Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #4: The Quiet Before The Storm

After three issues of story and world building, Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #4, takes a stepback, slowing the story down and giving readers peeks into three parts of the larger story already introduced and finally introducing the Superman corner of Earth-19.

First, the train wreak caused by League of Assassins reaches a crescendo as Alan Scott becomes the bearer of the ring of Jong Li, after the dying Mrs. Silverton, gives him the artifact, challenging him to earn the second chance he was given. This is a great character moment that Lanning writes for Scott,distilling his character in a short number of panels.

Next the scene shifts to Gotham as Batman attacks some smugglers in an attempt to learn more about the League of Assassins. This short installment doesn’t add anything new, but seems included because this is a Batman book.

The scene shifts again back to the Arctic as Wonder Woman and Strange begin the journey back to Gotham. Like the Batman interlude, this section is more about moving Wonder Woman and Strange into position for the next act of the story.

The final vignette in the issue brings Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Lex Luthor into the story with scenes at the Daily Planet. Lois is her usual self and hot on a story she hopes will bring down Luthor. The Jimmy Olson and Perry White versions on this Earth are fun interpretations which will also add an interesting twist to the overall story. Lex Luthor and Victor Stone are introduced, both with potential to become characters to watch as the series progresses.

The art and color work continue to be top-notch and the different color palettes used for each story work well to give each a unique feel, while still feeling connected to the overall story.