New York City, see Manhattan.
The Bowery is a district of Gotham City on the Uptown island and part of the notorious East End. It has a bad reputation as one of the worst areas in Gotham City and is infamous for its high rate of criminal activities.
History
In the 17th Century, the area on the northern island that now comprises Park Row and the Bowery was known as Logerquist's Acres. It was the place where Gotham City's founder Captain Jon Logerquist maintained farmland in the later years of his life. When he refused to pay his taxes, Logerquist's farmstead was eventually burned by British authorities and he died in the fire. An urban legend in Gotham City claims that the area is cursed and Logerquist's ghost still lingers in the Bowery and Park Row.[1][2][3]
In modern times, The Bowery is one of Gotham City's main districts and home to many taverns that are frequented by criminals.[2] The Bowery is bordered by Burnley to the west and Robbinsville to the east.[4]
The Bowery was the place where the third Clayface, Preston Payne, claimed one of his first victims. It was here that Payne regretfully attacked a homeless man and caused his body to disintegrate with the touch of his hands, leaving no trace of the victim apart from some clothes.[5][6]
Some time later, the Bowery District was the place where the Electrocutioner hunted down mob hitman Spike Rafferty, who had been freed from death row by the appeals court on a technicality. Rafferty was ultimately killed by the Electrocutioner with his electrically-charged suit. Batman and Commissioner Gordon later arrived in the Bowery to investigate the case.[7]
During the No Man's Land crisis, the southern section of the Bowery was initially taken over by Black Mask and his gang.[4] However, the majority of the Bowery later became part of Batman's sector.[8][9]
Among the criminal gangs currently active in the Bowery are the Sprang Bridge Soldiers, who – as their name suggests – mainly operate in the area surrounding Sprang Bridge.[10]
Points of Interest
Residents
- Sprang Bridge Soldiers
- Waylon Jones (Formerly)
- Harvey Bullock (Gotham)
- Mr. Freeze (Gotham) (Formerly)
Other Versions
Gotham
In this continuity, The Bowery was claimed by Mr. Freeze as his territory when Gotham City was declared a No Man's Land.[14] His sector in the Bowery was marked on Jim Gordon's map of Gotham City.[15] By day 87 into the No Man's Land crisis, Mr. Freeze had engaged in a turf war with Firefly, who had taken over Burnley in the west as her territory.[15]
Notes
- The Bowery of Gotham City is inspired by the real-life Bowery in Manhattan, New York City.
Trivia
- The Bowery is one of the oldest Gotham City districts officially identified.[16]
See Also
- Appearances of Bowery
- Location Gallery: Bowery
- Catalogued images related to Bowery
Links and References
- ↑ Daily Planet Guide to Gotham City
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Atlas of the DC Universe
- ↑ DC Heroes Roleplaying Game
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Batman: No Man's Land #1
- ↑ Detective Comics #477
- ↑ Detective Comics #478
- ↑ Batman #331
- ↑ Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #119
- ↑ Detective Comics #740
- ↑ Batman: One Dark Knight #2
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Gotham Knights
- ↑ Gotham: "A Dark Knight: Things That Go Boom"
- ↑ Gotham: "A Dark Knight: Queen Takes Knight"
- ↑ Gotham: "A Dark Knight: No Man's Land"
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Gotham: "Year Zero"
- ↑ Secret Society of Super-Villains #11