Gotham: Exclusive First Look At Captain Barnes As The Executioner

“I am judge, jury, and executioner.”

When Captain Nathaniel Barnes (played by Michael Chiklis) was introduced in the first-half of Gotham‘s second season, he was a by-the-book cop committed to cleaning up the city and its corrupt police force while hewing to the strictest codes of conduct. And while he often butted heads with Jim Gordon, he also was a mentor and a father figure to the young detective. Plus, his unwavering moral code showed Gordon that you can make a positive impact on the city without resorting to bribery, extortion, and questionable alliances with the underworld.

However, once Barnes was infected with the Alice Tetch virus, it brought the darkness lurking deep inside him to the surface. As Executive Producer John Stephens explains to us: “His desire for justice overwhelmed his ethical code, and transformed into the Executioner, summarily hunting down, trying and executing criminals whom he deems guilty.”

Head down to our gallery to check out exclusive images of Barnes dressed in his Executioner costume, which features a Mad Max-like leather get-up, a menacing blade replacing his left hand, and exaggerated charcoal eye makeup that reminds me of Daryl Hannah’s look for Priscilla “Pris” Stratton in Blade Runner.

You’ll have to tune in this Monday to see Barnes transformation, though I’m sure Indian Hill mad scientist Dr. Hugo Strange is to blame.

In the comics, Batman and Robin fought a criminal who used the identity of the Executioner. His real name was Willy Hooker and worked at a carnival. To make an extra buck, he would break criminals out of jail and then kill them so that he could collect the reward money. He only appeared in one issue: Detective Comics #191 (January 1953).

Gordon discovers the weapon the Court of Owls will use to destroy Gotham, which leads him on a dangerous path as he tracks it down. Meanwhile, Kathryn (guest star Leslie Hendrix) and Temple Shaman (guest star Raymond J. Barry) reveal their next move to Bruce, and Ivy comes to Selina’s aid.

The regular cast features Ben McKenzie as Detective James Gordon, Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock, David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne, Morena Baccarin as Leslie Thompkins, Sean Pertwee as Alfred, Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, Erin Richards as Barbara Kean, Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle/the future Catwoman, Cory Michael Smith as Edward Nygma/the future Riddler, Jessica Lucas as Tabitha Galavan, Chris Chalk as Lucius Fox, Drew Powell as Butch Gilzean, Maggie Geha as the future Poison Ivy, Michael Chiklis as Detective Nathaniel Barnes, and Benedict Samuel as Mad Hatter.

The guest cast includes Leslie Hendrix as Kathryn, Camila Perez as Firefly, Raymond J. Barry as Temple Shaman, and BD Wong as Professor Hugo Strange.

The all-new “Heroes Rise: Light The Wick” episode of Gotham will air Monday, May 15 at 8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT on FOX.

MORE: Gotham Recap With Spoilers: ‘The Primal Riddle’ / Gotham Finally Gives Selina Her Catwoman Origin / Gotham Reveals [SPOILER] Is Dying