Written and Illustrated by Sean Murphy
Published by DC Comics/Black Label
Sean Murphy has returned with the sequel to his critically acclaimed White Knight saga, under DC’s Black Label imprint.
Following up such a blockbuster success is difficult because the bar is already extremely high.
Batman and The Joker are the Yin and Yang of Gotham City, and the first thirty pages of the original turned that concept upside down in engaging fashion.
Curse of the White Knight’s opening salvo isn’t the mind-blowing game-changer of its predecessor.
However, it doesn’t need to be. The world is already established. Murphy adds to the mythology, provides some stanch reminders, and injects a mystery dating back to when the Wayne family first arrived in Gotham.
Bruce reads a heartwarming letter from Alfred where reveals within reveals come to light. Meanwhile, The Joker looks to not only destroy Batman, but he wants to expose a Wayne family secret. Joker’s unbridled dedication is scary because he already knows Batman’s secret identity.
However, merely revealing it is not good enough for him.
Crippling the Wayne legacy is the endgame.
A rewritten version of former Batman ally Azrael is introduced. When we meet him, he’s down on his luck and receives grave news. Sympathy for his predicament is an integral aspect of another important revelation.
The final page lends credence to Sean Murphy’s statement that Azrael will be a far more significant threat to Batman than the Joker.
Those are some mighty big words; however, the imagery is something we haven’t seen before in this revised world with seemingly no rules. The founding of Gotham plays a major role in the coming events, and it appears Batman, Joker, and Azreal are tied to its secrets
The best comics are often those where the writer and artist are perfectly aligned with their creative vision. Murphy takes on both roles, and his artwork is a visual splendor augmented by the coloring of Matt Hollingsworth. Majestic cathedral stained glass unveils a hellfire that illuminates the pages in the final frame.
Last time, Gotham’s present was the vehicle that drove the narrative.
This time around, Sean Murphy looks to history as the driving force. The Joker knows things, and Batman has absolutely no idea what is heading his way. Murphy has produced an excellent setup issue where the past and present collide to dictate the future.
Grade: A-
