Has Lex bitten off more than he can chew in his hunt for Kryptonian Artifacts? Find our review of Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #2.
BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT – A LEAGUE FOR JUSTICE #2
Written by ANDY DIGGLE
Art and cover by LEANDRO FERNÁNDEZ
Variant Covers: CLAYTON CRAIN, TIRSO, TK
Page Count: 40 pages
Release Date: 8/13/25
This review contains spoilers
In last month’s issue we get some background on the Kryptonian that has made an appearance in the Victorian age. We also got a slight background on Martian Manhunter’s origin story. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #2 sees the arc develop further and introduce some more well known characters from the DC Universe to this Elseworlds world.
Martian Manhunter begins to tell his story of his last contact with those from Krypton, sending Superman into shock. Though story time is interrupted when we pick up with Lex where he left off from the last issue. His steam train robot is now wreaking havoc on Metropolis. The newly founded team come together to get the better of Lex’s efforts to claim the Kryptonian “Fallen Star”. Though, in this instance they don’t come away with it. Lex seems proud of what he has done but faces dire consequences.
This leaves the team questioning what exactly has just happened. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #2 jumps to Arabia where readers are introduced to well renowned DC characters such as Ra’s Al Ghoul and John Constantine. Where the talk of more Kryptonian artifacts continues, then as a last page cliffhanger we’re introduced to one of Superman’s most notorious villains who is undoubtedly going to be the main provocateur of this arc.
Andy Diggle has done a world class job of keeping the action high, but keeping the story itself moving along panel by panel. I also praise his clever use of the Martian Manhunter’s powers as well as the choice to introduce the likes of John Constantine into this arc too. I really look forward to see what else we get treated to in this arc and what surprises await.
Another thing I really enjoy from the dialogue in Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #2 is the fact that Diggle tries his best to keep the language used true to the era in which the book is set in. This helps add to the sense that this is set over 100 years ago and as a reader it almost feels like you’ve been taken aback to that time period. I really enjoyed the way that he ended this issue too. With dropping such a big villain like that it makes you want to pick up the next issue!
Leandro Fernandez maintains a consistent art style from the first issue, using interesting perspectives and close-ups to effectively convey the environment and keep dialogue clear. The use of close-ups is especially effective in a book with a large cast, like Justice League, as it helps clarify who is speaking. While some panels lack detail, this is a minor critique given the limited space and perspective being created.
Matt Hollingsworth has done a stellar job of keeping the tone of the story, the realism aspect of the time period in which it’s set purely through his colour choices. For example, the darkness of the sky due to the lack of electricity in this time period and then the brightness of the green used for anything to do with a Kryptonian artifact. The change up in brightness for when the locations switch really stand out too.
Final Thoughts
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #2 pushes along at a great pace and is keeping the reader enticed with the action that appears to be happening in each issue. Also with dropping big cliffhangers like at the end of this issue will no doubt keep readers coming back each month. The creative team are doing a fantastic job at keeping the consistency going from the first issue. Hopefully the rest of the issue is just as good all round, and I look forward to finding out!
