WAarning: Spoilers for Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #5!Batman may have just taken his coolest mode of transport to date on its maiden voyage: THE BAT-ZEPPELIN. Beyond its undeniable aesthetic appeal, this mode of transport speaks volumes about just how immensely wealthy the Gotham by Gaslight Batman is. It also injects some subtle humor into the story, highlighting Bruce Wayne’s flair for theatrics and the ridiculousness of his “secret” identity.
In Batman: Gotham by Gaslight–The Kryptonian Age #5, Andy Diggle, Leandro Fernández, and Matt Hollingsworth debut the Dark Knight’s Bat-Zeppelin. While fans know that Brian Augustyn’s original Gotham by Gaslight story was set in 1889, this Zeppelin introduction situates The Kryptonian Age in the early 1900s—aligning with the first flight of a Zeppelin in 1900.
This timeline assumes historical accuracy applies to the narrative, though, as liberties are sometimes taken in alternate DC timelines. Regardless, it’s exciting to see this version of Batman with a ride that’s both unique and sets him apart from his counterparts across the DC Universe.
Gotham By Gaslight’s Batman Is Just as Filthy Rich as His Earth-Prime Counterpart
Before its debut in issue #5, there was no indication that Bruce had been working on a Zeppelin for his heroic ventures. While it was already clear that he belonged to Gotham’s wealthy elite, the Zeppelin underscores just how truly wealthy he is. Assuming Bruce’s Zeppelin would be top-of-the-line, it’s comparable to the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin—one of the most advanced of its time due to its size, capabilities, and range. The LZ 127 cost around $11-12 million USD today to build after accounting for inflation and other economic differences.
Beyond highlighting this Victorian Batman’s wealth, the Zeppelin also humorously underscores how flimsy his secret identity as Bruce Wayne is. The aircraft sports massive bat-like wings and flies out of a factory emblazoned with “Wayne Industrial Company” in the heart of Gotham. With such overt branding, it’s almost laughable to think that anyone would fail to connect the dots between the Bat-Zeppelin and Bruce Wayne. Whether the humor is intentional or not, it only adds to the irony of Bruce’s so-called secret identity.
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No Matter the Alternate Universe, Batman Takes His Bat-Theme to Hilarious Levels
“The Bat Wings Are Entirely Necessary.” – Bruce Wayne in Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #5
Adding to the humor of the Zeppelin’s debut, Bruce’s wife, Julie Madison, remarks that the massive bat wings on the aircraft might be a bit “outré”—meaning unusual, eccentric, and perhaps unnecessary. Bruce’s stone-faced reply? “The bat wings are entirely necessary.” This amusing exchange underscores that, no matter the universe, Bruce Wayne’s dedication to the bat theme is unwaveringly dramatic. As the narrative progresses, it will be interesting to see if Batman has more bat-themed surprises up his sleeve, further showcasing his commitment to his unique brand of heroism.
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Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age #5 is available now from DC Comics.
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.
