If you’re a fan of DC Comics, you’ve probably heard of some of the fictional cities that serve as the backdrop for many of the publisher’s most iconic stories.
From the dark and gritty streets of Gotham City to the futuristic metropolis of Metropolis, these cities are as much a part of the DC Universe as the superheroes who protect them.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most famous fictional cities in DC Comics and explore why they’re such an important part of the comic book world.
Fictional cities have long been a staple of comic book storytelling, allowing writers and artists to create unique and interesting settings for their characters to inhabit.
In the DC Universe, these cities are often just as important as the heroes themselves, reflecting the world they live in and the challenges they face.
Whether it’s the corrupt and crime-ridden streets of Gotham or Metropolis’s bright and hopeful future, these cities are essential to the DC Comics experience.
So, if you’re a fan of comic books and superheroes or just interested in exploring the rich and varied world of DC Comics, join us as we take a closer look at some of the most famous fictional cities in the DC Universe.
From the dark and dangerous streets of Gotham to the high-flying adventures of Metropolis, these cities are sure to capture your imagination and leave you wanting more.
1. Metropolis
Metropolis is one of the fictional cities in DC Comics and is the home of Superman.
It is usually portrayed as a major city in the Northeast, sharing various qualities with New York City.
The city is known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets.
The city’s most famous resident, Clark Kent, works as a reporter for the Daily Planet, one of the city’s major newspapers.
The newspaper is often a focal point of storylines in the Superman comics.
Metropolis is also home to one of Superman’s greatest foes, Lex Luthor.
Luthor is a billionaire businessman who runs LexCorp, one of the largest corporations in the world.
He is often depicted as a ruthless and cunning villain who will stop at nothing to defeat Superman.
Metropolis has been the scene of many battles between Superman and his enemies throughout the comics.
The city has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, but it always manages to recover.
In addition to Superman and Lex Luthor, Metropolis is also home to other notable characters, such as Lana Lang, a childhood friend of Clark Kent’s, who later becomes a rival reporter for the Daily Planet.
Overall, Metropolis is a vibrant and dynamic city that serves as the backdrop for many of Superman’s adventures.
2. Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional city located in New Jersey, and it is the home of the famous superhero Batman and his allies and foes.
The city is known for its Gothic architecture, skyscrapers, and dark alleys, making it the perfect setting for crime and corruption.
Wayne Enterprises, the company owned by Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, is headquartered in Gotham City.
The company is a major player in the city’s economy and is involved in various industries, including technology, finance, and transportation.
The city is also known for its infamous villains, including the Joker, who is Batman’s arch-nemesis.
The Joker is a psychopathic criminal known for his clown-like appearance and twisted sense of humor.
He is responsible for many of the city’s crimes and is a constant threat to Batman and the people of Gotham City.
Batman’s secret hideout, the Batcave, is located beneath Wayne Manor, which is situated on the outskirts of Gotham City.
The Batcave is equipped with advanced technology and serves as Batman’s headquarters, where he plans his missions and stores his equipment.
Batgirl, also known as Barbara Gordon, is another ally of Batman who operates in Gotham City. She is a skilled hacker and fighter who helps Batman in his fight against crime.
In conclusion, Gotham City is a dark and dangerous place filled with crime and corruption.
However, it is also the home of some of the greatest superheroes and villains in the DC Universe.
Batman and his allies continue to fight against the city’s criminal underworld, making Gotham City a place worth fighting for.
3. Central City
Central City is a fictional city in the DC Comics universe. It is the home of the superhero Flash, also known as Barry Allen.
The city is located across the Missouri River from Keystone City, Kansas, and was founded in the 19th century as an important stop for cattle drives.
Central City has been vaguely defined over the years, similar to other fictional cities in the DC universe, such as Gotham City and Metropolis.
In the 1970s, Central City was stated as being located in Ohio, where the real-world city of Athens, Ohio, would be.
The city is known for its high crime rate, which is why it needs more than just a costumed hero. It needs hope, as stated by Iris West.
In addition to the Flash, Central City is also home to S.T.A.R. Labs, a scientific research facility that often assists the Flash in his crime-fighting endeavors.
The city is also home to the Flash Museum, a museum dedicated to the Flash and his many adventures.
The museum features exhibits of the Flash’s various villains and his allies in the Justice League.
Overall, Central City is a city in need of a hero, and the Flash is just the hero it needs.
With his superhuman speed and quick thinking, he is able to protect the citizens of Central City from all manner of threats.
4. Star City
Star City is a fictional city in the DC Universe and is the traditional home of the superhero Green Arrow.
The city has been called by different names in various adaptations, including Starling City, which was used in the early seasons of the CW’s Arrow.
Star City was founded by Colonel Jeb Star in the year 1797 as Fort Plymouth.
It grew into a prosperous trading community in the early half of the 19th century, luring prospectors from Canada to ply their trades.
With the establishment of the continental railroad system in the 1860s, the city became a bustling tech hub.
Star City has been the site of many important events in the comics, including the formation of the Teen Titans and the Young Justice teams.
Green Arrow, also known as Oliver Queen, has been a prominent figure in the city’s history, fighting crime and corruption as a vigilante.
Some notable locations in Star City include:
- Queen Industries: a multinational conglomerate founded by the Queen family, which has been a major player in the city’s economy.
- Sherwood Florist: a flower shop owned by Oliver Queen’s girlfriend Dinah Lance, also known as Black Canary.
- The Arrowcave: Green Arrow’s secret base of operations, located beneath the city.
- The Glades: a run-down part of the city that has been plagued by crime and poverty.
Star City is a vibrant and complex city in the DC Universe, with a rich history and many important characters and events.
5. Coast City
Coast City is a fictional city located in California, USA, and is one of the prominent locations in DC Comics.
