'Batman: Gotham By Gaslight' to become next DC Comics animated feature

In the world of DC Comics, there is a form of comic books that are known as "Elseworlds" stories. That means that popular characters are removed from the actual canon world of DC Comics and placed in another world that is very different than fans are used to. Examples of this are "Red Son," a story where Superman was raised by Communist parents in the Soviet Union, and "Batman & Dracula: Red Rain," where Batman becomes a vampire.

The very first "Elseworlds" story DC Comics ever made was called "Batman: Gotham By Gaslight." The special features included on the upcoming "Batman and Harley Quinn" animated movie indicates that this "Elseworlds" story will be the next in the successful line of DC Comics animated feature films.

Gotham By Gaslight

"Batman: Gotham By Gaslight" was released in 1989, written by Brian Augustyn and drawn by "Hellboy" creator Mike Mignola. This "Elseworlds" comic story took Batman and transported him to Victorian England. In the story, Bruce Wayne is traveling through Europe in 1889 when he meets Sigmund Freud.

When he returns home, he decides to take on the role of Batman to fight criminals on the streets.

The detective then comes across some murders that remind him of the Jack The Ripper murders that took place in London and he decides that the Ripper has come to Gotham City. The story then deals with Batman trying to figure out the identity of the Ripper and learn what he might have to do with Bruce Wayne's own past.

The DC Comics animated movie

DC Comics has been making great animated movies for a number of years. They have one big storyline ongoing that started with the "Flashpoint" story that kickstarted the New DC 52 and has continued through "Justice League" and "Teen Titans" movies. There is also a number of secondary animated movies that are not connected that includes "The Killing Joke," "Escape from Arkham Asylum," and the upcoming "Batman and Harley Quinn."

Bruce Timm, one of the top animators in comic book history, has worked on most of these films and will continue to do so on "Batman: Gotham By Gaslight." The animated movie will likely take on a more Film Noir look based on the Victorian timeframe and appears to align well with the "Dark Knight Returns" animated films from a few years back.

Outside of the teaser from the "Batman and Harley Quinn" movie, which hits stores on Aug. 29, there is no further news on "Batman: Gotham By Gaslight."