Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Help Support the Channel: patreon.com/ZCInfinity
Let's take a look through DC Comics' Elseworlds imprints, and see where and when the imprint has decided to place these legendary heroes! And if they work in their new environments.
Transcript:
Gotham by Gaslight is retroactively considered the first DC comic under the Elseworlds imprint, following their previous Imaginary Stories alternate universe line. In a 19th century version of Gotham City, this timeline's Bruce Wayne witnesses his parents gunned down by a highwayman, spared only by a sudden swarm of bats that distract the assailant. Much later, a grown Bruce discusses his childhood with his tutor Doctor Freud, before departing back to America, stating he's finally prepared for what he must do. On the ship back, he meets up with his Uncle Packer, and the two discuss their lives at dinner that night, Packer proving to not be a very savory individual. Bruce is met by Alfred at the docks, and brought back to his mansion, where Bruce is eager to try on a specially-made mantle that's been waiting for him all this time. He's welcomed back by Inspector Gordon, whose referrals helped him study with detectives across Europe, but Bruce insists it was just for sport and he's not interested in becoming one. Even as Gordon shows him the recently caught Joker of this universe. That night, an armed gang attempt to rob a train station, when a bat-shaped figure suddenly bursts in through the window and makes quick work of them, before vanishing with no explanation. The Bat-man's defense of Gotham City continues, but a series of brutal murders also begin around this time, the papers attempting to link the two together. And the police confirm with Bruce at a prince's gala that they're convinced Batman is the killer, with Commissioner Tolliver vowing to apprehend the figure. And as another body is found, they suspect the figure is also Jack the Ripper. Gordon repeatedly tries to meet with Bruce at his manor, but is told he's unavailable each time, Gordon becoming increasingly suspicious. Nearby, Batman fails to prevent another killing, and soon, postcards are delivered to Gordon signed by Jack the Ripper. As Gordon contemplates everything, Tolliver announces that he's determined Bruce and Jack are the same person, and a full investigation is soon under way at Wayne Manor. They seem to not find anything and leave, only for Gordon to return and arrest Bruce for possessing a bloody knife and rag. He's railroaded through his trial by a frightened and desperate court, including prosecutor Harvey Dent, and despite lack of evidence, is declared Jack the Ripper and thus guilty. He's kept at Arkham Asylum as Gordon brings him everything the police have on the case. Despite his best efforts, he finds nothing, but as he tosses everything in frustration, he discovers the knife used in the killings bears the same symbol as his father's Civil War regiment, confirming the killer is someone from his family's past. With the aid of Alfred, Bruce sneaks out of his cell and hunts for Jack, catching him right before he claims another life. After a long chase, first on foot then horseback, Batman finally catches up with the killer. Revealed to be none other than his Uncle Packer. He explains that he basically had his life handed to him by Thomas Wayne, but Thomas' girlfriend and later wife Martha was the one thing he couldn't have. The obsession and humiliation drove him insane, and even after hiring a hitman to kill the Waynes, had to keep killing to drive the voices out of his head. A furious Bruce reveals himself and prepares to kill Packer, but is stopped by Gordon and a legion of constables, Batman quickly remasking and telling them Packer is the ripper, who also confirms the fact. But before Gordon can arrest the two, Packer slashes Batman and is shot and killed by Gordon, Batman leaving as soon as he confirms Bruce will be acquitted. Thus Batman goes off to ponder his future. This is pretty good. There's not a lot of Batman in this Batman story, but these characters work well transplanted into the late 1800s. And the writer and artist work well off each other to create a dark yet poetic atmosphere and narration. The ripper's identity was pretty obvious, being a character specifically created for the comic, but his motivations were interesting. Though technically Bruce learning his identity was unnecessary, as he just finds the killer in the middle of another strike. It's a good starting story, setting up a universe I want to see more of. Which we got, as several direct sequels AND a movie adaptation soon followed, all of which we will eventually cover. And if you have even a passing interest in the Elseworlds imprint, this is absolutely essential reading. Though I don't think Freud was the best guy to discuss dreams and dead parents with.
