| Harvey Bullock | |
|---|---|
.png) Harvey Bullock as depicted inThe Other History of the DC Universe #4 (May 2021). Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance |
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| Created by |
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| In-story information | |
| Full name | Harvey Bullock |
| Team affiliations | GCPD Checkmate |
| Supporting character of | Batman |
| Abilities | Trained detective |
Harvey Bullock (/ˈbʊlək/) is a fictional detective appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics, commonly in association with thesuperheroBatman.[1] The character first appeared inDetective Comics #441 (June 1974) and was created byArchie Goodwin andHoward Chaykin.[2] In animation, he appeared throughout theDC Animated Universe, voiced byRobert Costanzo. He debuted in live-action in 2014 on Fox's television seriesGotham, portrayed byDonal Logue.
There is some ambiguity concerning the character's origins. WriterDoug Moench and artistDon Newton introduced Harvey Bullock inBatman #361 (July 1983) as a device to resolve the ongoing plotline with Gotham City's corrupt mayorHamilton Hill, and subsequentWho's Who in the DC Universe entries acknowledged this as the new Bullock'sfirst appearance.[3] However, in later years Batman fans began pointing out that a "Lt. Bullock" appeared in three panels ofDetective Comics #441 (1974), written byArchie Goodwin, pencilled byHoward Chaykin, and published almost a decade before. Moench admitted that he must have read this comic because he is an Archie Goodwin fan, but denied that Harvey Bullock is the same character. He argued that it is unlikely that he drew on Goodwin's Lt. Bullock even unconsciously, since there are discrepancies of both personality and continuity between his character and Goodwin's, and he distinctly remembers taking the name "Bullock" from guitaristHiram Bullock.[3] Archie Goodwin is legally Harvey Bullock's sole creator; Moench said he decided not to contest this because he did not want to make a case against Goodwin's widow Anne Goodwin, whom he considers a friend.[3]
Following the conclusion of the Hamilton Hill storyline, Moench decided he enjoyed writing Harvey Bullock enough to keep him on as a supporting character, which necessitated some softening of his original characterization as a corrupt cop.[3] Bullock was one of several Batman supporting cast members swept out of the Batman family of titles whenDenny O'Neil became the Batman editor in 1986, but in 1987 writerPaul Kupperberg brought him into theVigilante cast. Kupperberg recalled, "Harvey Bullock was a character very much in my wheelhouse, a wise-cracking loudmouth with aBrooklyn accent and a problem with authority, although he wasn't originally intended to be a permanent member of theVigilante cast. He was brought in for a guest-shot, as a character to help Vigilante's handler,Harry Stein, grease the wheels in Gotham City for them on whatever case they were on. I had fun writing him, and the interaction between Harvey and Harry Stein, another slob with his own way of doing things, clicked. I don't think they were using him much, if at all, in the Batman books by then, so we got permission from the Bat-office to have the character on semi-permanent loan forVigilante and its successor title,Checkmate."[3]
Prior to the 1985–1986 DC maxi-seriesCrisis on Infinite Earths, Bullock was a crooked police detective under instructions fromGotham City's Mayor Hamilton Hill to sabotageCommissioner Gordon's career[1] when he is formally re-introduced inBatman #361 (July 1983), in the story entitled "The Most Successful Species", written by Doug Moench and penciled by Don Newton. His method of doing so was to pretend to be exceedingly clumsy, thereby spoiling whatever Gordon was trying to do, seemingly accidentally. After inadvertently giving Gordon aheart attack, however, Bullock turns over a new leaf.[4] His character later develops into a well-meaning cop who (probably) was exceedingly clumsy, similar to the later animated version. He also forms a close bond withRobin, based initially on their mutual love of old movies. Subsequent to this, he is a Bishop in the spy organizationCheckmate.
Following the continuity changes brought about in most of DC's comics byCrisis, Bullock is perhaps the most controversialpolice officer in theGotham City Police Department. His colleagues in the Major Crimes Unit swear up and down that he is a good cop, despite his reputation for takingbribes,[5] usingexcessive force, and having ties toorganized crime. He is not without endearing qualities, however, including a fondness for doughnuts and a hidden sentimental streak. He also has a brief relationship with a widow he meets at work.[6]
This new post-Crisis Bullock wasretconned as having been loyal to Gordon from the start. Even before he is promoted to detective, he stays by Gordon during one of theJoker's rampages, saving his life. Eventually, without Batman's assistance, Bullock and Gordon stop the Joker from causing an explosion that would have leveled Gotham City. During the entire case, Bullock plays the part of the "bad cop," intimidating and threatening whoever gets in his way. At this point, Bullock still wears a regular police uniform.
