I’ll make this one short and sweet…
If you like slow-burning stories this series may be for you.
If you’re interested in seeing the DC Universe by Gaslight being built (slowly), this series may be for you.
If you don’t care that this is a Batman-in-name-only-but-really-a-Justice-League story, this series may be for you.
It’s not for me.
Again we are given “Batman” story with very little Batman that focuses on introducing non-Batman DC characters. This time, it’s the Victorian-age versions of The Flash and Cyborb’s turn. Seems that Lex Luthor has obtained some sort of alien (i.e. Kryptonian) technology and has placed Jay Garrick into timeless, energy-created suspended animation. Victor Stone — once Lex’s assistant — is put back together (after a Lex-induced “accident”) with this same alien technology to create a Steampunk Cyborg.
This issue includes more of some of DC by Gaslight characters we’ve already met: John Constantine, Alan Scott (The Green Lantern), Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen; and some more introductions: Deadshot, and a dude who I think ends up being The Spectre.
Oh yeah, we finally meet Superman. Well, we meet Sherrif Kent of Smallville.
Look, I know I’m being a bit smarmy here, OK? While it’s being done tongue-in-cheek style, I am disappointed in what this series actually is. Honestly, it should be called DC BY GASLIGHT or even JUSTICE LEAGUE BY GASLIGHT. I’m sure (hope) Batman will play a bigger role in the story as it progresses, but even if that happens, it won’t make a difference as my interest level has dropped significantly.
As I’ve said, if you’re more of an overall DCU fan, I think you’ll like this. But as a Batman fan — especially if you’re a fan of the original BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT — you may want to skip this one. – Bill “Jett” Ramey
