by Matt Sernaker, Managing Editor
DC fans can rejoice, because Batman: Gotham by Gaslight has arrived on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on Demand! The fan-favorite “Elseworld” story features a Victorian-Era Batman taking on Jack the Ripper himself. How does the Dark Knight handle this cold blooded murderer?
Loosely based on the 1989 comic “Gotham by Gaslight”, this alternate take on the Batman story features Gotham City set in the 1800s. Gotham is about to celebrate their first World’s Fair, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Bruce Wayne. As the event approaches, the city is hit with a series of murders, all done by the notorious Jack the Ripper. The mysterious cloaked Batman has been making his rounds, attempting to stop Jack using the latest technology of the era. The challenge of stopping Jack gets more personal, as people closest to Bruce are claimed by his knife. Can Batman and Selina Kyle stop Jack before he kills again? Can the greatest Detective determine the true identity of Jack before it is too late?
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight features several returning voice actors from the DC Original Film Series, including Bruce Greenwood (Batman: Under The Red Hood), John DiMaggio (Batman: Under The Red Hood), Grey Griffin (Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox), Kari Wuhrer (Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths), and Yuri Lowenthal (Justice League: Gods and Monsters). The film also features Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter) as Selina Kyle, Scott Patterson (Justice League: The Animated Series) as James Gordon, Anthony Head (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as Alfred, and Tara Strong (Batman: Arkham City) as Marleen. The talented voice cast enhances an already stellar story, highlighted by the return of Greenwood as Batman. It was great to listen to his gruff but sincere take on the Dark Knight, and this Elseworlds story was the perfect fit for this vocal talents. Carpenter as Selina Kyle also stood out as a solid casting choice, and I hope that she can return to the DC Universe Movie world again in the future. Patterson as Gordon felt entirely different than the tones that we are used to hearing for this particular character, but I felt that his performance ultimately worked well within the context of this story.
Special Features
- Cape Fear: The First Elseworld – Go behind the scenes with the creative talent to discuss why this story stood out for creators and fans alike.
- Audio Commentary with Executive Producer Bruce Timm, Writer Jim Kreig, and Director Sam Liu
- A Sneak Peaek at the DC Universe’s next film Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay.
- Two Bonus Cartoons
- Digital Copy
Overall
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight might not be the exact same story as the source material, but it is a damn fun ride. Having read the comic, I was truly left surprised with the twist in the third act. While I would have enjoyed a full adaptation, I felt that this was still one of the strongest installments in the DC Universe in the last few years. Please keep in mind that this release is Rated R and is not suitable for children. If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, a Batman van, or enjoy the Victorian Era, you will definitely enjoy this story.
Rating: 
ComicsOnline gives Batman: Gotham by Gaslight 5 out of 5 extreme speeds that the human body can withstand (this will make sense after you watch).