Several years later, Bullock is made detective. He again works closely with Gordon, as part of a small crew of people Gordon knows he can trust. This group includesMaggie Sawyer,Harvey Dent, and Detective Cohen as they try to bring downSal Maroni. Though Gordon knows of and has recordings of Bullock's brutality against suspects, he brings him in because the man has never accepted bribes. The events surrounding this squad work around the events ofBatman: The Long Halloween. Bullock and the group are then joined byCrispus Allen, and together they take down a gathering of Gotham's "freaks", such as the Joker, Clayface and Scarecrow.[7] Later Bullock is partnered withRenee Montoya and they both become very loyal to each other. For a time Bullock works with the international spy agency Checkmate.[8] They confront threats ranging from counterfeiters to cult-terrorists. He has a rocky relationship with those above him, such as defying intelligence expertAmanda Waller over the proposed murder of heroic vigilante Black Thorn.[9]
Bullock also gained his ownstory arc, "A Bullet for Bullock" byChuck Dixon. The story is about someone trying to kill him, which was also adapted into an episode forBatman: The Animated Series.
Bullock is on the front lines during the "Knightfall" storyline when Arkham empties and its inmates riot through the streets. Bullock takes control when Riddler takes an entire talk show hostage.[10] He is almost obliterated by a bomb planted in the mayor's mansion; he is saved at the last second by Batman.[11]
During the "Trioka" arc, Bullock is badly injured during a confrontation with theKGBeast, who has gained control of a smallnuclear weapon. Robin and several members of the Gotham City Police Department brave a burning chemical plant, partly to save his life. Bullock almost dies during this incident, but is saved byCPR administered by Robin. Mackenzie "Hardback" Bock, a newcomer to the force, becomes involved, helping Robin carry Harvey out of harm's way. The nuclear bomb is then neutralized by Batman.
In theBatman: Cataclysm storyline, Bullock is confrontingAnarky in a shopping mall when anearthquake hits Gotham City. Both save their own lives by diving into a hollow art structure. Despite this, Bullock's arm is impaled by a tube of metal. He does not let this stop him, and makes his way back to the badly damaged police headquarters.
As soon as he learns Gordon is missing, he slams his arm against a wall, knocking out the bar, and institutes a search. Bullock finds and saves a rattled Gordon from the debris of his own office.[12]
A few weeks later, Gotham is shut down and closed off by the government in the incident known asNo Man's Land. Bullock and several other officers, Renee included, willingly stay behind to assist Gordon. Bullock sticks by Gordon through the death of many fellow officers. When SWAT leader Billy Pettit revolts and takes even more officers with him, Bullock sticks with Gordon. Renee herself is even lost for a while due toTwo-Face. In the end, efforts led byLex Luthor re-open Gotham. Gordon, Bullock, Renee and the remaining officers (Pettit and the others had been killed) are given their jobs back. Bullock is then promoted to lieutenant and becomes the shift commander of the GCPD's Major Crimes Unit.[13]
In the "Officer Down" storyline, disgruntled former officer Jordan Rich attempts to kill Gordon. Afterwards, a vengeful Bullock reveals Rich's location tothe Mafia, thereby indirectly killing the shooter. When evidence of this comes out, he resigns from the force.[14]
He then appears in the "Unresolved" story arc inGotham Central, where he has descended into a life ofalcoholism and is shown contemplating suicide.
As part of DC's "One Year Later" storyline, Bullock has returned to the GCPD, with the understanding that he is not allowed a single mistake. The circumstances behind this are unknown, the only clue so far being the line: "Six months since Harvey Bullock made his discoveries." Batman and Bullock have made their peace, agreeing to give each other a second chance after their past disagreements; Batman tells Bullock that he considers the ledger "erased".[1]
Bullock is seen as one of the leads against the fight of a war between unauthorized Joker and Batman gangs.[15]
Later it is established he keeps in regular communication with his mother and has two cats, one of which, Sprinkles, has cancer.[16]
While little has ever been told of Harvey's past prior to him joining the Gotham City Police Department, he himself has stated that he was once awelterweightGolden Gloves competitor and was good enough to go pro, but chose not to because he disliked the "regimented lifestyle".[17]
Bullock is sent to meet and greetJason Bard, whom Gordon has recruited for the police force. Bullock is shown to be on friendly terms with Maggie Sawyer. Hours later, Bard arrests James Gordon for manslaughter after a train crash.[18]
During the investigation into a long-running series of police murders, Bullock is kidnapped and replaced by a female killer known as Jane Doe. Jane is obsessed with the figurative and literal taking of other people's lives. That it was only Batman who noticed Bullock had been replaced causes the detective great distress.[19]
Harvey assists in citywide riots by helping James Gordon, now exonerated thanks to Batgirl, wire the city to display the Bat-signal. This raises the morale of the citizens and calms much of the panic.[20]
In theDC Rebirth reboot universe, Bullock is partnered with Commissioner Gordon when he attempts to raidWayne Manor. Bullock tries to convince Gordon not to go through with it, but is unable to.[21] Bullock goes on to cameo several times, usually alongside Gordon[22] In the alternate future where Tim Drake becomes the Batman, Bullock is seen as an aid to Commissioner Montoya in the old section of the city.[23] In the aftermath of Bane's attack on the city, Harvey Bullock is filling as commissioner of Gotham City Police department after Jim Gordon who disappeared after being infected by a virus from theBatman Who Laughs.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)| Preceded by | GCPD Major Crimes Unit Shift Commander 2000–2001 | Succeeded by |
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