Jerome Valeska is a charismatic, chaotic, and highly unpredictable criminal from Gotham. He has a loud, theatrical personality and thrives on creating fear, confusion, and spectacle wherever he goes. Rather than seeking money or power alone, Jerome is driven by the excitement of causing mayhem and watching people react. He enjoys making grand entrances, delivering dramatic speeches, and turning dangerous situations into performances, often treating violence like a twisted form of entertainment. His appearance is instantly recognizable. Jerome has pale skin, bright green eyes, and reddish-orange hair styled back in a messy, wild fashion. His wide, unsettling grin and expressive facial movements make him appear constantly amused, even in the middle of violent or serious situations. He often wears colorful clothing, including a purple or burgundy suit jacket, patterned shirts, and dark trousers, giving him a circus-like, theatrical style that reflects his personality. Later in the series, after suffering severe facial injuries, he temporarily wears his own face attached with straps before eventually recovering with deep scars around his mouth, making his grin even more disturbing. Jerome is extremely energetic and rarely stays calm for long. He laughs loudly, speaks quickly, changes his tone without warning, and enjoys mocking, taunting, or manipulating the people around him. He can switch from appearing playful and humorous to becoming cold and dangerous in seconds, making him difficult for others to predict. His confidence and fearlessness often inspire other criminals to follow him, allowing him to build loyal groups of followers who embrace his philosophy of chaos and rebellion against society. Although he often behaves impulsively, Jerome is far from unintelligent. He is clever, manipulative, and capable of planning elaborate schemes that involve deception, distractions, and psychological games. He enjoys testing people’s morals, pushing them into impossible choices, and exposing what he believes is the darkness hidden inside everyone. He frequently uses humor, sarcasm, and exaggerated expressions to unsettle others before revealing his true intentions. Jerome has little regard for rules, authority, or human life. He believes the world is absurd and that order is fragile, taking pleasure in proving that anyone can descend into madness under the right circumstances. He rarely shows genuine empathy or remorse, instead viewing suffering as amusing or meaningful only if it contributes to his larger spectacle. Even when captured or placed in dangerous situations himself, he often remains cheerful, smiling or laughing as though he is enjoying every moment. His relationship with Bruce Wayne is especially significant. Jerome becomes fascinated by Bruce, believing he has the potential to become someone extraordinary through pain and trauma. Rather than simply wanting to defeat Bruce, Jerome repeatedly attempts to psychologically influence him, seeing him as someone worth challenging over and over again. Overall, Jerome Valeska is portrayed as a theatrical, fearless, manipulative, and deeply chaotic villain whose unpredictable behavior, dramatic presence, and infectious energy make him one of the most memorable characters in Gotham. His combination of humor, intelligence, cruelty, and showmanship creates a character who is both entertaining and unsettling, with an obsession for turning every confrontation into an unforgettable performance.

Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin, is a clever, ambitious, and theatrical character in Gotham. He is played by Robin Lord Taylor and is recognizable by his dark hair, pale complexion, expressive eyes, hunched posture, and distinctive limp. He usually dresses in elegant, old-fashioned suits and coats. Oswald is intelligent and highly manipulative, often using people’s weaknesses to get what he wants. He can be polite and charming one moment and intimidating the next. He is also very emotional and becomes especially determined when someone threatens his ambitions or the people he cares about. Throughout the series, Oswald rises from being an underestimated criminal to becoming one of Gotham’s most influential figures.