WARNING! Potential spoilers ahead for Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #5
DC’sFlashhas received one of his most twisted redesigns ever, as part of DC Comics' alternate continuityBatmanstoryThe KryptonianAge, a sequel to theiconicElseworldsstoryGotham by Gaslight. The series continues the Victorian-era reimagining of classic superhero characters, with thisnew take on the Flashbeing one of the series' most daring creative decisions yet.
The preview forBatman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age#5 continues the story of the Elseworlds miniseries, which has so far involvedalternate versions of Batman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Green Lantern, Catwoman and even the Suicide Squad, and now the Flash.
The solicits for the issue promise a showdown withthe sheriff of Smallville, who fans can discern from the main cover will be this universe’s answer to Superman. The preview introduces thisElseworldsincarnation of the Speedster, and his new origin is surprisingly bleak.
Cover Artists:
Leandro Fernandez & Matt Hollingsworth
With Luthor’s schemes revealed, he dispatches his Suicide Squad to Smallville, Kansas to further secure the secrets of the ancient Kryptonian Age. But when the ruthless task force challenges the town’s seemingly bumbling sheriff to a deadly duel, they’ll quickly discover that this lawman is far more super than they ever realized!
Jay Garrick makes hisGotham by Gaslightdebut in the latestGotham by Gaslightissue, where it is revealed that he is an assistant working for Lex Luthor. When a meteor-like object fell to Earth in 1860, both Luthor and Garrick were conducting experiments on a lightning bolt-shaped artifact. After the meteor hits, the artifact surges with power, causing Luthor to lose all his hair, and Garrick to be “electro-statically frozen in a flash.” Luthor explains that Garrick seems to be stuck in a moment in time, unable to succumb to gravity.
Flash Lore’s Biggest Mistake Has Officially Been Retconned (& Replaced With Something Way Cooler)
A big change to the Speed Force’s origin has retconned one of the most controversial parts of Flash lore, redefining the nature of his powers.
Whether or not Garrick will snap out of his current predicament to find himself gifted with super-speed remains to be seen, butthe idea of being stuck in time, constantly falling, sounds like a living nightmare. The creative team behindThe Kryptonian Agehas found several creative ways to bring classic DC characters into theGotham by Gaslight-verse, such as turning Adam Strange into an explorer of the Antarctic who uncovers ancient Kryptonian ruins on Earth. While there, he encounters aparticularly dark version of Wonder Woman, who seems to hail from a ancient civilization all her own.
A 19th-Century Version Of The Justice League Is Steadily Assembling In “The Kryptonian Age”
Gotham By Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age; Twelve Issue Maxi-Series, First Five Issues Available Now
With all the cameos seen thus far, it will be most interesting to seewhich DC heroes and villainsshow up next in the world ofGotham by Gaslight. There’s only one issue to go after this, so fans who haven’t checked out the series yet should get caught up to see ifthe series debuts its own version of the Justice League in the Victorian Age before all is said and done.With Superman and Jay Garrick’sFlashmaking their debut here, fans won’t want to miss the latest issue ofBatman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age#5will be available Aug 07, 2025 from DC Comics.
The Flash
The Flash is the superhero name given to the DC Comics character who utilizes unparalleled speed tied to a dimensional power known as the “speed force” to overwhelm their opposition. Premiering in 1939, the original Flash arrived as Jay Garrick. Still, it would be superseded by Barry Allen in popularity and featured status, but the Flash is one character that has met many of their alternate selves. The character is typically seen as a part of the Justice League in nearly all incarnations.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
