Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #2 is written by Andy Diggle and published by DC. Artwork is by Leandro Fernandez, colours by Dave Stewart and letters by Simon Bowland. Main cover art (left) is by Fernandez and Dave McCaig.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #2 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Upon uncovering a mystery involving ancient relics, Batman must battle against Talia al Ghul and the League of Shadows for control of a dangerous weapon. As court magician John Constantine whispers in the ear of Queen Victoria, and Professor Adam Strange explores the farthest reaches of the Antarctic, the strange rumors they’re all chasing about the lost Kryptonian Age of mankind begin to take on the ring of truth…
Review
DC’s attempt to revive the Elseworlds brand continues today with the second issue of Andy Diggle’s Gotham by Gaslight sequel The Kryptonian Age. The series continues to explore idea of wealth and power whilst begging to reveal just how its story connects to its titular reference to the Man of Steel.
When last we left this Victorian version of The Dark Knight he was atop a train and ready to do battle with Talia al Ghul. With the League of Shadows set to play a major part in the ongoing storyline, much of issue #2 is taken up by the tussle between these two legendary characters and the consequences of its revelations. But not until we’ve caught up with Professor Adam Strange as his Antarctic exhibition uncovers something incredible and potentially very dangerous. More on that in a moment.
Leandro Fernandez and colourist Dave Stewart continue to do an outstanding job of bringing the world of Gotham by Gaslight to life. Picking up from what Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola created, the new art team brings an incredible energy particularly during issue #2’s more action-orientated sequences. The fight atop the train is rendered so vigorously that I could practically hear the steam engine and the chugging or the wheels across the tracks. Let alone feel the thud of every punch. It’s atmospheric to almost synesthesic proportions. Taking up almost a third of this issue, Batman and Talia trade barbs, punches and general chaos as they tussle over the League of Shadows’ hunt for ancient relics. Diggle is admirably setting up these artefacts to become a key point of the story moving forwards. This issue goes a long way to revealing their power without making the story feel like it’s moving at breakneck speed.
Issue #2 introduces a number of different elements to the story which build out the Gotham by Gaslight world. Moving from Adam Strange to Bruce and then on to Balmoral Castle in Scotland where a certain magical figure from the DCU makes his Victorian debut. There’s a growing sense that these glowing green artefacts are a focal point in bringing together a set of very familiar faces. After two issues what is most fascinating is how little we know about the potential for Superman or even Kryptonite shards to appear. Diggle is keeping his cards close to his chest and making the story even more rewarding as a slow burn.
There’s a bubbling sense of coalition which also adds to that slow burn nature. With Constantine, Bruce and Strange all circling the glowing green artefacts it seems The Kryptonian Age is heading towards a race to the finish line. The lingering question is whether that finish line might include a showdown with a Victorian take on the Man of Steel. Long before we get to that, this issue ends on a different and unexpected revelation as another of DC’s pantheon of heroes makes their debut. After being teased a little earlier in the issue, the final page brings our first look at this iconic character looking very much like a more aggressive, war weary version of themselves than we’ve seen before.
Verdict
The second issue of Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age is a remarkable feat of both storytelling and artwork. Blockbuster storytelling in no rush to get to the big reveal, issue #2 is filled with action and surprises as the Victorian take on the DCU continues to expand its already global scope.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
