Gotham’s Forgotten Neighborhood: 25 Years Later

BATMAN: THE HILL 25th Anniversary
A Bold Chapter in Gotham’s History, Elevated by the Vision of One of Comics’ Most Influential Editors

In 2000, DC Comics’ BATMAN: THE HILL broke through the Bat-canon with something rarely seen: a story centered not on Bruce Wayne’s wealth or WayneTech’s gadgets, but on a neglected Gotham neighborhood and the people fighting to survive in it.

Written by Christopher Priest and illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough, The Hill was a grounded, gripping one-shot that brought a new kind of realism to Gotham’s map. But behind the scenes, it was Joseph P. Illidge, then-editor of the Batman: No Man’s Land era, who championed the story’s development and shaped it into a defining statement on race, power, and systemic injustice years ahead of its time.

Illidge brought a clear, deliberate vision to the project, ensuring The Hill spoke with urgency, authenticity, and purpose. His guidance gave the story the room it needed to breathe and the weight it needed to last.

Illidge reflected on the series:

“When I inherited Batman: The Hill from initial editor Jordan B. Gorfinkel, I knew it was a story of significant importance and impact, so it became a personal and professional mission of mine to ensure the book made it to publication. Priest’s story of Batman’s journey through The Hill, activating a young man to take action in his life and community, was a precursor to Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer’s redefinition of Batman in Batman Begins as a catalyst for civic action in Gotham. It’s been gratifying to see the sequel stories to Batman: The Hill in various books from Batman: Black and White to Red Hood: The Hill, and like the best Batman stories, this one is evergreen.”

As Gotham evolves, The Hill endures.

Since its release, Batman: The Hill has become a cult classic among fans and creators alike, influencing the way Gotham—and the people within it—are portrayed in stories across media. The issue has been cited by scholars, educators, and journalists as a pivotal moment in Batman canon, where social issues weren’t side stories—they were the story.

This August, on its 25th anniversary, Batman: The Hill is being recognized not just for its historical impact, but for the doors it opened. Illidge—whose career includes revitalizing characters like Static, Batgirl, and Birds of Prey, and launching forward-thinking initiatives like Illuminous, continues to shape the future of comics from a place of purpose.

Author Profile

Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!