Is Harvey Bullock A Dirty Cop? | Batman The Animated Series

[@Lionstar16]

I'll always love Alfred's description of Bullock - "The detective who looks like an unmade bed?!" lol

[@SerumLake]

Ripped straight from Chuck Dixon’s comic, but in that version it was Tim Drake that dropped that perfect description.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

"Unmade mattress", more like.

[@joeofmacabre07]

Isn't that Lt. Columbo's title? 😂

[@The-Endo-SymArmor]

​@@joeofmacabre07lord have mercy😂😂😂😂

[@iseehowitis9382]

​@@michaelandreipalon359 that's the same thing 🤦

[@WarhawkBeyond2040]

I never looked at Bullock as a dirty cop, he's more of a soiled one who has old school values and still believes that the police stands for something which is part of the reason why he hates Batman because of the fact that he's a vigilante who operates outside of the law. He is an honest cop and a true pro but deep down, he actually respects Batman for what he does for Gotham but won't admit it, I like to think that Bullock became commissioner after Jim Gordon retired in the pre Beyond years and actually worked alongside Batman during that time. Loved Bullock on the show

[@SerumLake]

I find myself getting frustrated with all of those copy and paste wikis. I have yet to find any examples of pre-crisis or post crisis Bullock taking a bribe.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

​@@SerumLakeFandom the site conglomerate's the devil, I'll say. Here's to hoping we get a wiki renaissance based on the unaffiliated Transformers and Doom wikis.

[@Steve_P_B]

If you've ever seen Life On Mars, he seems very similar to DCI Gene Hunt, not corrupt but isn't afraid to do some things that are not quite officially allowed in order to get results.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

Bullock makes me think of Dan Turpin, may he rest in comic book peace.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

@michaelandreipalon, i’ve said the same thing about Fandom. There were so many good independent websites before that monstrosity. And so many people were much more articulate and insightful in their commentaries. Now most of it is completely dumbed down.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

He's only Dirty if you put a comma between the words Dirty and Cop. Dude's personal hygiene is god awful but he's one serious cop. That much is true.

[@SerumLake]

Perfect summary!

[@RikouHogashi]

so Literally then

[@bluesnake1713]

Quotation. Not commas. But yeah. Dirty in hygiene that he be a dirty cop in sanitation. But not the kind of dirty in corruption.

[@Nick_C1997]

Honesty, the idea that Bullock WAS originally a dirty cop that was trying to sabotage Gordon, only to have a change of heart when he accidentally put Gordon in the hospital, is a very cool story element that I hope a future film or television adaptation will use

[@giraffedragon6110]

I wonder if that’ll happen in caped crusader? Or if he’ll stay dirty.

[@tm4everme]

Caped Crusader's Bullock: as corrupt as one can get

[@Nick_C1997]

@ Yes, but I’m not sure if he’s gonna end up having the redemption story

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

I actually really like Bullock in BTAS. He's hard-edged, short-tempered, kind of a jerk, and his dislike and distrust of Batman comes just as much from jealousy at the attention he gets as it does from him being outside the law, but he's not a bad person. He can be petty and he antagonizes Batman, but he does uphold the law. He might break rules, but he won't break the law, nor will he ever break his own moral code. He's possibly the most nuanced character in the entire series and he adds a lot to it.

[@SerumLake]

I am also a big fan of this version of the character. He's criminally underused in the comics!

[@midshipman8654]

yah, its like the idea of the guy whos completely not heroic in looks and character and attitude, but when it comes down to it, he stands for what he thinks is right.

[@baldrian22]

it is understandable that bullock is not a fan of batman. aftherall batman DO commit crimes like assult (quite severe assults to even when it is aigenst crimials) torture (breaking fingers, stomping on people hands, holding people by the ancle over a several story hige building) property destruction and several other crimes. in the comic book where joker gets sane its revealed that batmans antics costs like several billion dollars pr year or atleast 100s of millions (Yea its all paid be bruce but still it shows the extent of damage done when batman fight supervilans and regular villans etc) do batmans antics help? Yes, but it is still crimes. who knows how many have died from the fallout of some of the battles. its the same with other heros, in some of supermans fights there is most likely thousands if not tens of thousands people that died from buildings beeing destroyed etc. also the insurance raitings must be of the roof in methropolis because unlike batman, superman is NOT a extremly wealthy person.

[@MithrilRoshi]

@@SerumLake Honestly tho I do wish they gave him back his movie hobby. Hobbies really do enhance chars even more. something 'outside' of what they do. A epic scene of him and batman talking over old films, maybe even mentioning the one he saw when his perants were killed? Damn, so much link to drama.

[@SerumLake]

@@MithrilRoshi I think I prefer BTAS Bullock being married to his job, with absolutely nothing else in his life. It’s an interesting parallel with Batman.

[@CapnAlces]

It occurs to me that Bullock is yet another excellent foil for Batman. Both men bend and even break the law in pursuit of their morals, hoping their actions will ultimately uphold a system of law and order more ethical than their own actions. But in different ways, maybe different degrees. Hardboiled, rough edged detectives with hearts of gold, doing the dirty work they hope no one else has to. Maybe they don't get along because they're just so much alike.

[@JoeSyxpack]

Yeah, I always figured Bats and Bullock shared a very similar set of morals that drove them. It's only their methods that causes them to butt heads. Bullock is also one of the characters in TAS that Batman never really figures out, still considering that he could be a crooked cop, possibly because Bullock is such a grimy mirror of himself.

