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Batman: Gotham by Gaslight is a graphic novel by Brian Augustyn, Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell. Set in Gilded Age/Victorian Gotham, it focuses on Batman as he investigates the serial killer Jack the Ripper. Although not originally labeled as such at release, Gotham by Gaslight is considered to be the first Elseworlds story, where DC Comics heroes are taken out of their usual setting and put into alternate timelines or realities. The series was later followed by a direct sequel Master of the Future.
Plot
The book features Batman in 1889, fighting Jack the Ripper when the serial killer comes to Gotham City. Unfortunately one of the main suspects is Bruce Wayne himself. The cast includes Lt. Jim Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, and Princess Julie Madison. The Joker makes a cameo appearance as a blue beard who tries to kill himself with Strychnine, but is left with a paralyzed rictus grin.
Appearances
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Publication
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Initially released as a 52-page one-shot, Gotham by Gaslight serves as the first story in the Elseworlds publication. However, it was not labeled or marketed as such. The story was heavily inspired by the real-life serial killer Jack the Ripper, with the series initially published on the 100th anniversary of his murders. The series even features the infamous "From Hell" letter, which was allegedly written by the killer. The series also features several references to actual Jack the Ripper suspects, including Walter Sickert and Prince Albert Victor.
Legacy
Follow-Ups
The events of Gotham by Gaslight have been followed up in several ways since its publication. This first was in the 1992 graphic novel Batman: Master of the Future, which serves as a direct sequel and is set three years after Gaslight's events. The story sees Batman battling the airship pirate Alexandre LeRoi, who is seeking to disrupt Gotham's Turn-of-the-Century celebrations. The story is similar to the film Master of the World, a film which was based on Jules Verne's Robur the Conqueror and The Master of the World.
The Gaslight Universe is also revisited in DC's Countdown event, where it is visited by Jason Todd, Donna Troy, Kyle Rayner and Bob the Monitor whilst searching for Ray Palmer. The series canonized and visited several universes seen in other Elseworlds prints, including those seen in the Batman & Dracula trilogy (Earth-43) and Superman: Red Son (Earth-30). It also gave the Gaslight Universe the designation of Earth-19.
The Gaslight Universe also appears during the Convergence event, with it appearing in Convergence: Shazam! #2. The issue sees Batman teaming up with Shazam to take on Mister Atom, Mister Mind and Gaslight versions of his rogues gallery.
In Other Media
- In the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "The Trials of the Demon" after Jim Craddock's magic ruins Batman's costume, Etrigan changes the costume into the Gotham by Gaslight suit.
- In the season pass of Batman: Arkham Origins, the Gotham by Gaslight costume is featured as one of the downloadable suits.
- An animated film based on the comic was released in 2018. However, the film changes many aspects, including the plot, characters involved, and the identity of "Jack the Ripper".
Notes
Other Elseworlds stories involve Jack the Ripper and offer different explanations to the killer's identity. These include:
- Batman: Two Faces
- JLA: The Island of Dr. Moreau
- Wonder Woman: Amazonia