Batman: White Knight

Clever, engaging, good fun. It’s finally nice to see Batman turned on his head a bit. Actually, I could have used more of Batman being in Joker’s shoes and Joker being in Batman’s shoes. Loved the premise and the promise but I felt the execution missed out on a lot more fun that could have been had. Imagine if Batman actually got a sense of perspective by considering some of Joker’s very valid points? Also I feel like the ending was a bit rushed ... spoilers... but seriously? Ending in a wedding. Sorry but you set up Joker as wanting to be important to Batman and the whole premise is built on showing he’s just as valuable to Gotham and all that but then he kinda proves his point and it all goes back to normal, the ole ‘nothing really changed and nothing really sticks’ gag. I don’t feel like there was much of a thesis driving the story if you at least don’t have him ruminating on how he showed Batman or something like that. Or maybe I’m just a total kid of the early 2000s and every cartoon is ‘supposed’ to wrap up with a lesson learned. In fact, as refreshing as it is to see a different take on the Joker... it feels a bit like a cheat to call this a Joker story if Jack Napier isn’t battling a little harder with his inner demons and obsessions. It feels as if it’s mostly the story about some other guy with occasional appearances by the Joker. That said, again I loved the story and maybe that’s why I’m being so hard on it, because I feel with just a little bit extra it could have gone from being great to legendary. Nevertheless, it’s totally worth the purchase and an excellent Batman/Joker story.

White Knight is simply one of the most refreshing Batman story that I've read in a long time; and it is definitely the best joker story that I've read. I can confidently say that this deep dive into the joker character arc and the clown Prince of crime's psych is definitely on par with famous pieces of works such as the Killing Joke. But most importantly, I would enjoy this story of redemption and resurrection and love even with out being a fan to the cape crusader and his infamous rogue gallantry. The story transcends the boundaries of being a story about the Joker; it is a story where the hero happens to also have been the Joker. In order words, the story is not dependent on or build around the pre-existing Joker character, but is builds the character, a new and unique take on Joker, around an already awesome story. Truly remarkable. Also the loving and HEALTHY relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn is simply refreshing and heartwarming. Love this book.

Great storyline. I loved how it flipped everything on its head and you saw old characters, found out more secrets that the "good guys" had and what joker aka jack Napier know how to use. But to see it happen NOT as the Joker was something I enjoyed and at first struggled with but eventually came to like very much. The shade and dark shadows I likes very much and I liked the art in general, nothing I haven't seen before but not that it's bad just nothing innovating but very very wel done not sayin that, the art was great but what you expect, not like Batman :the imposter where every panel makes something. But main point loved the story and loved the extra double surprise ending????

This was honestly one the best comics I’ve read in a long time. When I first heard the premise, I rolled my eyes at joker being the good guy. Then I read the reviews of others and decided to give it a chance and I am SO glad I did! This book was a refreshing take on the dynamics of Batman and the joker. I really enjoyed seeing Bruce pushed to the edge and being made to feel “crazy” for doubting the jokers newfound goodness. I was also surprised at how much I enjoyed the Harley Quinn subplot. This was a fantastic read filled with surprises and a really fun ending. I highly recommend this book. It’s in the top 10 graphic novels for me.

I mostly got this book because of the art, but the story is pretty okay too. I think my main issue with the story is that it requires me to shut off my brain too often to enjoy it. Over the years of the Joker terrorizing Gotham the cops don't have enough evidence he committed 'serious' crimes so he gets a free pass, with the explanation being he's just SOOOOPER smart and therefore a really good lawyer for himself? (need to shut off my brain and just accept it). All of the villains somehow ingest something provided by the Joker at a meeting with him so that he can control them? Why would they drink/eat anything provided by him? (shut brain off, don't question it). The pills that help Joker maintain his sanity ALSO act as steroids to make him jacked so he can fight with Batman! (stop thinking brain!) Overall though, I did end up enjoying the story more as it went on, and I do like that some things that always bugged me about Batman in general were brought up in this story. I especially enjoyed the GTO cars, and was a bit sad at the end when they swapped them out. I hope they make a comeback in Curse of the White Knight, which I haven't read yet.

