WARNING: Contains Spoilers for BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT - THE KRYPTONIAN AGE #5!One of my favorite things about DC’s Superman reimagined across various alternate universes. While the main continuity’s Man of Steel will always have a special place in my heart, his Gotham by Gaslight counterpart has officially taken the crown as my favorite Clark Kent.

Superman makes his 19th-century debut in Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #5, the fifth installment to the sequel of the classic Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (1989) by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola. Written by Andy Diggle with art by Leandro Fernández and Matt Hollingsworth, this Elseworlds series reimagines DC characters with a Victorian twist and new origin stories.

While Superman remains the powerful Kryptonian fans know and love, he takes on a new civilian identity as Smallville’s bumbling yet beloved sheriff. It’s this unique portrayal that made me fall in love with the character all over again, as it perfectly blends Clark's iconic heroism and ridiculousness.

Meet Cowboy Clark Kent: Smallville’s Bumbling Yet Beloved Sheriff

Superman’s Secret Identity Antics Get Taken to a Whole New Extreme (& I’m Loving Every Second of It)

Clark makes his official debut by intervening in a standoff with Dead Shot, but instead of swooping in as the Man of Steel, he steps in as the sheriff of Smallville. Given this approach, it’s safe to say that Clark hasn’t fully embraced his ‘Superman’ identity in this series yet, even though he’s clearly an overpowered Kryptonian. By showing up to the standoff as the town's sheriff, Clark has to subtly use his powers to maintain the illusion that he’s just a mild-mannered lawman. This leads to a series of interactions with Dead Shot that are not only ridiculous but also incredibly entertaining.

Superman’s strategy for dealing with the criminals is both absurd and hilarious. He uses his powers in subtle ways, only to loudly narrate a different, far-fetched explanation for what just happened. For instance, when Dead Shot shoots at Clark, the sheriff pretends to trip and fall flat on his face to dodge the bullet to keep his invulnerability under wraps. To make matters even more ridiculous, he loudly declares, “So clumsy… Tripped over my own boots!” This pattern continues throughout the fight—Clark subtly using his powers, then offering some silly excuse for the outcome.

In many ways, this scene takes Clark Kent’s well-known absurdity to a whole new level. In mainstream continuity, I’ve always enjoyed watching Clark play up the mild-mannered, sometimes clumsy investigative journalist—whether it’s spilling coffee or fumbling a stack of papers—all to maintain his secret identity, which is protected by nothing more than a pair of glasses. This ridiculousness has always made me smile, but the sheriff persona in this Elseworlds story takes it even further. The absurdity is so over-the-top that it makes it even harder to believe that no one has figured out Clark is really a Kryptonian in disguise.

Superman Debuts New Wild West Look in Gotham by Gaslight

Clark Kent’s Sheriff Outfit Pays Tribute to His Superman Suit

If there’s one thing I love nearly as much as DC Comics, it’s cowboys. So, seeing Superman embrace his inner cowboy was one of my favorite comic moments of 2024. What I adore about Clark’s sheriff outfit is that it’s a full western look while still paying tribute to his iconic Superman costume with the red, blue, and yellow color scheme. Clark wears blue jeans and a blue vest with yellow brass buttons, along with a matching ascot around his neck, echoing Superman’s bodysuit and the yellow of his “S” shield.

Additionally, Sheriff Kent sports reddish-brown cowboy boots and a red duster, both nodding to elements of his Superman suit. The boots mirror Superman’s red footwear, while the duster references his cape. To complete the look, Clark wears a pristine white cowboy hat. While this may not directly reference his usual costume, I believe it has symbolic meaning. In metaphysical , a “white cap” often represents purity, goodness, and moral integrity—qualities I often associate with Superman. This makes it a perfect fit for his overall appearance.

Lois Lane & Jimmy Olsen Arrive In Smallville (& Sheriff Kent Has Caught Their Eye)

Will There Be a Lois Lane and Superman Romance in Gotham by Gaslight?

In addition to Superman’s secret identity antics and his fantastic cowboy outfit, I was thrilled to see Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen make an appearance in this issue. Though they were first introduced in issue #4, their initial appearance took place in Metropolis, far from Smallville, KS. And just like in the mainstream continuity, Lois and Jimmy work for the Daily Planet—albeit the 19th-century version of the newspaper. It was exciting to see them in Smallville, as it suggests they will inevitably cross paths with Sheriff Clark, especially after Lois took notice of his confrontation with Dead Shot.

In the mainstream continuity, Lois and Jimmy have always played key roles in Clark’s civilian life, so it feels fitting for this Elseworlds series to bring them into the fold. Superman and Lois Lane typically fall in love no matter the universe, so it will be interesting to see if Gotham by Gaslight follows this well-worn path. However, with the series featuring such a vast cast of characters, there may not be enough time to explore the deeper nuances of Lois and Clark’s relationship. Still, I’m eager to see whatever interactions we do get between Clark, Lois, and Jimmy.

Batman Is Not Fooled by Superman’s Incompetent Sheriff Act

Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #6 Will See Clark Kent & Bruce Wayne Meet

The Superman interaction I’m most excited for in the comic is the one between Bruce and Clark. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #5 ended with Bruce witnessing the entire exchange between Sheriff Kent and Dead Shot. With his signature “Hrn,” the Dark Knight made it clear that he knows there’s more to Smallville’s sheriff than meets the eye. This sets the stage for their paths to inevitably cross, and I have a feeling it’s going to lead to an epic partnership between the two. Together, Superman and Batman will likely face the looming threat of the teased Kryptonian Doom heading toward the Gotham by Gaslight universe.

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight - The Kryptonian Age #5 is available now from DC Comics.