In this review of Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #1, we return to Victorian Age Smallville , where we find those who would become the Justice League. But something else is afoot.
BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT – A LEAGUE FOR JUSTICE #1
Writer: ANDY DIGGLE
Art and Main Cover: LEANDRO FERNÁNDEZ
Variant Covers: SEBA FIUMARA, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, CHRISTOPHER MITTEN
Page Count: 40 pages
Release Date: July 9, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #1 begins the sequel series to Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age which was released in mid 2024. We get early confirmation of this by Adam Strange’s character in the first couple of pages of this new issue, as he refers to things that happened in the Kryptonian Age.
After establishing that this series is set after that Kryptonian Age we’re brought up to speed by Adam Strange confessing his involvement in what has happened. Diggle’s strong use of Victorian style language really does aid in transporting you to the time that this series is set in, this is also greatly aided by the cursive font style used within the narration boxes too. As you get the feel that it’s handwriting in a letter to someone rather than internal monologue.
At this point I’d like to point out how strong Fernandez’s art is over the first few pages too. There’s excellent use of perspectives to capture the roughness of the storm outside the ship, as well as that of the internal of the ship to show the effect of the storm on the inside of the cabin too. The way in which colourist Matt Hollingsworth manages to depict light and dark areas in certain parts of each panel from light sources, also lets readers know that this was a time where light sources such as candles and Gas Lamps didn’t emit as much light as the sources we have today. This reinforces the fact that we really are in the Victorian age.
Once readers have been brought up to speed over the first few pages we’re starting to get into the story. We start with the introduction of Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, Batman and what appears to be Green Lantern although he carries a remarkable resemblance to that of Oliver Queen, Green Arrow. They are all depicted stood around Superman in Smallville, as if they have come to challenge him. I get this impression from the fact that Martian Manhunter is holding him responsible for the death and destruction of his own people. Though before they can quiz Superman on this he takes flight to aid others.
The next few pages sees Superman taking on a group of bandits that contain villains such as Harley Quinn, Killer Croc and others as they come out of a bank in possession of what looks like the vessel that brought a young Superman to Earth. During the altercation between Superman and the Villains, Batman manages to lasso the vessel and take it away from them.
After the altercation we return to Smallville where Martian Manhunter tells Diana that when he entered the mind of Superman he saw no memory of him destroying the Martian’s people and home-world which leads to frustration from the Martian Manhunter as he can’t find it within himself to want to harm someone that had no dealings in the atrocity. It’s at this point that Green Lantern accuses Martian Manhunter as the murderer of the last person to possess the ring that he now has. This leads to a battle of the minds between the two of them. Attacking each other with memories that caused great trauma to them. Wonder Woman manages to calm them both and get them to stop their squabbling as there’s bigger things happening at the minute.
Over the page and we have a beautifully drawn American Victorian style train station with the perspective showing a locomotive approaching the station with the station master waiting confused at the platform. The Station Master begins to query the driver of the Locomotive as to why he’s passing through at this hour, as it wasn’t in his schedule. Superman quickly appears and proceeds to lift the water tower located at the station from the ground to attend to the earlier fire that was depicted when he first appeared in the issue. Once the fire had been put out, Superman is seen chatting to Lois Lane who he agrees to and interview for for the local paper.
Next we return to Batman who has ran off with the artifact that Harley Quinn and her crew were trying to steal earlier. We have a gorgeously drawn large image of Batman Galloping on his horse. With the artifact in tow. Once he stops he pries it open and is met by a bright green glow which can only be associated with the presence of Kryptonite. Superman then appears behind Batman and not much later Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern teleport in to their location too. Batman then tells Superman that he thinks it would be best if they talked.
Once that somewhat pivotal conversation between Batman and Superman takes place we see the bandits all tied up having their picture taken with what can be assumed to be the Sheriff of the town, as they used to do in these times, to show that the threat is over in the paper over the next few days.
Final couple of pages of Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #1 see a conversation between a young woman and Lex Luthor who seemingly was behind the attempted lifting of the artifact from the Smallville bank. Then a seemingly dramatic last panel which shall not be spoiled occurs setting us up in the story for the next issue.
Final thoughts on the issue are that it has been nicely adapted to include characters from the DC universe in which we are all so familiar with. Though I do feel that you must read the series prior to understand a fair amount of what is going on. For example I spent most of the issue trying to figure out if the Green Lantern character is Oliver Queen or not due to the striking resemblance but he is only referred to as Ring Bearer once throughout the whole issue. I feel that if someone were to jump on here at this point of the series a little more clarity would be beneficial for the reader.
It must be said though the art provided by Fernandez for this issue was superb throughout, great use of perspectives and close ups for important facial expressions that were pivotal to the story. The details were spot on too for the era that he is trying to portray.
Hopefully the next few issues clear up any confusion for any new readers of this Elseworld tale, as I did find it missing details that stopped me from just reading and enjoying the issue.
