Gotham knights comes to the CW to deliver another injection of superhero shenanigans to the network known for hosting the Arrowverse for 10 years. Featuring a lineup of young would-be vigilantes looking to escape the shadows of their families, this series is all about a young generation trying to survive in Gotham City’s political and literal danger zone.
In this list, we’ll look at characters from the comics that should appear, whether they’re recurring, guest star, or even something as small as a cameo in this series. Gotham is home to a large group of criminals and vigilantes. As such, Turner Hayes (Oscar Morgan) and his new friends are likely to encounter some of Bruce’s old friends and foes.
10 Lonnie Machine
With Batman out of the picture, Gotham’s criminal empire is sure to run wild. There will be mayhem in the streets, and what young man is fit for mayhem than Lonnie Machin, otherwise known as Anarky. Lonnie often committed acts of terrorism, hoping to inspire the people of Gotham to rise up and take back power from the city’s corrupt officials, though Batman would always prove to be a step aside.
With Batman out of the picture, Anarky may be seizing an opportunity to strike when the people are already feeling scared and powerless. An event like this could be a proving ground for the Gotham Knights to band together and work together to take down Anarky before he can do any serious damage.
9 Jim Corrigan
Many supernatural beings roam Gotham City. Jim Corrigan is just a beat detective with the spirit of God’s vengeance in him. The Specter lashes out against humans committing gruesome murder, and Gotham has plenty of candidates for God’s wrath.
Perhaps The Specter sets his sights on Duela (Olivia Rose Keegan) when the young lady becomes as crazy as her father. If Duela befriends the young vigilantes, they may have to face off against the Specter and prove to him that instead of incurring the wrath of God, Duela has a chance at redemption.
8 Bao Pham
We talk a lot about what Batman’s absence does to the city. With the Caped Crusader gone, the neighborhood known as the Narrows would see a significant spike in crime, possibly from the Joker’s crew. But the Narrows have their own guardian of these clowns in Bao Pham, also known as the Clownhunter.
After witnessing the murder of his parents by the Joker, Bao is rescued by Batman, but begins to resent the Dark Knight for never killing the Joker. Bao decides to take matters into his own hands, attaching a Batarang to his baseball bat (creating his “bat-bat”) and brutally defending his neighborhood from the gang activity. And with the addition of Joker’s Daughter to the cast, one can only imagine Bao Pham becoming an opposing force in this series, if only for an episode or two.
7 Thomas Eliot
While Batman’s death is public, there’s still the question of Bruce Wayne. While the series will certainly have its own explanation for the playboy billionaire’s disappearance, one of the ways the comics have dispelled the rumors was the appearance of Thomas Elliot, otherwise known as Hush, taking Bruce Wayne’s place.
Thomas Elliot was jealous of Bruce’s life and often tried to take his place by force. First, Hush worked to inherit his family’s fortune by cutting his parents’ brake line and smothering his mother to death after surviving both the accident and a battle with cancer. Hush would eventually undergo surgery to change his appearance and become Bruce Wayne. Adapting this storyline could prove useful as a recurring arc throughout the series.
6 Hugo Strange
As the Gotham Knights work to take down the madmen of Gotham City, these psychopaths need to be sent somewhere for rehabilitation. That place is Arkham Asylum, and their chief psychologist is Dr. Hugo Strange. This doctor would slowly become obsessed with understanding the psychology not only behind these lunatics, but behind Batman himself.
Hugo could spiral when the Dark Knight dies, and begin investigating who could have killed his prized subject. The Gotham Knights begin to overstep the mark during his frantic interrogations and may learn of Hugo’s actions and try to stop him. Or maybe Hugo discovers new obsessions in the Gotham Knights when he sees them working together to protect the city, just as Batman would have.
5 Talia Al Ghul
While some would argue that Catwoman is Batman’s true love, Talia Al Ghul would be different. If her love’s death isn’t enough to prompt Talia to visit Gotham City, maybe the Gotham Knights would start patrolling the city. Talia had plans for her son to become the heir to both the bat and the demon, and to see Bruce’s adopted son take on the proverbial hood would be an insult she couldn’t stand.
This visit could also bring more characters, perhaps her father, the ageless Ra’s Al Ghul, would help organize the League of Assassins to fight the series’ many young vigilantes. Or maybe Talia can take her and Bruce’s son Damian Wayne to prove he’s the one and only heir to the Bat.
4 Cassandra Cain
With the addition of Harper Row (Fallon Smythe) and Stephanie Brown (Anna Lore), the only girl missing from this trio is Cassandra Cain, the young girl who was raised to be the most deadly fighter in the world. Raised by David Cain, with the genetic strengths of her mother, Lady Shiva, Cassandra would take the code name Orphan and work alongside Stephanie as the Batgirls.
Orphan could be a recurring character, following Stephanie and Harper, with her appearances becoming more prominent as the series’ first season progresses. Perhaps by the time we see the finale, Cassandra will introduce herself, albeit with her limited speech, and the young women can recruit her into their team of Gotham Knights.
3 Carmine Falcone
Before the rise of costumed and themed villains like Joker and Riddler, Gotham was plagued by organized crime. And one of the most influential figures in these crime families was Carmine Falcone. As seen in The batter (2022), Carmine commands great respect from his men and is able to properly carry on the war against Batman despite the Dark Knight’s determination.
With Batman out of the picture, a power vacuum begins. Falcone would be in a prime position to take his underbosses and begin a hostile takeover, turning all of Gotham City into his territory. Although, aside from the Gotham Knights, Carmine might have to worry about Harvey Dent, whether he’s dealing with the District Attorney or mob boss Two-Face.
2 Renee Montoya
While Commissioner Gordon and his right-hand man, Harvey Bullock, are often associated with working with the Dark Knight, Renee Montoya is often the street cop, working the streets of Gotham and coming face to face with the thugs and petty thieves who plague the city.
In modern day stories, Jim and Bullock get relegated for working with the bat, so we’ll see Montoya rises to commissioner. How the young woman works alongside these vigilantes would add a lot of depth to the story and how the young heroes work alongside or in spite of them.
1 Duke Thomas
During DC Comics’ New 52 run, there was a time when Batman disappeared, presumed dead. This was after Bruce Wayne suffered an amnesia which caused him to forget he was once a vigilante similar to the Justice League. During this time, a movement began where young teens came together and took on the name of Batman’s sidekick, Robin. Duke Thomas was one of these teenagers.
After returning to his role, Bruce quickly saw Duke’s potential and recruited him. It would soon be discovered that Brunce had seen Duke carry the genetics of a metahuman, which led to Duke becoming the Signal, a daytime vigilante for Gotham City. Whether defending the streets as Robin or Signal, Duke would make an excellent ally for the Gotham Knights to befriend.