Not long after being cast as young James Gordon in the upcoming Fox series Gotham, Ben McKenzie posted the above photo on his Twitter as a portion of his homework for the role. There is obviously a large trove of material from which to draw upon when crafting a Batman prequel series, so McKenzie and the other actors and writers involved have their work cut out for them if they want to make Gotham a memorable and lasting show. While a lengthy synopsis was released a few weeks ago, there are still multiple directions the show could take. The first season will establish that direction, and for many comic fans its important that the traditional Batman mythology be recognized early and often. Granted, the show will only last if it forges a new and original path adhering too closely to the comics will only bookend the later seasons, trap the story and limit the ultimate potential. But there are elements of Gordons character that shouldnt be ignored, and there are dozens of comic book arcs and graphic novels that Fox should look to during the first season. A brief breakdown of the trades in McKenzies Twitter photo is followed by a few entries speculating on possible sources for Gotham. Again, there are many such sources be sure to name those you hope to see as influences in the comments section below.