[@zemox2534]

Bullock is one of my favourite supporting characters in Gotham, right behind Alfred. He may look shady, but Harvey Bullock is a good guy. Even if he rarely shows it. My favourite Bullock moment was from Holiday Knights, where he and Renee are on a stakeout at a mall during Christmas. And Harvey is Santa. He meets a girl who's father he arrested a few years ago, and feel guilty when she asks him to bring her dad home For Christmas. He gives her some money so she can buy her dad a gift. It was a very sweet and wholesome moment and shows that Bullock has a big heart. I do wish TAS further explored the relationship between Harvey and Commissioner Gordon. Especially considering the fact that Gordon is rarely the focus of an episode (I am the Night does not count as it focused more on Bruce and his guilt).

[@keithtorgersen9664]

Harvey mentions that her dad was a crook that he put away. You’re right that it’s pretty heartwarming.

[@ethribin4188]

Bulloks isthe opposit of "youre a bad guy, But that doesnt mean youre a bad, guy." He's fully on the side of the law and his morals are pure. His approaches and person are what are troublesome.

[@ScrambledAndBenedict]

It's a small moment, but my favorite Bullock moment is from Shadow of the Bat. Where Gordon has been arrested on charges of taking bribes. Bullock is the only person who takes Barbara aside and reassures her that everything will be okay and that he knows her dad is innocent. It's just a really sweet moment that really shows just how nice the guy actually can be.

[@sporf_sporf]

If I recall correctly, pre 52 Bullock also became a private eye after Gordon got shot, but the shooter was in witness protection so Harvey couldn't arrest him. It heavily implied that he then tipped off the mob as to the guys location and this incident is what got him removed from the force. In BtAS it definitely felt like Bullock was resentful of how how short a leash he felt he was kept on while Batman ran unfettered. Whereas in reality Gordon gave him a lot more leeway than he probably should have, because it did get results.

[@SerumLake]

There’s a really great arc in Gotham Central where Bullock reappears, investigating the death of some high school kids. He’s a massive alcoholic by this time and blames The Penguin for the kids’ death but, for once, Cobblepot was innocent. It’s a shame they didn’t do more with PI Bullock. Although he is now a private investigator again, after Jim Gordon resigned.

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

@@SerumLakeThat same _Gotham Central_ storyarc confirmed that Harvey doxxed Gordon’s shooter Jordan Rich and tipped off the mob whoch caused Jordan Rich’s murder. Renee Montoya confronts him about it, and later in a drunken guilty suicidal episode Harvey says that Renee was right. That storyarc is titled _Unresolved_ BTW.

[@angrytheclown801]

Harvey is vital for the Batfamily. He's a hard boiled honest detective and cop, but even more importantly, he's the much needed counter-measure. Gordon is close to Bats, maybe too close. Harvey wouldn't hesitate to arrest any of them, and that's an important ethical check Bruce needs.

[@soupermoviecritic8511]

Harvey was never a dirty cop. He just wanted to get the job done, even if that meant bending the rules. Totally understand why he wasn’t crazy about Batman getting involved with Police work and he’s right. But he was never corrupted. Hope he shows up in Matt Reeves The Batman sequel.

[@FanaticMitchell1]

Typo

[@soupermoviecritic8511]

@@FanaticMitchell1 thanks.

[@qwopiretyu]

The Batman is getting a sequel?

[@Relichunters01]

​@@qwopiretyuyep, and spinoffs.

[@TBDF12]

Breaking the law as a cop to do what ever you want, is still a crime and definitely makes someone a dirty cop

[@TheSSGDTheory]

I can't help but feel that Harvey Bullock is the "Fred Flintstone" of BTAS. The simmilarities are there on point.

[@goldman77700]

Gave me Jameson vibes from the Spiderman Animated show from 1990s. Dicks with hearts of gold.

[@stevetheduck1425]

So.. based upon that guy from the old TV show 'The Honeymooners'?

[@TheSSGDTheory]

Bang, zoom, straight to the moon. (yes.)@@stevetheduck1425

[@AdamMichalMarkowski]

I will never unsee it now, thanks!

[@oz_jones]

Yabba-dabba do not move, you're under arrest!

[@l-wolverine2211]

It’s too bad we never saw any more of Harvey Bullock after BTAS. He was more of a cop than other cops, including Chief Angel Rojas.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

That may be so, but at least he got enough spotlights over the course of B: TAS/TNBA, S: TAS, Static Shock, and Mystery of the Batwoman. In the meantime, still bummed that he effectively overshadowed Renee Montoya.

[@hafirenggayuda]

Tbf, while he's a good cop despite his shortcomings, he's not really that good with his police jobs.

[@michaelnally2841]

I think he was in the Gotham series and he was in the Batman Arkham origins game with his voice actor from Btas reprising his role.

[@jackofallclaws6672]

This might sound dumb but considering comic Harvey’s love for cinema, I now really want to see him and Clayface be paired up for a story. Picture this: Matt/Basil gets released from prison as part of a new Wayne Industries reform program and Bullock gets assigned as his parol officer. At first, they absolutely hate each other…until one day, Harv is eating lunch or is just sitting in a park with Clayface and starts humming (or whistling) a tune from an old flick (New York, New York, Moon River, Singing in The Rain take your pick). At first; Matt/Basil just looks at him in utter disbelief…up until he decides to join in. I wouldn’t expect them to instantly become best friends or anything, at the very least, they might bond over their shared love of movies, maybe talk about favorite actors or maybe swap stories of their own personal experiences with the cinema. Just a fun little story idea I had.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

My pick would be Sullivan's Travels.

[@jordanloux3883]

To go a bit further, Basil is close friends with Cassandra Cain, having helped her learn to speak through reciting Shakespeare. Basil trusting the bats could be the step Harvey finally needs to put an end to his distrust of the group and finally be a full ally, though he'd still keep an eye on them...

[@keithharrissuwignjo2460]

If it doesn't exist make fanfiction of it

[@bitterzombie]

When I was a little kid I always thought Bullock was a crooked cop. The main reason for this was that he wears a hat that is similar to those worn by the faceless "bad guys" in the opening sequence, which always made me suspicious that he was working with them

[@EliteEasyE]

Harvey is dope. I love his character. He looks like an unmade bed. It's charming.

