current level of skill by looking at crimes committed such a short time ago, suggesting that Gordon had already considered such an avenue of investigation (even if he may or may not have followed it up). A chronologically later storyline involving Strange pre-Crisis involved Alfred being hospitalized as part of Strange's scheme, and during a conversation between Gordon and Batman over the phone after Strange's defeat, Gordon pointedly tells Batman to inform an unnamed 'mutual acquaintance' that Gordon has checked on the acquaintance's friend in the hospital and the doctors expect a full recovery. During No Man's Land (comics), ''No Man's Land'', Batman attempts to regain Gordon's trust by revealing his identity. Gordon refuses to look at him after he removes the cowl, however, stating that if he wanted to know Batman's identity, he could have figured it out years ago, and even cryptically saying, "And for all you know, maybe I did." During the ''Hush (comics), Hush'' story arc, while working with Superman, Batman discusses whether or not Perry White has figured out Superman's secret identity. Theorizing that White is too good a reporter to not have figured it out, he draws the same comparison to himself and Gordon, stating that Gordon is too good a detective to not have figured it out. In that same story arc, Gordon, in an attempt to stop Batman from killing the Joker, tells Batman to remember who his role models are (his parents) and the beliefs they instilled in him. As well, he asks Batman to remember who and what made him who he is, a rather obvious reference to the criminal who gunned down his parents in front of him, suggesting that Gordon knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman. Barbara reveals her identities to her father in ''Birds of Prey'' #89. Gordon then reveals that he was well aware of her status as Batgirl all along, though he purposefully avoided looking into what she was doing after she was paralyzed. Batman chides her for revealing herself, saying it was a mistake, but she counters that, while he taught her to fight criminals, it was her father who taught her to be human. In ''Blackest Night, Blackest Night: Batman'', Gordon is present when Deadman refers to the current Dick Grayson, Batman as "Grayson" and after the current Damian Wayne, Robin took Gordon and his daughter to the new Batman's underground base. It is implied that Gordon is unconscious when they meet Alfred Pennyworth. At the conclusion of ''Batman: The Black Mirror'', Gordon strongly implies to Dick Grayson that he is aware of the secret identities of Grayson and the Waynes, when he thanks Grayson for everything he had done for him over the course of the story. Grayson attempts to brush this off, thinking Gordon meant only the forensic assistance he had given, from which Gordon cuts him off, saying "I mean, thank you. On all fronts." A long moment of silence follows, and Grayson accepts his thanks. During Gordon's brief career as Batman when Bruce was suffering total amnesia after his temporary death in his last fight with the Joker, Gordon meets with Bruce Wayne and introduces himself as Batman, noting how strange it is to be saying that to Bruce, but his response could suggest that he considers it strange based on the public perception that Bruce Wayne was Batman's financial backer rather than making it clear that he knows who Bruce was. After Bruce is forced to sacrifice his new persona to download his old memories as Batman into his mind to save Gotham from new villain Mr. Bloom, Gordon apologizes for making Batman come back, noting that his friend was at peace while he was away, and starts to call him 'B...' before stopping himself, but Batman ignores the near-name in favor of assuring Gordon that the man he might have been without Batman died long ago.Knowledge in other continuities
