Batman – Gotham Knights – Gilded City Issue 1 (2022)

Publisher: DC Comics Published: September 15, 2025

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Batman – Gotham Knights – Gilded City Issue 1 (2022)

Batman – Gotham Knights – Gilded City Issue 1 (2022) launched as both a companion comic to the Gotham Knights video game and as a standalone story that explored Gotham’s dark past alongside its troubled present. Written by Evan Narcisse with art by Abel, this opening issue set the stage for a mystery spanning two timelines: Batman’s final case in the modern day and a hidden epidemic that plagued Gotham in the 1800s.

The comic opened with Batman investigating strange riots breaking out across Gotham City. Citizens, seemingly ordinary, suddenly lashed out in violent rage, overwhelming police forces and spreading chaos. These weren’t the typical criminal outbursts orchestrated by one of his rogues’ gallery—it felt contagious, almost like an emotional infection. Batman – Gotham Knights – Gilded City Issue 1 (2022) used this setup to blend horror and detective storytelling, with Batman realizing that Gotham was once again under siege by something that reached beyond ordinary crime.

As Batman followed the trail of these outbreaks, the narrative shifted to Gotham in the year 1847. Here, readers were introduced to a mysterious vigilante known as the Runaway. Dressed in a mask and armed with a bow, the Runaway fought against injustice in a rapidly industrializing Gotham. Much like Batman, this figure stalked criminals in the night—but unlike the Dark Knight, the Runaway operated in a city still forming its identity, where corruption and exploitation were tied to the booming economy. This historical thread revealed that Gotham had been haunted by cycles of violence long before Bruce Wayne ever donned the cowl.

The clever hook of Batman – Gotham Knights – Gilded City Issue 1 (2022) was how it mirrored the two eras. Just as Batman dealt with a modern epidemic of rage, the Runaway faced something eerily similar in the 19th century—an outbreak that made Gothamites turn on each other in sudden bursts of uncontrollable fury. The dual narrative suggested that Gotham’s curse wasn’t just metaphorical—it was something embedded deep within the city’s history, resurfacing in new forms across generations.

Artist Abel captured both timelines beautifully. The modern Gotham was sleek, neon-lit, and gritty, perfectly matching the video game’s aesthetic, while the 1840s Gotham felt oppressive, filled with shadowy docks, carriages, and smog. The contrast emphasized how Gotham had changed in appearance but not in spirit—it had always been a city of darkness, fear, and secrets.

The issue ended with Batman gathering clues that linked the present outbreak to something buried in Gotham’s past. Meanwhile, the Runaway’s fight in the 19th century revealed that the city’s wealthy elite were covering up the cause of the strange epidemic. By tying these mysteries together, Batman – Gotham Knights – Gilded City Issue 1 (2022) promised readers a story not only about Gotham’s current protectors but also about the legacy of those who came before.

Another bonus for fans: every physical issue of this six-part miniseries came with a code that unlocked in-game content for Gotham Knights. Issue #1 included the exclusive Batarang Transmog skin, tying the comic directly to the gaming experience.

In conclusion, Batman – Gotham Knights – Gilded City Issue 1 (2022) was a strong start to a series that explored Gotham as a city cursed by history. With its split narrative between Batman and the Runaway, it expanded the mythos by showing that Gotham had always produced vigilantes in times of crisis. More than just a game tie-in, it laid the groundwork for a mystery about rage, corruption, and legacy—elements at the very heart of the Dark Knight’s world.