Batman: White Knight

(Update) Sequel inbound, currently ongoing from 9/10/19 Sean Murphy is currently working on the sequel to this and has already released a few issues. The title is Curse of the White Knight. A description is as follows: The Joker recruits Azreal to help him expose a shocking secret from the Wayne's family's legacy-and to run Gotham into the ground!As Batman rushes to protect the city and his loved ones from danger, the mystery of his ancestry unravels, dealing a devastating blow to the Dark Knight. No idea how many issues or when a complete physical release is planed, but if you pick this up and love it, just know a sequel is in the works! (Back to the review) Batman White Knight is an 8 issue arc released from 2017-2018 written and drawn by Sean Murphy with Matt Hollingsworth doing the colours. This also the first collected edition that's part of the Black Label but there are others that are going to be re released under the Black Label such as Watchmen (Wikipedia), Superman Year One (Wikipedia), and I've seen the Dark Knight series by Frank Miller listed on Amazon among others. This arc follows the Batman New 52 side of things which I haven't yet read but plan on it. The story here is Batman is chasing the Joker, once Batman has caught him he brutally beats him even though the Joker had surrendered, this is witnessed by GCPD along with Batwoman and Nightwing. The act is recorded or photographed and brought forth and displayed on the news. With this new look at Batman, it sparks debate between residents in Gotham if Batman really is doing good for the community. With the Joker on meds that have brought his sanity back, he's building a case for his freedom and demands Batman be made accountable for his actions not just for himself but other citizens of Gotham. It's an interesting story and one I've been eagerly waiting to dive into. Here we see the roles reversed where Joker now Jack Napier, is now the “White Knight” and Batman as the villain. It was great getting to see Jack Napier and how clever he is and with Joker gone the impact it has on the city. We also learn that Jokers obsession with Batman is caused from him being his biggest fan (as hinted on the cover) which was interesting. I have always been impressed and thought it was more interesting when the art and writing are done by a sole person, they are able to deliver the story they imagine and draw it as they imagine it. The story was written very well with a great plot that was gripping every second with several surprises along the way. The artwork was also well done and to my style, with detail where needed but also providing a dark mood. Overall, one of the more enjoyable Batman tales I've read and one I'll definitely come back to. White Knight delivers a well executed and uniquely gripping story with great artwork and because of this, it perhaps could one day be regarded as one of the must read Batman titles on a list and in my opinion would be rightfully deserved. I do believe I will look into Sean Murphy's other works if this is what he's capable of. I could easily suggest that any fan of Batman pick up this if you're interested, you won't regret it. Hopefully you found this review helpful and happy reading.

One-off the best modern stories of Batman I have read. If you are particularly well versed in Batman, then like me , you may really enjoy a different take on the Batman story. It plays around with perception and has some great themes within the writing. But the best thing is that it sticks with the core of who these characters are, and it is they want, with a slightly different take. It's why there has been 80 years of great Batman, because talented artists and writers want to play with these characters and fit their own stories within its legacy, and DC are brave enough to do it.

When people started comparing this to the killing joke I decided I had to take a look myself. Being honest, I don't know what else to compare it too. Unlike the killing joke this is not an origin story. It feels like it could take place during the new 52 era of batman. It poses some interesting questions such as why batman is excused for his more brutish methods of capturing criminals. What happend to Harley Quinn and can Mr freeze ever find a cure for nora, if he does would their be consequences of using it? This also had a dark knight returns vibe to it when batman becomes the adversary in gothams point of view. The joker is proven to be more than a match for batman when he is sane and holding a clear thinking mind. What deducts a star from me is how the third act of the story transpires. It feels a bit cheesy and almost anti climactic, some of the story you were able to predict rather early on too. However this is definitely worth a read. I would also like to mention the art is just stunning and it's always nice to see me freeze. He's probably the only character in comic books that I feel needs to be included In more stories.

This is an awesome story. This is the best comic mini series I have read in a long time. The blurb at the back said that this was "Unlike anything we've seen before". For once this is not just hype. This is truly unlike any Batman story I have ever read. Every Batman fan has heard of the Joker and everyone has an option on him. Now I met Jack Napier, and he could be even more dangerous then the Joker. Removing the Joker' s insanity was one thing the made this comic great, the second ingredient was removing Batman's conscience and support system. This makes for a much darker, dangerous and reckless Batman. The artwork is great an suits the story perfectly. It is a great mix of old gothic art work and new technology at the same time. The surprises are actually surprising. They were definitely not things I saw coming. Everything was great from beginning to end. Even though this was a elseworld like miniseries but I would love to see where this story goes from here. Every chapter starts with the issue cover, then the cover gallery at the end has the varient covers of issues 1 to 8. I loved this series, if I had one complaint about this book it would be that I would have liked more of Batman in the story, but the way the story is set out I know why it was done this way. Super awesome story and I can think of someone who should be the next White Knight. Read this book then join me in begging for a sequel please!!

The essence of this story is this: The Joker has found a cure for his insanity and under his civilian guise of Jack Napier, turns Gotham City against Batman as a wrecking machine who has caused more harm than good. While the story is not the star of the show (but still excellent), it brings up some good points about Batman in a real world setting, who pays for the damage that his vigilante behaviour causes? How does the government react? Is he to blame for the super villains who haunt the city? The star of the show though is the artwork by writer and artist Sean Murphy and colorist Matt Hollingsworth. The clear pencils and pastel colours paint a fantastic image of a modern day Gotham but the real winner here is the designs Murphy has come up with for Batman and his cohorts. A mixture of steampunk influences with modern fashion show Nightwing in his classic black leotard but with a stylish blue leather jacket, and Batman's costume itself has practical additions such as straps for his cape, oversized collar on his cape and utility belt and knee high boots. The looks are distinctive enough to make you aware that this is an Elseworlds title but not so radical to think that they could appear in other media. All in all this is a fantastic Batman story, making Joker the hero and Batman the villain is a great twist on the relationship between the two icons and it's one that plays out extremely well in this story.

This is a genuinely unique comic book, very original take on what we’ve seen countless times and it felt like it needed it. The way Murphy has drawn this comic book is nothing short of incredible and I love how the colours contrasted to make each character unique. The whole joker is the good guy and Batman is bad can feel a bit melancholy at first but I learned to deal with it. Although, I feel like the repercussions from Batmans antic were a little hamfisted and just used for the plot, a dark Batman that doesn’t care about others? Don’t know about that one. All in all I really enjoyed this comic book, I’d love to check out more of Murphys work as it truly showcases how good he is at drawing these characters (that Harley design sheesh!)

A truly unique story for the Dark Knight, who takes a relative back seat for once. This will leave any Bat-fan feeling very nostalgic (especially those who love Batmobiles) and the art is amazing. Frank Miller wishes his caped crusader was as brooding as he is in this...... If you like to root for the bad guy, you can't go wrong. Highly recommended. Under £10 is a great price for what was a hefty 8 issue series, makes me wonder if the forthcoming hardcover will have much more to offer at over double the price.

Had this on my 'to read list' for a good year and a bit, and it was well worth the wait! Only thing is, I need to get the next book ASAP!! if you're a fan of the classic Batman and Joker Story, then be prepared for it to be flipped on top its head! Must read for DC and Batman fans!