Welcome to Central City:
Whether you’re visiting Central City for the first time or looking to immerse yourself in the noir world of the novel, you’ve come to the right place. Explore the neighborhoods, learn about the characters, and discover the history of this archetypal Midwestern city. See where the stories of Central City come to life.
Once a trading post where a river flowed into a great lake, Central City grew into a railroad hub and, eventually, a city of industry. Generations immigrated by horse, steam, rail, road, and interstate. The complexion of the city changed over the years as each new group built something that they called home. To protect those homes, citizens submitted to the restraints of a developing society. As their influence grew, local and ethnic leaders exploited the situation. Gang wars shook the city to its core until cops and criminals negotiated an uneasy truce through citywide corruption. The law protects the rackets while the crooks protect their neighborhoods. But nothing lasts forever, and change comes when you least expect it.
In the nineteenth century, mug shots gradually replaced wanted posters. Wherever police tactics modernized, photographs became an integral part of a convicted or suspected criminal’s file. Collections of mug shots became known as a rogues’ gallery, which would often cover an entire wall in a squad room, a literal who’s who of the underworld.
In Central City, where everyone wagers on the struggles between their angels and demons, no one remains innocent, and anyone can be found in the rogues’ gallery.
Examine the Rogues’ Gallery to find out more about the characters of Central City.