[@WillScarlet16]

Bullet for Bullock is, to me, the most Noir of the episodes, not just because of the jazzy score and the villain modeled after Lee Marvin, but because it's the most downbeat. The reveal of his landlord at the end seems like it should be funny, but somehow it isn't. Even Batman rejects Bullock's offer of friendliness in the end, and Bullock is left alone with nothing but Nivens as a reminder of what an unpleasant person he is.

[@JoseMorales-lw5nt]

At the end of the day, the man has a heart of gold. Bullock is like a stubborn bulldog that's just looking to do good and genuinely cares about those around him. Need proof? THE MAN WHO KILLED BATMAN. It's safe to surmise that most folks know he really didn't die in the episode. But for the brief time we think he's gone, another side of Bullock is revealed. When he has to relay the situation to Montoya, look and listen to Harvey. That scene by the holding cells reveals that Bullock seriously respected Batman. He's actually hurt by the news of Batman's supposed demise. Even telling Montoya that the Commissioner wasn't taking the news well. God, what that scene in his office would have looked like...❤

[@SerumLake]

Great point.

[@The_Phantasm]

Robert Costanzo as Harvey Bullock is one of the greatest pitch-perfect castings for any comic book character to the point where his voice is inseparable from the character. Unrelated but when I first watched it I was conviced that he also voiced Detective Sam Burke in Todd McFarlane's Spawn but I was shocked to learn that it wasn't him and it was James Keane. Probably because both Harvey Bullock and Sam Burke are such similar characters with such similar designs and both Robert Costanzo and James Keane sound so much alike but I was genuinely certain that it was him. Did you think so when you first watched it?

[@SerumLake]

I didn’t think that the voices were the same, but I can totally see why someone might think that. In fact, the more I think about it, I’m surprised I never conflated the two, because they do sound so similar!

[@avace917]

I also didn't think that despite the 2 shows having a few of the same staff. I can definitely hear the similarities

[@michaelandreipalon359]

I really need to rewatch that show again. Bummed that it never got another season, but at least it didn't end on a pesky unresolved cliffhanger a la The Spectacular Spider-Man and maybe Young Justice.

[@robertrogers074]

It blew my mind hearing his voice in Arkham origins.

[@robertrogers074]

@@bostonrailfan2427 i know who she is. But I was referring to that I hearing that bullock's voice actor again.

[@DFuxaPlays]

Think the best definition of Harvey is that he is 'soiled' but not dirty.

[@SerumLake]

“Soiled Harvey” is how I’m going to refer to him from now on. Thanks!

[@dantetoffoletti2811]

What is 'soiled'?

[@DFuxaPlays]

@@dantetoffoletti2811 Whatever you want it to mean. But really it is a way of denoting Harvey as a cop who is neither clean or dirty.

[@SerumLake]

@@dantetoffoletti2811 it means slightly unclean, but it can also be a polite way of saying someone has pooped themselves!

[@dantetoffoletti2811]

Thanks 😃

[@erikthomsen4768]

Something interesting to consider that corrupt has another meaning than someone who sells out to others. His police brutality skirt the line with the very laws he has sworn to uphold. In my culture that would make him morally corrupt. But that would also extend to Jim Gordon, one of the most honorable and righteous men in Gotham because he permits Batman to operate outside the law.

[@reddeadspartan]

That's very true, but considering how dangerous Gotham generally is depicted I think most of us readers/viewers give the GCPD some leeway in that regard.

[@SerumLake]

Great observation, and something I hadn’t really considered before.

[@Blackferret66]

Bullock is probably, outside of Gordon, the most honest cop in Gotham. Some might argue he's more honest in that he doesn't tolerate vigilantes. He's not dirty, he's just not gentle when he does his laundry.

[@Jonathan-A.C.]

Perfect description

[@cerberus144]

Dirty: As in corrupt and doesn't follow the law to the letter. No, Dirty: As in every shirt he owns is stained and smells of old coffee. Yes.

[@juliantapia1407]

I don't know that he's the kind to plant evidence, but he's definitely the kind to shoot first and ask questions later if all signs are pointing towards Guilty. He's got that mix of Old Guard Dog combined with Green Horn with a bit of that jaded edge that i think comes with the territory for all Gotham law enforcement. He's kept on a relatively tight leash by Gordon, and it's justified, but i legit think he wants Gotham to be better and cleaner, and would sacrifice his own image to do it, but makes no bones about how much of a pain in the ass the whole thing is.

[@SerumLake]

I completely agree with you

[@PleromaticCipher]

Is Bullock a "bad cop?" Yeah cause he does typical "bad cop" stuff but he still upholds the law, even if he's rough around the edges. I even noticed this about Bullock when I played DC Universe Online as Bullock isn't too happy about more "costumed freaks" running around Gotham. But he has to accept our help, especially in regards to the Poison Ivy mission. He bailed knowing he'd be cheesed if he went after Pamela Iseley lol. But seriously, what kinda whacko called him a corrupt cop? Calling Bullock a corrupt cop is like calling Bruce Wayne a heartless man and murderer. (Looking at you both, Scott Synder and Zack Synder)

[@ckenshin3841]

I saw Harvey Bullock as a "dirty cop", but more like a cop that wasn't afraid of getting his hands dirty or pushing boundaries to ultimately do good rather than for his own needs

[@fortcastellan1730]

Having known Bullock only from the show, I was surprised by the roll he had in the Road to No Man's Land Omnibus that I bought. He was a badass in those comics! Ripped a piece of rebar out of his own arm at patched it himself. Made a Rourke's Drift style last stand in a besieged hospital. And was actually portrayed as a funny guy in one book... So, yeah, a cool character, and the whole 'dirty cop' rep is unfair...

