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Vintage Crime · 11-05-2009, 10:16 PM

I started reading the "Made of Wood" arc today and was surprised to read page after page of Jim Gordon reflecting on his life. Gordon was doing tai chi and walking. For 6 pages it focused on Gordon alone. I'm so used to seeing him as more of a peripheral character mainly at crime scenes instead of an individual.

So, here's my question, are there many other arcs that use Gordon as a character rather than just someone who has short conversations with Batman at crime scenes? I remember Jim having a good amount of involvement in Batman year one. Are there any other arcs/stories/writers that use Gordon more frequently than 1 or 2 panels?

hangmanjury · 11-05-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage Crime

I started reading the "Made of Wood" arc today and was surprised to read page after page of Jim Gordon reflecting on his life. Gordon was doing tai chi and walking. For 6 pages it focused on Gordon alone. I'm so used to seeing him as more of a peripheral character mainly at crime scenes instead of an individual.

So, here's my question, are there many other arcs that use Gordon as a character rather than just someone who has short conversations with Batman at crime scenes? I remember Jim having a good amount of involvement in Batman year one. Are there any other arcs/stories/writers that use Gordon more frequently than 1 or 2 panels?

While you say that he had a "good amount of involvement" in Year One, I'd actually argue that he was the star of Year One.

Vintage Crime · 11-05-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hangmanjury

While you say that he had a "good amount of involvement" in Year One, I'd actually argue that he was the star of Year One.

I wouldn't argue against that. I remember there being background on his military service and him beating the crap out of another cop when I read Year One about two years ago.

Earlier while I was reading Detective Comics 784 I didn't think much about seeing Gordon at home. Seeing him walk around Gotham in the morning was cool and I liked his narration. I turn the page and he stumbles upon a murder. He's still in the next two pages. I thought to myself that seems like an awful lot of Jim Gordon in one issue compared to the current issues I've been reading. Then I thought how tragic that is. Jim Gordon is a good character and I'm surprised to see that he doesn't play a bigger role in the bat books.

I'm planning on reading Rucka's first Detective run after I finish reading Sandman Midnight Theatre so I'm guessing I'll see more Gordon in Rucka's issues as well. Hopefully some other writers have featured Gordon in more than 1 or 2 panels an issue.

nepenthes · 11-06-2009, 12:37 AM

Turning Points by Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker looks at the Batman Gordon relationship developing over time. I liked it enough until a groan inducing ending. Grab it if you find it cheap.

All Star Batman continues to illuminate Jims personal life in the way Miller began in Year One. If you havn't read it already. His daughter, alcoholic wife, Sarah Essen etc.

Gordon of Gotham is minseries from the late 90's. I havn't read it but I'd like to, anything by Denny O'Neil and Klaus Janson is worth keeping an eye out for.

Sn4tcH · 11-06-2009, 12:43 AM

I think Gordon plays a pretty big role in Long Halloween and Dark Victory, but even then it's not really from his point of view.

He played a pretty big role in the story about The Wrath. After all he did kill his parents, right?

Still, nothing like Year One.

Edit: nepenthes post reminded me of Gordon's Law. It was another mini written by Chuck Dixon with art by Klaus Janson.

The Chief5425 · 11-06-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage Crime

. I remember there being background on his military service and him beating the crap out of another cop when I read Year One about two years ago.

I remember that scene, and it was awful. Beating up a green beret but first giving the guy a baseball bat (while Gordon went at him bare handed) so "the odds would be more even." Christ, even in my late teens/early 20s I thought that was ridiculous. Does every character have to have a Wolverine or Batjerk level of machismo before we find him or her interesting?

I like Jim Gordon as a tough cop. But I don't need him to be a whirlwind of martial arts fury, or "I'm the Goddamn Gordon."

dumbstruck · 11-06-2009, 08:28 AM

Not to mention his starring roles in the minis GCPD, Gordon of Gotham, and Gordon's Law.

He also played a large role during NML.

Brack360 · 11-06-2009, 08:31 AM

There was an original graphic novel called Batman: Night Cries and a one-shot called Batman: Roomful of Strangers.

Gordon also played a major role throughout the No Man's Land crossover, and of course Officer Down.

The Batman · 11-06-2009, 08:34 AM

Didn't Gordon wait till Flass was good and drunk first? Didn't he get him to bounce his car off a tree to soften him up?

That's not machismo, that's cunning.

dumbstruck · 11-06-2009, 08:35 AM

I guess there are a lot more stories featuring Gordon as a major player than would at first seem evident.

Sn4tcH · 11-06-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brack360

Batman: Roomful of Strangers.

That's a good story! And sad...

OverMaster · 11-06-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chief5425

I remember that scene, and it was awful. Beating up a green beret but first giving the guy a baseball bat (while Gordon went at him bare handed) so "the odds would be more even." Christ, even in my late teens/early 20s I thought that was ridiculous. Does every character have to have a Wolverine or Batjerk level of machismo before we find him or her interesting?

I like Jim Gordon as a tough cop. But I don't need him to be a whirlwind of martial arts fury, or "I'm the Goddamn Gordon."

