This article containsspoilers forGotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age.
You know the scene.
The couple investigate the impact and find not space rock, but a young child.
Superhero fans know this moment well.
Its the turning point where infant Kal-El arrives on Earth from Krypton and begins his journey toward becoming Superman.
InGotham by Gaslights telling, however, the Kents exit not a beat-up truck, but a covered wagon.
However, the interest in a 19th century DC universe has to date remained relatively limited.
All we ever saw of it was Batman and Gotham.
Where are the other heroes?
Where are the other villains?
I just started riffing on all of the ideas you could do within that world, he admits.
Heres what you could do withthe Flash, heres what you could do withWonder Woman.
Before he knew it, Diggle was inspired and had to join the project.
In fact, the first issue stays on familiar ground, taking place largely in Gotham City.
But its not Bruce Wayne who guides the reader through the story.
Rather theCatwomanextraordinaire Selina Kyle is the protagonist ofThe Kryptonian Age#1.
More specifically, Lady Selina Kyle takes the lead, as Diggle intentionally shifts her economic status.
I like the idea of having Selina Kyle being rich this time around, says the writer.
Shes still thoroughly disreputable, but shes got money, so people have to kind of play along.
She comes in with that very genteel way of speaking.
That non-American approach makes for a natural part of theGotham by Gaslightworld, says Diggle.
I always was very influenced by Mike Mignolas artwork, Fernandez says.
Instead of worrying about mimicking Mignola, Fernandez expended more energy giving Gotham a distinctive 19th century look.
As demonstrated by his art onThe Old GuardandAmerican Carnage, Fernandez excels at creating interesting locales from world history.
It will be about the world in that moment in time.
So we want to show that in the landscape.
Its a big story with a lot of characters, Diggle observes.
Diggle also plans to include Adam Strange and the con man/magicianJohn Constantine.
Hes the guy who brings other people together.
According to Diggle, Constantine plays an important role in solidifying the disparate world ofThe Kryptonian Age.
Weve got lots of different stories all running in parallel.
Its not immediately apparent how theyre going to tie together.
And Constantines the guy whos figuring out how it all joins together.
Based on the original idea by Augustyn, Mignola, and Russell, Fernandez follows Batman to other places.
Its not only about Gotham, its about the world too, and the other characters too.
So what about Superman, whose arrival begins the first issue of the series?
Youre going to meet Clark Kent before you meet Superman, teases Diggle.
Its not quite the same as the traditional comics, but thats the whole point.
You know, its an Elseworld.
Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age #1 is out now.
