quote:

---

1977's BATMAN FAMILY #12 presented "I Am Batgirl's Brother," taking its cue from 1951's WORLD'S FINEST #53, which indicated that Commissioner Gordon had a son named Tony, Presumed dead in a ballooning accident, Tony Gordon had actually been caught spying on Red China. Escaping, he was given a new identity, as much for the government's protection as his own, and gained employment at the Smithsonian Institution. Tony had a chance encounter with Batgirl and, as he put it, "even with that mask and costume, I recognized my kid sister on the spot." Tony rushed to help when Batgirl was injured and, semi-conscious, she mumbled his name. Though Babs had no real recollection of who her savior had been, Tony fled Washington convinced that he'd compromised his true identity.

1978 closed with the resolution of the Tony Gordon subplot in DETECTIVE #s 481-482. Continuing from BATMAN FAMILY #19, Batgirl's discovery of a Chinese "Superman factory" set her on a collision course with Tony in China. In an abrupt conclusion, Tony was reunited with his sister only to die in an explosion moments later.

---

quote:

---

This story revolves around two characters: Batman, the future protector of his home town, and James Gordon, the would-be greatest policeman ever. As the story begins, a Jim Gordon in his late 20s or so arrives via airplane from Chicago to Gotham City, a large metropolis where crime and violence are things of abundance and everday life is like a hurricane. Even the lawful authorities are just full of evil and do-badders. Because of the corrput police force he has transfered to, Gordon, who makes a Lieutenant, vows to clean the evil GCPD up.

Bruce Wayne (a millionaire in his early 20s), who has just arrived from a years long vacation from parts unknown, also makes a vow- to his deceased parents. Bruce's parents were murdered by an unknown mugger right in front of his eyes when Bruce was at the fragile age of only 8. On the night of his parents' funeral, Bruce vowed to one day avenge their deaths. Bruce had returned from different parts of the world with supreme knowledge in martial arts and detective work, he would use these knowledges to become a vigilante. Bruce gets his idea of a special mantle when a bat crashed through his window, while he was reliving the worst memory of his life. Realizing the fear that bats could strike into people (like it did him), he became what the people of Gotham City would call "The Bat-Man."

As Jim Gordon is fighting his way to survive within the corrupt police force, Batman makes himself known for the first time when he busts a bunch of hoods who try to steal a television set. The police see Batman as vigilante, and hunt him down. Gordonis assigned a female partner, Lt. Sarah Essen, who he slowly falls in love with despite that he is already married to a pregnant wife. Gordon and Essen are given the assignments of bringing Batman in. Problems are added to Gordon's problems when the corrupt police commissioner, Gillian Loeb, discovers that Jim and Sarah have an affair. Commissioner Loeb's men take pictures of this, and blackmail Gordon with them.

The would-be beloved alliance between Jim Gordon and The Batman was formed when Batman (in Bruce Wayne form) saved Gordon's infant son from corrupt police detective Arnold Flass. Gordon knew it was Batman who did the heroic deed, but didn't have his glasses on so he couldn't tell who Batman was.

Ultimately, Commissioner Loeb and Detective Flass resigned, and Jim Gordon was promoted to Captain. Because he felt guilt about his affair, he broke up with Sarah Essen, who transfered to New York City. As for Gordon, he built a special search light (the "Bat Beacon") that he would use to summon Gotham's soon-to-beloved Dark Knight. An special alliance that would go on for years had been newly formed between the Good Cop and The Dark Knight of Gotham.

This story is where it all began. To Bruce Wayne witnessing his parents' murders, to The Batman first making himself known, to the first meeting between Jim Gordon and The Dark Knight. None of the infamous Rogue villains (like Joker, Penguin, or Scarecrow) have yet to make themselves known. It shows Batman Godon as mere rookies. A truly recommended read indeed.

---