Writer/Illustrator/Inker :Sean Murphy Colors: Matt Hollingsworth
For years the Joker has always been a villain through and through, and Batman has always been perceived as a hero. This time, the tables turn as The Joker has suddenly found himself on the right side of the law, and now Batman is perceived as the bad guy.
Comic Book illustrator Sean Murphy has finally gotten his shot at telling a story of his own as a writer with Batman:White Knight.
The comic begins with Batman locked up in Arkham Asylum only to be visited by a few officers and a man named Jack Napier otherwise (formerly) known as The Joker. How did Batman end up on the bad side of the law? How did the Joker suddenly become the hero of the people of Gotham? What sort of madness will Murphy deliver with this series!?!?
This was a really solid first issue for a variety of reasons. It's not the first time that there have been moments where the Joker was returned to sanity for a period of time. Frank Miller did that with Dark Knight Returns, Grant Morrison did that in his JLA run, and Scott Snyder did it during his New 52 Batman run. It's not a new concept, but Sean Murphy finds a fresh way of taking that concept and expanding it in a way that hasn't been executed in that way before.
Murphy first and foremost definitely introduces the foundations that set up perfectly the events led up to the predicament that Batman is currently in as an inmate in Arkham. Murphy places all of the instances that showcases how the Joker went from being a known serial killer to a sane, intelligent, political representative of the people Gotham. I felt that Murphy gave some surprisingly plausible plot elements that lead to the joker to finally be cured from his insanity (as far as this story is concerned of course). Keep in mind, this is a self contained story (which is also great for a variety of reasons) that goes in places that the normal titles wouldn't do.
Interestingly, this book in regards to it's plot and art style feels like a more mature spin off of the Timm/Dini/Abnett Batman: The Animated Series. Obviously, Murphy makes that known with a lot of Easter eggs and references to the 90s cartoon in addition to the classic 1989 Tim Burton Batman, with Sprinkles of Frank Miller as well. The book's biggest strength is the character interactions and plot development. The motivations behind the Bat Family which consists of Batgirl and Nightwing (very BTAS) , along with Batman behaving a bit recklessly in his pursuit of the joker, the GCPD etc are all believable and the most logically sound that I've seen in a Batman comic in a long time. The fact that the Joker has found a cure, and finds a way to flip the script on Batman with all of these legal state laws etc is a brilliant approach and shines a new light on the Joker as a character that hasn't been done in that way before.
There is also some interesting commentary within the book that highlights social media, the difficulties and dualities of social issues in regards to police brutality and SJW issues, but the book does a good job at not shoving down your throat. It just takes inspiration from the world of today and weaves a story that makes use of the real world and provides an interesting narrative that provides a new lense for Batman and the Joker.
It feels like Sean Murphy had a lot of conversations, and gags like everyone comic book fan that critically thinks about all the ridiculous excuses that allow for Batman to not be legally detained for vigilantism. It's surprising that the motivations for each character within the book all makes sense to the plot and structure of the story.
The artwork by Murphy is just solid, with heavy shadows, silhouettes, great gestures, renders and designs that make the book it's own. The art work by Murphy is unique in the same way like Otis Schmitt (Green Arrow), or Jamie Hewlett (Gorillaz) where each character within the book has a distinct aesthetic/shape that sets them apart in contrast with each other in an enjoyable way. Plus, it gives off some solid Batman: The Animated Series vibes that just feels perfect to this book. The artwork is overall solid. The colors by Hollingsworth are perfect for the tone of the book , providing very solid colors that compliments Murphy's artwork.
Do yourself a favor, if you don't want to read an event based book, or don't want to feel bogged down by continuity, and want to have a cool book that you can just jump right in to read, this book is perfect for you. But if you're also a Batman fan, or a fan of Batman the animated series, or like Sean Murphy's work, you will definitely find something for you. Add this to your pull list.
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