[@marcharkness6101]

I would also like to mention two other BTAS episodes: One where Batman is presumed to have been killed and Bullock regretfully tells Montoya sending her to check on and provide emotional support for Commissioner Gordon, something Bullock knows he's bad at while Bullock figures he'll start trying to bust some answers out on the person responsible before 'Harley Quinn' arrives posing as a lawyer to 'save' Bullock's target for interrogation. The other was where Batman was being tossed bound into a tank with a man-eating shark. Bullock objects aghast that 'Batman doesn't stand a chance'. demonstrating he actually does care. Not that he wants to admit it.

[@MichaelHeide]

I think people are confusing Bullock with the very corrupt Detective Flass in Batman Begins. When Nolan cast Mark Boone jr. in the role, Flass was changed from David Mazzuchelli's year one design to, well, something of a Bullock lookalike. To a casual viewer, that made it easy to conflate the two.

[@DissertatingMedieval]

They do something similar with Max Eckhardt in the 1987 movie.

[@geronimus-prime]

Magnificent! Thank you for being the comics explainer. I'd always taken Bullock to be BTAS's tribute to the 1989 film's Eckhardt (who was definitely on the take), but I stand corrected. I remember when I first watched _On Leather Wings._ (On its original air date.) At the time, I felt the conflict ramping up between Batman and Bullock would be the lynchpin of the series. One of the few ways BTAS disappointed me was in never bringing this conflict to a final showdown. It always seemed there should be some season or series finale where Bullock elbows Commissioner Gordon aside to lead the police in a battle royale against the Batman - only for Bullock to change his mind about Batman at the eleventh hour. (And have that change be a permanent one.)

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Great as it is, B: TAS really disappoints when it comes to finishing off perceived story arcs properly, especially compared to its then-fellow Fox Kids superhero cartoon rivals X-Men and Spider-Man: The Animated Series. For once, standalone storytelling just feels a bit off. Good thing Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League+Unlimited followed up on the story arc stuff more.

[@munanchoinc]

I think whats more interesting about Bullock is that he's a more honest look of what policing actually looks like. Cold, borderline in cruel, and dirty. A contrast to commissioner Gordon who's trying his best to be the Good Cop at any situation. Their banter is what makes it interesting

[@Eye_Of_Odin978]

I mean, yeah. Policing is kind of like that because ultimately, when you work for law enforcement, 9/10 times you're not just dealing with some punk kid who's just "misguided" or whatever, you're dealing with hardened criminals with no moral compass whatsoever, many of them violent. These people, whom once again are often violent, will do ANYTHING to avoid capture and prison. Taking unnecessary risks to coddle these criminals is often dicey and I can't blame police for not always being down for it. I think we need to remember that being the "good cop" is something that can really only happen on TV and in movies because the real world isn't ideal, not even close to it like in these fictional stories. I'm not saying cops should go around breaking the rules all the time and mercilessly beat-up crimimals that have already surrendered, but there is a time where you just can't keep the kid-gloves on anymore with some career crooks, lest you get yourself or others killed.

[@DCT-tt8ib]

4:47 I’ve never heard of the “Phantasm is a prequel to BTAS” interpretation before. I’ve always interpreted Phantasm as a finale to BTAS/The Adventures of Batman and Robin, with Bruce’s encounter with the Phantasm being why he’s so much broodier in TNBA.

[@SerumLake]

I also interpreted it that way, but Kevin Altieri and Dan Riba told me that the entire film was intended to be a prequel to BTAS. Some things don't work - the bat signal debuted in The Cape and the Cowl Conspiracy, for instance - but I kinda like the idea of Phantasm being early in Batman's career.

[@tashibalampkin8555]

0:37 A perfect way to sum up Bullock.

[@benjaminfeld6388]

I always thought of Bullock as arrogant and egotistical. Definitely not one of my favorite characters in the cartoon show. But I never thought of them as corrupt. Bullock may have been antagonistic, especially when it came to Batman. But he was never an outright villain.

[@SerumLake]

Well said

[@LunaP1]

He also seems to have a "I don't care about your desire to seek vengeance, I'm following the law by the book" kind of guy while bending the rules. He didn't want Batman to be a vigilante and screw up his chances to be the one that solves the case and catches the bad guys.

[@SerumLake]

Yeah, you're right. There's definitely an element of ego.

[@benjaminfeld6388]

@@LunaP1 I was more or less my interpretation of Bullock as well. Ironically, Bullock has no qualms about bending the rules himself even when he seemingly expects other people to follow them to the letter. It's my personal opinion that Bullock's dislike of Batman simply comes from the detectives desire to hog all the glory for himself and he doesn't want some "vigilante" getting in the way. Basically, I think it's more out of pride and narcissism rather than any actual desire to follow the book. At least that's my opinion.

[@nooneinparticular5256]

"You're the new face of the department, Phelps. The modern cop who tries to understand why the perp does what he does. Me, I just drop the hammer down on the lowlifes. You crunch a roach under your heel, you don't worry about what it's feeling, you just grind it into the pavement." ―Rusty Galloway I feel that describes Bullock pretty well.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

I really wish we got those backstory elements for Bullock and Montoya from the original plans of "P.O.V.". Without them, the two sure feel like a bit two-dimensional even if notable characters, plus we may have had more DCAU Montoya screentime in the process.

[@zemox2534]

I agree.

[@goldman77700]

Yep, that's what they did for Jameson in the Spiderman cartoon a few years later. Really won me over and probably alot of other people.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

@@goldman77700 I'm always surprised at how nuanced S-M: TAS' J. Jonah Jameson is even compared to the more familiar iterations played by J.K. Simmons. Hell, he's even important enough to become Nick Fury's special operative during the hunt against Chameleon on the Season 1 finale.

