Gotham City is a major city located in New Jersey in the United States, consumed with crime and corruption, and protected by the superhero Batman.
History[]
Alex Sartorius's Experiments[]
Alex Sartorius playing with his son in the yard
- "It's the age-old story of the nuclear scientist who goes crazy, murders his family and then commits suicide by atomizing himself... with nuclear energy."
- ―Rupert Thorne to Alex Sartorius[src]
During his childhood in Gotham City, Alex Sartorius suffered the death of his father from cancer. As an adult, Sartorius became a renowned nuclear scientist, opening his own scientific company, Sartorius Labs, marrying Parvin, and together they bought a house in Gotham and conceived a son, with whom Sartorius often played in the garden. Sartorius began working on a nuclear experiment that would reverse cancer, but with funding lacking, he was forced to strike a deal with Gotham mobster Rupert Thorne, agreeing to hand over the results of the experiment to Bialya's scientists.
Alex Sartorius witnesses the murder of his family in his home
However, the agreement worried Parvin, was concerned about giving results to an oppressive regime, leading Sartorius to decide to present false results. Thorne was informed of the deception, so he and his gang headed to Sartorius's home, where they brutally murdered Parvin and her son as punishment. Sartorius witnessed the murder of his family in horror upon returning home, bursting into tears as Thorne taunted him. Sartorius was then kidnapped by Thorne and taken to a van to be punished.
Alex Sartorius attempts to escape from Rupert Thorne's Gang
While the gang was distracted, Sartorius tried to escape, opening the back door of the van, although his arm was injured after falling, allowing the henchmen to recapture him due to his slow gait. Sartorius was taken to his lab and forced to allow Thorne's gang to investigate. Thorne berated him for reneging on their agreement and ordered his henchmen to put Sartorius in his nuclear chamber. Sartorius was locked in his own invention, with Thorne explaining that he would frame Sartorius for the murder of his family and commit suicide by atomizing himself. When the nuclear power was activated, Sartorius' skin began to incinerate, causing him agony, until he was finally consumed by the nuclear process.[1]
Massacre of Rupert Thorne's Gang[]
Alex Sartorius takes revenge on a henchman
- "From this moment forward, everything that was Rupert Thorne's is now mine. His money, his territory, his drug business, everything. Got it?"
- ―Alex Sartorius[src]
However, when they retreated, Alex Sartorius managed to survive, transforming into a radioactive skeleton-like metahuman, leaving his lab to seek revenge. On the way to Rupert Thorne's Mansion, Sartorius incinerated the guard's face and walked through the doors, approaching the window, where Sartorius observed Thorne dining with his wife and children. Sartorius surprised Thorne, immediately incinerating him in front of his children. Thorne's wife and children were also incinerated by Sartorius to avenge his family, and the death of Thorne and his family became known in Gotham City. Sartorius continued his manhunt by finding a henchman in his apartment, tying him to a chair and using oil to incinerate him.
Alex Sartorius inherits Rupert Thorne's criminal empire
Sartorius then ambushed another henchman who was buying cereal at a super market, and found the last henchman, kidnapping him and holding him by his ankles from a building, and without mercy, he let him fall to the ground. Taking advantage of the void left in the criminal business by Thorne, Sartorius took his position, having a meeting with other major Gotham mobsters, warning them that he was handing over all of Thorne's money, territories, and businesses. Sartorius became a feared criminal gangster in Gotham City known as "Doctor Phosphorus", ruling the city's crime corps with horror while incinerating enemies who tried to bring him down. Over time, Sartorius assembled his own gang, winning wars against rival gangs.[1]
Capture of Doctor Phosphorus[]
Batman arrives at Ice Lounge to capture Doctor Phosphorus
- "What?"
- ―Doctor Phosphorus[src]
Following the murders committed by Doctor Phosphorus, the vigilante Batman tracked him down, finding him one night having a party at the Ice Lounge, where he turned out the lights. Sartorius noticed Batman's presence, who defeated him and took him into custody, ending his criminal empire and leading to his incarceration at the Belle Reve Correctional Center.[1]
Alternate Universes[]
Peacemaker Kidnapped[]
- "He thinks he's the Batman."
- ―Withers to Scarapelli[src]
In an alternate reality, Bruce Wayne became the vigilante known as Batman, fighting crime in Gotham City, leading to rumors that Batman's secret identity was a garbage collector.[2]
Locations[]
Notable Inhabitants[]
Current[]
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Former[]
Appearances[]
| Appearances for Gotham City |
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In chronological order:
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Trivia[]
- In the comics, Gotham City is the home of the hero known as Batman. It is located in the Northeastern United States, in close proximity to Metropolis, with the majority of the comics references placing Gotham City specifically in New Jersey.
