# Batman's New Horror Series Launches Today

> Gotham by Daylight debuts with cosmic horror and light-based threats.
- Title: Batman's New Horror Series Launches Today · ScreenRant
- Summary: Gotham by Daylight debuts with cosmic horror and light-based threats. Gotham by Daylight starts strong with light-based threats and Duke Thomas as a daytime…
- Keywords: gotham by daylight, duke thomas, batman, webtoon, dc comics, cosmic horror, light-based threat, metahuman, entertainment, culture, Batman's, Horror
- Source: ScreenRant — https://screenrant.com/batman-new-horror-comic-gotham-by-daylight
- Author: J.R. Waugh
- Published: 2026-10-19T13:00:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gotham by daylight, duke thomas, batman, webtoon, dc comics, cosmic horror, light-based threat, metahuman, entertainment, culture
## Gotham by Daylight Launches
Gotham by Daylight releases today with three free episodes and eight more via Webtoon's Fast Pass.
## Daytime Horror Threat
The series introduces a light-based entity that threatens Gotham City during daytime hours.
## Duke Thomas Story
Duke Thomas, a metahuman with light-sensing abilities, leads a grief counseling group in Gotham City.
## Duke's Abilities
Duke can track people by their unique light reflections and see into the past using light traces.
## First Episode Highlights
Richard eats a cockroach and vomits it, while a light-based entity approaches him in the first chapter.
## Duke's Motivation
Duke wants to be a real hero after facing a cosmic threat, not just a Batman replacement.
## Mike Birchall's Vision
Birchall drew inspiration from Batman: The Animated Series and Junji Ito's Uzumaki for the series.

> My two strongest inspirations were Batman: The Animated Series, with its many non-Batman-centric stories told so beautifully, and the Junji Ito manga Uzumaki, which features an otherworldly threat arriving in a quiet town and affecting its citizens.
## Light-Based Threat
The light-based entity can outmaneuver a Robin trained by the League of Assassins and cause instant harm.
## Series Potential
Gotham by Daylight has good potential to reach #1 on Webtoon's superhero charts with consistent momentum.
## Duke's Role
Duke is a 13-year-old Damian Wayne's guardian with unique light-based powers in Gotham City.
## Webtoon's Approach
Webtoon mixes professional Originals with self-publishing for creators to build communities and earn revenue.
## First Three Episodes
The first three episodes are available for free with the series launching today at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET.
## Cosmic Horror Elements
The series explores how ordinary Gotham citizens react to cosmic-level threats through everyday horror.
## What Happens Next
The light-based threat spreads across Gotham City, with Duke and Damian fighting to survive.
## Key takeaway

Gotham by Daylight starts strong with light-based threats and Duke Thomas as a daytime protector.