[@goldman77700]

@@michaelandreipalon359 Yeah S-M had incredible amount nuance that even surpassed BTAS. Like all the different fractions fighting so it's just the hero vs the villain(s) of the day. Rewatched it a few years back with my younger bros who've never seen it before and they loved it as adults.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

@@goldman77700 And the all too common supporting character moments featuring the X-Men, Daredevil, a surprisingly still awesome "kid-friendly" Punisher, Iron Man, Blade, Doctor Strange, and so on. Even B: TAS and TNBA were shockingly limiting on special superhero appearances, what with only having Superman, Zatanna, Etrigan, and the Creeper.

[@eldritchchaosdemon117]

I like Gotham's take in Bullock. Not exactly a dirty cop, but street wise and knows the ins and outs. Starts as a somewhat mentor figure to Gordon but turns into a trusting friend, colleague, and backs up what Gordon gives out

[@langbo9999]

2:56 That actually make me sad for him It's one of the things making him happy.

[@JoeKerr-su6xf]

“Is Harvey Bullock a dirty cop?” Weeell, it wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t properly wash his ass with soap and a washcloth every time he showers

[@MarioGMan25]

You know, if Bullock appears in The Batman 2, I can see him reinterpreted as a sort of intentional Columbo parody, who grew up watching Columbo and other Detective shows and works it into his aesthetic... he just isn't as smart as Columbo, but tries his best. It keeps his love of old media, I think that's pretty charming.

[@maxburrill6192]

"Bullock is a hard man to work with and an even harder man to like, but he's a good cop." - James Gordon

[@JanetStarChild]

Damn... Seeing Harvey's priceless collection trashed and his anguished reaction to the cruel vandalism is so tragic it hurts.

[@GoblinFromOblivion]

I like his characterization in the show Gotham where he began as a corrupt cop similar to pre-crisis who took bribes and avoided big time cases that would end him up on the deep state radar but slowly became more like his post-crisis self, still sloppy and brutal in methods but loyal and respectful to his profession and friends.

[@melancholyentertainment]

I absolutely agree. And, crucially, Gordon plays a big part in that change. And by the end of the series Bullock is fiercely loyal to Jim. Hell, during the Mad Hatter arc, he was ready to die to ensure Jim was able to live and save a bunch of people against Jim’s own wishes. I think they really captured the spirit of the best parts of his character and elevated him at the same time.

[@StealthMarmot_]

I loved how they portrayed Bullock in the Gotham TV show, as a flawed and sometimes durty cop but had a good side to him that eventually surfaced. I like to think of him as being sort of like Lenny Briscoe on Law and Order. In one of the earlier episodes, Briscoe accepts free food and acts a little shady, but explains to his partner that hes ppretending to be a kind of dirty cop so that the criminals are willing to be a bit more casual and open with him. I dont think hes a great cop, but a good one who is trying his best and constantly frustrated with seemingly everyone getting away with things and having all the advantages. Stressed, overworked, and constantly having to weigh his options, hating every time he cant get things done or someone behind bars who deserves it, but also bitter and petty at times because he sometimes does come up short, and it angers him.

[@MattHunterSays]

Bullock is one of the most interesting and relatable characters in the entire Batman Animated Series. Other than Commissioner Gordon, he's the best cop in Gotham City. He puts on a front that he hates Batman, but deep down, he's envious of him. He's dealt with the same shit Batman has, and it's understandably hardened him and turned him into a physical and emotional wreck.

[@reddeadspartan]

Thank you! I always find it annoying when people say Bullock is a corrupt cop, he's a lot of things but he's not on the take. I feel like the reason wikis list him as such is a mix of his appearance (movies have bascially trained us to assume the fat slop angry cop is corrupt) and that in Batman Begins his expy character IS working for the mob.

[@SerumLake]

That was Detective Flass in Batman Begins, although I don’t blame you for thinking it was Bullock. The Flass from the comics was a big, muscular oaf, while the Batman Begins Flass was overweight and unkempt. I actually thought that the Detective that tried to beat up the Joker while he was in the interrogation room was Bullock, but that’s not true either. Maybe one day we’ll see him in live action?

[@PeterTennant]

Love to see him in the Batman 2. Maybe a mix of Earth 1 Bullock and mainly real bullock

[@AllardRT]

I think the misconception about Bullock being corrupt came from the 1989 Batman movie in which the Detective Eckhardt, an obvious Bullock stand-in, was on the take from Jack Napier.

[@keithtorgersen9664]

He already went through this when Killer Croc tried to frame him for murder. He wound up coming through clean, and no dirt came out about him, so I don't believe that he is a dirty cop.

[@PhilVillagerOffical]

and then the new show made him super duper corrupt

[@ktefccre]

I never had the impression that Bullock was corrupt. I thought he was just a cop who didn't follow procedures when apprehending bad guys. Like how Batman doesn't follow the rules but brings in the bad guys.

[@hazzboytv6568]

The dirtiest thing about bullock is the caped crusader doing him dirty

[@PallysCafe]

i hope they give him a redemption arc...

[@tylerbertram7065]

Harvey Bullock is one of my favorite characters in BTAS, he made for great comic relief and a foil to Batman.

[@SerumLake]

I really liked the end of Nothing To Fear - “your badge, eh?” 😂

[@tylerbertram7065]

​@SerumLake A Bullet for Bullock is one of my favorite episodes because of Batman and Bullocks dynamic and its hilarious ending

[@fmkellner3]

As far as rank goes, it depends on what Department you are with. A Detective is not necessarily "lower" or "higher" than a Sergeant, just different. You can be a Detective Sgt, Detective , Detective Lt, etc.,etc. as well.

