Gotham by Gaslight Batman Explained

Gotham by Gaslight is a graphic novel first released in 1989. It was written by Brian Augustyn with art by Mike Mignola, who is most well-known for creating the character Hellboy. But before that, he and Augustyn made a massive splash in the comics world with Gotham by Gaslight.

Gotham by Gaslight is considered the very first Elseworlds story, a DC Comics format where writers can explore completely new concepts still featuring our favorite heroes. In this instance, the writers wanted to explore a simple idea: Batman vs. Jack the Ripper. The art and world are completely steampunk, mixing the grimy look of a crowded Gotham City in 1889 with the fascinating machinations of a steam-powered Batman.

Most importantly, Gotham by Gaslight is so well-loved by fans that the comic was adapted into an animated film. Both the comic and film are enchanting. However, they are both very different. Let’s dive in, meet the characters, and explore all the differences between classic Batman and Gotham by Gaslight Batman.

Warning: Bat-spoilers lurk ahead; tread carefully.

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Batman

In the original comics, Bruce Wayne is the son of his loving mother Martha Wayne and Dr. Thomas Wayne. After Joe Chill murders his parents, he seeks revenge on all the thugs and criminals in Gotham City. In the Gotham by Gaslight Batman comics, we see a similar story. Bruce is the son of loving mother Martha Wayne and Civil War surgeon Thomas Wayne. After a highwayman murders his parents, he seeks revenge on all the thugs and criminals in Gotham City.

Both the comic and the movie have Batman return to Gotham City as he takes on one of his first cases against the infamous Jack the Ripper. Batman has steam-powered equipment and a deep dedication to the downtrodden damsels in distress. However, the comic and the movie differ in many ways. For example, Jack the Ripper is a completely different character! And Bruce responds very differently to both.

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Alfred

In the original Batman comics, Alfred Pennyworth plays the role of a butler but he’s truly the backbone of the Bat-Family. He ensures that Batman can succeed by monitoring technology, feeding him information, and overseeing nearly the entire operation. Without Alfred, Batman can hardly function.

In the Gotham by Gaslight Batman comics, Alfred plays a much smaller role. Yes, he is a dutiful butler. Furthermore, he is an accomplice to Batman’s vigilantism. In the movie, his role is much greater. He is clever enough to enlist the help of The Robins, who are clearly the alternate versions of Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake. Alfred serves as the coordinator and ensures that both Bruce Wayne and Batman keep up their proper appearances.

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Harvey Dent

In the comic, Harvey Dent barely makes an appearance. He is briefly mentioned as a part of Bruce Wayne’s trial. When Bruce is framed for Jack the Ripper’s murders, there are arguments for and against him. Harvey Dent urged the jury to find Bruce guilty. However, Bruce’s family friend Uncle Jake fights for Bruce. The trial is heated, and ultimately Harvey succeeds in getting Bruce sent to jail.

Harvey plays a larger role in the film. He’s one of Bruce Wayne’s closest friends from childhood, and what’s more, his drinking buddy. Everyone seems to know, however, that Harvey becomes a completely different person when he’s drunk. While he isn’t the same Two-Face from the comics, we do get to see him be truly malicious and mean. In fact, the movie leads the audience to believe that Harvey might be Jack the Ripper himself! Alas, it’s only another trick.

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Jacob Packer

Jacob Packer was exclusively featured in the graphic novel. He was introduced on the very same ship that brings Bruce Wayne back to Gotham. Bruce couldn’t have been more excited to see him! Jacob was an old family friend, and he was actually one of the few surviving doctors who served alongside Thomas Wayne during the Civil War. Bruce is so glad to see his “Uncle Jake.”

Ultimately, it’s revealed that Uncle Jake is actually Jack the Ripper. He was always madly in love with Martha Wayne, and when he professed his love, she thought it was so preposterous that she laughed. That laughter haunted Jacob for years, and he used it to justify the murders of countless women around the world. He even hired the highwayman that killed Bruce’s parents. When Bruce found out, he almost broke his no-killing rule. If it weren’t for James Gordon, Bruce might have killed Jack the Ripper himself.

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Catwoman

Catwoman makes no appearance within the graphic novel. In fact, she’s not mentioned at all. However, she plays quite an important role in the film. In Gotham by Gaslight, Batman must save Selina Kyle from Jack the Ripper. Still, she puts up a good fight on her own! Selina is skilled with a whip, and we even learn that she used to be a lion tamer. However, when we meet her in the story, Selina is a stage actress, a singer, and a staunch advocate for the women of Gotham.

Bruce shares her frustrations. They agree that Commissioner Tolliver and Harvey Bullock don’t care enough about the murders, because they only affect the poor. Selina Kyle takes an interest in Bruce, truly seeing how compassionate and thoughtful he is. She’s the first to learn that Bruce Wayne is Batman. She helps him through thick and thin. Plus, she is the first to discover the true identity of Jack the Ripper. Batman never would have had a chance against the murderer without Selina.

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Solomon Grundy

In the graphic novel, Bruce Wayne needs to find a way out of prison. He solved the case from the confines of his cell, but solving the case doesn’t save the day. He needed to be Batman! And so, in order to escape, he trades places with Alfred Pennyworth. The guards didn’t even notice the difference, so long as there was a warm body behind bars.

For the film version, Bruce has to be a bit more innovative with his escape. He decides to pick a fight with the biggest, buffest guy in the entire cafeteria. That’s when Cyrus Gold makes his brief cameo. This over-sized galoot just so happens to be the Batman villain Solomon Grundy! Of course, Gotham by Gaslight Batman villains are often more tame than their modern-day counterparts.

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James Gordon

James Gordon has always worked alongside Batman. He’s pushed the boundaries of the law to ensure that Gotham City is safe from the chaos. Even in the comics, Gordon is a friend to both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Gordon defends Bruce Wayne and Batman until the very end. In fact, he’s the very person who shoots Jack the Ripper in the comic!

However, the animated film completely changes the character. At first, James Gordon is a kind man fighting for justice. He is constantly working extra hours and staying up late into the night to clean up Gotham’s streets. It’s only later that we learn what his definition of “cleaning up the streets” really is. We see this Civil War veteran and surgeon completely unhinged and violently focused on “cleansing” society. He is Jack the Ripper in his true form: a man with too much power who chooses victims with no voice. The twist is hidden in plain sight, and it’s just as brilliant as it is terrifying.

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Which Batman do you prefer: classic Batman or Gotham by Gaslight Batman? And do you prefer the comic or the animated film?

Be sure to share your thoughts with other DC Comics fans on Sideshow Social Network or at side.show/geekgroup. Keep an eye out for Jack the Ripper, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!