Every comic book hero needs an iconic place, a setting in which to carry out his activity. Just like the knight who must defend his lord's territory, these heroes operate on a well-defined territory. Although New York is considered the superhero capital today, it fails to match the gothic and dark charm of Gotham. What makes this black city original? How did she become so famous? Sit comfortably, Justfocus tells you everything!
The origin of a city
A New York heritage
During his early adventures, Batman was based in a city very similar to New York. Screenwriter Dennis O'Neil described it as:
the island of Manhattan, under 14th Street, at midnight, on the coldest night of November.
However, between 1939 and 1940, the city was never clearly named. The name Gotham first appears in Batman No. 4, published in 1940. 
The co-creator of the Bat Man, Bill Finger, hesitated between several names (Civil City, Coast City …) before opting for the name of a jeweler, found in the directory: Gotham. It should also be noted that "Gotham" is the nickname given to New York by the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow! 
In addition, in the comics, the city is built by a Norwegian, like New Amsterdam (the original name of New York City) which was created by the Dutch. Frank Miller, one of the great authors of Batman, described this city as a nocturnal version of the Big Apple:
Gotham represents the dark side of New York, while Metropolis, the city of Superman, symbolizes the bright side.
A city, a vision of art
In its early days, the city was a stripped-down version of New York in the image of some precisionist paintings, such as Preston Dickinson's Power station-night or Niles Spencer's Behind the square . 
The city is then represented by simple strokes on a colored background, as shown on the cover of Detective Comics No. 27. 
By the late 1940s, with cartoonist Dick Sprang, Gotham became more colorful. Illuminated advertisements and neon lights decorate the facades of the buildings. This modern and festive dimension is even more accentuated in the 1950s and 1960s, especially through the Batman series! 
"Back in black"
In the 1970s, America was marked by a severe economic crisis and crime exploded in urban areas. This has the effect of encouraging authors and cartoonists to make Gotham more realistic and darker. 
This once modern and radiant city then takes on the appearance of a city of black romance composed of gloomy alleys and veiled by the fumes of the metro entrances. Frank Miller will probably give one of the darkest versions, in his comics Batman year one and The dark knight return. Two must-read comics! 
It was during this period that moldings, gargoyles, rosettes and other statues multiplied on the most emblematic buildings, giving the city of crime a Gothic atmosphere. Moreover, Tim Burton's film, released in 1989, greatly participated in the "gothisassions" of the city! 
A timeless place
The influence of Gothic art
Gotham is itself a mix of diverse and varied architectural styles. Nevertheless, the Gothic inspiration, see neo-Gothic is predominant. Indeed, it is the Gothic that gives it its so particular, mysterious and romantic atmosphere. 
Architectural style appeared in the middle of the twelfth century, the Gothic is characterized among other things by large windows that let in the light and by buildings decorated with moldings and sculptures. This is how Batman often finds himself perched on gargoyles that are strangely reminiscent of Notre-Dame de Paris. 
As for the neo-Gothic, itself derived from medieval Gothic, it is found in the materials that adorn the city, glass, cast iron and steel. Also, Gotham perfectly marries the old and the new, which gives it its own identity and makes it one of the most famous fictional cities in the world!
Art Deco, a touch of modernism
Art Deco makes its appearance in Gotham with the animated series Batman, directed by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. 
This architectural style, dominant in the United States, is particularly visible in the pyramidal shape of some skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. 
Art Deco architecture, which draws its inspiration from cubism and futurism, from which it borrows its stylized motifs, geometric shapes and smooth and synthetic models. Thus, in Gotham city large buildings such as the headquarters of the Gotham city bank or the tower of Wayne Enterprise take these characteristic forms. 
As in New York, Gotham's Art Deco buildings are mostly concentrated in the business district. To represent the most disadvantaged neighborhoods, the authors refer more to industrial architecture, through places like La scierie Sionis. 
The houses adopt, meanwhile, the Beaux-Arts style. It was particularly common in North America, for the construction of public buildings, private homes, asylums or hospitals. 
A city in constant change
While Gotham City seems to have finally reached its architectural peak, we see new styles appear in 2011. With the Batman Gates of Gotham series and the episode Batman Court of Owls, the history of the city and its aesthetics are reworked. 
Thus, steampunk and Art Nouveau make their appearance in the world of the bat man. Steampunk appeared in the 1980s, in the form of a literary genre mixing history and anticipation. Indeed, the action takes place in anineteenth century where the industrial revolution exceeded all expectations. 
These stories, with their particular historical context, gradually gave rise to their own aesthetic. An aesthetic that gives pride of place to industrial elements such as pipes, vents or ventilation ducts. These elements naturally found their place in Gotham, which was originally an industrial city. 
Like Steampunk, Art Nouveau also uses materials such as steel, iron and glass. The slender and curved forms contrast with the verticality of Art Deco and the coldness of neo-Gothic. Taking inspiration from artists such as Victor Horta, designers who worked on the Batman Arkham City and Batman Arkham Knight video games gave Gotham a unique architecture. This being based on the cohabitation between different architectural styles, it testifies to the evolution and "history" of the city. 
Art Nouveau is highlighted by stairs with curve and counter-curve motifs, as well as metro entrances with a décor close to that of the entrances to the Métropolitain de Paris. 
It's this mix of genres that has made Gotham one of the most famous fictional cities. Today, neo-Gothic, Art Deco, Art Nouveau and Steampunk give a real identity to this black city. Nevertheless, Gotham remains one example among many. The setting is essential to any good story, so comics use architecture to humanize and give a historical "thickness" to their characters.
