A steampunk-infused comic that pitted the Dark Knight against Jack the Ripper, 1989's Gotham by Gaslight was DC Comics' first -- and, some would argue, best -- Elseworlds story, inspiring a sequel, merchandise and nods in at least three video games. The alternate timeline created by Brian Augustyn, Mike Mignola and P. Craig Russell even rated its own world, Earth-19, within the DC Multiverse (last glimpsed in May in Convergence: Shazam! #2).

And now it's the basis for a fan film.

Written and directed by James Campbell, the Gotham by Gaslight-inspired "Ripper" is set in 1888 London, where Chief Inspector Abberline is desperate to catch the killer behind a string of grisly murders.  But unbeknown to him, there's someone lurking in the shadows who wants to help.

Campbell has released a trailer for "Ripper" that sets the film's tone, and offers a glimpse of the Victorian Batman. The project's first crowdfunding campaign raised more than $9,400 to help pay for filming, and now producer Adam Bouabda has launched another to assist with post-production.

The goal is to complete "Ripper" by the end of September, for a premiere at a U.S. comic convention.



(via Moviepilot)