Revisionism in Gotham Central

In the introduction to “The Amazing Transforming Superhero,” Terrence R. Wandtke argues that superhero comics employ 4 common types of revisionism: additive, fundamental, conceptual, and critical. These categories can help us define the revisionism of “Gotham Central.” 1/11

Additive revisionism is the most common form of revisionism. Wandtke defines it as a “logical outgrowth” of a basic premise. A useful example is the introduction of Batman’s origin story in Detective Comics #33, 6 issues after the character’s debut. 2/11

Fundamental revisionism includes major changes that signal a significant departure from previous iterations of a specific superhero. For example, the 1960s re-birth of Captain American, which transformed him from a clear-eyed patriotic icon into a rumination on the meaning of national identity. 3/11

Conceptual revisionism rewrites the idea of the superhero, with wide-ranging social impact. A preeminent example is Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ “Watchmen,” which retells the history of America and comics and features superheroes debating the meaning of superheroes. 4/11

Critical revisionism is influenced by fan communities and critical discourses. For example: the 2012 redesign/relaunch of Captain Marvel, in which Carol Danvers’ updated superhero moniker, costume, and mission statement respond to critiques of the portrayal of women in superhero comics. 5/11

Wandtke’s categories of revisionism are not exhaustive. And they’re not necessarily discrete; they can overlap, and interpretation can be subjective. Gotham Central can reflect many kinds of revisionism, depending on how we read it. 6/11

Perhaps Gotham Central is an example of additive revisionism. The Gotham City Police Department struggling with the aftermath of Batman & Co.’s costumed exploits had been seen in previous comics and seems to extend naturally from the source material; the GCPD must have been there all along. 7/11

Or maybe Gotham Central is an example of fundamental revisionism. By reorienting the world of Batman around criminal investigations and personal relationships within the ranks of human police offers, Gotham Central offers a new perspective on an existing mythos. 8/11

Gotham Central can also be an example of conceptual revisionism. The reorientation of the narrative perspective compels us to question the righteousness of Batman and the extreme violence he both combats & begets, in turn raising questions about the righteousness of the superhero genre itself. 9/12

Gotham Central could also be an example of critical revisionism, in that its critiques of violence and anti-LGBTQ bigotry are influenced by historical critiques of both, within the superhero genre and beyond. (We’ll explore these critiques in more depth in future threads.) 10/11

Categorizing revisionism doesn’t mean every story must fit neatly into a category, or that some types are better than others. These categories are just a way of encouraging us to think deeply about how long-running superhero universes create meaning amid never-ending cycles of revisionism. 11/11