"Iconic" is defined as: widely known and acknowledged for it's excellence. In the realm of comic books it is a rare thing for a character to have an arc that can reach this outstanding hallmark. However, if there were a property or a character that proved to be an exception to this rule, it would have to be none other than Batman, the Dark Knight of Gotham City. Generation to generation, the legacy of this character has been passed proudly down from creative team to creative team. Each time the torch is passed we see the character's reinvention.
Dark Knight Returns, Long Halloween, Court of Owls, these are just a few stories of the Bat that have established themselves as iconic Batman stories. Well this year, a story was released over an 8 issue limited series that climbed new heights and attained the mantle of iconic. Sean Murphy's Batman: White Knight is a story set in Bruce Timm's beloved animated universe, and in a way it truly serves as a new final chapter in the story of Batman.
Like so many stories before, the heart of this is a struggle between Batman and the Joker, except that Sean Murphy flips the dynamic on it's head. In this story, the titular "White Knight," is none other than Jack Napier, the man that was before the Joker. Without sufficient evidence to convict Napier, Jack turns his efforts to saving the city he once terrorized. Jack Napier is going to save Gotham, and he's going to do it by saving it from Batman. Establishing himself as a modern day citizen Kane, Jack becomes a social advocate against Batman. Jack uses a soapbox platform to bring to light the wanton destruction that is a result of Batman's reckless methods, and exposes how the Gotham elite have been profiteering off of the constant destruction Batman causes to the slums while chasing down his rogues. Jack finds his greatest ally in his reformed partner in crime from the Joker days, Harlene Quinzel. Together they turn the public opinion against Batman. However, Batman will not take these losses lying down, and while Gotham's knights war with one another, a new evil comes to surface in the background of Jack Napier's making.
From the first panel in it's debut issue, to the last of the finale, this story is a page turner that maintains it's high quality throughout. The stellar writing is only enhanced by the artwork which is also done by Sean Murphy who clearly takes a lot of the spirit of Bruce Timm's Animated Gotham, while simultaneously adding a bit of his own personal flare. Harder lines and even with color, there is a major contrast between light and dark.
I would personally give Batman: White Knight a 9.5 out of 10. All 8 issues have been released and soon the trade paper should be en route. There is even rumor that Sean Murphy is going to release a director's cut that will include parts of the story that were too graphic to be included upon initial release, so keep an eye out and give this story a read!
This has been another edition of Comic Relief! I hope you have enjoyed and we will see you next time!
No comments:
Post a Comment