A direct continuation of Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age, this comic’s first couple of pages attempt to recap the previous six issues in quick succession. Unfortunately, it still leaves a lot of holes that make this series unfriendly to those who haven’t read the former. Even if you’ve caught up with the previous series, the last comic ending in November of last year doesn’t do this one any favors. Because of that, this is a first issue that feels like the climax to an unfinished story.
Disregarding the weird splitting of the series into two titles, we finally get the whole Justice League meeting in this Wild West Smallville. We have unique twists on Superman and Lois’s first meeting, along with a conflict between Martian Manhunter and this universe’s Green Lantern.
As far as Elseworlds go, it is a compelling enough setting that makes use of 19th-century costumes, steampunk technology, and an archaic way of speaking. However, most of the characters remain largely recognizable. The standouts are the aforementioned Manhunter and Lantern, most interesting due to their new intertwining backstories.
DC
For the villains, a variation on the Suicide Squad carries over from The Kryptonian Age’s cliffhanger, and their encounter with the League is a fun showcase of Superman’s powers.
Though Leandro Fernandez’s artwork shares the DNA of Mike Mignola’s original Gotham by Gaslight, with hard shadows and inky characters, Andy Diggle’s writing lends itself more towards the fantastical, taking cues instead from the first and frequently forgotten sequel to Gaslight, Master of the Future. This is most apparent from the issue’s end, with a tease that makes this universe more similar to Will Smith’s Wild Wild West, a far cry from the gothic atmosphere of Gotham by Gaslight.
The prior Kryptonian Age felt like it developed the Jules Verne-esque sci-fi aspects from Master of the Future, but the decision to cram in the Justice League might be a step too far. I wonder if focusing an entire series on Superman would read better, because making Gotham this Victorian nightmare and Smallville a Western is an inspired choice. But as of now, it feels like tonal whiplash, and the Batman of Gotham by Gaslight doesn’t really fit or even do much in this first issue, which makes it seem like he’s only there to get top billing and promote the book.
What we have so far is an old-timey setting, a steampunk world, and superhero cowboys vs aliens. If that is what you’re looking for, then A League for Justice is up your alley. But for those looking for a gritty sequel to Mignola’s Gotham by Gaslight, or a twist on the Justice League that covers new ground, maybe skip this one or read The Kryptonian Age first to gauge your interest.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #1 should only be read if you’ve followed the previous series, The Kryptonian Age. It might develop its own identity further down the line, but as of the first issue, it’s revealing itself to be the conclusion to another story rather than the beginning of a new one. However, if you like a spaghetti Western Justice League, this comic has no competition.
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