Essays on Gotham

Batman: The History of Origin

Created by the artist-writer duo of Bob Kane and Bill Finge, the superhero character of Batman first made an appearance in Issue Number 27 of the popular DC Comics’ series Detective Comics in May 1939. So instant was the popularity of the orphan boy who uses his intelligence and ingenuity to develop cutting-edge gadgets to fight crime in his native Gotham city, that DC Comics launched an entire new comic book series dedicated to the new character that was titled ‘Batman’ in 1940 . The secret identity of the superhero was that of the heir Bruce Wayne, who witnessed the ...

While the films in the Batman cycle speak powerfully for themselves, the reception of the films – and the resulting commentary – go a long way toward showing the different culture in which the movies were made, and which they reflect. In 1965, when the original Batman: The Movie came out, the focus was on action and humor. A review from the time (Variety Staff) indicated that the film is “packed with action, clever sight gags, interesting complications and goes all out on bat with batmania” (Variety Staff, web). The reviewers also noticed that the “script retrieves every trick from the ...

Frank Miller’s seminal graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns presents a relatively innovative and unprecedented interpretation of Bob Kane’s Caped Crusader, Batman. Instead of the heroic, principled crime fighter in his prime found in most DC comic versions of the character, Miller’s Batman is a terrifying, fearful middle-aged man dealing with both his own obsolescence and the conservative anxieties he has about the implications of Superman’s powers and abilities. On top of that, Batman has a much more absolutist, black-and-white version of justice, in which Batman’s inherent vigilantism is taken to its furthest conclusion. ...

Frank Miller’s seminal graphic novel The Dark Knight Returns presents a relatively innovative and unprecedented interpretation of Bob Kane’s Caped Crusader, Batman. Instead of the heroic, principled crime fighter in his prime found in most DC comic versions of the character, Miller’s Batman is a terrifying, fearful middle-aged man dealing with both his own obsolescence and the conservative anxieties he has about the implications of Superman’s powers and abilities. On top of that, Batman has a much more absolutist, black-and-white version of justice, in which Batman’s inherent vigilantism is taken to its furthest conclusion. ...

Among all the films shot about Batman, there is one that plays a significant role in the famous series, namely Batman Begins by Christopher Nolan. Shot in 2005, the film amazed me both with the intertextual codes and the visual representation. Having watched almost all the films including this DC character, it is safe to say Batman Begins is the best one to me and my favorite one. Objectively speaking, it was not the most successful among others due to the numerous factors but still, there is something in this film that makes it special. The reason might be ...

Comic book Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986) written by Frank Miller tells story of 55-year old Bruce Wayne who after tiring inner struggle decides to come back to his alter ego. Wave of crime is about to sink Gotham forever and retirement of Jim Gordon only worsen the state of being. Thus, in this book Batman has to fight villains and criminals again, therefore creating questionable way of actions that illuminates Gotham`s weaknesses in police system. These lines describe the very essence of Batman`s turmoil and motifs “You don't get it, son. This isn't a mudhole ...

First of all, I would like to focus on the story “The Man with the Twisted Lip” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The story is about Mr. Neville St. Clair, who has recently moved to the area. He rented a luxurious villa. Mr. St. Clair is happily married and had two children. His neighbors consider him to be a wonderful family man, and an excellent person. The character is engaged in commerce and seems to experience no financial difficulties. However, one day Mr. Neville St. Clair disappears. His wife asks Sherlock Holmes to find him. She tells Mr. Holmes ...

Times Square has been one of the most famous sites of the world; like the Eifel Tower in Paris or the Parthenon in Athens. For years a visitor to New York City has headed for Times Square whether they are from the USA or a foreign country, just to see what is there and take in the atmosphere. Historically, Times Square has spent thousands of years as a non-owned piece of land along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Since then the area has changed personality many times after the Dutch took ownership after claiming a 60 guilder purchase from the natives. ...