Warning: contains spoilers for Detective Comics #1073!the rest of the Gotham Police Department would not. Now, in Detective Comics #1073, Gordon reveals a special ability, one never before seen - and while it is a good power to have, it has come at a high and tragic cost.
Detective Comics #1073, titled 'Condemned,' is part of 'Gotham Nocturne, Act II' and is written by Ram V, drawn by Ivan Reis and Goran Sudzuka, inked by Danny Miki and Sudzuka, colored by Brad Anderson and lettered by Ariana Maher. The Orghams are attempting a takeover of Gotham City, and are using the Reality Engine to reshape the city. The Orghams hypnotize the citizens of Gotham through screens, inciting them to riot. Commissioner Gordon is on the ground trying to help keep order, and his daughter Barbara cautions him not to turn on any media, lest he fall under the Orghams' spell. Gordon reassures his daughter that everything is fine, as he has "been poisoned, drugged, hypnotized, Jokerized and brainwashed" so frequently, he has now developed an immunity to mind-bending powewrs.in the past. Sure enough, Gordon is able to resist the Orghams and helps Rene Montoya break free as well.
Gordon Has Developed an Immunity to Mind Control
Gordon has been an integral part of the mythos since Detective Comics #27. Gordon was one of Batman’s first allies, and thanks to him, the Dark Knight was able to work to protect the city as effectively as possible. Yet being Batman’s close friend has brought with it a number of hazards; numerous villains have attempted to get at Batman through Gordon, most notably the Joker in 1988’s Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. In that classic, the Joker not only shot Barbara, but also kidnapped Gordon, subjecting him to intense psychological torture. Other villains have tormented Gordon by messing with his mind, including Scarecrow and the Batman Who Laughs.
Commissioner Gordon's Powers Have Come at a Price
And now, fans can see the end result of years of mental manipulation - Gordon can resist mind control. This is an amazing ability to have, especially given the number of Batman villains, such as the Mad Hatter, Hugo Strange, Black Mask and Poison Ivy, who use mind control to some degree. The Orghams are pulling a page out of this playbook, using mesmerism to sway the citizens of Gotham against Batman. Given that Gordon's ability is simply the result of constant exposure - rather than some one-time development - it's likely a power that's here to stay. It's a subtle ability that doesn't make Gordon overpowered or unbelievable in the context of Gotham, but does mark how much he's been through as a major Bat-ally.
Commissioner Gordon makes the best of this new ability, helping in his own way to keep order in Gotham, starting with breaking the Orghams' hold over current Commissioner Rene Montoya - a move that may ultimately help save Gotham. With the Orghams ready to change Gotham to their liking, Batman will need all the help he can get, and Commissioner Gordon is using his new ability to resist mind control to help.
Detective Comics #1073 is on sale now from DC Comics!
