Batman: Gotham by Gaslight review: Meet Jack the Ripper
Batman: Gotham By Gaslight takes Batman to an alternate timeline in the Victorian era and he goes a couple rounds with Jack the Ripper.
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Batman: Gotham by Gaslight brings Jack the Ripper into the animated world in a timeline that looks much different from what we know about Batman. In this timeline, familiar faces still come around with Selina Kyle, Poison Ivy, James Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Hugo Strange, Leslie Thompkins, Harvey Dent and Alfred making their appearances. However, some play different roles than what we’re used to. Selina Kyle and Poison Ivy are both performers. Leslie Thompkins appears as a nun instead of a doctor. Otherwise, most other roles are similar to continuity.
By telling a story about Jack the Ripper, the writers get to give this movie a gruesome villain. He hunts women at night, just as the real Jack the Ripper did. There’s no doubt that a film tackling that kind of subject matter deserves the R rating Gotham by Gaslight receives.
The movie depicts what the Victorian era was like pretty accurately. The clothing fits in, as does the trope that women shouldn’t be smart or independent. It’s no surprise that Selina Kyle rejects that notion. However, it’s a bold move to kill off Poison Ivy so soon in the film. She doesn’t get that same attention that we’re used to her character getting.
There are some nods to current continuity. Harvey Dent is not Two-Face here, but Selina calls him Jekyll and Hyde at one point. Harvey even refers to her as a cat. Bruce has a “bat cave” in the form of an attic. Tim, Dickie and Jason act as three little Robins to Batman after he saves them from Big Bill Dust.
Gotham by Gaslight does anything but shy away from death. It’s not a perfect film, but its brevity and use of the source material make it worth the watch. James Gordon is revealed as Jack the Ripper, so this story gives and ending unlike the actual crimes. With this film, you don’t have to worry about how it fits into the bigger picture since it isn’t connected to continuity, which is a nice break from having to keep track of everything.
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If you want to know more about Gotham by Gaslight, you can check out the graphic novel that inspired the movie. You can also grab a copy of the film now that it’s out in physical and digital formats. There are some extras to enjoy like audio commentary, a look at the graphic novel and a preview of the next movie in the DC Animated Universe.