Batman: Curse of the White Knight

Since my first Batman comic in 1980, Ive had a few exceptional Batman standouts. Normally collections or a story series that absolutely blows my mind. Dark Knight, Killing Joke, Gotham by Gaslight are a few on the Batman stories Ill always enjoy, and still read regularly. Add to this list the AMAZING story in the White Knight series, anchored by the once in a generation talent Sean Gordon Murphy. Not only does this story create an exceptional tale in an "else worlds" Gotham it presents a place where the Michael Keaton Batmobile is in Batmans care and use. Wait until you see how Batman uses it in a way Id never considered, Murphy is a true draftsman whose renderings of technology, environments and settings show why not just anyone can work in comic books, and not just any old story is worthy of the Dark Knight. All of that not withstanding, this edition as a book itself is beautiful. A combination of glossy and matte finishes on the cover make even the dust jacket a tactile interaction. A "bonus" sketch section at the end of the book helps the reader see just a bit of Murphys process. To call him a comic artist is an apt description but falls short in crediting a truly gifted modern illustrator. The perfect gift for ANY Batman fan!

Great storyline that is a solid follow-up to the original Batman: White Knight. While it’s not nearly as powerful as it’s predecessor, Sean Murphy does a phenomenal job with the art and keeping readers on their toes. Because it’s non-canon, Murphy can do all kinds of fun things, and even kills off a bunch of well-known characters. Don’t come in expecting a regular Batman story, because this universe has never been about following normal tropes. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and dang is this hardback gorgeous...the sleeve is amazing, but I’m debating displaying it bare, since the cover underneath is even better.

One of the things that made the first White Knight book intriguing was its focus on Jack Napier, the sane persona of the Joker. That story put a new social-justice oriented/political lens on Batman and actually made you question for much of the book whether he was or was not a force for good in that universe.Here, Jack Napier's downplayed and barely present, with the result being that Batman is once again (like most Bat books) the focus of this world. So that tension is gone, and I think the story suffers a little for it. Here, it's unambiguous that Batman is the protagonist, though it's still arguably unclear if he is "good." The villains this time, the "elites" of Gotham and this universe's version of Azrael are not really fleshed out. And really, the book is about Batman once again grappling with his moral code, as he has many times before.Also unlike the first book, this one seems to be more of a direct remix of canon--in particular Knightfall. I had trouble with the book when its winks and nods to other Batman material were too on the nose, whether that be quoting lines from the movies ("Let's get nuts!") or directly borrowing images and iconography from Knightfall. It starts to fall into the elseworlds trap of "Remember X piece of Bat canon? Well now it's slightly altered to Y!" This book works at its best, I think, when it jettisons the canon altogether and shows us something new.As for the art--it's very stylized and striking once again, and I really enjoyed it. One minor complaint, and it may have to do with me getting old, is that I had trouble following some of the action and scene transitions, which seemed somewhat abrupt. And major beats seemed to happen "offscreen." But still, it's definitely got an interesting feel to it.At the end of the day though, I have to give this at least 4 stars for taking risks. It tries to do new things with Batman's lineage and future that are at least bold. If there's a third installment, I just hope it leans more into the chaotic, untethered ethos of the first book. It certainly ends in new territory, and I look forward to going in that direction rather than repeating too much.

This is a brilliant and great sequel to the first White Knight story. I found this to be a better paced and more engaging story than the first one and I even really liked the first one very much. Now begins the wait for the third part!There is a Harley Quinn story coming out that is based in this world. Hopefully, that is as good as this.

A satisfying and emotional conclusion to the story that began in Batman: White Knight. Must read if you read the first book! This story probes deeper and really questions the consequences of Batman and how it affects Gotham city. Great story!

Great story & artwork! Love this story & can’t wait for the third part!

Great Follow up to White Knight. Murphy has fresh perspective in the Dark Knight mythos. The story is fantastic as the art.

I've really been enjoying what Sean Murphy has brought to the table in the Batman mythos. 'Curse' is better than its predecessor. A thing that's such a rare occurrence throughout media, not falling succumb to the sequel curse. While White Knight offered a breath of fresh air in themes of aesthetics, Gotham's politics and Joker's struggle with mental health with much big spectacles throughout, the sequel offers something much more in backstory of the Wayne family and reinventing Azrael's character to being much more palatable to contemporary times and correcting on what Knightfall failed to deliver in the end. Murphy doesn't fall short in surprises and killing off your favorite characters and then there's the green light for producing more stories in the Murphyverse and rightfully so because the ending leaves you wanting more.

Wow!!!! I don't care if this is Else world, What if or Black label. This is right up there with my favourite Batman stories. It is not often that the sequel is even more epic than the original but this one manages it. If I had one complaint it is i want more!!!!!This story took me through every emotion imaginable. Great twist in the story. Usually I hate when main characters are killed off, but even this was done well and every death ment something. Slight spoiler NO ONE is safe or off limits.I love the artwork, and the story us just amazing. Incredible character development, every character is done incredibly well. In fact I I even look at the characters in a new light now. I am of two minds because as much as I loved this book and really want to know what happens next. I have no idea how this story could be topped I a sequel.This is as close to the perfect comic/book as I have read. Even the bonus material (bonus story) is incredible. Every chapter starts with a full page issues cover. The cover gallery at the end the book has full page art if the varient covers. This is a myst read for any Batman fan, comic fan, reader, or writer. If you are not a fan at the begining you will be by the end.

So many "Elseworlds" or alternate universe books take a very straightforward approach and don't really explore much of anything beyond their premise. What I liked most about White Knight was that it didn't do that and rather tried to present a fully realised alternate world with slightly different versions of characters we know.That is continued with Curse of the White Knight, with more familiar heroes and villains appearing with somewhat unfamiliar characterisations that lead to drastically different events than in the main DC continuity. It's still novel and well thought-out, but perhaps with slightly fewer big ideas than the first book. I also really like Murphy's artstyle, which helps. I'm looking forward to reading the final installment of the trilogy.If you liked White Knight then there is really no reason not to pick up Curse of the White Knight. Conversely, if you haven't read White Knight, I would strongly recommend reading it before picking up this book.

Sequels are often never as good as the original. However this is not the case for curse of the white knight! I was gripped from the start! And oh boy is the art work absolutely beautiful! You get a real sense on this worlds Batman and Gotham. Sean Murphy has done it again and I for one hope that he goes for another book!This is a must read for anyone who loves Batman and the first novel!

Fantastic artwork. A story that is unpredictable and full of possibilities. Can't wait for part three of the saga.

Bought as a Christmas present. Looks good