FOXIt's a great time to be a comic book fan.
With Marvel and DC's complete and total domination of Hollywood, there's pretty much always some superhero flick playing at the movie theaters, or someone with enhanced powers saving the day on TV. Marvel has even changed the movie-making process at its core. And if you look at this fall's crop of new TV shows, there's a clear and eye-opening trend: comic books are cool.
That totally makes up for being called a nerd in high school, right? Maybe a little?
But with so many new and returning comic books shows airing on TV this fall, how do you pick which ones to watch? That's easy, pick the show that's going to become your new obsession.
Gotham.
Before Bruce Wayne became the hero Gotham needed, Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) was the only good soul in the city, working to clean up the streets, protect the people who need protecting, and taking down the murderers, thieves, and villains plaguing the city. Assigned with a morally-dubious partner, Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), and tasked with investigating the highest-profile double homicide in the city, the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, Gordon takes it upon himself to become young Bruce's (David Mazouz) mentor, sparking an unlikely friendship that will transform into the stuff of legend.
But long before Bruce is old enough to take on the villains himself, Gordon must face the likes of campy but deadly Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) and her unhinged and ambitious henchman Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor). Plus, be on the lookout for easter eggs, like future villains Catwoman (Camren Bicondova), Poison Ivy (Clare Foley), the Riddler (Cory Michael Smith) and more!
Gotham is more than just a bunch of awesome easter eggs, though. The perfect casting of O.C. alum McKenzie in his most mature and darkest role yet will make you forget about the days when you called him Chino (and that's something we never thought possible!). And what's even more impressive is the casting of Taylor as a young Penguin. He puts a new and chilling spin on the iconic villain while still maintaining the mannerisms that have practically become ingrained in the genetic makeup of the character. Taylor is going to end up stealing the show from McKenzie (another thing we never thought possible!).
Plus, the tone of the show is unlike anything on TV right now. Think of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy mixed with a dark and gritty cop drama about corrupt officers and mafia warfare, with the added aspect of the inability to pinpoint exactly what time period it's set in (old-timey cars and clothes…and modern cell phones?), and you get Gotham. If that sounds weird to you, just trust us: it works.
We're already obsessed with Fox's new take on the Batman franchise, and when Gotham premieres on Monday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m., you will be too.
FALL TV OBSESSIONS: Each day we are counting down a new one! See what you missed so far: