Summary
WARNING: May Contain Spoilers forBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age#2!
The sequel to the fan-favoriteElseworldsseries,Gotham by Gaslight, delves deeper into the enigmas of the “Kryptonian Age," with new players entering the fray, including the iconicJohn Constantine. Constantine’s debut brings with it a dark, Victorian-inspired redesign and a captivating new career trajectory for the magic user, foreshadowing his pivotal role in the unfolding narrative.
The details provided by John Constantine, coupled with the relics' connection to the Kryptonian Age, hint that Superman may soon make his debut in the story.
Andy Diggle and Leandro Fernández’sBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age#2continues to build upon one of DC’s most belovedElseworldsseries, known for its unique 19th-century reinterpretation of iconic characters. Among the expanding roster, the introduction of John Constantine comes as a surprise, given the series’ previous focus on Batman-related characters.
Nevertheless, Constantine’s presence is more than welcome in the narrative, asDiggle appears to position the magic user as a key figure in unraveling the mysteries surrounding relics from the Kryptonian Age–an era reminiscent of Robert E. Howard’s fictional Hyborian Age.
John Constantine Gets aGotham by GaslightRedesign and ‘Career’ Twist
InBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age#2,Constantine is seen wearing a coat that blends elements of both an Ulster coat and a greatcoat, which were popular long, heavy coats for men in the 19th century. His coat features the characteristic large lapels, fur collar, substantial cuffs with multiple cufflinks, and prominent buttons or fastenings typical of that era. The likelihood that Constantine is donning an Ulster coat is supported by its origins in Ireland, near England where the magic user is currently based. Additionally, Constantine is notably wearing jewelry, including earrings and rings.
This issue also unveils that Constantine is working for Queen Victoria under the guise of her “spiritual advisor.“However, a flashback reveals that the queen clandestinely saved Constantine from a public hanging to enlist his expertise in tracking down an “ancient power” and assessing its potential, aiming to wield it for the greater glory of the British Empire. Present-time narration clarifies that this “ancient power” is linked to the Kryptonian Age and ancient city ruins discovered by Adam Strange in the Arctic during an expedition funded by Bruce Wayne. In short, multiple individuals are involved in this ever-unraveling mystery.
After 35 Years, Batman’s Gotham by Gaslight Costume Finally Returns
The sequel to the critically acclaimed Elseworlds series, Gotham by Gaslight, treats fans to the return of Batman’s 19th-century-inspired costume.
John Constantine Will Play a Major Role inBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age
In the present-time narrative, it is disclosed that Queen Victoria, and by extension, John Constantine, have been in possession of the relics for some time. However, John’s return to examine the relics reveals a troubling change. This concern is heightened by the fact that the relics are now glowing, and John hears whispers from other magic users predicting impending calamity. Constantine further explains that the power of the relics, once dormant, is now awakening. While much remains mysterious, the details provided byJohn Constantine, coupled with the relics' connection to the Kryptonian Age, hint thatSupermanmay soon make his debut in the story.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #2is available now from DC Comics!
John Constantine
John Constantine is a dark, morally complex, supernatural detective from DC Comics. As a chain-smoking, trenchcoat-wearing master of the occult, he battles demons, angels, and magical forces while navigating his own haunted past. He has appeared in comics, live-action films, animated features, TV shows, and the Arrowverse. Known for his cynicism and reluctant heroism, Constantine often sacrifices personal happiness for the greater good.