Like it already has been said, Flass was drunk and softened down, and the impression I got was years of being lenient to criminals and generally dwelling into the benefits of corruption had left Flass kinda lacking the edge of an actual by the book tough cop.

The Batman · 11-06-2009, 10:42 AM

I just figured that Flass was a bully, big and strong but not terribly smart or skilled, and used to beating on teenagers and junkies. I mean, he uses numbers and surprise to take on Gordon and doesn't do much else throughout the rest of the story.

The Chief5425 · 11-06-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batman

Didn't Gordon wait till Flass was good and drunk first? Didn't he get him to bounce his car off a tree to soften him up?

That's not machismo, that's cunning.

It's cunning to give your unarmed opponent a weapon? Your only weapon?

Nah, that was Miller's macho nihilism in the early stages.

Mat001 · 11-06-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batman

Didn't Gordon wait till Flass was good and drunk first? Didn't he get him to bounce his car off a tree to soften him up?

That's not machismo, that's cunning.

Military training is why.

The best Gordon stories are as follows.

-"Year One"
-"Prey"
-"Night Cries"
-"No Man's Land"
-"Gordon's Law"
-"Officer Down"
-"Turning Points"
-"Contagion"
-"Batman Vs Predator"
-"Gordon Of Gotham"

Batman #458-459, #484-485, #487, #518-520.
Shadow Of The Bat #37-38, #40-41, #46-47.
Detective Comics #582, #635-637, #683-688, #693-695
Legends Of The Dark Knight Annual #2.
The Batman Chronicles #1.

11-06-2009, 08:31 AM	#8
Brack360 Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 789	There was an original graphic novel called Batman: Night Cries and a one-shot called Batman: Roomful of Strangers. Gordon also played a major role throughout the No Man's Land crossover, and of course Officer Down. __________________ DC: Batman & Robin, Detective Comics, Secret Six. Marvel: Captain America. Other: Air, Criminal, Ex Machina, Fables, Northlanders.

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11-05-2009, 10:16 PM	#1
Vintage Crime Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 164	Jim Gordon Character Work I started reading the "Made of Wood" arc today and was surprised to read page after page of Jim Gordon reflecting on his life. Gordon was doing tai chi and walking. For 6 pages it focused on Gordon alone. I'm so used to seeing him as more of a peripheral character mainly at crime scenes instead of an individual. So, here's my question, are there many other arcs that use Gordon as a character rather than just someone who has short conversations with Batman at crime scenes? I remember Jim having a good amount of involvement in Batman year one. Are there any other arcs/stories/writers that use Gordon more frequently than 1 or 2 panels? __________________ "Rooms with spikes closing in, false floors above snake pits ... Dedicated villains used to spend days preparing death traps and now it's all cocaine, a bullet to the head, and we're off to the local lapdance bar." -El Sombrero (Batman issue 669)

11-06-2009, 12:37 AM	#4
nepenthes deep green Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,175	Turning Points by Greg Rucka and Ed Brubaker looks at the Batman Gordon relationship developing over time. I liked it enough until a groan inducing ending. Grab it if you find it cheap. All Star Batman continues to illuminate Jims personal life in the way Miller began in Year One. If you havn't read it already. His daughter, alcoholic wife, Sarah Essen etc. Gordon of Gotham is minseries from the late 90's. I havn't read it but I'd like to, anything by Denny O'Neil and Klaus Janson is worth keeping an eye out for. __________________ AGENTS OF ATLAS, Air, Batman & Robin, Daytripper, Detective Comics, Greek Street, Incredible Herc, Northlanders, Secret Six, Shade, Streets of Gotham, Sweet Tooth, UNKNOWN SOLDIER, The Unwritten

11-06-2009, 12:43 AM	#5
Sn4tcH Continuity Is Life Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,139	I think Gordon plays a pretty big role in Long Halloween and Dark Victory, but even then it's not really from his point of view. He played a pretty big role in the story about The Wrath. After all he did kill his parents, right? Still, nothing like Year One. Edit: nepenthes post reminded me of Gordon's Law. It was another mini written by Chuck Dixon with art by Klaus Janson. __________________ Batmite76 Batman Continuity Project - PM if you want to help! CBR Forum Thread DC Fourm Thread Last edited by Sn4tcH; 11-06-2009 at 12:47 AM.

11-06-2009, 08:28 AM	#7
dumbstruck Know-it-all Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,319	Not to mention his starring roles in the minis GCPD, Gordon of Gotham, and Gordon's Law. He also played a large role during NML.

11-06-2009, 08:34 AM	#9
The Batman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5,347	Didn't Gordon wait till Flass was good and drunk first? Didn't he get him to bounce his car off a tree to soften him up? That's not machismo, that's cunning.

11-06-2009, 08:35 AM	#10
dumbstruck Know-it-all Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,319	I guess there are a lot more stories featuring Gordon as a major player than would at first seem evident.

11-06-2009, 10:42 AM	#13
The Batman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 5,347	I just figured that Flass was a bully, big and strong but not terribly smart or skilled, and used to beating on teenagers and junkies. I mean, he uses numbers and surprise to take on Gordon and doesn't do much else throughout the rest of the story.