In Frank Miller (comics), Frank Miller's ''The Dark Knight Returns'', Gordon and Bruce Wayne are portrayed as close friends in their civilian identities, with Gordon having discovered Batman's identity years before around the time of Bruce's retirement in his mid-forties (Bruce is explicitly identified as being 55 at the time of the story). In the ''Batman: Year 100'' storyline, which takes place in 2039, Captain Jim Gordon, grandson of commissioner Gordon, finds an old laptop in the attic of a country home owned by Gordon and discovers a secret file which he assumes contains long-lost information on Batman. After unsuccessfully trying numerous passwords with relevance to the Batman universe he inputs "Bruce Wayne" and is granted access to the file contents. In the ''Flashpoint (comics), Flashpoint'' universe, Gordon knows about Thomas Wayne's identity as Batman and works with him in both his identities. In the ''Batman & Dracula: Red Rain, Batman - Vampire'' trilogy in the Elseworlds series, Gordon is shown to be aware of Batman's connection to Alfred Pennyworth by the second graphic novel in the trilogy, working with Alfred as Batman succumbs to his new, darker nature, but his knowledge of Batman's identity as Bruce Wayne is virtually irrelevant as Batman had abandoned his life as Bruce Wayne after he was transformed into a full vampire while fighting Dracula (character), Dracula. As in most continuities, Gordon decides in the Christopher Nolan trilogy that he prefers to remain ignorant of Batman's identity and agrees that his anonymity – even in death – has sociological value. Immediately prior to Batman's apparent self-sacrifice near the end of ''The Dark Knight Rises'', Gordon learns the truth when Batman makes a reference to Gordon's kindness to him as a child. Following Batman's apparent death in a nuclear detonation, Gordon attends Wayne's empty-casket burial with Blake and Wayne's/Batman's confidants, Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox. In Sean Murphy (artist), Sean Murphy's ''Batman: White Knight'', the Joker – now known as Jack Napier – is cured of his mental illness and legally prosecutes Gordon and the GCPD, holding them accountable for cooperating with Batman for decades. As a member of the city council, Napier suggests redrecting funds dedicated to repairing damages to the city caused by Batman to the GCPD and argues that Batman should have shared his technology with the GCPD long ago. Napier's arguments cause a rift between Gordon and Batman, ending with Batman unmasking himself to Gordon in order to regain his trust. Initially, Gordon discourages Batman from revealing his secret identity to the public, but in the sequel, ''Batman: White Knight#Sequels, Batman: Curse of the White Knight'', Gordon changes his mind when the Joker publicly reveals Batgirl's secret identity, believing that this would not have happened if Batman had publicly unmasked. Even though Gordon expresses regret over blaming Batman for the Joker's actions, they never get a chance to reconcile as Gordon is murdered shortly thereafter by Jean-Paul Valley, Azrael.Family
Pre-Crisis
Anthony "Tony" Gordon
In Crisis on Infinite Earths, Pre-Crisis continuity, Jim Gordon is the biological father of Anthony "Tony" Gordon. Originally referred to as a college student, Tony later disappears while hiding from Communist spies. He is later reunited with his sister, Barbara, and dies in a battle with the Sino-Supermen (''Batman Family'' #12, ''Detective Comics'' #482). In Post-Crisis continuity, there has been no mention of Tony Gordon.Barbara "Barb" Gordon
Barbara "Barb" Gordon is the biological daughter of James "Jim" Gordon in Pre-Crisis continuity. She also leads a double life as a librarian and as costumed crimefighterPost-Crisis
Barbara Eileen Kean
Barbara Eileen Kean is Gordon's ex-wife and mother ofJames Gordon Jr.
