In Batman: Gotham by Gaslight- The Kryptonian Age #2, the 19th-century world expands far beyond the reaches of Gotham.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #2 by Andy Diggle, Leandro Fernandez & Dave Stewart. Courtesy of DC Comics.
Writer: Andy Diggle
Artist: Leandro Fernandez
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Main Cover: Leandro Fernandez & Dave McCaig
Variant Cover Artists: Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascencia, Denys Cowan, Christopher Sotomayor & Ejikure
Release Date: July 10, 2024
This comic book review contains spoilers
The Story
At the turn of the century, an expedition financed by Bruce Wayne and led by Professor Adam Strange discovers the icy continent of Antarctica. There, they find an abandoned industrial structure with alien hieroglyphics and half of the corpse of their team’s missing navigator. Back in Gotham, Batman’s fight with Talia Al Ghul atop an elevated train ends with him getting bested and then crash-landing into a room where four individuals sit at a table praying to the demon Barbatos.
Meanwhile in Balmoral Castle, Scotland, Queen Victoria is awoken by a servant who informs her that her “personal spiritual advisor” is awaiting her in the castle’s crypt. The Queen goes down to greet none other than Mr. John Constantine. Constantine is interested in the glowing emerald relic hidden in a chest beneath the castle. Victoria informs him these relics didn’t start glowing until the year 1860, after what Constantine calls “the Carrington event.” Constantine is shown tried and hanged for witchcraft among other crimes. Thus his immortal spirit becomes an “unofficial agent of the crown,” which the Queen will use to seek out the mysterious ancient power of these relics and harness it for the benefit of the British Empire.
Back in Gotham, Bruce informs Dame Julie Madison of his findings regarding these mystical glowing relics. In a final scene, the Antarctic explorers are attacked by a giant alien centipede. After a skirmish, they are saved by a familiar-looking female warrior with a star emblemed headpiece, a sword, and a golden lasso.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #2 variant cover by Riley Rossmo (Credit: DC Comics)
Analysis
Andy Diggle continues to demonstrate he has no dearth of ideas when it comes to this most recent revival of the Gotham by Gaslight story. This second issue introduces more layers and elements to juggle from all corners of the DC Universe. While Catwoman and the Kents take a backseat this issue, other exciting chess pieces are moved into play, including a reinterpreted version of Adam Strange who successfully completed his Peru expedition and has moved on to the ice tundras of Antarctica. They appear to be harboring a Kryptonian structure of some kind.
Additionally, we’re introduced to a new subplot featuring the Queen of England partnering with or maybe subjugating Constantine for empirical gain. With this storyline, it becomes clear the extent of Diggle’s ambitions on this run. This is no longer just a Batman story. We’re spanning all over the globe and to all corners of the DC Universe. Perceptive fans will notice some carefully placed easter eggs on Bruce’s desk near the end of the issue that may hint at further superhero appearances in a somewhat more graceful version of Batman’s discovery in Zack Snyder’s BvS. Of course, the issue isn’t satisfied with just hinting at what’s to come, so we end with a cool action scene from a supremely redesigned 19th-century Wonder Woman.
This level of complexity in a brand new comic run is both refreshing and exciting. At this point, we don’t know how Wonder Woman and Queen Victoria and Antarctica and the League of Shadows and Selina Kyle and Krypton all tie in together, but Diggle’s elegant balancing act in the first two issues indicates that we’re in good hands. I only hope that we’re headed into a more interesting direction than an inevitably simplistic Justice League-centered 19th-century slugfest. Luckily, it seems that writer Andy Diggle has a lot more up his sleeve for the remaining 10 issues than that.
Additionally, the great work by artist Leandro Fernandez and colorist Dave Stewart truly elevate this issue to the next level. The globe-spanning narrative gives the story an epic scope, and whether it’s the catacombs of Scotland, the grime of Gotham City, or the icy tundras of Antarctica, the team gives each location a distinctive identity. I want to give a particular shout-out to Fernandez’s Batcave, which has never looked more like Detective Holmes’ personal study. I must have that room in my house. Exactly as it is here. The full-page splash of Batman falling off the train is disorienting and thrilling. This may just be me, but some of the character close-ups like the bartender on Adam Strange’s ship or John Constantine yelling about the glowing pendant distinctly reminded me of the late, great Norm Breyfogle. And I really can’t think of any higher praise than that.
Editor’s Note: DC Comics provided TBU with an advance copy of this comic for review purposes. You can find this comic and help support TBU in the process by purchasing this issue digitally on Amazon or a physical copy of the title through Things From Another World.
