Gotham is a prequel series to the Batman franchise, which follows the story of James Gordon and the rise of the criminal underworld in the fictional city of Gotham. The show focuses on the origin stories of several iconic Batman villains, such as the Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman. It also explores the relationship between Bruce Wayne and his future nemesis, the Joker. The series has been praised for its dark and gritty tone, as well as its complex characters and storylines.