Gordon and his wife, Barbara Kean are the parents of a son named James Gordon Jr. (Batman: Year One, ''Batman'' #404-407). James Jr. and his mother moved to Chicago after she divorced the elder Gordon. After his introduction in ''Batman: Year One'', the character appeared almost exclusively in comics set during the Year One era, and went virtually unmentioned in present day. Scott Snyder's story ''Batman: The Black Mirror'' reintroduced James Jr. as an adult, and establishes that he is a Psychopathy#Sociopathy, sociopath who tortures and kills for pleasure. He is institutionalized as a teenager after he disfigures a school bus driver who insulted him. After he is released years later, he commits a series of brutal murders, while trying to frame the Joker for his crimes. After nearly killing his mother, and capturing his step-sister, James Jr. is apprehended by his father and Batman (Dick Grayson), and institutionalized in Arkham. In The New 52, James Jr. appears in Batgirl, the ''Batgirl'' series. He escapes from Arkham, and begins stalking his sister, whom he views as a rival for his father's affection. The series reveals that he deliberately caused the divorce of his parents: he killed a cat his mother had bought for Barbara and then threatened to kill his sister if she did not leave the family and threatened to kill Barbara if she tried to contact them ever again. A different version of James Gordon Jr. appears briefly in the films ''Batman Begins'' and ''The Dark Knight (film), The Dark Knight'', in which he is portrayed as the young son of James and Barbara. In the latter film, Two-Face tries to kill the boy in order to get back at Gordon, whom he blames for the death of his fiancée, Rachel Dawes. Batman saves James Jr. by tackling Two-Face off of a roof, killing him. Jimmy Jr was mentioned in the ''Batwoman (TV series), Batwoman'' episode "We're All Mad Here".Sarah Essen
Sarah Essen (''Batman'' Annual #13, ''Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight'' Annual #2) was first referenced as Gordon's wife during the future tale ''The Dark Knight Returns''. She first appeared fully in ''Batman: Year One'' as a co-worker with whom Gordon has an extra-marital affair. After realizing they could not be together, she transferred out of state. Years after his divorce, Sarah returns to Gotham, and the two renew their relationship. After marrying Gordon, Sarah is murdered by Joker at the end of the ''No Man's Land (comics), No Man's Land'' storyline. ''Flashpoint (comics), Flashpoint'' altered the events in the DC Universe's timeline, so during The New 52 era, Sarah's marriage to Gordon never happened. However, starting with 2016's DC Rebirth, characters have begun to remember pre-New 52 events. As such, in ''The Joker'' (vol. 2) #6, Jim Gordon refers to Barbara Kean Gordon as his first wife, which implies that he married another woman after her.Other versions
''The Dark Knight Returns''
Jim Gordon appears in the limited series ''Batman: The Dark Knight Returns'', which presents a future where a retiring Gordon not only knows Batman's identity, but is good friends with Bruce Wayne. He then makes a cameo on ''Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again''. Now retired, he has written a book about Batman, who is believed to be dead. Gordon is also referred to in the first issue of the series, ''All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder'', set in the same universe as and prior to ''The Dark Knight Returns''. He made a full appearance on issue #6, as a police captain, having a conversation with his ex-partner, Sarah Essen, about Batman. He's still married to Barbara Kean, who is now an alcoholism, alcoholic, and has a troubled son, James Jr. Just as other continuities, his daughter, Barbara, who is 15, becomes Batgirl. Frank Miller has commented that the series is set in his Dark Knight Universe, which includes all of the Batman works by Frank Miller, therefore Barbara's inclusion confirms that Gordon had two children during ''Batman: Year One'', at least in Miller's version of the continuity. At the end of the series, it's implied that, despite being married to Barbara Kean, he's still in love with Sarah.''JLA: Earth 2''
On the JLA: Earth 2, Anti-Matter Earth, where the evil Crime Syndicate, Crime Syndicate of America live, Commissioner Gordon's counterpart is a crime boss named ''Boss Gordon'', an ally to Owlman (comics), Owlman. Boss Gordon is the city's leading crime boss until his empire is toppled by Batman and commissioner Thomas Wayne.''JLA: The Nail''
