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Gotham Central was a comic book series published from February 2003 to April 2006. The series primarily focused on the Gotham City Police Department's Major Crimes Unit and their investigations into various supervillain activities. Unlike most Batman comics, Gotham Central operated more as a police procedural drama, with the series also featuring corruption in the department.

Despite positive reception and reader popularity, sales of Gotham Central struggled during its publication. After Rucka and Lark left, the series was ended after 40 published issues. Gotham Central is often considered one of the most influential Batman comic series, with it also impacting Batman media including films like The Dark Knight and television shows like Gotham.

Synopsis[]

Issues[]

     
Gotham Central #1
Gotham Central #1
     
Gotham Central #2
Gotham Central #2
     
Gotham Central #3
Gotham Central #3
     
Gotham Central #4
Gotham Central #4
     
Gotham Central #5
Gotham Central #5
     
Gotham Central #6
Gotham Central #6
     
Gotham Central #7
Gotham Central #7
     
Gotham Central #8
Gotham Central #8
     
Gotham Central #9
Gotham Central #9
     
Gotham Central #10
Gotham Central #10
     
Gotham Central #11
Gotham Central #11
     
Gotham Central #12
Gotham Central #12
     
Gotham Central #13
Gotham Central #13
     
Gotham Central #14
Gotham Central #14
     
Gotham Central #15
Gotham Central #15
     
Gotham Central #16
Gotham Central #16
     
Gotham Central #17
Gotham Central #17
     
Gotham Central #18
Gotham Central #18
     
Gotham Central #19
Gotham Central #19
     
Gotham Central #20
Gotham Central #20
     
Gotham Central #21
Gotham Central #21
     
Gotham Central #22
Gotham Central #22
     
Gotham Central #23
Gotham Central #23
     
Gotham Central #24
Gotham Central #24
     
Gotham Central #25
Gotham Central #25
     
Gotham Central #26
Gotham Central #26
     
Gotham Central #27
Gotham Central #27
     
Gotham Central #28
Gotham Central #28
     
Gotham Central #29
Gotham Central #29
     
Gotham Central #30
Gotham Central #30
     
Gotham Central #31
Gotham Central #31
     
Gotham Central #32
Gotham Central #32
     
Gotham Central #33
Gotham Central #33
     
Gotham Central #34
Gotham Central #34
     
Gotham Central #35
Gotham Central #35
     
Gotham Central #36
Gotham Central #36
     
Gotham Central #37
Gotham Central #37
     
Gotham Central #38
Gotham Central #38
     
Gotham Central #39
Gotham Central #39
     
Gotham Central #40
Gotham Central #40

Influence[]

Gotham Central was, at the time, one of the closest looks at the Gotham City Police Department, with its main characters being stationed in its Major Crimes Unit and not superheroes (as had traditionally been the case at its publication). The series also bolstered the popularity of Renee Montoya, who was significantly developed during the series and revealed to be a lesbian during its early issues. She would later appear in other comic series, becoming a major character in the DC Universe during the series 52.

Gotham Central's depiction of the Gotham City Police Department has also impacted how the GCPD were depicted in other media, notably during the series Gotham. The series itself also shares themes with Gotham Central, with it focusing on Jim Gordon and other police officers investigating various crimes purported by "supervillains". Another series focused on the GCPD was also reported to take influence from Gotham Central, though its fate is currently unknown. The Major Crime Unit were also adapted into 2008's The Dark Knight, with its characters influencing several plotlines in the film.

Also See[]

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