Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Batman White Knight #2 Review



Free at Last

Written by: Sean Murphy
Art by: Sean Murphy, Matt Hollingsworth and Todd Klein
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: November 1, 2017

I really enjoyed the first issue of White Knight.  I know that Eric had issues with Sean Murphy grabbing too much from Batman Pop Culture, but that didn't bother me at all...in fact, I kind of liked it.  So, going into this week, this was the book I was most looking forward to reading.  Was it good?  Let's find out...


The issue starts with Jack Napier in court telling the world that not only is he an innocent man, but most of the worst things that people know about the Joker had been made up.  While I think that the term "Gatekeepers" was used a bit too much, I loved the explanation of why the powers that be were up to no good.  It is one of those things that make sense in the "real world", but even more in a comic book one.

It all works out for Jack and we see the first thing he does as a free man...goes and sees his gal, Harley Quinn.  I know that recently, the Bat and Cat romance has been all the rage with the kids down at the Malt Shoppe, but for my money, I really liked this better.  There is a ring and a proposal, but Murphy turns it all on it's head with a cool twist-a-roo.  




We then go off to see Bruce Wayne and Mr. Freeze continuing their research and after a cute scene (just ask Barbara Gordon!), things get a bit gruesome.  The whole scene was okay, but it seemed to be going in hyperdrive to push Freeze aside in the quickest time possible.

It's okay, though, because we go back to Jack and Harley and that's way more interesting.  Sean Murphy give the reader a great Harley who explains why their relationship fell apart...the Joker was in love with Batman!  We get a little origin, a bit of Jason Todd and a Batman/Joker story that puts the War of Jokes and Riddles to shame.  Murphy makes it flow so easy here, not forced like a certain other Batman writer.  The scene ends with a huge mystery still unsolved and Jack and Harleen ready to save Gotham.




The issue continues with Jack putting his money where his mouth is and Bruce putting his fist where ever he pleases.  We see that even if Batman isn't a bad guy, his actions have helped some pieces of shit become richer and more powerful.  Unfortunately for them, Bruce finds out with us.

The issue ends with Jack and Harleen showing their hand a bit more and I don't think it's a huge surprise that we have been fooled a bit.  We get a Batman the Animated Series reference that even I got and end with a pretty cool cliffhanger that makes me want the next issue sooner than later.  

I really liked this issue a lot!  Sean Murphy's writing and art pick up even more from the last issue and as I told you at the beginning of this review, I liked last issue.  He still relies on the pop culture stuff, but veers off in a different direction and I like where this book appears to be going.  It will be even better if we get more surprises along the way!

Bits and Pieces:

I really enjoyed the first issue of this mini series and I like this one even more!  Sean Murphy's writing and art are top notch and I am having so much fun with this story and it's just starting!  Keep it coming!!!

9.4/10


6 comments:

  1. Glad to see the second issue continues the high standard of the first! DC have been killing it with these elseworld minis recently!

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    1. this and nightwing new order have been so good

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  2. I like this more than Batman right now. But it doesn't take much. Maybe because it is else worlds and I can just sit back and enjoy the story?

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  3. I really enjoyed #2. It'd be cool to see them do an Animated movie with this. Hopefully, #3 continues the momentum.

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