In a world where Superman was never found by the Kents, reference is made to Gordon having been murdered shortly before the events of the story, resulting in Gotham's police department being granted extra powers of authority in his absence, although these are never fully explained.''Batman: Gotham Noir''
In the Elseworlds title ''Batman: Gotham Noir'', Jim Gordon is an alcoholic hard-boiled private detective who had left the police force following a failure to solve the disappearance of a judge. He is Catwoman, Selina Kyle's former lover and Bruce Wayne's wartime partner.''Batman: In Darkest Knight''
In the Elseworlds story ''Batman: In Darkest Knight'', Jim Gordon is an honest cop who distrusts Green Lantern (who in this reality is Bruce Wayne) because of his near-limitless power. Lantern comes to Gordon in order to find the identity of Joe Chill, the man who killed his parents, but Gordon rebukes him. Later on, he changes his mind and starts investigating, but he is then interrupted and killed by Sinestro, who ruptures his heart.''Vampire Batman''
In the ''Vampire Batman'' Elseworlds trilogy that began with ''Batman & Dracula: Red Rain'', Gordon learns that a coven of vampires, led by Count Dracula himself, is behind a series of murders. Dracula captures him, but he defies the vampire even as he is bled from a cut on his neck, with Batman arriving in time to save Gordon from bleeding to death before confronting Dracula, the Dark Knight now a vampire himself thanks to the aid of renegade vampires opposing Dracula. In the sequel ''Batman: Bloodstorm'', as Batman acts alone while struggling to resist his thirst for blood, Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth, Alfred collaborate to form a team to eliminate a new family of vampires in daylight while they sleep, but even after the other vampires have been destroyed, Gordon and Alfred are forced to stake Batman after he succumbs to his thirst and drains the Alternative versions of Joker#Batman: Bloodstorm (1994), Joker's blood. The third part of the trilogy— ''Batman: Crimson Mist''— sees Gordon and Alfred forced to work with Two-Face and Killer Croc to stop the vampire Batman, returned from the staking and having already targeted and killed Penguin (comics), Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow (DC Comics), Scarecrow and Poison Ivy (comics), Poison Ivy, Gordon grimly stating that, even if he is only killing criminals, the man they knew would never have killed. The story concludes with Gordon being crushed by debris from the Batcave roof after explosives are planted to destroy it, thus exposing Batman to the sunlight and ending his reign of terror.Earth-8
In ''Lord Havok and the Extremists (comics), Lord Havok and the Extremists'' #3, an alternate version of Gordon, known as Zombie Gordon is featured as part of Monarch (comics), Monarch's army. A flesh-hungry beast, Zombie Gordon is kept in line by Bat-Soldier, via a large chain.''Flashpoint''
In the alternate timeline of the ''Flashpoint (comics), Flashpoint'' event, James Gordon is the chief of police, instead of being commissioner, and also works with Thomas Wayne, the ''Flashpoint'' version of Batman. Later, Gordon tries to convince Batman that he does not have to fight villains by himself, but Batman refuses. When Gordon locates Martha Wayne (this continuity's version of the Joker) in old Wayne Manor, he goes in without backup. Gordon is then tricked into shooting Two-Face, Harvey Dent's daughter, having been disguised as Joker, as she had been taped to a chair and had her mouth taped shut with a smile painted on the tape. Martha then appears and slashes Gordon's throat, and Gordon dies by Joker venom.''Earth One''
In the graphic novel by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank (comics), Gary Frank, ''Batman: Earth One'', Jim Gordon is featured as a central character. In the story, he's a broken man who has given up on fighting corruption until the emergence of Batman. He is also partnered with a young Harvey Bullock (comics), Harvey Bullock. On the trail of the "Birthday Boy" killings, Gordon and Batman put aside their differences and stop the killer while saving Gordon's daughter Barbara Gordon, Barbara. In the sequel, Gordon begin his alliance with Batman to combat the Riddler, who plots to takeover the remnant of Oswald Cobblepott's criminal empire. He is also being promoted as police captain after he arrested his corrupted predecessor.''Injustice: Gods Among Us''
