Turning Points

***“Turning Points”*** is the second entry in the *Batman novels* series.

## Summary

James, a nine-year-old boy loses his father when he strikes an innocent bystander whilst drunk driving; James’ mother divorces his father and relocates to Gotham city. Sheltered in the Gotham suburbs, James begins to idolise the city and becomes a troublemaker when his mother takes him away to live in Arkansas. After an injury, James decides to change his terrible school record around as working against the law has only caused him trouble.

On a brief stay in Gotham, James volunteers alongside his uncle in the police force, and raises hopes of a young Bruce Wayne. Years later, James moves from Chicago to Gotham city and it becomes clear that Eileen is pregnant. He immediately discovers corruption in Gotham, however he becomes a local hero. Gordon becomes the leader of the Batman investigation, however eventually comes to believe that Batman could be seen as a force for good in Gotham. James begins an affair with a co-worker, Sarah, all the while his son is born.

In conversation with Harvey Bullock, and later his uncle Frank, Gordon accepts that Gotham has always been corrupt and unlawful even when he was a child. With no reason to stay, Gordon quits the police force and becomes a security guard at Arkham Hospital.

Mobster Johnny Viti targets Gordon’s family and flees the scene with Gordon's infant son. Gordon chases after him and they end up fighting on a bridge until the baby falls. Batman catches up in time and leaps over the bridge's railing to save the baby. Gordon thanks Batman for saving his infant son's life and lets him go. After a conversation with Batman, Gordon returns to the police force, and confesses his affair to Eileen.

Sarah agrees to leave Gotham, and Gordon signs himself and Barbara up for a round of marriage counselling and buys flowers and chocolates. Flass supplies evidence and testimony needed to implicate Loeb, who resigns in disgrace. After he and Bullock arrest Peter, Gordon is promoted to captain and enters a secret partnership with Batman.

## Chapters

* Prologue
	+ Gordon ages 9-14.
* 1) January 4th, 2016
	+ Gordon relocates to Gotham City, and discovers it has become corrupt.
* 2) April 4th, 2016
	+ He becomes a local hero after saving some children from a hostage situation involving a human trafficker.
* 3) May 15th, 2016
	+ James Gordon and Sarah Essen begin to lead the Batman vigilante task force.
* 4) June 6th-7th, 2016
	+ Eileen tells James that she is unhappy in Gotham, but he tells her it’s going to be ok. Gordon begins to come around to the Batman after it becomes clear he is more heroic than most police officers.
* 5) June 9th, 2016
	+ Gordon accepts that he can’t tell Eileen about his opinions on Batman or the danger they could be in; while he begins to contemplate having an affair with Sarah Essen.
* 6) July 5th, 2016
	+ Gordon begins his affair with Sarah Essen.
* 7) August 7th, 2016
	+ Gordon contemplates suicide; at a crossroads.
* 8) September 5th, 2016
	+ After being released, Jefferson Skeevers is threatened by Batman.
* 9) September 12th, 2016
	+ Jefferson Skeevers turns himself over to police.
* 10) October 7th-10th, 2016
	+ After finding out Skeevers has been poisoned, Gordon has conversations with Harvey Bullock and Uncle Frank, coming to the conclusion that Gotham has always been corrupt and that the Gotham he was chasing was never real.
* 11) October 10th-12th, 2016
	+ James Gordon, Jr. is born; Gordon quits GCPD.
* 12) November 2nd-3rd, 2016
	+ Falcone’s nephew, Johnny, attempts to kill James Jr but is stopped by Batman. Batman talks with Gordon, asking him why he quit the police force; Gordon begins to realise what being a hero really means.
* 13) December 3rd, 2016
	+ Gordon confesses his affair and rejoins GCPD, meanwhile Harvey Dent incriminates Flass and Commissioner Loeb resigns. Now a police captain, Gordon has managed to convince Harvey Bullock to switch to his side and rid himself of corruption, and the pair arrest Peter Gordon on charges of corruption and conspiracy to commit murder. Gordon waits for Batman up on the roof of GCPD, hearing reports of a TV news station hijacking.