It is the home of the Silver Age version of the superhero Green Lantern, Hal Jordan.
The city is often depicted as a bustling metropolis with a population of around 675,000 people.
Ferris Aircraft, one of the largest employers in Coast City, is owned by Carol Ferris, a recurring love interest of Hal Jordan.
Green Lantern is the most famous hero associated with Coast City.
Hal Jordan, a former test pilot, was chosen by the Guardians of the Universe to be the Green Lantern of Sector 2814, which includes Earth.
Hal Jordan’s adventures often take him to Coast City, where he battles a variety of villains, including Hector Hammond and Sinestro.
Coast City has also been the base of operations for the Justice Society of America, a team of superheroes that includes Hawkman.
The team has used the city as a headquarters for their missions and has been involved in several battles to protect the city and its inhabitants.
In conclusion, Coast City is an important location in the DC Comics universe.
It has been the setting for many memorable stories featuring Green Lantern, the Justice Society of America, and other DC heroes.
6. Smallville
Smallville is a fictional town in the DC Comics universe. It is the childhood hometown of Superman, also known as Clark Kent.
Smallville was first introduced in Superboy #2 in May 1949. The town is located in the state of Kansas and is the setting of many Superboy comics where he defends Smallville from various threats.
Smallville’s economy mostly consists of locally owned businesses and farms surrounding the town, including the Kent Family Farm.
Settled during the days of western expansion in the mid-1800s, Smallville is one of many unexceptional agricultural communities in Kansas.
Smallville has been featured in various DC Comics adaptations, including the television series “Smallville” that aired from 2001 to 2011.
In the series, Smallville is depicted as a small town with a population of around 25,000 people.
The show follows the life of Clark Kent as he grows up in Smallville and eventually becomes Superman.
In addition to Superman, other DC Comics characters have ties to Smallville. Supergirl, also known as Kara Zor-El, has visited Smallville on several occasions.
In the “Supergirl” series, Kara’s adoptive sister, Alex Danvers, works for CatCo Worldwide Media, a media conglomerate based in National City, California.
CatCo is a major media outlet in the DC Comics universe and has reported on events in Smallville.
7. Blüdhaven
Blüdhaven is a fictional city in DC Comics, located near Gotham City.
The city has a worse crime rate than Gotham, and organized crime syndicates have a strong presence in the city.
The city was originally a whaling town but failed efforts to transform it into a manufacturing and shipping center led to a generally poor socio-economic populace.
Blüdhaven is both south of and located close or adjacent to Gotham City, home to Batman.
After Nightwing split from Batman, he took up residence in Blüdhaven, establishing himself as its protector.
The city is also home to the superhero team, the Teen Titans, who have their headquarters in the city.
In the DC Animated Universe, Blüdhaven was the location of the Meta-Brawl Glamor-Slam, a fighting competition for metahumans organized by Roulette.
Black Canary and Green Arrow eventually shut the competition down.
Blüdhaven has also been featured in other media, including the video game DC Universe Online, where it is described as a former whaling town turned city with a generally poor socio-economic populace.
The town has a worse crime rate than Gotham, and organized crime syndicates have a strong presence in the city.
8. Keystone City
Keystone City is a fictional city in the DC Universe located in the United States of America.
The city is home to the Flash, one of DC’s most popular superheroes.
Keystone City is often depicted as a bustling metropolis with a population of over 200,000 people.
The city is known for its high-tech industry and is home to several large corporations, including S.T.A.R. Labs.
Keystone City is also home to a number of notable landmarks, such as the Keystone Bridge, which spans the Keystone River.
One of the city’s most notable features is its close proximity to Central City, the home of the Flash’s predecessor, Jay Garrick.
A body of water separates the two cities and is often depicted as sister cities.
Despite their close relationship, Keystone City and Central City have distinct cultures and identities.
Keystone City has been featured in numerous DC Comics titles, including The Flash, Justice Society of America, and Birds of Prey.
The city has also been featured in other media, such as the Arrowverse television series.
Keystone City is a must-visit location if you’re a fan of the Flash or the DC Universe.
With its high-tech industry, notable landmarks, and close relationship with Central City, Keystone City is a vibrant and exciting location that will capture your imagination.
9. Midway City
Midway City is a fictional city in the DC Universe and the home of the superhero Hawkman.
The city is based in Chicago, Illinois, and is located in the Midwestern United States.
Midway City is known for its large historical museum, which is run by Carter Hall, who is also the superhero Hawkman.
The population of Midway City is estimated to be around 800,000 citizens, according to the 1990 census.
The city has been featured in various comic book titles published by DC Comics, including “The Brave and the Bold” and “Hawkman.
In the DC Extended Universe, Midway City was featured in the film “Suicide Squad.”
The city was depicted as a metropolis with a dark and gritty atmosphere and was overrun by supernatural creatures. The Suicide Squad was sent in to clean up the mess and save the city.
Overall, Midway City is an important location in the DC Universe and has been a key setting for many storylines involving Hawkman and other superheroes.
10. National City
National City is a fictional city in the DC Universe, located in California.
It is the home of Kara Zor-El, also known as Supergirl and the Department of Extranormal Operations (DEO) headquarters. The city was first introduced in Adventure Comics #252 in 1958.
National City is a major center for technology and commerce, with many large corporations headquartered there.
It is also a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, parks, and cultural attractions. The National City Airport and the National City Port serve the city.
In the DC Comics television series Supergirl, National City is depicted as a bustling metropolis with a diverse population and a thriving arts scene.
The city is also a hub for extraterrestrial activity, with many alien races living among the human population.
If you are a fan of Supergirl, National City is a must-visit location in the DC Universe.
Whether you are interested in the city’s history, culture, or extraterrestrial activity, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