In the prequel to the video game ''Injustice: Gods Among Us'', Gordon learns via Superman's x-ray vision that he has terminal lung cancer. Later on he, Bullock and Montoya join forces with Batman's Insurgency to fight the Regime, and together they attack the Hall of Justice. Batman's inside man Lex Luthor notes that Gordon's cancer is worsening due his taking "super pills" that give people superhuman abilities. Gordon takes two of the super pills to save Barbara from Cyborg on the Watchtower, as he is scanning to find her location, accelerating the cancer to the point that he has only minutes to live. After the battle, Gordon thanks Batman and says goodbye to Barbara as he dies, looking down on the Earth.''Batman: Damned''
In the ''Batman: Damned'' miniseries, printed under the DC Black Label, Gordon is seen questioning a homeless man who had apparently witnessed the showdown between Batman and the Joker that led to Joker's death. Gordon is next seen at the police standoff with Harley Quinn and the rest of the Joker's henchmen, attempting in vain to get them to stand down.Dark Multiverse
Various versions of Gordon appear in the Dark Multiverse depicted in ''Dark Nights: Metal'': * In the world of the ''Dawnbreaker'', where Bruce Wayne received a Green Lantern ring after the deaths of his parents, Gordon attempts to confront the Dawnbreaker about his use of lethal force on criminals, but the Dawnbreaker kills him. * In the world of the ''Batman Who Laughs'', Gordon's death contributed to Batman's final confrontation with the Joker, which led to Batman being contaminated by his foe's blood and transformed into The Batman Who Laughs. * In the world of the ''Grim Knight'', where Batman's use of guns and lethal force led to him turning Gotham into a police state, Gordon was eventually able to determine Batman's secret identity with the aid of information from Alfred, who became unable to countenance Batman's use of lethal force on all criminals, allowing him to arrest Bruce Wayne.Earth 3
When the "Infinite Frontier" event happened, Earth 3 was rebooted. Like the version seen in ''JLA: Earth 2'', Jim Gordon operated as a crime boss. After his son Jimmy Jr. was killed by criminals Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne, Boss Gordon sent his minion Harvey Bullock to kill them which also led to Harvey also killing Bruce and leaving Thomas Wayne Jr. alive. Thomas Wayne Jr. in the identity of Owlman would later learn of this motive when he captures Harvey Bullock years later.Earth-89 (''Batman '89'')
In the universe where the films ''Batman (1989 film), Batman'' (1989) and ''Batman Returns'' is set, it is retroactively established in the comic book miniseries ''Batman '89 (comic book), Batman '89'' that Pat Hingle's iteration of Gordon was the patrolman who found and comforted Bruce in the alley where his parents were murdered. He is later killed by Billy Dee Williams's Harvey Dent (1989 film series character), Harvey Dent after the character becomes Two-Face.In other media
Television
Live-action
* In the 1960s ''Batman (TV series), Batman'' series, Commissioner Gordon was played by Neil Hamilton (actor), Neil Hamilton, and is portrayed as not only having the Bat-Signal at his disposal, but also a red emergency hotline telephone (known as the Bat-Phone) that connects directly to the Batcave, the Batmobile and (unbeknownst to Gordon) Bruce Wayne's study. Gordon's switchboard operators are twice shown to be able to trunk incoming lines into the Batphone circuit, enabling him to telephone Batman from remote locations (ironically once from Wayne Manor, and the other from a phone booth adjacent to that being used by Bruce Wayne).Animation
* Ted Knight provided the voice of James Gordon in ''The Batman/Superman Hour''. * Jim Gordon makes two appearances in ''Super Friends'': ** He first appeared in ''Challenge of the Super Friends'', voiced by Danny Dark. In the episode "Super Friends, Rest In Peace", the Riddler and Cheetah (comics), Cheetah hold Gordon hostage so they can kill Batman with the Noxium Crystal. ** The second is in ''The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians''. In the episode "The Fear", Gordon and Jonathan Crane try to find and arrest the Scarecrow (DC Comics), Scarecrow. Gordon and Batman are both unaware that Crane is Scarecrow. ** He also appeared in some of the comics related to the show. * In Filmation's 1977 ''The New Adventures of Batman'', Commissioner Gordon is voiced by Lennie Weinrib. * The character has been featured in the DC Animated Universe, voiced by veteran voice actor Bob Hastings: ** Commissioner Gordon initially appeared in the 1990s ''Batman: The Animated Series''. His relationship withFilm
Live-action
