James Gordon

James W. Gordon (5 January 1900-) is a Gotham City Police Commissioner known for his many encounters with the Batman.

Early life
As a young boy of 10, Gordon showed himself to be a promising baseball player. Later in life, Gordon went on to law school, and graduated 6 June 1924.

Marriage
Gordon married Barbara 11 October 1926.

Police work
Gordon joined the police force in 1931.

Shortly after the birth of his son Anthony, Gordon encountered the criminal Sheik Hanson, who during the arrest shot Gordon in the shoulder, leaving a scar. Hanson was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, but vowed revenge on Gordon and hated him for years.

Early encounters with the Batman
While entertaining his new young socialite friend Bruce Wayne, Gordon was called away to the murder of David Lambert, the chemical industrialist. Allowing Wayne to join the crime scene, Gordon received a call from Steven Crane, one of Lambert's fellow shareholders in Apex Chemical Corporation, believing his life was in danger. When arriving at Crane's residence, Crane is already dead, but observing the mysterious Bat-Man on the scene, Gordon believes him to be the culprit. Later, rushing over to the another shareholder, Alfred Stryker, and his laboratory, Gordon was told by the last shareholder, Paul Rogers, that Stryker was the murderer, who had been caught by the Bat-Man, but died during the struggle. Gordon arrested Jennings, Stryker's assistant, but still had a feeling the Bat-Man was criminally involved.

Later, relating the events to Wayne, Gordon mused to himself that Wayne must lead a boring life, given how uninterested he seems to be in everything.

Later still, Gordon received a call from the Bat-Man, directing him to the Norton home, where he found three more members of Frenchy Blake's jewel gang beaten to unconsciousness. Later that night, Blake himself was delivered bound at the doorstep of police headquarters, along with a friendly letter to Gordon from the Bat-Man.