The '' Manhattan Guardian '' series is set in " Cinderella City " ( to separate it from the ugly sisters Metropolis and Gotham ) which is New York City but with unrealised architectural projects including an idea for the Hotel Attraction proposed by Paul Laffoley , Hans Hollein 's " Rolls-Royce Building " concept for the Chase Manhattan Bank Building , Robert Moses ' Mid-Manhattan Expressway and Frank Lloyd Wright 's " Ellis Island Key " . The original idea came from Paul Laffoley 's suggestion to reference Gaudi 's architecture for inspiration in rebuilding Ground Zero , following 9/11 . Morrison said " I want it to be a more exalted New York , where things that were dreamed of were finally brought into reality . " The character later made cameos in '' Infinite Crisis '' and '' 52 ''
9/11
September 11 attacks
Manhattan Guardian