[@Eye_Of_Odin978]

Yeah it's kinda clear that as a Brit he's talking out of his rear on US police ranks and job titles that he has absolutely no idea about outside of a 20-second Google search. This is why, unironically, Europeans need to shut up about American issues. They don't *live* here, how could they *possibly* know jack-squat about what *my* country needs?

[@jmace2424]

Harvey is so important because he plays “bad cop” to Gordon’s “good cop” so well.

[@samythekay]

In "The man who killed Batman" we see Bullock announcing to Montoya the news of the Batman's passing, you could imagine he wouldn't even care about the passing of the winged freak but you actually see that he's actually grieving like his fellow cops. Showing that despite him antagonizing the Batman he actually sees him as a benevolent figure.

[@autobotkirby1up]

there is a scene in the batman talltale 2nd season where you can give harv a bribe to get him to "look the other way" while bruce and two others are snooping through a crime scene. (one of them will smack harv from behind with a shovel if you don't) However its worth noting that when your talking with Gorden later on as batman he'll note that bruce wayne TRIED to bribe one of his officers. "took" the money but ultimately still told Jim the playboy was up to something.

[@PlushCherry]

i mainly remember this character from batman: mystery of batwoman. and to be honest i enjoy his not quite a clean cut, rule following cop in the batman series, i find it kinda refreshing since it gives people a personality to bounce off, creating interesting interactions.

[@mahrcheen]

His character, especially in Gotham series is so in line with Harry Du Bois from Disco Elysium. HoboCop baseball bat-man with few rules and few bones he wouldn't break. Perfect fit for Gotham environment and its thugs. In animated series he looks more well put together, not like homeless.

[@Krypton853]

He's one of my favorite characters in the Batman TAS. He doesn't like Batman, but his very loyal to the law and Jim Gordon.

[@Southern_Crusader]

I love how they made him a dirty cop but not corrupt, he’s just literally a dirty man. Kind of subverts the archetype of a corrupt cop and that to me made h more endearing as my respect for him was built up by his actions and not by how he carried himself.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

2:11 Also huh, Hill in this panel looks almost identical to Nibbons, Bullock's murderous landlord from a Bullet for Bullock.

[@burge117]

How have I only just discovered this beautiful channel 😊 I must have just binged ten videos in a row 😂 Fantastic analysis etc. The videos are brilliant ❤

[@SerumLake]

Thank you, and welcome aboard!

[@EliteEasyE]

Haha he's so good in Critters! I like Bullock in Gotham. I think they should use him more.😊

[@schneemilch908]

I watched BTAS a few weeks ago and I think in Vendetta Gordon brings Bullock on the point: "he is a difficult colleague and it is more difficult to like him, but he is a good official and not bribable". All in all he is one of my favourite characters in the series simply because he is a morally gray character.

[@Zaden_KT]

Added it in chat without realizing the comment section because it didn't load xD Anyway, I said this: When I think of Harvey, I instantly think of Gotham's interpretation and Taletale's; ​Where he is more of a cop that has been (and still going) through hard times, and we can see him in his image. But Gordon still keeps reminding him that there is hope and good on what he is doing.

[@nlm7033]

Bullock's the only decent cop in Gotham because he's the only one that doesn't default to "lol call batman"

[@thedude9941]

He has resorted to calling Batman a few times though.

[@The_Phantasm]

I saw that Randy Rogel reached out to you and that's really quite amazing. I wanted to ask if maybe when you contact him if it would be possible to also ask about the plot and production of the canceled Bane centered movie which ended up being Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero. I think you had mentioned in the past that if anyone were to know the most about it it would probably be him. I'd love if you ever talked about it because the only thing I believe I know about it other than Bane being involved is that it somehow involved a ship.

[@SerumLake]

It’s definitely on my list of things to talk about. My understanding is that the story revolves around making Bane a more Knightfall-level threat, where he relentlessly pursues Batman, and only Batman, Robin, and Batgirl working together can bring him down.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Must say, how much of this cancelled film became Mystery of the Batwoman, what with Bane appearing there?

[@SerumLake]

As far as I know, none of it, but it does seem too coincidental...

[@shewolfsiren]

In the “April Fool” trilogy, Bullock jumps the gun and wrongly accuses a certain someone of murder. When a bubblegum bomb is set off in his office with him still in it out of retaliation, not only is he humiliated in front of the entire GCPD, he’s forced to admit his oopsie to both Gordon and Batman. And while the Joker is suffering from a great personal tragic loss, a certain doctor plays matchmaker for Bullock. Here’s an excerpt from it: Dr. Cupid: “Oh for crying out loud, Bullock! Tell Montoya how you feel already!” Bullock: “Err--there’s nothing to tell! Besides, even if I did tell her that--well, you know--and I’m not saying I do, ‘cause I don’t--SIGH, she’d just laugh at me.” Dr. Cupid: “Now what do you think she wound laugh at you?” Bullock: “Come on, doc! Do I really gotta spell it out for ya? Why would a high-class doll like Rene Montoya ever even consider a low-class mongrel like me?” Dr. Cupid: “Well for one thing, you’re her partner--so she already knows she can put up with you!” All the inmates and staff burst into agreement laughter on hearing that Dr. Cupid: “Second, and most important of all, you love her! And you really do love her, don’t you, Detective Bullock?” Bullock: “I now hereby plead the fifth amendment.”

[@ryanhoule4415]

Bullock is a slob and an asshole but he’s the most loyal and trustworthy cop you’ll meet in the Gotham PD

[@themojogamer75]

Bullock's honestly one of my favorite characters in the show mostly because of "A Bullet for Bullock". He's a flawed cop, but there's a reason he's practically Gordon's right hand man and underneath his bluster, you can tell he has a strong heart. Edit: I'm also convinced BTAS Bullock is still a movie fan, he's just in a garbage apartment lol

[@emeraldmaster5388]

I heard somewhere that the closest he ever came to a bribe is when he overlooked a hotdog car having an expired vendors licence as long as they don't mind give a hotdog on the house once in a while. he may not be the best man but he bends the rules to help good people.

