On DVD: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)

Several years ago, DC began publishing a new generation of "imaginary stories" under the heading, Elseworlds, placing familiar characters in different chronological settings.

One of these efforts was a 1-shot graphic novel, Gotham by Gaslight, by Brian Augustyn & Mike Mignola. It suggested that Batman existed in 19th century Gotham City, during the Victorian era, or, more specifically, during the time of Jack the Ripper, who was a serial killer in England in those days.

What Augustyn & Mignola imagined was, what if Jack were in Gotham instead of London? Therein lies the basis for a loose adaptation of the book in a DTV released earlier this year.

The movie doesn't follow the book step by step, word for word, scene for scene. Instead, it adds new characters, some of whom are analogues for familiar names in the Bat-mythos. Bruce Timm serves as co-executive producer on what was the pentultimate project for long time producer Alan Burnett, who retired after the release of "Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay", the trailer of which is included with "Gaslight".

Bruce Greenwood, who voiced Batman on Young Justice (and presumably will return when the series does), has the honors here. Veteran actress Tara Strong applies a variant on her Harley Quinn voice for an old crone, Marlene. Anthony Stewart Head (ex-Buffy The Vampire Slayer) is heard as Alfred.

Here's a trailer:



I never really bought into the Batman Elseworlds all that much, largely because they were mostly variations on the same general theme. Just shuffle the deck, change the setting, characters, etc., but otherwise it's routine. The movie is a 77 minute thrill ride with a shocking, surprise reveal.

Rating: A.