Hermetic Library Fellow T Polyphilus reviews Batman: The Doom that Came to Gotham by Mike Mignola, Richard Pace, Troy Nixey, Dennis Janke, and Dave Stewart.

When Grant Morrison wrote Arkham Asylum to blow Bat-minds in 1989, he infused Gotham City with actual occultism, but in terms of the Yog-Sothothery suggested by “Arkham,” he didn’t make any significant impositions. He certainly didn’t go half as far as Mike Mignola and Richard Pace’s Doom that Came to Gotham. The latter is part of the DC “Elseworlds” imprint, and it reminded me of Neil Gaiman’s Marvel 1602 with the full transposition of a multi-superhero character matrix into another setting and time. For Doom that is the Lovecraftian 1920s. Originally a three-issue limited series, the breaks between issues have vanished in the trade edition that collects them into a single graphic novel.

Besides Batman, Alfred, and Bruce Wayne’s wards (none of whom have Robin or Nightwing identities or powers), key characters include Oliver Queen (not quite Green Arrow), Barbara Gordon (not Batgirl, but certainly some sort of Oracle), Jason Blood (every bit the Demon), Harvey Dent (who doesn’t start as Two-Face), Talia al Ghul, and Ras al Ghul (this world’s version of Abdul Alhazred). Alternate, Cthulhvized versions of such Bat-villains as Mister Freeze and Poison Ivy are also clever and outre.

Nixey & Janke’s internal art is suited to the mood of the story, but it pales against Mignola’s covers. To fully enjoy this book requires appreciation of both the Lovecraft source material and the Batman franchise as it has evolved into the 21st century. Once those are granted, it is a fast, broody, macabre, and worthwhile read.