Gotham City, crime-ridden base of Batman
Many people believe that Gotham City—home to Batman and a variety of masked villains—is modeled after New York City. After all, Gotham is a common nickname for New York. At least initially, Bruce Wayne/Batman did not reside in Gotham but rather in the opulent Wayne Manor, which is located outside of the city. Batman frequently traveled by car to Metropolis to meet with Superman. It's been asserted that Metropolis is modelled on New York.
They cannot both be headquartered in the same city. Some people think that Cleveland, where Superman's writers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster lived, served as the inspiration for Metropolis. According to that notion, Buffalo, New York, can serve as the inspiration for Gotham City because the two cities are the necessary distance apart.
Despite competing locations, there is significant evidence to support Gotham City's placement in New Jersey. On one is an Atlantic coast with Gotham. The concept is supported by a number of references from earlier Batman comics, including one in which Robin and Batgirl travel over the Hudson County Highway. There is a Hudson County in New Jersey. A site 20 miles north of Gotham is mentioned as being on the Jersey Shore in a 1983 comic. That would put Gotham on the Atlantic, north and east of Atlantic City. Additionally, there is proof that Gotham City was modeled after Newark, New Jersey. Another mention places Gotham on the Delaware in the state's southwest.
Wherever Gotham is, it is obvious that Bob Kane had New York in mind when he created the Caped Crusader based on the size of its harbor and the city itself. Unless, of course, Chicago was on his mind. Philadelphia, perhaps Although Kane was schooled, bred, and born in New York City. The early volumes included a cityscape that mimicked the old New York skyline. Therefore, even if the fictional Gotham City may be located in New Jersey, Delaware, or Illinois, it is most likely the real Gotham that served as the inspiration for Batman's home.
- Location: New Jersey
