Who Is The Serial Killer In 'Batman: Gotham By Gaslight'?

I've been obsessed with 'Batman: Gotham by Gaslight' ever since I picked it up, and the twist with the serial killer still gives me chills. The story takes this iconic Victorian-era setting and throws Batman into a gritty hunt for Jack the Ripper, who's terrorizing Gotham. The atmosphere is thick with fog and dread, and the way Bruce Wayne navigates high society while hunting the killer is pure brilliance. The real shocker comes when it's revealed that the Ripper is none other than Hugo Strange, a character usually known as a mad scientist in other Batman stories. Here, he's reimagined as this aristocratic psycho, using his knowledge of anatomy to perfect his murders. The way he toys with Bruce, knowing his secret identity, adds this layer of psychological horror that elevates the whole comic.

The art style complements the reveal perfectly, with shadows hiding Strange's true nature until the climax. What makes it even more gripping is how Batman's usual tech is stripped back to Victorian tools, making the hunt feel more personal and brutal. The final confrontation in the Batcave is one of the most intense moments in any Batman comic I've read. Strange's motive isn't just chaos; it's this warped desire to 'cleanse' Gotham, mirroring real Ripper theories. The way the story blends history with Batman lore is masterful, and Strange's portrayal as the Ripper remains one of the most unexpected villain twists in comics.

The serial killer in 'Batman: Gotham by Gaslight' is a brilliant twist on a classic villain: Hugo Strange. This version of Strange is a far cry from his usual mad scientist persona—he’s a calculated, aristocratic murderer channeling Jack the Ripper. The story’s Victorian setting amps up the suspense, and Strange’s reveal hits hard because he’s hiding in plain sight among Gotham’s elite. His knowledge of Bruce Wayne’s identity adds a personal stakes to Batman’s hunt. The art’s moody shadows make the reveal even more satisfying. It’s a fresh take that proves even familiar villains can surprise you.