Help Support the Channel: patreon.com/ZCInfinity
Let's take a look through DC Comics' Elseworlds imprints, and see where and when the imprint has decided to place these legendary heroes! And if they work in their new environments.
Transcript:
Gotham by Gaslight is retroactively considered the first DC comic under the Elseworlds imprint, following their previous Imaginary Stories alternate universe line. In a 19th century version of Gotham City, this timeline's Bruce Wayne witnesses his parents gunned down by a highwayman, spared only by a sudden swarm of bats that distract the assailant. Much later, a grown Bruce discusses his childhood with his tutor Doctor Freud, before departing back to America, stating he's finally prepared for what he must do. On the ship back, he meets up with his Uncle Packer, and the two discuss their lives at dinner that night, Packer proving to not be a very savory individual. Bruce is met by Alfred at the docks, and brought back to his mansion, where Bruce is eager to try on a specially-made mantle that's been waiting for him all this time. He's welcomed back by Inspector Gordon, whose referrals helped him study with detectives across Europe, but Bruce insists it was just for sport and he's not interested in becoming one. Even as Gordon shows him the recently caught Joker of this universe. That night, an armed gang attempt to rob a train station, when a bat-shaped figure suddenly bursts in through the window and makes quick work of them, before vanishing with no explanation. The Bat-man's defense of Gotham City continues, but a series of brutal murders also begin around this time, the papers attempting to link the two together. And the police confirm with Bruce at a prince's gala that they're convinced Batman is the killer, with Commissioner Tolliver vowing to apprehend the figure. And as another body is found, they suspect the figure is also Jack the Ripper. Gordon repeatedly tries to meet with Bruce at his manor, but is told he's unavailable each time, Gordon becoming increasingly suspicious. Nearby, Batman fails to prevent another killing, and soon, postcards are delivered to Gordon signed by Jack the Ripper. As Gordon contemplates everything, Tolliver announces that he's determined Bruce and Jack are the same person, and a full investigation is soon under way at Wayne Manor. They seem to not find anything and leave, only for Gordon to return and arrest Bruce for possessing a bloody knife and rag. He's railroaded through his trial by a frightened and desperate court, including prosecutor Harvey Dent, and despite lack of evidence, is declared Jack the Ripper and thus guilty. He's kept at Arkham Asylum as Gordon brings him everything the police have on the case. Despite his best efforts, he finds nothing, but as he tosses everything in frustration, he discovers the knife used in the killings bears the same symbol as his father's Civil War regiment, confirming the killer is someone from his family's past. With the aid of Alfred, Bruce sneaks out of his cell and hunts for Jack, catching him right before he claims another life. After a long chase, first on foot then horseback, Batman finally catches up with the killer. Revealed to be none other than his Uncle Packer. He explains that he basically had his life handed to him by Thomas Wayne, but Thomas' girlfriend and later wife Martha was the one thing he couldn't have. The obsession and humiliation drove him insane, and even after hiring a hitman to kill the Waynes, had to keep killing to drive the voices out of his head. A furious Bruce reveals himself and prepares to kill Packer, but is stopped by Gordon and a legion of constables, Batman quickly remasking and telling them Packer is the ripper, who also confirms the fact. But before Gordon can arrest the two, Packer slashes Batman and is shot and killed by Gordon, Batman leaving as soon as he confirms Bruce will be acquitted. Thus Batman goes off to ponder his future. This is pretty good. There's not a lot of Batman in this Batman story, but these characters work well transplanted into the late 1800s. And the writer and artist work well off each other to create a dark yet poetic atmosphere and narration. The ripper's identity was pretty obvious, being a character specifically created for the comic, but his motivations were interesting. Though technically Bruce learning his identity was unnecessary, as he just finds the killer in the middle of another strike. It's a good starting story, setting up a universe I want to see more of. Which we got, as several direct sequels AND a movie adaptation soon followed, all of which we will eventually cover. And if you have even a passing interest in the Elseworlds imprint, this is absolutely essential reading. Though I don't think Freud was the best guy to discuss dreams and dead parents with.