* In the 1949 in film, 1949 15-episode movie serial ''Batman and Robin (serial), Batman and Robin'', commissioner Gordon was portrayed by Ed Wood regular Lyle Talbot. This was the first official film appearance of Gordon, however the Batman (1943 serial), 1943 ''Batman'' serial had featured a character called Captain Arnold (Charles C. Wilson), who was essentially Gordon in all but name. * Commissioner Gordon was played by Neil Hamilton (actor), Neil Hamilton in ''Batman (1966 film), Batman: The Movie'', based on the 1960s TV series. He advised Batman and Robin which supervillains were at large.=Burton/Schumacher series
= In the Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher film adaptations of Batman, Commissioner Gordon is portrayed by Pat Hingle. * In the script written by Tom Mankiewicz for the unmade ''The Batman'' film, which was later made as the Batman (1989 film), 1989 film ''Batman'', Gordon was set to appear as Commissioner and named David, instead of James Worthington. William Holden was considered for the role. *In ''Batman (1989 film), Batman'' (1989 in film, 1989), Gordon regards Batman (Michael Keaton) as a rumor at best and vigilante at worst, though by the end of the film, Gordon publicly acknowledges the hero's usefulness and helps present the Bat-Signal. Gordon's wife briefly appears in ''Batman'', but is not seen or mentioned in the sequels. *In ''Batman Returns'' (1992 in film, 1992), when Penguin (character), the Penguin (Danny DeVito) has Batman framed for murder, it is implied Gordon is not entirely convinced, as he is not willing to use lethal force in order to apprehend him, and publicly refers to Batman's batarang at the crime scene as "purely circumstantial". *In ''Batman Forever'' (1995 in film, 1995), Gordon is shown to be fairly well acquainted with Bruce Wayne (Val Kilmer), but unaware that he is Batman. He arrives at the scene of Wayne Enterprises employee Fred Stickley's (Ed Begley, Jr.) apparent suicide, unaware that he was actually murdered by Riddler, Edward Nygma (Jim Carrey). Gordon is also present at the circus when Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) murders Dick Grayson's (Chris O'Donnell) family, and he later brings Dick to Wayne Manor after Bruce volunteers to take care of the young man. * Although= ''The Dark Knight'' Trilogy
= In the Reboot (fiction), rebooted ''Dark Knight'' Trilogy by Christopher Nolan, Gordon is played by Gary Oldman. * ''Batman Begins'' (2005 in film, 2005) chronicles Gordon's rise through the ranks of the Gotham City Police Department. In the beginning of the film, Gordon is a uniformed patrol officer who does his best to comfort the eight-year-old Bruce Wayne after the murder of his parents. Years later, Gordon has attained the rank of Sergeant and a now-adult Bruce (Christian Bale) regards as one of the few honest cops in Gotham City. Once Bruce adopts the=DC Extended Universe
= * J. K. Simmons portrays Commissioner James Gordon in ''Justice League (film), Justice League'', which is part of the larger DC Extended Universe. Bryan Cranston (who had previously voiced Gordon in the animated adaptation of ''Batman: Year One'') revealed to ''Geeking Out'' that he was up for the part but turned it down. Simmons also appeared as Gordon in the 2021 director's cut ''Zack Snyder's Justice League'', and was to reprise his role in the HBO Max film ''Batgirl (film), Batgirl'', until its cancellation in August 2022 after scoring poorly with test audiences.=''The Batman''
= * Jeffrey Wright portrayed Gordon in the 2022 film ''The Batman (film), The Batman'', directed by Matt Reeves and is the first African American actor to portray the character in live action.Animated
* In ''Justice League: The New Frontier'', the character makes a cameo appearance in the interrogation scene with King Faraday and Martian Manhunter. * Commissioner Gordon appeared in ''Batman: Gotham Knight'', voiced by Jim Meskimen. * Commissioner Gordon makes a cameo appearance in ''Batman: Under the Red Hood'' (voiced by Gary Cole albeit uncredited) during the showdown between the Joker and the Jason Todd, Red Hood. * Emmy award-winner Bryan Cranston voiced Lt. James Gordon in the animated film adaptation of ''Batman: Year One (film), Batman: Year One''. * Commissioner Gordon appears in the two-part ''Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (film), Batman: The Dark Knight Returns'', voiced by David Selby. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Super Heroes Unite'', an adaptation of the video game of the Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, same name, voiced by Townsend Coleman. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Son of Batman'', voiced by Bruce Thomas (actor), Bruce Thomas, he reprises is role in subsequent sequels ''Batman: Bad Blood'', and ''Batman: Hush (film), Batman: Hush''. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Batman: Assault on Arkham'', voiced by Chris Cox (voice actor), Chris Cox. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts'', voiced by Richard Epcar. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem'', voiced again by Richard Epcar. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Batman: The Killing Joke (film), Batman: The Killing Joke'', voiced by Ray Wise. In the film, Gordon is kidnapped by the Joker, who attempts to drive him mad by crippling Barbara and subjecting him to photo evidence of his crime, along with other psychological tortures. However, in the end, Gordon maintains his sanity, telling Batman to bring in Joker by the book. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders'', voiced by Jim Ward (voice actor), Jim Ward. Ward reprises the role in ''Batman vs. Two-Face'' sequel. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''The Lego Batman Movie'', voiced by Héctor Elizondo. * Commissioner Gordon appears in the ''DC Super Hero Girls'' films, voiced by Tom Kenny. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (film), Batman: Gotham by Gaslight'', voiced by Scott Patterson. Whilst an adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name, in this storyline Gordon is revealed to be the alter ego of the infamous serial killer Jack The Ripper as the main antagonist of the film, where he was still a hero in the source material, serving as a composite character withVideo games
* Commissioner Gordon appears on ''Batman: Vengeance'' voiced by Bob Hastings. He awaits for Batman along his GCPD squad outside the old gasworks building, in which the Dark Knight was investigating, before being mysteriously beaten by a Batarang. This led the whole GCPD to come after Batman to arresting him. At the end of the game it was found out that was Harley Quinn to hit Jim with the Batarang, so he called Bruce to apologize. * He also appears on the sequel ''Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu'', with Bob Hastings reprising his role. In the game he helps Batman via Batcommunicator to come after Sin Tzu and the other villains and their thugs who escaped from both the Arkham Asylum and the Blackgate Penitentiary, Stonegate Penitentiary. He was also kidnapped by the Scarecrow (DC Comics), Scarecrow before being saved by the Dark Knight. * James Gordon appears in the ''Batman Begins (video game), Batman Begins'' video game tie-in voiced by Gavin Hammon. Unlike the movie, in the videogame he's already Commissioner and even older than the film's counterpart. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''DC Universe Online'', voiced by Ken Webster (director), Ken Webster. He appears as a supporting character for the heroes. * Commissioner Gordon makes a cameo appearance in ''Injustice: Gods Among Us''. In the opening scene which takes place in an alternate reality, he is seen watching the news about the Joker destroying Metropolis with a nuclear missile. In Batgirl's ending, it was revealed that the alternate version of her father was killed by the Regime for aiding the Insurgency. * Commissioner Gordon appears as a supporting character in ''Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure''. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Batman: Dark Tomorrow'', voiced by Ron McLarty. * Commissioner Gordon's legacy plays an important role in ''Gotham Knights (video game), Gotham Knights'', where he has died prior to the game's events, which led to the Gotham City Police Department, GCPD becoming corrupt.Lego series
* Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Lego Batman: The Video Game'' for the PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation 2, personal computer, PC, and Xbox 360 with his vocal effects are provided by Keith Ferguson (voice actor), Keith Ferguson. He serves as a Boss (video gaming), boss in the villains' story (with the exception of the DS version) and is a playable character. