Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Vol 1 1

Set in the 19th century, the story begins with a flashback told by Bruce Wayne reminiscing the murder of his parents by a brigand, and remembering bats which swarm over the murderer.

In Vienna, Bruce Wayne as a student consult with his teacher Dr. Sigmund Freud of the dreams he had with the deaths of his parents and, significantly, bats. Freud question Bruce of his dreams with bats as he believe it could hold secret to his state of mind; however, Bruce only denied his theory as he believe his dream is not "some symbol-laden puzzle" but rather "prosaic replaying of an actual event". Bruce then thank Freud for studying human psychiatry with him and announce his return to Gotham City.

A week later, Bruce departed from London on passenger ship and unexpectedly meet his old family friend, Jacob Packer, a friend of Thomas Wayne. While Bruce know Jacob is amusing and kind-hearted, but notice for being crude especially around women. After arriving in Gotham's harbor, Jacob parted way with Bruce, and Bruce is reunited with Alfred Pennyworth. Bruce and Alfred arrived back at Wayne Manor, and Bruce ask of "it" is here. Alfred confirmed "it" is "waiting" for him, as Bruce sees his batsuit. Bruce then went to Gotham Police Department and greeted Inspector James Gordon. Gordon sarcastically if Bruce could serve the police, but only for Bruce to kindly decline the offer as too much "actual labor". Gordon then briefed on how Gotham became an even larger city within a decade and notes the "criminal element" have growing more stronger and impossible for the city's police to handle anything. Then during the night, a group of thieves are trying to blow open a safe at a railroad company and only to be physically stop by Batman.

Bruce Wayne began his crusade against crime as Batman as the Gotham news-presses began to circulate news of the "Bat-Man", and soon later linking his appearance to the series of murder committed upon women. At a party at Leland Manor hosted by the Duke of Clarence, Bruce Wayne talked with James Gordon, who is disgruntled over the fact that he was only present at the party to placate the upper class and influential residents over the series of murders and the "Bat-Man" as per order by a boastful Commissioner Tolliver. Tolliver is steadfast to believe that Batman is the killer and swearing he will capture him. Bruce and Gordon are very unconvinced of Tolliver's belief.

Eventually the identity of the murderer is later announced by Tolliver to be Jack the Ripper. During his night as Batman, Bruce ponder on whether his mission of crime-fighting was necessary from the start as the public judge him more of a monster than a hero. Batman then suddenly heard a woman cry and came too late to rescue her as she becomes the Ripper's victim. At police headquarters Gordon lament on the lack of evidences and leads in finding the Ripper until he is suddenly briefed by Commissioner Tolliver that he have found the Ripper, none other to be Bruce Wayne.

At Wayne Manor, the police led by Tolliver order a search throughout the manor in finding any evidence to implicate that Bruce is the murderer. Bruce is unconvinced of Tolliver's notions, while ensuring Alfred that the batsuit and his equipment are safely hidden. However, the police discover a blooded pair gloves and a knife present in the manor. Bruce is later to brought to trial on October 9th, with Jacob Packer act as his counsel. After a nearly week long trial Bruce's allegations to be the Ripper is exemplified when Tolliver pointed the evidences that Bruce was present in London during the time of the Ripper murders, the times that Bruce was absent late at night, and his medical training. Ultimately Bruce is founded guilty by the jury and is sentenced to be hang.

Bruce is imprisoned at Arkham Asylum and is awaiting his sentence. Inspector Gordon came to visit Bruce and secretly passed on the police's findings related to the Ripper case to Bruce, in order to clear his name in finding the actual murderer. Gordon express his disbelief of Bruce of being the killer, only to be reassured by Bruce to watch over the city. In the following weeks Bruce have been trying to solve the case and is in exasperation of not finding a lead until he notice a daguerreotype showing Thomas Wayne and his colleagues as field surgeons during the American Civil War with a regimental flag bearing a symbol similar to the one matched on the murderer's weapon. He notes that his father couldn't be the Ripper but notice that only someone is known to be alive from Thomas' regiment. On a later night Bruce contact Alfred into helping himself escape by switching places and exchanging their clothes. Bruce donned the batsuit and surprisingly stop the Ripper, who have been patience of waiting his murder spree, from murdering a woman. Batman give chase on the Ripper and stopped him at Gotham's cemetery. The Ripper is then revealed to be Jacob Packer.

