Batman: White Knight #6 Review

Writer: Sean Murphy / Artist: Sean Murphy / DC Comics We’re coming near the end of this 8-issue miniseries, and coming off its best issue yet Batman: White Knight is a series that’s going to be remembered. Here in issue #6 the physical climax between Joker and Batman comes earlier than expected, reminding us where the series started: Batman in Arkham, still in his mask, imprisoned. This is the day that leads to that opening — the day Gotham is fed up.

And for good reason, as Murphy allows real-life thinking to inject itself into this book more than we’re accustomed for superhero stories. Batman is a menace, and when given a viable alternative to fighting criminals (or given the absence of the most threatening one, the Joker) then a reckless costumed vigilante like Batman becomes the biggest threat to the safety of a city. The only question becomes that of loyalty: after Batman has done so much for Gotham, how much is he owed? Who turns on him, and how far do they go? Those questions are explored through Gordon, Nightwing, and Batgirl as they balance their debt to Batman with their responsibility to the city.

A sharp turn at the end is too important to reveal here, but will be revisited after Batman: White Knight’s penultimate issue coming soon. Overall, another beautiful artistic display and highlighting of the characters around Batman who make this universe great. It fits within one of this series’ great accomplishment: this is a Batman book that hardly needs him to carry…