James Gordon (DC Animated Universe)

James Worthington "Jim" Gordon is the Commissioner of the Gotham Police department in Batman: The Animated Series. He is one of Batman's most trusted allies. He's the father of Barbara Gordon, aka Batgirl, who later will take his place as Police Commissioner.

Biography[]

Gordon was a lieutenant when Batman first appeared in Gotham, and was first on the scene at the tragic deaths of John and Mary Grayson. He put the young Dick Grayson in Bruce Wayne's custody, fostering the friendship that would become their partnership as Batman and Robin. At some point, Gordon was promoted to Police Commissioner and began a profession partnership with the Dynamic Duo.

Gordon commanded enormous respect and loyalty from his officers, including Detectives Harvey Bullock and Renee Montoya. Despite this, he often had to contend with distrust of Batman from both the officers, most prominently Bullock, and the city's hierarchy. Gordon also was the last person to suspect Batman of crimes, including when the Dark Knight was suspected of attacking a variety pharmaceutical companies purported by Man-Bat and the Phantasm's murder spree.

Gordon was in charge of the investigation about the poisoning of Harvey Dent. He assigned Renée Montoya to guard Dent's room at the hospital and Harvey Bullock to interrogate the staff of the Rose Café.

Commissioner Gordon also appeared in the follow-up to Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures. In the episode "Over the Edge" Batgirl suffers from the Scarecrow's fear toxins, producing a nightmare where Batgirl dies in battle without telling her father her secret. When Commissioner Gordon finds out, he blames Batman and starts a man hunt against his former ally after discovering his secret identity. After Barbara awakens, she tries to admit her secret to the real Commissioner Gordon, who says that he trusts his daughter with whatever choices she makes and that she doesn't need to tell him anything. Gordon may have already deduced Barbara's secret identity at that point.

On a revelation on Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Gordon is one of the few people who knew what happened to Robin and the Joker on a night at Arkham Asylum, and for the boy's sake, he kept it a secret. This event may also have led Gordon to learn who was under the cape and cowl of Batman. Hastings continues his role as Commissioner Gordon in guest appearances on Superman: The Animated Series and Static Shock. Batman Beyond also had Barbara following in her father's footsteps and becoming Gotham's new police commissioner.

Batman's habit for appearing and disappearing suddenly have both frightened and annoyed Gordon on occasion, as seen when Gordon said, "Ah! Have pity on an old man's heart!" and "Someday I'm going to nail his feet to the ground!"