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superpuffin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
readlikeabri's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent story! Excellent artwork! Just all around excellent!
justjonsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
A cool sequel in this White Knight series that I have quite enjoyed, although I don’t think it really needed a sequel, especially since this has drifted away so much from the original storyline. Nonetheless I love the artwork and vibes of the Black Label comics so came in excited to read more.
I do remember the first novel being very detailed with a lot of dialogue that arguably dragged at some points. (My review of it was very short compared to this one though.) However I felt this sequel did a much better job at having more action and a lot more shocks and cliffhangers between volumes. For the first half I also thought the new ‘villain’ Azrael was very cool, with an interesting backstory and motives, plus he looked awesome.
However it all soon started feeling like the last season of Game of Thrones. Big moments such as major deaths or identities being revealed were great shocks and kept me hungry to read more, but it sometimes felt a bit rushed. An example being when Azreal kills almost every villain of Gotham we know and love in about half a page like it’s nothing. Plus the dialogue didn’t feel as expertly detailed like in first novel, a lot of what I remember is just characters shouting at each other.
Also in the end I didn’t really like or cared for The Wayne family’s ancient secret that is revealed. It was a bit absurd but I get that’s the point of this comic series, to have an alternate take on everything we thought we knew, like a parallel universe. But to be honest after a while I found the Gotham’s origin story / flashbacks a bit boring and Batman’s ultimate reaction to it all seemed very out of character. Just because you find out your family’s history is a lie doesn’t change who you are now and all the good that you have done. And in my opinion it most certainly would not lead the Batman we know to change his morals and code just to defeat an opposition.
Anyway, I also found the final battle a bit short and expected Azrael to be a little harder to beat considering what he did to the other characters before. But that being said it was pretty unrealistic for him to be so strong and powerful in the first place considering he’s an old man with terminal cancer. I did like how he almost pushed Batman over the edge with a comment about his parents though. Batman’s initial reaction was quite a shock.
Finally, I didn’t really like how Jack Napier / The Joker was handled. It’s said that everything was his ultimate plan although he doesn’t actually do much himself in this sequel. Obviously he was the focal point in the first novel, but here his character didn’t have any much development. If anything it probably got worse and he simply became a side character. The moments of Napier coming in and out of control soon became predictable and his ending was very disappointing after everything.
Overall it’s hard for me to figure out what rating to give this comic. While reading it I really enjoyed it, but while reviewing it I’ve noticed many flaws. Plus I’m having to compare it to other comics I have read, as well as the first in the series.... Idk maybe I should have just wrote ‘Cool’ and left it as that.
Either way, I am still looking forward to reading the Harley Quinn spin-off series as I do like her character here.
I do remember the first novel being very detailed with a lot of dialogue that arguably dragged at some points. (My review of it was very short compared to this one though.) However I felt this sequel did a much better job at having more action and a lot more shocks and cliffhangers between volumes. For the first half I also thought the new ‘villain’ Azrael was very cool, with an interesting backstory and motives, plus he looked awesome.
However it all soon started feeling like the last season of Game of Thrones. Big moments such as major deaths or identities being revealed were great shocks and kept me hungry to read more, but it sometimes felt a bit rushed. An example being when Azreal kills almost every villain of Gotham we know and love in about half a page like it’s nothing. Plus the dialogue didn’t feel as expertly detailed like in first novel, a lot of what I remember is just characters shouting at each other.
Also in the end I didn’t really like or cared for The Wayne family’s ancient secret that is revealed. It was a bit absurd but I get that’s the point of this comic series, to have an alternate take on everything we thought we knew, like a parallel universe. But to be honest after a while I found the Gotham’s origin story / flashbacks a bit boring and Batman’s ultimate reaction to it all seemed very out of character. Just because you find out your family’s history is a lie doesn’t change who you are now and all the good that you have done. And in my opinion it most certainly would not lead the Batman we know to change his morals and code just to defeat an opposition.
Anyway, I also found the final battle a bit short and expected Azrael to be a little harder to beat considering what he did to the other characters before. But that being said it was pretty unrealistic for him to be so strong and powerful in the first place considering he’s an old man with terminal cancer. I did like how he almost pushed Batman over the edge with a comment about his parents though. Batman’s initial reaction was quite a shock.
Finally, I didn’t really like how Jack Napier / The Joker was handled. It’s said that everything was his ultimate plan although he doesn’t actually do much himself in this sequel. Obviously he was the focal point in the first novel, but here his character didn’t have any much development. If anything it probably got worse and he simply became a side character. The moments of Napier coming in and out of control soon became predictable and his ending was very disappointing after everything.
Overall it’s hard for me to figure out what rating to give this comic. While reading it I really enjoyed it, but while reviewing it I’ve noticed many flaws. Plus I’m having to compare it to other comics I have read, as well as the first in the series.... Idk maybe I should have just wrote ‘Cool’ and left it as that.
Either way, I am still looking forward to reading the Harley Quinn spin-off series as I do like her character here.
jennmarshall27's review against another edition
4.0
A sequel to White Knight, the Joker recruits Azrael to help him expose a Wayne family secret.
