FOX's breakout series "Gotham" based on DC Comics' iconic superhero Batman has given fans ten episodes to learn the history of the dark knight and the major players in the city of Gotham.

The lead protagonist of the series is rookie detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie), and viewers walk with him as embarks upon his first year with the corrupt Gotham City Police Department.

Gordon initially appears to be the singular "white hat" in a town that thrives on politics and power, and he is forced into an uphill battle as he attempts to solve cases and clean up the city. He's partnered with the crooked detective Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), who encourages Gordon to "get with the program," but Gordon is simply too good to go bad. He can't even kill Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor), nicknamed Penguin, to save his own life.

Cobblepot, however, proves to be ruthlessly driven, devious and one of the most interesting characters on the series. He's quickly elevated from his position as an totter for Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) to nearly being fish food at the hand of Gordon to being big fish as a secondhand to mob boss Salvatore Maroni (David Zayas).

Carmine Falcone (John Doman), who's the reigning crime boss of ridden Gotham, is at risk of being usurped by Mooney or Maroni at any given minute, except neither knows that Cobblepot is secretly working for Falcone and helping him to keep his throne. Mooney, who's No. 2 to Carmine, looks to step into his shoes and seize his power. A character that is violent and unpredictable, she's tirelessly works toward Falcone's demise, even hiring actors to play a part in his life to do so.

Through an effort to find out who killed the parents of the young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz), Gordon realizes that depravity enlivens the city of Gotham. And the further he looks into the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, the further the team seems to walk into the dark heart of the city. The more they work the case, the more it becomes apparent that Bullock has a consciousness.

Wayne has not left the investigating to Gordon, alone. He's also actively looking to unearth the truth and unravel the mystery surrounding the murder that took place right in front of his eyes. Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee), Wayne's tough butler, is always there to help him toward the truth. Also sassy kid Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) eventually develops a close relationship with Wayne after facing a few ins with the law throughout the season.

The midseason finale ends with Gordon being reassigned to Arkham Asylum, which will likely a number of known villains from the woodworks. Fans have already been introduced to Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) aka The Riddler, Selina Kyle aka Catwoman, The Penguin, Harvey Dent aka Face, Victor Zsasz and Crispus Allen. During the second half of the first series, there will be more villains and a new love interest for Gordon.