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes'', voiced by Townsend Coleman. He is present after Lex Luthor engineered a prison break at Arkham Asylum. Around the end of the video game, Commissioner Gordon is seen when he and his police officers arrest Lex Luthor and Joker. * ''The Dark Knight Trilogy'' iteration of James Gordon appears in ''Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham''. * Commissioner Gordon appears in ''Lego Dimensions'', voiced by Steven Blum. He appears in the DC Comics World where he requires the player's assistance after one of his police officers accidentally blew up a truck full of valuables. * Commissioner Gordon appears as a playable character in ''Lego DC Super-Villains'', voiced by Tom Kane. At the beginning of the story, he oversees the transfer of the player-created character, dubbed "The Rookie", to Stryker's Island in Metropolis (comics), Metropolis, and enlists the help of an incarcerated Lex Luthor to monitor the new villain's powers, offering him a reduction of his prison sentence in return. However, the prison is then attacked by Luthor's bodyguard Mercy Graves, who frees both Luthor and the Rookie.Arkham series
Commissioner Gordon is a supporting character in the ''Batman: Arkham'' franchise where he is voiced by Tom Kane in ''Arkham Asylum'', Rick D. Wasserman as a young man in a flashback in ''Arkham Asylum'', David Kaye (voice actor), David Kaye in ''Arkham City'', Michael Gough (voice actor), Michael Gough in ''Arkham Origins'' and Jonathan Banks in ''Arkham Knight''. * In ''Batman: Arkham Asylum'', he is introduced accompanyingTelltale's Batman
James "Jim" Gordon appears in ''Batman: The Telltale Series'' and ''Batman: The Enemy Within'', voiced by Murphy Guyer. * In the first season, Lt. Gordon is a reluctant ally of Batman and one of his supports within the GCPD. He is also the officer in charge of the investigation into Thomas Wayne and Martha Kane's connections to organized crime. During the series, he is able to create an alliance between the GCPD and Batman to combat the Children of Arkham, despite objections from the Commissioner, Peter Grogan, and other officers on the force. Gordon can also become associated with Bruce Wayne, depending on options taken by the player, such as giving him a file on Carmine Falcone's empire or helping him arrest the Penguin. At the end of the series, Gordon is promoted to Acting Commissioner after Grogan is killed by either Harvey Dent's enforcers or the Children of Arkham. During his appointment speech, Gordon is supported by either Bruce Wayne or Batman. * In the second season, ''The Enemy Within'', Gordon has now been given the title of Commissioner permanently and still allied with Batman. When Amanda Waller and her organization the Agency (comics), Agency arrive in Gotham, he and the GCPD are forced to cooperate with them and, after a failed operation to capture the Riddler, relinquish law enforcement in Gotham to the Agency. Gordon's relationship with Batman is also tested after he learns about the vigilante's indirect involvement in an attack on Wayne Enterprises and if the vigilante cooperates with the Agency. After attempting to arrest Bruce Wayne for his association with the Pact, Gordon, having been warned by Waller, is fired from the GCPD. During the Joker's attacks on Gotham, Gordon either helps Batman track him down after he kidnaps Waller in Joker's vigilante path or is forced to betray Batman in return for the locations of bombs hidden through Gotham in Joker's villain path only to be crippled by the criminal. Waller states that Gordon won't be able to walk without a cane. During the epilogue of the game, Batman can arrange to either have Gordon reinstated as Commissioner, honored for his choice, or have him retired from law enforcement.Web series
* James "Jim" Gordon appears in the web series ''DC Super Hero Girls'', voiced by Tom Kenny. He is the forensics teacher at Super Hero High School and the protective father of Barbara Gordon/Batgirl.Miscellaneous
* Commissioner Gordon is featured in the ''Smallville, Smallville Season 11'' digital comic based on the Smallville, TV series. * In the "Batmobile" Batman OnStar commercials, OnStar commercial, Batman calls Gordon to tell him he will be coming to meet him. An unknown actor says "Gordon here" when Batman calls. * In several comics during 1992, such as ''Action Comics'' #673, DC ran full-page advertisements on behalf of the American Heart Association showing a picture of Gordon in a hospital bed. The text of the ad explained that Gordon had a heart attack due to stress, poor diet, lack of exercise and tobacco use. Since then, DC has had Gordon living a more healthy lifestyle. * James Gordon is portrayed by Lauren Lopez in the web-musical, ''Holy Musical B@man!'' * In the ''Saturday Night Live'' digital skit "Commissioner Gordon Learns Batman Has No Boundaries", he is portrayed by Steve Buscemi (who was hosting the episode that this sketch was in).References
External links