I love the colors by Matt Hollingsworth. When Azrael gets his sword the colors really show how important that moment is. A black background makes the red of the fire stand out. Jean Paul's face is lit by the flaming sword so everything has a red glow and creates the most beautiful effect of the page. The letters are well done. I sometimes struggle with reading the font chosen by letterers to represent handwritten things, but that was not the case here. The font is still similar to cursive, but it was by far easier to read. I also loved the little touch of making the speech bubbles look like scraps of paper in these scenes.
There are some changes to Batman's personality. I feel like he has just given up in some parts. You see everything building up from White Knight and now Curse of the White Knight. I do love that defeated Batman, but at times it does feel like a different character.
Overall it was a great read and I can't wait to see it in print.
Creative Team:
Script and Art by Sean Murphy
Colors by Matt Hollingsworth
Letters by AndWorld Designs
Published by DC Black Label
I love the colors by Matt Hollingsworth. When Azrael gets his sword the colors really show how important that moment is. A black background makes the red of the fire stand out. Jean Paul's face is lit by the flaming sword so everything has a red glow and creates the most beautiful effect of the page. The letters are well done. I sometimes struggle with reading the font chosen by letterers to represent handwritten things, but that was not the case here. The font is still similar to cursive, but it was by far easier to read. I also loved the little touch of making the speech bubbles look like scraps of paper in these scenes.
There are some changes to Batman's personality. I feel like he has just given up in some parts. You see everything building up from White Knight and now Curse of the White Knight. I do love that defeated Batman, but at times it does feel like a different character.
Overall it was a great read and I can't wait to see it in print.
Creative Team:
Script and Art by Sean Murphy
Colors by Matt Hollingsworth
Letters by AndWorld Designs
Published by DC Black Label
myckroft's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rnbhargava's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This sequel is amazing. Loved it from the start and it just moves along with reveals and tension and action at an incredible pace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Body horror, Torture, Terminal illness, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, and Antisemitism
Yes, the content warnings I’ve put might seem like a lot but they all have a specific purpose in dealing with familial legacies that aren’t always positive or what exactly would you push yourself to do if family of yours is harmed so nothing is just gratuitous.bitsofcherry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
brandongallant's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story. It really took the exceptional story from White Knight and expanded on it in a way that was compelling and highly engaging. Since it's set in its own universe, the writer is able to make long-lasting decisions that they'd never be able to do in the regular Batman title, and those kinds of decisions are able to lead to good story-telling.
The art is also amazing and really helps to immerse the reader into this version of Gotham City. I hope to see more stories from this creative team set in this universe.
The art is also amazing and really helps to immerse the reader into this version of Gotham City. I hope to see more stories from this creative team set in this universe.
thirty37seven's review against another edition
3.0
I loved Harvey's pink taco joke, legit had me laughing. Never change, Harv. I've always loved Bullock and Montoya's relationship.
The shot of Batman holding on to Gordon after he died was the saddest, sweetest thing.
The Joker/Jack Napier Two-Face shtick was weird. At one point Napier picks up a rock and smashes it into his face to stop Joker and all I could think was "stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself."
The part where Napier tries to shoot himself in the head with the long-barrel revolver was one of the stupidest things I've ever seen.
Gordon dies. Joker dies. Bane dies. It appears as though Scarecrow, Croc, Roxy, Penguin, Two-Face and Riddler all die in one fell swoop. Marian died on the way back to her home planet for all I know. Yeah, this was a fucking bloodbath.
Joker makes a throwaway Willow Ufgood reference to Hatter that made me smile. Sean is over here just digging up my childhood memories for shits and gigs.
The "Let's get nuts" line was cute. You can tell Sean loves the '89 Batman movie the most, there are countless references to it. Batman even mentions that the' 89 Batmobile is his favorite.
Jason makes an appearance and that was nice.
Thanks to their overuse in this story, I'd like to live the rest of my days without seeing the words ELITES, SUPER-CRIMINAL or NAPIER INITIATIVE ever again, thanks.
The shot of Batman holding on to Gordon after he died was the saddest, sweetest thing.
The Joker/Jack Napier Two-Face shtick was weird. At one point Napier picks up a rock and smashes it into his face to stop Joker and all I could think was "stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself."
The part where Napier tries to shoot himself in the head with the long-barrel revolver was one of the stupidest things I've ever seen.
Gordon dies. Joker dies. Bane dies. It appears as though Scarecrow, Croc, Roxy, Penguin, Two-Face and Riddler all die in one fell swoop. Marian died on the way back to her home planet for all I know. Yeah, this was a fucking bloodbath.
Joker makes a throwaway Willow Ufgood reference to Hatter that made me smile. Sean is over here just digging up my childhood memories for shits and gigs.
The "Let's get nuts" line was cute. You can tell Sean loves the '89 Batman movie the most, there are countless references to it. Batman even mentions that the' 89 Batmobile is his favorite.
Jason makes an appearance and that was nice.
Thanks to their overuse in this story, I'd like to live the rest of my days without seeing the words ELITES, SUPER-CRIMINAL or NAPIER INITIATIVE ever again, thanks.