Dark, dirty alleys, steamy streets and shadows on the edge of our perception: This is Gotham City. A dangerous place full of even more dangerous villains that every Batman fan knows and loves. But what if we… turn back time a bit?
Then we move into the prequel world of Gotham. A series that is often underestimated. You can currently stream all five seasons at a flat rate on Amazon Prime Video. So it’s time to talk about this little lover’s treasure. Because Gotham offers some of the most exciting versions of popular Batman characters, that you will ever see.
On Amazon Prime: In Gotham, a young Jim Gordon has to take on the city’s deadly underworld
James Gordon (Ben McKenzie), still far from his future role as commissioner, is a young and idealistic cop in Gotham City. In contrast to many of his corrupt colleagues, he cannot be easily bought by the big masterminds of the criminal underworld. That’s what he’s doing a whole lot of enemies – also within our own ranks.
At the same time, one of the most puzzling murder cases of his career challenges him: the city’s benefactors, Thomas and Martha Wayne, are shot in front of their young son Bruce (David Mazouz). Bruce is devastated and makes Gordon promise to solve the case and for justice to care. But that is much easier said than done.
As Gordon tries to be a good cop for the city, a good friend to Bruce, and an overall good person in a twisted environment, unrest in the gangster world continues to grow. Alongside established criminals like Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Don Falcone (John Doman) rise up young criminal talentswho also want a piece of the pie.
Gotham shines with perfect casting and incredibly creative interpretations of the best Batman villains
Gotham is a series that will probably never exist again. Bizarre. Strange. Grotesque. Dark and wonderfully staged in the spirit of classic noir detective storieswith loving set and character design. Unreservedly passionate about the story and characters, even at the risk of slipping into the comical from time to time.
It is precisely this lack of compromise that makes Gotham us perhaps the best versions of some fan favorites gives. The father-son relationship between Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth (the brilliant Sean Pertwee) has never been so warm, so intimate and believable. Alfred has never been a tougher protector. James Gordon also shines like rarely before.
Some villains in particular find their most exciting and scary version here. The Riddler, the adolescent Catwoman, a young Joker – they all are absolutely unique. But no one inspires as much as Gotham’s penguin, aka Robin Lord Taylor, who can easily compete with Colin Farrell and his series opener.
Oswald Cobblepot practically plays jump rope with the dividing line between sympathetic, pitiable underdog and murderous psychopath. Taylor literally binds us as an audience to him, showing the deeply injured, battered side of the killer, his ambitions and hopes – and his frightening willingness to use violence. His unpredictability is what makes him cruelly fascinating.
Anyone who wants to get to know these incomparable versions of our favorite Batman villains can currently do so in the Streaming flat rate on Amazon Prime.
*The links to the Amazon offer are so-called affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we receive a commission.