Is Gotham City in New Jersey?

[Timothy Hunter]

Of course the states of fictitious cities in the DC Universe such as Gotham or Metropolis are never explicitly revealed, but I heard from multiple sources that Gotham most likely is in the state of New Jersey?

Is this true? If so, what evidence from the comics is there to support this?

[Caivu]

From Amazing World of DC Comics #14:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._Comics%29.jpg

From Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual #1:
https://galeri.uludagsozluk.com/13/b...tesi_23009.jpg

[FBarnhill]

If it’s true, I’d expect people there to have a Philly accent. I mean, in the movies, they all seem to have a NY accent while Selina has some 40s femme fatale accent.

[AmiMizuno]

I think it depends at one point it was in delware and metropolis was in new york

[lemonpeace]

yeah, Gotham has been pretty consistently depicted as being in Jersey more often than not. honestly, with the distinct boroughs and blocks in Gotham, they could probably make Gotham it's own state, and have a Gotham city in the state of Gotham (a la New York).

[Restingvoice]

I think it depends at one point it was in delware and metropolis was in new york

It's Metropolis that's in Delaware but both cities drew inspiration from NYC. Gotham is NYC at night, Metropolis is NYC at day, forget who said it.

From Amazing World of DC Comics #14:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._Comics%29.jpg

From Batman: Shadow of the Bat Annual #1:
https://galeri.uludagsozluk.com/13/b...tesi_23009.jpg

Since that map has Atlantic City I might as well mentioned it's used by Tim Seeley as the main inspiration for the look of Bludhaven, which is located south of Gotham, so I kinda assume the modern Gotham City is located further north, closer to the inspiration for the current island location that is Manhattan island, no longer at Delaware Bay.
The islands of Gotham City has its own Gotham Bay after all.

By the way, Caivu, how's the 3D Gotham City project going?

yeah, Gotham has been pretty consistently depicted as being in Jersey more often than not. honestly, with the distinct boroughs and blocks in Gotham, they could probably make Gotham it's own state, and have a Gotham city in the state of Gotham (a la New York).

I think there is a version that uses The State of Gotham, but not in the comics... oh it's Nolanverse.

---

Oh... might as well mention it because it was asked on socmed before... while real life state of New Jersey abolish the death penalty in 2007, the comic keeps it.

Gotham City in BTAS is located in the state of New York though and Batman Forever has statue of Liberty.
In King's Batman, Gotham has its own statue of Liberty called the statue of Justice because of course it is ^^

[AmiMizuno]

Actually in one comic Metropolis is in New York

[Caivu]

By the way, Caivu, how's the 3D Gotham City project going?

Someone remembered! Thanks.

But the answer is: badly. Between COVID and having a full computer crash last year that erased everything, I'm basically at square one. Meaning I don't even have my reference images anymore. I was able to model My Alibi Bar & Grill and part of Noonan's Bar before the crash.

[Gaius]

The Nolan films have made head canon that Gotham takes the place of Chicago in DC's world.

[king81992]

I always assumed that Metropolis was a really advanced city in upstate New York , Bludhaven was in New Jersey and Gotham was in Conneticut.

[spatterdasher]

Not that the Gotham TV show's canon counts for much of anything, but I remember seeing a mailing address in the show with the city/state being "Gotham, GM". Which I find hilarious.

[Tzigone]

Not that the Gotham TV show's canon counts for much of anything, but I remember seeing a mailing address in the show with the city/state being "Gotham, GM". Which I find hilarious.

I have it in my head Gotham might have been a state back when Barbara was a congresswoman, but I am really not at all sure.

[MajorHoy]

I always assumed that Metropolis was a really advanced city in upstate New York, Bludhaven was in New Jersey and Gotham was in Conneticut.

Depends on how physically close together Gotham City and Blüdhaven are located as to whether that would work. You'd also essentially be sticking New York City between Gotham City and Blüdhaven doing that, since Connecticut and New Jersey aren't directly connected. (Also, are you assuming Gotham City and Blüdhaven are on the coastlines of their respective states or not?)

[king81992]

Depends on how physically close together Gotham City and Blüdhaven are located as to whether that would work. You'd also essentially be sticking New York City between Gotham City and Blüdhaven doing that, since Connecticut and New Jersey aren't directly connected. (Also, are you assuming Gotham City and Blüdhaven are on the coastlines of their respective states or not?)

Gotham and Bludhhaven being on the coast vary depending on the story and writer, I think. Personally, I always assumed that Bludhaven was coastal city in New Jersy and Gotham was close to a river or lake. Never got coastal vibes from Gotham at all.

[thwhtGuardian]

Gotham and Bludhhaven being on the coast vary depending on the story and writer, I think. Personally, I always assumed that Bludhaven was coastal city in New Jersy and Gotham was close to a river or lake. Never got coastal vibes from Gotham at all.

Not on the coast? The docks and shipping play a huge part in just about every Batman story dealing with organized crime...and he has a Batboat docked in the Batcave.
Gotham is definitely located on a sea coast no matter what state you place it in.