WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT - THE KRYPTONIAN AGE #3!DespiteWonder WomanandSupermanbeing two of DC’s oldest and most iconic flagship characters, their origin stories have always been distinctly separate, with little to no overlap. However, this status quo has officially changed, as the Amazon Princess is now revealed to have an incredibly dark connection to Kryptonians, linking her to the Man of Steel in a new and surprising way.
The sequel to the critically acclaimedElseworldsseriesBatman: Gotham By Gaslightcontinues in issue #3 of Andy Diggle and Leandro Fernández’sBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age. In this installment, the lore of the 19th-century-inspired alternate universe expands further, introducing new characters to the narrative, including Wonder Woman.
Issue #3 is packed with new revelations about the Amazon Warrior, presenting a version of her that fans have yet to see explored by DC. Most notably,this Victorian Era Wonder Woman is given a new origin story, reimagining Superman’s people, the Kryptonians, as her“ancestral enemies.”
The Wonder Woman ofGotham by GaslightIs From Skartaris, NOT Themyscira
Skartaris Is a Hellish Realm Existing Inside Earth’s Hollow Core
Wonder Woman’s origin story unfolds inThe Kryptonian Age#3, after she saves Adam Strange and his men from a gigantic centipede-like creature. Following the attack, Diana sits down with Strange to warn him of the true danger humanity will soon face. However, due to a language barrier, she uses her Lasso of Truth—renamed the Cord of Hestia—to mentally convey the threat. During this exchange,Diana’s new origin is revealed, disclosing that thisGotham by GaslightWonder Womanhails from a realm called Skartaris.
As described by Strange, Skartaris is a realm hidden deep beneath the Earth’s surface, unknown to humanity, and teeming with both monsters and heroes. The vision depicts Skartaris as a Hellish world set ablaze by Earth’s core, featuring rivers of lava and creatures battling and hunting each other, as well as the realm’s humanoid inhabitants. Strange continues by narrating that, within a deep, sunless chasm surrounded by molten ore, lies an island where the City of the Amazons is located. Thus, it is revealed thatwhile theGotham by GaslightWonder Woman is still an Amazon, she lives in a distinctly different realm compared to her mainstream counterpart.
Wonder Woman’s Dark New Costume Is a HUGE Departure from Her Normal Character Model
Wonder Woman’s new costume is her most drastic character design change yet, and raises the question of whether it will be a hit or miss among fans.
Wonder Woman Reveals the Amazons Hate the Kryptonians Because They Caused the End of Civilization
The Amazons Were Forced to Flee Themyscira Because of the"Doom"that the Kryptonians Brought to Earth
What is particularly interesting about this origin switch-up is that, despite the Amazons now residing in a distinctly Hellish realm, they continue to embody the noble warriors DC has always depicted. Strange describes them as“Proud warriors, sworn to mutual aid and self-preservation …”His journaling also reveals that, despite the City of the Amazons being located in the hellish realm of Skartaris, it remains a refuge,untouched by the cataclysm that devastated Earth’s surface world eons ago—The Doom of Krypton.
Strange notes that Diana reveals the Doom of Krypton unleashed horrors from the“Otherworld,”laying waste to all of civilization, including theAmazons’ now-lost home of Themyscira. When Themyscira was lost, the surviving Amazons fled to the realm nestled within the core of the Earth. However, it appears that even before the Kryptonians brought about the end of civilization, there was already tension between them and the Amazons. Diana mentions that theAmazons had always abstained from using the“unspeakable science”of the Kryptonians, suggesting a longstanding discord between the two peoples.
Wonder Woman and Superman Are Already Set Up to Be Enemies (But It Likely Won’t Last Long)
Superman Will Likely Debut inBatman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age#5
Wonder Woman reveals her story and the history between the Amazons and the Kryptonians to warn Strange that the Doom of Krypton is predicted to resurface on Earth. Her language clearly indicates that, despite the eons that have passed, she still regards the Kryptonians as her enemies, referring to them as her“ancestral enemies”and expressing her disdain for“hated Krypton.”With Superman already set to debutin the series,fans can anticipate a compelling and unique dynamic between Diana and Clark, especially given that Diana’s perspective is shaped by a deep-seated enmity toward Superman’s people.
Despite the animosity between their peoples, it’s unlikely that Diggle will cast Clark as the villain, especially given that future issue solicitations hint at Clark’s inherent goodness. In fact, it’s almost certain that, even with their predicted rocky start,Wonder Woman and Superman will develop the deep camaraderie that often defines their relationship in the main continuity.However, the true nature of the“Doom of Krypton”and its effects on Superman and his new friendships will be compelling. Superman may face the challenging decision of choosing between his people or Earth’s inhabitants.
Steampunk Superman Officially Arrives in Sequel to Iconic 80s Comic GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight—The Kryptonian Age kicks off with Superman’s arrival, giving the Man of Steel’s origin story a 19th-century twist.
Gotham by Gaslightand the Absolute Universe Wonder Woman Both Share Similar Origin Stories
Cover F 1:25 Dan Panosian Card Stock Variant forAbsolute Wonder Woman#1
In addition to giving Wonder Woman an intriguingly dark connection to the Kryptonians, her new origin is especially notable because it bears similarities to the origin teased for DC’s upcomingAbsolute Wonder Woman. Absolute Wonder Woman is part of DC’s ALL-IN initiative, which will launch the Absolute Universe—a world existing alongside the main DCU but reimagining DC’s iconic characters in a darker, more intense light with more hardcore origin stories. Wonder Woman will be a central character in this Darkseid energy-based world, receiving her own comic title.
Thanks to solicitations forAbsolute Wonder Woman#1 and news from San Diego Comic-Con, fans know that this new version of Diana will be reimagined as the"Princess of the Underworld,“a shift from her traditional title as Princess of Themyscira. Given that Skartaris is a somewhat hellish realm that has already produced a grittier version of Wonder Woman in theGotham by GaslightElseworlds, the parallels between thisElseworldsand the upcoming Absolute Universe are striking. Although these two universes are entirely separate, the similarities inWonder Woman’sorigin in both are noteworthy.
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN’s New Tattoo Redesign Is the Freshest Take on Diana in Decades
DC has finally unveiled their much-anticipated ABSOLUTE Wonder Woman redesign, set to debut this October as part of their upcoming ALL IN initiative.
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #3is available now from DC Comics!
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is the superhero identity of Diana, Princess of the Amazons. Created on the island of Themyscira, Wonder Woman is a super-powered demi-goddess with extreme physical strength who utilizes magical gifts (like her famous Lasso of Truth) to defeat her foes. As mighty as her fellow heroes Superman and the Justice League, Wonder Woman is unmatched in her compassion and virtue.
