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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
I liked this more than White Knight, if I'm being honest. One thing that bugged me about the original is that it's defintely hampered by being such a short miniseries so a beefier follow-up that explores more of the universe Murphy has established and one that doesn't rely on the Joker and isn't afraid to shake up its own status quo and pay tribute to the character while actively criticizing him. I hear shallow, reductive criticisms of Batman from people who think they're clever because they took a semester of Ab Psych in college. This is a book I can throw at their head when they start yapping.
I’m a fan of Batman: White Knight, which I find to be a satisfying standalone story, not in need of a sequel. But I was curious what the sequel volumes do with the story, so I checked them out. The first sequel, Curse of the White Knight, picks up the few loose ends from the first volume—what’s under the floorboard in Alfred’s room, and what Napier meant that he discovered the Joker in his original cell in Arkham. Those details lead to what, for me, became an overly convoluted way of exploring the themes of “What is the Wayne legacy?” and “What makes Bruce Wayne a Wayne?” The story goes all the way back to the founding of Gotham City, setting up a conflict between Waynes and Bakkars that culminates in the present-day story. It’s an interesting enough theme, but I was over my head in all the deep-cut details. I’m sure this is no problem for people more steeped in Batman lore, but I didn’t know enough about all the pieces moving around in this story.
This volume is as grisly as the original, but it also gives even more emphasis to the value of life. It’s an odd mix overall. On the one hand, the entire rogues gallery is killed at once. On the other hand, Harley is pregnant, delivers her baby, and finds a redemptive arc that’s nearly powerful enough to allow Napier to overpower the Joker for good. The beauty of life is not always present to counterbalance the despair of a Batman story, so I appreciate it in this one.
I wish the “von Freeze” story had been integrated into the part of the book where it is meant to go, rather than being relegated to an extra feature at the end. I think reading that in proper sequence would have been really excellent. Ironically, that’s the flashback that meant more to me than all the Wayne/Bakkar stuff. Victor is one of most interesting of the Batman villains, and I would have liked to see him play a bigger role in this story than just doing what the plot required at a few points.
With so many characters from all of Batman’s history brought into the White Knight series, it’s a little odd to me that Catwoman is nowhere to be found. Because she’s absent, Harley ends up having to play the “pal who understands and perhaps loves Batman” role that usually belongs to Catwoman. It basically works, but there were moments where I thought, “This should be Selina, not Harleen.”
This volume is as grisly as the original, but it also gives even more emphasis to the value of life. It’s an odd mix overall. On the one hand, the entire rogues gallery is killed at once. On the other hand, Harley is pregnant, delivers her baby, and finds a redemptive arc that’s nearly powerful enough to allow Napier to overpower the Joker for good. The beauty of life is not always present to counterbalance the despair of a Batman story, so I appreciate it in this one.
I wish the “von Freeze” story had been integrated into the part of the book where it is meant to go, rather than being relegated to an extra feature at the end. I think reading that in proper sequence would have been really excellent. Ironically, that’s the flashback that meant more to me than all the Wayne/Bakkar stuff. Victor is one of most interesting of the Batman villains, and I would have liked to see him play a bigger role in this story than just doing what the plot required at a few points.
With so many characters from all of Batman’s history brought into the White Knight series, it’s a little odd to me that Catwoman is nowhere to be found. Because she’s absent, Harley ends up having to play the “pal who understands and perhaps loves Batman” role that usually belongs to Catwoman. It basically works, but there were moments where I thought, “This should be Selina, not Harleen.”
Definitely a Batman comic book for sure. I like when the Joker is involved. Just nothing super special enough happened for me to give it a higher rating. The graphics were good—old school comic books/superhero tales aren’t always my favorite graphic novel style.
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Damn I love the Murphy-verse! It's clear he has a love for the world and character of Batman. What I'm loving the most is the evolution of Harley. (more on that in the next book) The Joker/Jack Napier thing kind of takes a backseat in this one so don't expect it to be a direct follow-up. The evnets in this are linked to the first book and The Joker is responsible, but the main villain/antagonist is Azreal. I like it, it's a character I know almost nothing about and the backstory they give on the fued between him and Bruce goes back to the founding of Gotham which was nice, though the reason for this and Jokers big plan feel a little light to me, I can't see this affecting Batman as much as it does, then again he does get over it fairly quickly in the story. I love the references/changes to the lore with Gordon and Bat-Girl. And I'm curious where Sean will take the story next because he kills off a lot of characters in this one.
I've sadly read these out of order, and this is far and away the most disappointing of Murphy's work on the rebooted Batman universe. I'm not sure we needed a deeper backstory than what transpired in the 30s and 40s, but the Baron Wayne story borders on the ridiculous, now telling us the Bruce isn't even a Wayne at all, but the bastard son of some Bakkar.
The Von Freeze one shot is also abysmal. It may be the worst work of Klaus Janson's fine career, and it's weak of Murphy--and everyone else in comics--to keep trading on Nazi tropes as if they were the worst evil in human history (that's still the first organized monotheistic religion, which was just as full of hate, xenophobia, fascism, and genocide, though that was an early white culture trying to destroy Egypt, Islam and all other black cultures from that period of history).
The Von Freeze one shot is also abysmal. It may be the worst work of Klaus Janson's fine career, and it's weak of Murphy--and everyone else in comics--to keep trading on Nazi tropes as if they were the worst evil in human history (that's still the first organized monotheistic religion, which was just as full of hate, xenophobia, fascism, and genocide, though that was an early white culture trying to destroy Egypt, Islam and all other black cultures from that period of history).
Continuing Murphy's alternate Batman timeline, Curse of the White Knight examines the struggles of Gotham's protector in the aftermath of all that Napier wrought. With a mystery stretching far into the past and the city on the brink of changing forever, Bruce, Joker, Harley, and those around them must confront their demons if they are to survive. As each player faces their past and the consequences of their actions and legacies, the decisions they make will shape the future Gotham finds itself stepping into. With Azrael bringing judgment and violence on all who stand in his way, these reckonings will happen one way or another.
Murphy tells a Batman story unlike any other. With Curse of the White Knight, he presses further into the complexities and conflicts of these characters as they struggle with their worse and better selves. Bold, dramatic, intriguing--volume 2 of this saga strikes at the heart of the Batman mythos. The role of the Batman has always been to protect his city. But things are not always so simple as fighting petty crime and mobsters. As the city grows and the legacy of the Batman takes on new form, what role will Bruce Wayne continue to play in this future?
Murphy tells a Batman story unlike any other. With Curse of the White Knight, he presses further into the complexities and conflicts of these characters as they struggle with their worse and better selves. Bold, dramatic, intriguing--volume 2 of this saga strikes at the heart of the Batman mythos. The role of the Batman has always been to protect his city. But things are not always so simple as fighting petty crime and mobsters. As the city grows and the legacy of the Batman takes on new form, what role will Bruce Wayne continue to play in this future?