[@PsychicWars]

I'm glad you mentioned his stint with Checkmate. The fact that Amanda Waller thought he was worthy of a job in the organization that was even more clandestine than the Suicide Squad is telling in its own way.

[@abominableyeti5639]

He embodies the hard boiled detective character well in the very film noir world of gotham

[@nathanweast4397]

He's like Dick Tracy mixed with Fred Flinstone.

[@michaelnally2841]

Dirty in the sense he’s a bit of a slob, and doesn’t clean his home. But certainly not a crook, bends the rules a little but you can rely on him to help put a guy in jail. Somewhat an underrated moment from him (imo). Is during holiday knight during the stakeout where he’s playing Santa. A little girl who’s father Bullock put in jail sits on his lap. Feeling bad Bullock gives her some money to get herself something for Christmas. Now he didn’t have to and I think it’s a way to show he isn’t made of stone.

[@AngryNerdBird]

Is Bullock sloppy? 100%. Dirty? HELL no. 😤

[@jegsdinogod5091]

Bullock is dirty only in the sense he'll smack or deck a perp. He is however honest. Bullock is a less charismatic dirty harry.

[@sworddomo1951]

Bullock always seems like the police if they were gotham minus batman and gordon. Now Harley quin show kind of makes gordon that guy.

[@JDPgamerfly360]

I couldn't tell you WHY this came across my feed, but BY GOD I'm so glad it did. I'm 28. This shit was foundational to me, and I've always seen Bullock as a good cop. A hard cop. A "get things done" cop. I'm far from a Blue Line guy, but where Batman is a Vigilanty that skirts the line thanks to his lack of killing, and Gordon (shy of allowing Batman to operate) is a By-The-Books cop, Bullock really filled in the gap both in a character-thematic sense, AND in story application for more grounded "beat cop/gruff detective/civilian with issues" sense.

[@ΕυάγγελοςΦώσκολος]

It's pity we never learn what happened to Bullock in the future. I like to believe that he became Commissioner after Gordon retired and that he worked alongside Batman in some cases, before Barbara became the new commissioner.

[@jaohonaxa]

I quote Jim Gordon: “Harvey Bullock can be difficult to work with, even difficult to like. But he’s a good cop.” Jim had his fair share of grief with Bullock, but he wouldn’t have kept him around if he was dirty.

[@doopdoopdopdop7424]

He isn’t dirty. He’s just a hothead, but to be fair I think his distrust of Batman is healthy. With characters like Azrael, Red Hood, and Lockup in Gotham city, him distrusting Batman doesn’t seem that far out. AND FURTHERMORE, looking at his behavior in episodes like the Killer Croc introduction and the Smiling Fish, Harvey seems like he wants Batman out to prove that the police can save Gotham rather than having to rely on a vigilante. He seems like an idealist for the police rather than a dirty cop.

[@Jumpyman_thegamerYT]

In the game Batman: Arkham Origins, he certainly is dirty. In fact, he's on Enigma's (The Riddler), and The Penguin's payroll.

[@SerumLake]

That was one of the few things in that game’s script that I felt was a misstep. That and the Penguin’s cockney henchwoman… “PROPER NAUGHTY!!!” will haunt me for the rest of my life.

[@The_Phantasm]

@@SerumLake I think Tracey and Candy were just really comedic relief characters and in the case of Tracey I think the exaggerated voice was just meant to sound that as a joke which to be fair it was and also served to show of Penguin's "eccentric" collection as he puts it and likely considers them (a bit disturbing to refer to them like that but it is probably all they mean to Penguin).

[@The_Phantasm]

@@SerumLake I said this about Bullock in another comment but I think that was just a way of paying homage to all the eras of Bullock like when he was originally corrupt in the comics but later when Gordon came to the GCPD, he ways impacted by his morals and changed his was and later became trusted allies. In the game, like most of the GCPD during that time period, Bullock was semi-corrupt unlike others who were entirely on the take by various criminal organizations. Bullock also refrained from harming civilians, which showed that he had the potential to become a good cop. After the "honeypot" incident both seemed to have figuered things out and after the death of the then-Commissioner Loeb, Bullock and Gordon are are seen working alongside one another. He remained as a Detective in the GCPD and did so still during the events of Arkham Knight since Harvey Bullock's name was seen on a shift list during the events of the game. Also considering that the honeypot was (unknowingly to her) with Sarah Essen, I doubt Gordon stayed angry for long considering that he later went on to marry her.

[@CapnAlces]

I wasn't a big fan of "Gotham" but I liked their depiction of Bullock. At first he seemed like just another dirty cop, then you find out he's scared for his life or for people he cares about. He did terrible things and tried to corrupt Jim, because he saw how deep the corruption went and thought he was mitigating it with careful compliance. Only for Jim to reach that moral center, fan its flames, and set Bullock on a path to redemption. It was sad, but hopeful.

[@jacktoma21]

Anybody who doesn’t hear Robert Costanzo when reading the comics either hasn’t seen btas or is lying to themselves.

[@The_Phantasm]

Anyone saying so currently knows nothing about him. Pre-Crisis, Bullock was a dirty cop working for the Mayor to sabotage Gordon’s career. Post-Crisis, Bullock was a dirty cop inexplicably loyal to Gordon who eventually resigned after using the mafia to take care of a criminal he was unable to get adequate evidence against. Batman The Animated series is probably most responsible for making Bullock a “good” cop - albeit one who’s very rough around the edges, and he was popular enough in that series to spur new interest in the comics. Like all characters, the process of them ariving in their "default" doesn't always start with their initial debut and in a lot of cases it can take years or even decades which is what happened Harvey Bullock. As Harvey was refined, despite his unorthodox methods, Bullock is more of a loose cannon cop with questionable methods and a spotty record, but still overall a good person. Harvey Bullock has consistently shown a strong moral compass by standing up for justice and protecting innocent civilians. Harvey's unwavering loyalty to Jim Gordon, a character known for his integrity, demonstrates this exactly, despite his initial feelings about Batman. Bullock's past mistakes, such as bending the rules to get results, have contributed to the perception of him being a dirty cop. However, he has learned from those mistakes and evolved as a character. He has repeatedly risked his own life to protect others and has shown compassion towards victims.

