Gotham Knights: Easter Eggs and DC References in “Of Butchers and Betrayals”

Gotham Knights was back last night with a new episode. Titled “Of Butchers and Betrayals,” the episode pushed the story forward at a pretty fast pace and, as with the first three episodes, it was loaded with Easter eggs and references for comic book geeks and other longtime DC fans to latch onto. In the episode, “after discovering some potential leads in their investigation, Turner (Oscar Morgan) and Harper (Fallon Smythe) investigate a possible connection between Bruce Wayne’s death and the mysterious death of a lawyer. Meanwhile, Carrie (Navia Robinson) and Duela (Olivia Rose Keegan) head to a nursing home to question Eunice (guest  star Veronica Cartwright). At the Belfry, Stephanie (Anna Lore) opens up to Cullen (Tyler DiChiara) about her life at home, while Harvey (Misha Collins) makes an unsettling discovery.”

Like all the Arrowverse shows, Gotham Knights hails from Berlanti Productions, which means it’s being made by people who really love the comic book source material. Executive producers Natalie Abrams, James Stoteraux, and Chad Fiveash have provided ComicBook.com with a guide to the Easter eggs and DC Comics references found in the episode. On Wednesday morning, check back for a rundown of next week’s episode, which airs on Tuesday, April 11th.

You can check out the full list below, after the show’s official synopsis.

Batman is dead, and a powder keg has ignited Gotham City without the Dark Knight to protect it. In the wake of Bruce Wayne’s murder, his adopted son Turner Hayes (Oscar Morgan, ‘De Son Vivant”) is framed for killing the Caped Crusader, along with the children of some of Batman’s enemies: Duela (Olivia Rose Keegan, “Days of Our Lives”), an unpredictable fighter and skilled thief who was born in Arkham Asylum and abandoned by her father, Harper Row (Fallon Smythe, “grown-ish”), a streetwise and acerbic engineer who can fix anything, and her brother Cullen Row (Tyler DiChiara, “The Virgin of Highland Park”), a clever transgender teen who is tired of being polite and agreeable. With the charismatic and hard-charging District Attorney Harvey Dent (Misha Collins, “Supernatural”) and the GCPD hot on their trail, Turner will rely on allies including his best friend and formidable coder Stephanie Brown (Anna Lore, “All American”), and unlikely Batman sidekick Carrie Kelley (Navia Robinson, “Raven’s Home”). But our Knights will soon learn there is a larger, more nefarious force at work within Gotham City. This team of mismatched fugitives must band together to become its next generation of saviors known as the GOTHAM KNIGHTS.

From Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Gotham Knights is written by Chad Fiveash, James Stoteraux and Natalie Abrams. Fiveash and Stoteraux will serve as showrunners and executive produce the series alongside Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter. Abrams also serves as co-executive producer. Danny Cannon directed and served as an executive producer on the pilot, along with David Madden. Gotham Knights is based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.

Gotham Knights airs on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW, following new episodes of Superman & Lois.

Alan Wayne reprise

The man running frantically through the park asking for help at the beginning of the episode is directly inspired by Alan Wayne doing the same on the pages of Batman: Court of Owls.

Robinson Park

The opening takes place in Robinson Park, a location from the comics.

Editor’s Note: Robinson Park is named for veteran Batman artist Jerry Robinson, best known as the co-creator of The Joker.

Two-Face

twoLincoln, running against Harvey for mayor, accuses him of being hypocritical as Harvey states he wants to fix Gotham, but has failed to capture the Knights. Lincoln asks, “Is that what Gotham needs? Just another two-faced politician?” A clear nod to Harvey’s alter ego, Two-Face.

Iceberg Lounge

iceWhile mocking Stephanie, Harper says, “Should get you an open mic at the Iceberg Lounge.” The Iceberg Lounge is a trendy nightclub in Gotham City and has historically served as The Penguin’s base of operations.

Talon

The Talon is revealed to be Felix Harmon AKA “The Butcher of Gotham,” one of the many Talons introduced in the Talon comic book series. His method of using knives on The Court’s victims is inspired by Batman’s “Court of Owls” run, specifically Issue #1.

Gotham Gazette

Commissioner Soto mentions “the Gazette.” She’s referring to the Gotham Gazette, the city’s newspaper, which has been part of the Batman mythos since the 40s.

Haly’s Circus

Duela mentions that Felix was a performer in Haly’s Circus. In the comics, the circus’ most famous act was the Flying Graysons, which included Dick Grayson, who would go on to become Robin.

For the Birds

The costume worn by Veronica Cartwright as Eunice Monroe is a direct nod to one of the costumes she wore in her iconic role as Cathy Brenner in The Birds (1963) when she was just a teen.