WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT – THE KRYPTONIAN AGE #5!One of my favorite things about DC’s Other worlds Imprint is the opportunity to see different versions of favorite characters like Superman Reimagined across various alternate universes. While the main continuity man of style will always have a special place in my heart, his Gotham by Gaslight Opponent has officially taken the crown as my favorite Clark Kent.
Superman makes his 19th-century debut in Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #5, the fifth installment to the sequel of the classic Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (1989) by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola. Written by Andy Diggle with art by Leandro Fernández and Matt Hollingsworth, this Other worlds Series reimagines DC characters with a Victorian twist and new stories.
While Superman remains the powerful Kryptonian fans know and love, he takes on a new civilian identity as Smallville’s bumbling yet beloved sheriff. This is the unique image that made me fall in love with the character, because it is a perfect blend of Clark’s iconic bravery and ridiculousness.
Meet Cowboy Clark Kent: Smallville’s bumbling yet beloved sheriff
Superman’s secret identity antics get taken to a whole new extreme (and I’m loving every second of it)
Clark makes his official debut by intervening in a standoff with Deadshot, but instead of swooping in as the Man of Steel, he steps in as the Sheriff of Smallville. Given this approach, it’s safe to say that Clark hasn’t fully embraced his ‘Superman’ identity in the series yet, even though he’s clearly an overpowered Kryptonian. By showing up to the standoff as the town’s sheriff, Clark must subtly use his powers to maintain the illusion that he is just a mild-mannered lawman. This leads to a series of interactions with Dead Shot that are not only ridiculous but also incredibly entertaining.
Superman’s strategy to deal with the criminals is wild and hilarious. He uses his powers in subtle ways, only to tell aloud a different, far-fetched explanation for what just happened. For example, when Dead Shot shoots at Clark, the sheriff pretends to trip and fall flat on his face to dodge the bullet to keep his invulnerability under wraps. To make matters even more ridiculous, he loudly declares, “So clumsy…tripped over my own shoes!” The pattern continues throughout the fight – Clark subtly uses his powers, and gives some silly excuses for the outcome.
In many ways, this scene takes Clark Kent’s well-known absurdity to a whole new level. In mainstream continuity, I always enjoy watching Clarke play the mild-mannered, sometimes clumsy investigative journalist– Whether it’s spilling coffee, or fumbling with a stack of papers – all to keep his secret identity, which is protected by nothing more than a pair of glasses. The ridiculousness always made me smile, but the sheriff persona in this one Other worlds History takes it even further. The absurdity is so over-the-top that it makes it even harder to believe that no one has figured out that Clark is really a Kryptonian in disguise.
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Superman Debuts New Wild West Look In Gotham by Gaslight
Clark Kent’s sheriff outfit pays tribute to his Superman suit
If there’s one thing I love almost as much as DC Comics, it’s cowboys. So, seeing Superman embrace his inner cowboy was one of my favorite comic moments of 2024. What I adore about Clark’s sheriff outfit is that it’s a full western look while still paying tribute to his iconic Superman costume With the red, blue and yellow color scheme. Clark wears blue jeans and a blue vest with yellow brass buttons, along with a matching ascot around his neck, echoing Superman’s body and the yellow of his body. “s” Shield.
Additionally, Sheriff Kent sports reddish-brown cowboy boots and a red duster, both nodding to elements of his Superman suit. The boots mirror Superman’s red footwear, while the duster references his cape. To complete the look, Clark wore a pristine white cowboy hat. Although this may not directly refer to his usual costume, I believe it has symbolic meaning. In metaphysical terms, A “White Cap” Often represents purity, goodness and moral integrity – qualities I often associate with Superman. This makes it a perfect fit for his overall appearance.
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Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen arrive in Smallville (and Sheriff Kent catches their eye)
Will there be a Lois Lane and Superman romance in Gotham by Gaslight?
In addition to Superman’s secret identity antics and his fantastic cowboy outfit, I was thrilled to see Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen make an appearance in this issue. Although they were first introduced in issue #4, their first appearance was in Metropolis, far from Smallville, KS. And just like in the mainstream continuity, Lois and Jimmy work for the Daily Planet – albeit the 19th-century version of the newspaper. It was exciting to see them in Smallville, as it suggests that they will inevitably cross paths with Sheriff Clarke, especially after Lois noticed his confrontation with Deadshot.
In mainstream continuity, Lois and Jimmy have always played key roles in Clark’s civilian life, so it feels fitting for this. Other worlds series to bring them into the fold. Superman and Lois Lane typically fall in love no matter the universeSo it will be interesting to see if Gotham by Gaslight Follow the well-worn path. However, with the series featuring such a vast cast of characters, there may not be enough time to explore the deeper nuances of Lois and Clark’s relationship. Still, I’m eager to see what interactions we do between Clark, Lois, and Jimmy.
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Batman is not fooled by Superman’s incompetent sheriff act
Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #6 will see Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne meet
The Superman interaction I’m most excited for in the upcoming comic is the one between Bruce and Clark. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #5 ended with Bruce witnessing the entire exchange between Sheriff Kent and Dead Shot. with his signature “Lord,“The Dark Knight has made it clear that he knows that Smallville’s sheriff is more than meets the eye. This sets the stage for their paths to inevitably cross, and I have a feeling it will lead to an epic partnership between the two. Together, Superman And Batman will likely face the looming threat of the teased Kryptonian doom heading towards the Gotham by Gaslight Universe.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #5 is available now from DC Comics.