Gotham is in pretty rough shape. Decimated by the attack on the city lead by the Joker in Batman: Endgame, citizens as well as law enforcement are still reeling; trying to pull themselves back together. The city needs hope. A symbol. A knight. A Batman.
With the city in ruins and the Dark Knight missing, even dead, who will answer the call?
The GCPD is running auditions for cops to become the next Batman and while some have "the look" or "the youth" none have the experience, the wear and tear like one Jim Gordon.
Gordon, while loves the city doesn't think he's the one to dawn the cape and cowl. He's a chain smoker in his forties but looks like he's pushing sixty. However he's a former marine, tough, loyal and knows the city. It is Gordon's city and that makes him an ideal candidate to be the city's guardian.
Gordon isn't buying it in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman #41
The creative team of Snyder and Capullo have constantly been delivering powerful and character driven Batman stories and hey have crafted a different and wonderful chapter for this character. Initially I was taken aback by the new Batman suit which reminded me of a rabbit. Which makes the above scene a wonderful moment in the story because Gordon, like us is not buying it. Snyder hits it home with Gordon saying: "I look at that thing but, I just don't see Batman...it's like a robobat-bunny?"
It seems so rare for a writer to acknowledge fans concerns in the story while also seeming to say "trust me, trust the Batman". With out a doubt they deliver one hell of Batman story.
Apart from warming up to the new suit, Gordon seems like a natural next step for the history of Batman. In many ways Gordon has been like a partner to the Dark Knight while never being to deep in his inner circle. I can't recall Gordon ever being in the cave but it's that lack of tactile and calisthenic content that will makes his journey to becoming Batman all the more interesting. The issue also offers some great learning curve moments for Jim Gordon.
Gordon isn't just a man in suit. He doesn't operate in the streets the way Tony Stark does while in the Iron Man armor. We get to see Gordon as Batman get his hands dirty in the streets of Gotham.
Batgordon. Greg Capullo. Batman #41.
Gordon in a different Bat suit asking, "This better?" is again another wonderful acknowledgement from Snyder. So far Gordon and his creative team seem to fit the bill.