One of the Best Books!!

Sean Murphy masterfully writes and illustrates this fresh, and out of canon, take on the streets of Gotham. The Joker, hysteric turned hero, slides into his same identity as the man Jack Napier. Armed with the law on his side, he turns Gotham against the bungling GCPD and their off-the-payroll vigilante, Batman. Branding himself as a man of the people, Napier takes to dismantling his enemies with due process instead of chaos. Riots. Intrigue. Hidden motives. White Knight is an exciting, wonderfully illustrated twist on the familiar angles Batman is frequently seen from. I dig the way Murphy played with character and costume designs here, especially his redesign of Batgirl. This is not for the little ones. White Knight is a book for a mature audience with its share of violence, language, and sexual themes/content.

Joker cured, fighting Batman through legal and political means? And making some good points along the way? This is a great story if you enjoy the underpinning elements, or the psychological elements of Batman characters. Batman and Alfred, Batman and the Batfamily, Joker and Harley, and in a really clever twist, Harley fighting against herself, conflict with the more problematic elements of her journey. Clever. Lots of Easter Eggs too, a scene with a fleet of Batmobiles manned by a team of classic Gotham characters, with TV and movie version included. Jack Napier (the cured Joker) quips with Commissioner Gordon: “maybe now you can see where he gets all those wonderful toys.” Not perfect, there’s some retconning of timelines and personalities that some purists may not care for, and some elements will bug some fans. But if you like thought-experiments with the Gotham universe then this is quite cool.

For Batman and Joker fans - a fine companion piece for The Killing Joke.

Nach einer Auseinandersetzung mit allerlei Kollateralschäden, in deren Verlauf die begleitenden Mitglieder der Bat-Family nicht glauben wollten, was sie sahen, hat Batman nicht nur etliches an Material zerlegt, Unschuldige gefährdet und einen Wächter niedergeschlagen, sondern dem Joker auch noch ein Medikament in den Hals gedrückt. Und dieses Medikament scheint den Prinz des Verbrechens tatsächlich von seinem Wahnsinn zu heilen. In Haft beginnt der hochintelligente Jack Napier nun mit der Aufarbeitung seines eigenen Falls und auf einmal sehen sich Batman, das GCPD und die Elite Gothamsn zusammen auf der Anklagebank. Und Napier auf dem Weg zum Ratsherrensessel. Die Welt scheint Kopf zu stehen - aber Gordon, Dick Grayson und andere sehen darin auch eine Chance für die Stadt, die diese im vorhergehenden Dauerkonflikt zwichen Batman und dem Joker nicht gehabt hatte. Große Veränderungen stehen ins Haus. Eine sehr unerwartete - aber auch sehr interessante - Geschichte mit einigen ebenfalls lesenswerten Nebensträngen.

In good shape and fast delivery

White Knight is a critically acclaimed 8 issue limited series published under DC's Black Label. It's very well written, and basically explores what happens when the Joker is sane and Batman loses it. It's a lot of fun, and gets very interesting but its not without a couple weaknesses. The one major one being Joker's sanity, and Batman's descent into excessive violence and isolation. It takes a contrivance or two to actually arrive at these major plot points; it's not totally ridiculous but maybe it functions better if you think of this as an ElseWorlds story. If anything, it's a stern reminder that the Batman depressive trope is a little played out at this point. Those are where my complaints end though. White Knight asks a lot of interesting questions through a great narrative, and if the price of admission is a little suspension of disbelief, or a contrivance or two; it's worth it. I've been looking forward to this trade for months, and I am extremely happy with what I got.

The first Batman comic I've read in a long while. Absolutely beautiful stuff. The art the story, the whole cat and mouse game in True Joker and Batman fashion. This is amazing.