Andy Diggle and Leandro Fernández’sBatman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justicewill officially introduce thisElseworldsversion of theJustice League. However, this iteration of the team is already shaping up to be, relatively speaking, one of the weakest versions of the League to date. Yet that’s not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, it’s actually great news.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight(1989) was DC’s firstElseworldstitle, written by Brian Augustyn and illustrated by Mike Mignola. Thirty-five years later, the fan-favorite series returned with Andy Diggle’sBatman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age. Now, this ever-expanding Victorian-eraElseworldssaga is continuing with yet another sequel:Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice.
This latest chapter is especially exciting for fans, as it directly followsThe Kryptonian Ageand will finally mark the beginning of the Justice League’s formation. However,due to the story’s unique setting, this version of the League will likely be relatively weaker than its other incarnations.
Which Heroes Are a Part ofGaslight by Gotham’sNew Justice League?
Cover B Sebastián Fiumara Variant forBatman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice#1 (2025)
Before exploring why theGotham by Gaslightsetting leads to a relatively weaker iteration of the Justice League, it’s important to first establish which heroes make up thisElseworldsteam. In the previous installment,The Kryptonian Ageexpanded the universe beyond Gotham and Batman, giving a Gilded Age makeover to other iconic DC characters including Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Cyborg, Flash, and Martian Manhunter. It alsoreimagined their origin stories with a Victorian twistand set them on a path toward eventual convergence.
In this world,Superman poses as a bumbling but well-meaning sheriff, hiding his alien nature and powers. Wonder Woman is a long-lost Amazon who emerges from a hellish dimension to save humanity from the looming Doom of Krypton. Alan Scott is a con-artist balloonist who recently acquired a Green Lantern ring. Both Barry Allen’s Flash and Cyborg are victims of Lex Luthor’s experiments. Martian Manhunter’s origin remains somewhat vague but appears to follow canon.Batman, of course, retains the origin established in Augustyn’s originalGotham by Gaslight.
How theGotham by GaslightUniverse Is Nerfing the Justice League
Cover C Bill Sienkiewicz Variant forBatman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice#1 (2025)
With Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Cyborg, Martian Manhunter, Flash, andGreen Lantern making up thisElseworlds’soon-to-be Justice League, some may question how this team could be considered weaker than other iterations. The answer lies entirely in the setting.ThisElseworldsstory stays grounded in the technological limitations of the Victorian era, or at least remains within a realistic approximation of it. As a result, this version of the League is far less technologically advanced than its modern or futuristic counterparts. While not every member is affected by this constraint, it does have a notable impact on several of them.
For example, Superman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Flash, andWonder Woman are likely to retain power levelssimilar to their Earth-Prime counterparts, since there is no reason for them not to. However, characters like Batman and Cyborg, who rely more heavily on science fiction and advanced technology,are limited by the era in which they operate. Batman, who is often defined by his cutting-edge gadgets, will have a much more grounded and restricted arsenal to fit the constraints of a Victorian-era setting.
To clarify, while superpowers inherently stretch the limits of realism, even fictional worlds have their own internal logic that must be respected.There’s a difference between introducing extraordinary elements and breaking the believability of the setting altogether.A superpowered being can still feel grounded within a Victorian-era narrative, but something like a stealth Bat-jet would completely shatter the historical tone and aesthetic. That same principle applies tocharacters like Cyborg, whose advanced technology must be reimagined in a way that fits the period. His mechanical parts are relatively crude compared to his typical Mother Box-enhanced design, just as Batman’s gadgets are scaled back to reflect the limitations of the time.
Why a Nerfed Justice League Is Actually a Good Thing
Cover D 1:25 Christopher Mitten Variant forBatman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice#1 (2025)
While much remains unknown about the full extent of theGotham by Gaslightversions of these iconic characters, fans already have confirmation that both Cyborg and Batman will be limited by the technology of their time. With two core members of the future team essentially nerfed, this version of the Justice League will be comparatively weaker than iterations featuring a Mother Box-wielding Cyborg and a high-tech gadget-equipped Batman. However,this reduction in team power is actually a strength, not a weakness.
Thetechnological limitations placed on Cyborg and Batman mean there will be fewer easy solutions.In mainstream continuity, their advanced tech often serves as a narrative crutch, allowing the League to escape otherwise impossible situations. Without Batman’s cutting-edge gadgets or Cyborg’s powerful Mother Box interface,A League for Justiceis forced to approach problem-solving in new, more creative ways. This shift guarantees a fresh take on the team dynamic and the challenges they’ll face.
Gotham by Gaslight’sHeroes Aren’t Ready to Unite… Yet
Cover C Edwin Galmon Variant byBatman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age#6 (2024)
WhileA League for Justicepromises the formation of the Gotham by Gaslightversion of the Justice League, these heroes still have a long way to go before they become a proper team. The final issue ofThe Kryptonian Age ended with the paths of these seven heroes finally converging in Smallville, Kansas. However, due to misunderstandings and miscommunication, most of them believe they are on opposing sides, leading to conflict rather than cooperation. As a result,A League for Justicewill first need to take these heroes from adversaries to allies before theGotham by GaslightJustice Leaguecan truly come to life.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #1is available June 16, 2025, from DC Comics!
