Gotham: 10 BEST Changes To The Comics

Although on the more minor side of Batman's rogues gallery, Victor Zsasz has endured as one of the most sadistic, etching tally marks into his skin for all of his kills.

Once a successful businessman, Zsasz loses it all in Penguin's Iceberg Lounge Casino after the depression of his parents' deaths fuels his gambling addiction. Zsasz subsequently attempts to commit suicide on Gotham bridge before a mugger attempts to stab him. Zsasz instinctively stops the mugger and retaliates, killing him with his own knife. After this encounter, Zsasz realises that life is meaningless and vows to "liberate" others from their meaningless existence.

In contrast to the comics, this Zsasz is an eccentric hitman who operates primarily for the Falcone family, and subsequently for Oswald Cobblepot. While many fans mourned the explicit brutality of Zsasz, the change really is neither for better nor for worse, but does bring forth a surprisingly deep and thoroughly entertaining character. Zsasz appears throughout the entire show and usually plays into the background of Gotham's mayhem. Despite this, Zsasz steals the scenes he's in with his gleeful remarks and ghostly appearance demanding the attention of the viewers.

Beyond his quirks, Zsasz is shown to be surprisingly loyal when he aligns with Sofia Falcone and betrays Oswald Cobblepot, highlighting that behind his lunacy is a mind of reason. Gotham's version may not be as instantly recognisable, but what it lacks in shock it makes up for in character development.