Batman ruthlessly questioned Jacob as to why he commit the murders; Jacob answer that its all because of Martha Wayne. Jacob explained that during the Civil War he assisted as field surgeon with Thomas Wayne. And after the war, Wayne gave Jacob a chance into upper class society, such as helping him through law school and and push him into business, which Jacob state that he made himself the family solicitor. However, despite the lavish offering provided by Wayne, all Jacob wanted was his love for Martha Wayne. When Jacob confessed his affection to Martha, she "laughed" at his commitment and rejected him. Her rejection forever "humiliated" and emotionally scarred Jacob. This emotional trauma caused Jacob to see every woman to be Martha Wayne laughing at him and subsequently drove him to murder women. He also revealed that he caused the death of Thomas and Martha in hiring a gunman into killing them. And learning that Bruce wasn't kill from the shooting, Jacob instead get back at him by framing him. After revealing this, Bruce revealed himself to Jacob and punched him upon his parents' grave. Acknowledging Jacob's crimes Batman express his desire to kill him before being stopped by Inspector Gordon and several arriving police officers. Batman (after concealing his identity) then confirmed to Gordon of Jacob being the Ripper. Jacob admitted to everyone present of his crimes including the murders in London and even in Paris, France and for framing Bruce Wayne. As Gordon is planning to arrest both Jacob and Batman, Jacob quickly slash Batman with a concealed knife and is immediately gunned down by Gordon. Being only less severely wounded, Batman then thank Gordon and asked of releasing Bruce Wayne's for his innocence, in which Gordon confirms; however, Gordon then ask as to why Jacob was committing the murders, in only for Batman to reply "who truly understands a madman?" After Batman disappeared into the night, Gordon decides not to arrest him and believes that the police and Gotham should really need him as their "guardian angel".

Notes

See also Earth-19 for the 52 Multiverse version.

This one-shot special is arguably the first "Elseworlds" publication, though the first comic book to actually carry the Elseworlds banner is Batman: Holy Terror.

This issue takes place in a setting separate from that of the mainstream DC Universe.

This issue is ISBN 1-84576-403-X.

Reference is made to the "English detective". This is undoubtedly a toungue-in-cheek reference to the literary 19th century British detective Sherlock Holmes. Holmes has also been established as an actual character in the mainstream Pre-Crisis DC Universe.

Trivia

This issue spawned a sequel entitled, Batman: Master of the Future.

This issue includes an introduction by famed horror novelist Robert Bloch entitled "From Hell". From Hell is also the name of a graphic novel by Alan Moore, which likewise offered a unique interpretation of the Jack the Ripper murders. Bloch's introduction in this issue is from the perspective of Jack the Ripper and is crafted in the style of the famous "From Hell" letter.

One of the buildings found in Gotham City boasts a sign "Sickert and Co." Walter Sickert was an English painter and one of many Ripper suspects.

Prince Albert Victor makes a cameo appearance in this issue. Prince Albert was also (though not seriously) suspected of being the Ripper.

Links and References

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight article at Wikipedia

Batman Family Storyline

This event or storyline is specifically related to Batman, or to members of the Batman Family. This template will automatically categorize articles that include it into the Batman Storylines category.

Elseworlds Storyline

This storyline exists within an Elseworlds continuity, and as such is not a part of the mainstream DC Universe, although it may be the basis for one of the realities of the 52 Multiverse. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Elseworlds Storylines."

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Vol 1 1

From DC Database

Appearing in "Gotham by Gaslight"

Synopsis for "Gotham by Gaslight"

Notes

Trivia

See Also

Recommended Reading

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