This comes with a caveat. Visually speaking, Gotham City was nebulous throughout the series, and that's somewhat problematic. But one could smartly explain that inconsistency away by noting the city's shifting sense of self throughout, and it's that notion in particular that bought it a spot on this list. Gotham has been a character throughout, Batman's mistress finally given full, complex bloom. That has always been a crucial element of the mythos and one sorely lacking in every incarnation ever committed to film. Nolan and company understood the importance and always looked to that idea for further complexity in shaping the universe.