[@zemox2534]

Not everyone reads the pre crisis batman comics, so I can forgive new fans for thinking Harvey was a dirty cop.

[@The_Phantasm]

@@zemox2534 No, I'm saying the opposite. Bullock being dirty is something more so associated with Pre-Crisis Batman, and that hasn't really been true for him for more than thirty years. I mentioned Pre-Crisis Bullock so as to give an exampe of what he used to be.

[@danieljohn7788]

Some issue in 80s remember Bullock hitting Jason Robin w a lot of questions, he noticed something was off. Didn't that kid used to be bigger? Not a dumb guy he k something.

[@neoluna1172]

while Bullock isnt a money dirty cop, imo his other heavior, in particular his violent ways of getting information, are still totaly unacceptable for a police officer.

[@SerumLake]

You’re not wrong. Most of us would probably turn a blind eye to guilty people being roughed up, but what happens when Bullock makes a mistake?

[@maarekstele2998]

Also in joker fish he figures everything out and gets to the joker before Batman

[@SerumLake]

Very true, he’s good at his job

[@maarekstele2998]

@@SerumLake i hope we get him in the next batman movie possibly maybe

[@SerumLake]

@@maarekstele2998 that’d be cool. When I saw the first trailer I thought Alex Ferns might be playing him, but, alas, that great piece of casting was not to be…

[@jordanloux3883]

@@maarekstele2998 Nog sure what we'd get from him that we didn't already get from Martinez though.

[@maarekstele2998]

@@jordanloux3883 fair enough

[@jordanloux3883]

He's like Sam Burke from Spawn. He's bust your head if you run your mouth too much, but he's honest in the ways that count.

[@SerumLake]

I have to wonder how much inspiration Todd McFarlane took from Bullock…

[@jordanloux3883]

@@SerumLake I'd say a lot. From what I hear the guy seems like a hack.

[@bramijdema759]

In most movies and other media, Bullock is often combined with several other characters like Loeb, Flass and Branden (all from Batman: Year One) and turned into one character. This could add to the confusion of Bullock being corrupt.

[@Mrjacharles]

Feel like history has forgotten Harvey Bullock. Certainly would like to see more of him in any upcoming The Batman films ...

[@screenname6829]

Harvey Bullock and Sam Burke are two of my favorite fictional police officers. They're both as rough around the edges as you could get. To the point where you aren't wrong to ask yourself if they're corrupt. That being said, both have a srong sense of justice that shines through at times that show you being a cop is more than a job to them. They're both willing to bend the rules to stop what they perceive as true evil. A bullet for Bullock was a good episode to show the characters heart of gold towards the end. And Burke's reactin to Twitch taking a shot to the head shows Burke cares for those closest to him in a way he tries actively to hide by being belligerent at all times. Also Burke got into a fist fight with a creature that can tear a mans head off bare handed and survived as a base human 💪 Just something cool i wish more people knew Sam Burke is a spawn character. There are literal angels in that comic who dont stand for justice the way Sam does.

[@CT_Phipps]

He's grimy versus the cops on the force who answer to the mob.

[@ltchugacast131]

I’ve always felt that Gordon and bullock were contrasts between Gordon as the image of the police that Gotham needs, a man with morals that go beyond the job and principles that mean more than simply ensuring a law is enforced. Gordon truly wants to make Gotham a nice place to live. Bullock on the other hand is the police that Gotham creates. Despite trying to be a good man and succeeding compared to the numerous criminals choking the city he’s still tainted by the darkness that runs deep in the roots of gotham. He’s human. He’s more real in that his exposure to all the corruption has made him jaded and numb somewhat understandably. It’s a dichotomy between being a good man that does good things and doesn’t hurt anyone and being a virtuous one that actively moves towards what is best for everyone even when it’s tough.

[@jeanpaulgaudet5622]

'This cop committed purjury to protect his job and habitually does extra judicial police brutality, but he's not corrupt' ....what?

[@SerumLake]

Well, when you put it that way… 😂

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

If you count never or rarely washing then yeah. He's the dirtiest cop in Gotham

[@ooomooo2186]

Well done. This was very interesting.

[@MichaelSpikes-pv6kl]

Excellent show 💯

[@takeshikujo2909]

One of my favorite scenes from Bullock is when he was undercover as a mall Santa with Montoya being his helper elf and while he clearly wasn’t the best choice for Santa, he felt empathy for a little girl whose daddy he put in the slammer and gave her money to buy herself something nice for Christmas. It shows that though he is completely rough around the edges, Bullock does have a good moral center. It just takes something serious that he can’t ignore for him to show it.

[@Bozek10]

His is one my favorite characters on the show. One of few honest cops in Gotham & think Batman is a freak. Also actor Robert Costanzo look just like the character. Too bad Robert wasn't used in any of the live action movies. He is Bullock.

[@SerumLake]

Yeah, he's really great isn't he!

[@ryanarment5393]

He was dirty in the sense that he needed someone to introduce him to the wonders of regular bathing. While hard edged and an ass he was definitely on the side of the angels. He just resented batman because he operated outside the law, and viewed him as little better than the rogues gallery. He also resented that batman was hailed as a hero, while the cops were viewed by the public as incompentent bunglers who needed batman to clean up their messes.