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mburdette's review against another edition
5.0
This is up there in the pantheon for being as good as it gets. A sequel that lives up to the original, in my humble opinion. In some ways, I think I even like it more. This kind of book is why a fan like me stays in love with Batman for a lifetime.
colefresh_67's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoy the “Murphy-verse” and look forward to what they do moving forward if they bend around “Death in the Family!”
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Sean Murphy's detonation of Batman continues with 'Batman: Curse of the White Knight'. Jack Napier has been subsumed by the Joker once more, but his initiative to clean up Gotham from the cycle of crime and destruction lives on. Bruce Wayne sees himself as Batman as being a cog in the cycle, his vigilante pursuit of justice has only allowed a group of people known only as "the elites" to profit from the Batman Devastation Fund - a fund intended to repair damages to private and civic property caused by Batman.
Tensions notch higher as revelations are hinted at by the revelations of the origins of the Wayne family and an ancient feud that involves an antecedent of the Joker and the ancestors of a new player in the "game" known as Azrael.
I loved this. These limited series allow for greater flexibility in storytelling and meaning to the stories without detonating the main continuity. What is the main continuity of Batman these days anyway? The focus stays tightly on Bruce Wayne and the Joker with significant support from the Gordons and Nightwing. I've heard there will be a third volume to this story and I'm already looking forward to it.
White Knight
Next: '?'
Previous: 'Batman: White Knight'
Tensions notch higher as revelations are hinted at by the revelations of the origins of the Wayne family and an ancient feud that involves an antecedent of the Joker and the ancestors of a new player in the "game" known as Azrael.
I loved this. These limited series allow for greater flexibility in storytelling and meaning to the stories without detonating the main continuity. What is the main continuity of Batman these days anyway? The focus stays tightly on Bruce Wayne and the Joker with significant support from the Gordons and Nightwing. I've heard there will be a third volume to this story and I'm already looking forward to it.
White Knight
Next: '?'
Previous: 'Batman: White Knight'
earnshawheights's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
astridsbridg's review against another edition
5.0
Genuinely forgot to update this! Finished it on the 21st. Absolutely amazing, as always. The art was absolutely mind-blowing (as always), and I loved the inclusion of elements from the past founding of Gotham and the origin of the Waynes. Integrating aspects of the Templar Knights and militaristic monastic orders was an unexpected and fascinating element (I love some good Christian aesthetics and themes incorporated into villainy, makes the antagonist a little more interesting). The costumes for the new antagonist (no spoilers!) are also really well-designed. Loved Harley's characterization in this as well. I wish we had seen a little more of the Joker himself before... Well... I won't spoil that either, but this whole book was one massive shock after another in the best way possible. The twists were AMAZING and the END TWIST? I'll be waiting with baited breath for the next issue, rest assured. Suffice it to say, I shrieked at the final panel; I've been waiting for this character to show since issue 1. The included afterward story about Mr. Freeze was a great little extra, too! The White Knight series has quickly become an all time favorite; excellent as always. I highly recommend. This story on the DC Black Label is a must read for sure!
abhi_thelegend's review against another edition
5.0
Curse Of The White Knight was such a great sequel, I enjoyed it a lot and read it with so much interest! I thought the addition of Azrael was pretty well done, the art tho was just mind blowing it was amazing, I truly admired the artwork, the story was written really well, and this book just sends emotions running, I thought this Batman was very like surprising and dark in a way, it was almost like a tragedy, I’m so excited to see where this book goes and what’s next for Batman!
jchodorow's review against another edition
3.0
As with his previous works, I love his art and I appreciate his story ambitions however I don't feel the writing/story quite comes together.
There are parts where I actually stopped and checked to make sure I haven't missed a couple of pages.
Also not sure how I feel about the evolution of Harley and Batman's relationship. Don't think I'm a fan of that.
There are parts where I actually stopped and checked to make sure I haven't missed a couple of pages.
Also not sure how I feel about the evolution of Harley and Batman's relationship. Don't think I'm a fan of that.
chrismarnone's review against another edition
3.0
Batman: Curse of the White Knight is a fascinating alternative history for Batman and Gotham City. Following right on the heels of White Knight, this book explores the aftermath of Joker's temporary turn to sanity and the wheels he set in motion during that time.
Curse of the White Knight is certainly less polemic than White Knight, but still deals with who Batman has become and how it has affected Gotham over the course of his vigilante career. The idea of the Gotham "Elites" are explored more, and an alternative Azrael is brought into the fold. In many ways, this book reads like a love letter from Sean Murphy to Batman. Azrael dawns the 1990s "Knightfall" batsuit, and rides into battle in his "favorite" batmobile: the Tim Burton batmobile.
Murphy really uses the Black Label brand to his advantage here. He's allowed to destroy the undestroyable, kill the unkillable, and make other narrative decisions that would never be allowed in canon Batman. These are the right decisions for his story, though.
Curse of the White Knight is certainly less polemic than White Knight, but still deals with who Batman has become and how it has affected Gotham over the course of his vigilante career. The idea of the Gotham "Elites" are explored more, and an alternative Azrael is brought into the fold. In many ways, this book reads like a love letter from Sean Murphy to Batman. Azrael dawns the 1990s "Knightfall" batsuit, and rides into battle in his "favorite" batmobile: the Tim Burton batmobile.
Murphy really uses the Black Label brand to his advantage here. He's allowed to destroy the undestroyable, kill the unkillable, and make other narrative decisions that would never be allowed in canon Batman. These are the right decisions for his story, though.
kierscrivener's review against another edition
3.0
I was initially disappointed that it stayed in the dark after the end of the first volume and that it was oddly focusing on the sixteenth century. but Murphy got me and I was enthralled and teary eyed. I still have my nitpicks but even if this grim view of Batman will never be my favourite I adore the storyline of Harley and unique routes he is willing to take the story.