I had some minor concerns when I Batman: Gotham By Gaslight – The Krypton Age. Not enough of a reservation to stop me from greedily pre-ordering the issues when they’re advertised, but at least they’re reservations.
Arguably the most famous (if not the most effective) Elseworlds story, the 1989 original is a book haunted by dark claustrophobia. Artist Mike Mignola creates a Gotham shrouded in steam, its buildings closing in and its chambers gloomy. It’s not the kind of world that could feel welcoming to a larger cast of superheroes – especially not one that flyas promised to the eponymous Kryptonian.
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Fortunately, The Kryptonian Age expands the Gaslight world in a much less intrusive way; while Batman chases Catwoman and Talia al Ghul through this stuffy city, the book aims at the larger world of the 19th century. While the original was fixated on the gruesome, grim reality of urban murder, The Kryptonian Age has addressed imperial spiritualism, Lovecraftian excursionism, and (with this issue) the steam-powered expansionism of the American West.
This is a clever and natural way to explore a deeper universe – not by inviting new, larger-than-life and colorful personalities into Batman’s territory, but by creating entirely new settings.
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This third issue doubles down on new characters and settings. Although Diana was introduced in the last issue, here we learn the history of the Amazons, their connections to the alleged Kryptonians, and their settlement outside WarlordWe see the green Colorado, whose lush pines and rugged peaks provide a nice contrast to the Victorian smoking rooms of Gotham.
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The slow introduction of a possible Justice League – Bruce, Diana, and a one-off choice for Green Lantern – is perhaps just a hint, not a foreshadowing; one imagines that this story won’t end without a conflict between Gotham’s vigilantes and the Superman variant the book gives us (the promo for the cover of issue #5 seems to give away exactly what that variant will look like).
Gotham By Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age overcomes any reservations one might have, not by honoring or aping the original, but by forging an entirely new path into new Elseworlds territory. This book has a larger scope, a deeper interest in history and genre, and a more skillful application of established DC legends than the original (or its less-discussed sequel, Masters of the future). Issue #3 simply adds more exploration opportunities.
“Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age” No. 3 expands curiosity about the 19th century
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #3
Rather than committing to the stuffy, urban claustrophobia of the original, The Kryptonian Age explores other aspects of its time by setting up a potential Justice League.
Clever application of classic DC concepts.
Considers his literary and historical influences.
Very little Batman, if that’s your motivating factor.
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