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mysteriousmre's Reviews (1.22k)
The last issue of Astonishing in this volume is a phenomenal sendoff to the character of Scott Lang, but this run, as a whole, really wasn't as good as I remembered it. Worth reading if you've stuck it out this far, but I think that's the only reason you should pick it up.
I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book. It started as something I really wanted to like based on the pitch, introduced some REALLY crazy stuff in the second act that mutated it into something else, then conveniently reverted back to that thing I wanted to like by the third act. I guess what I mean to say is that I liked the ending, just not the journey there, and unfortunately that means I disliked almost 75% of the book :/
7/10
This book's got a lot going for it. The premise of the Joker becoming sane and proving he can help Gotham in ways Batman can't is interesting. And because the book isn't in continuity, Murphy can play with fans' expectations and do things mainline continuity can't. For example: take a long hard look at how dangerous and self-destructive a person like Batman really is, how a corrupt city would take advantage of a rampaging vigilante, AND have some actual lasting ramifications and character growth. Harley Quinn (Harleen Quinzel) is a real standout in this book. I've never really liked the Hot-Topic airhead popularized by Suicide Squad, Murphy presents a Harley Quinn that's educated, savy, and empathetic and it's pretty refreshing. The art is great and stylish as heck too. Great to see a writer who's just as talented an artist. I think the best way to describe the look of this book is a gritty rendition of Bruce Timm's BTAS with some street racing flair thrown in. It looks marvelous and there's TONS of fanservice to Batman enthusiasts. Matt Hollingsworth's colors definitely fit the mood of the story, but I honestly think the book would look better in just Sean Murphy's black/white inks. I'll definitely consider another purchase if the rumored black and white edition comes out next year.
I do have 3 main gripes with the book though. 1) White Knight can't seem to decide whether Joker is an actual serial killer or not and that's pretty frustrating considering the main pitch of this book revolves around the Joker going sane and getting out of jail scott-free because the cops don't have any hard evidence 2) The book brings up the subject of racism/racial profiling but doesn't really do or say anything about it and I think the book would honestly be better off not including it 3) the final climax feels unsatisfactory after all the build-up.
It has come to my attention though that White Knight has been green-lit for a sequel story (Murphy definitely left more than a little sequel bait in the last act), so who knows? Maybe the sequel will address some of those issues in greater detail. I'd love to see some of the supporting cast like Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) and Duke Thomas get more time to shine. As it is right now, White Knight isn't perfect, but it's a fun ride. Just what an Elseworld story should be.
This book's got a lot going for it. The premise of the Joker becoming sane and proving he can help Gotham in ways Batman can't is interesting. And because the book isn't in continuity, Murphy can play with fans' expectations and do things mainline continuity can't. For example: take a long hard look at how dangerous and self-destructive a person like Batman really is, how a corrupt city would take advantage of a rampaging vigilante, AND have some actual lasting ramifications and character growth. Harley Quinn (Harleen Quinzel) is a real standout in this book. I've never really liked the Hot-Topic airhead popularized by Suicide Squad, Murphy presents a Harley Quinn that's educated, savy, and empathetic and it's pretty refreshing. The art is great and stylish as heck too. Great to see a writer who's just as talented an artist. I think the best way to describe the look of this book is a gritty rendition of Bruce Timm's BTAS with some street racing flair thrown in. It looks marvelous and there's TONS of fanservice to Batman enthusiasts. Matt Hollingsworth's colors definitely fit the mood of the story, but I honestly think the book would look better in just Sean Murphy's black/white inks. I'll definitely consider another purchase if the rumored black and white edition comes out next year.
I do have 3 main gripes with the book though. 1) White Knight can't seem to decide whether Joker is an actual serial killer or not and that's pretty frustrating considering the main pitch of this book revolves around the Joker going sane and getting out of jail scott-free because the cops don't have any hard evidence 2) The book brings up the subject of racism/racial profiling but doesn't really do or say anything about it and I think the book would honestly be better off not including it 3) the final climax feels unsatisfactory after all the build-up.
It has come to my attention though that White Knight has been green-lit for a sequel story (Murphy definitely left more than a little sequel bait in the last act), so who knows? Maybe the sequel will address some of those issues in greater detail. I'd love to see some of the supporting cast like Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) and Duke Thomas get more time to shine. As it is right now, White Knight isn't perfect, but it's a fun ride. Just what an Elseworld story should be.
There are more than a few stellar superhero origin stories out there. Among those in my mind are Batman: Year One, Superman: American Alien, and now this book. I had some trouble finding a physical copy, but I implore you, physical or digital, give this book a read.
Difficult to recommend on its own. The art and characters are still top notch (the pizza dog issue is phenomenal), but the pacing is a bit all over the place. Not a bad thing, just difficult to read all at once.
**edit** I've heard the issues in this story are actually better read individually than all at once in one volume. That might give you a better reading experience than what I had.
**edit** I've heard the issues in this story are actually better read individually than all at once in one volume. That might give you a better reading experience than what I had.
I agree with some of the reviewers here that this volume is pretty run of the mill, but I will defend it.
Real-life-background-info-dump: There was a Sonic comic published by Archie comics with this same creative team. However, due to Archie wanting to focus on their own brand, they cancelled the comic...without telling the people working on the book, leaving them all without a paycheck for roughly 6 months (yiiiiiikes). When the rights to the book changed hands to IDW, fans of the old comic championed for the previous creative team to come on onboard and help IDW build a new continuity from the ground up. For this volume you've got the same writer for all issues (the bumble-king himself, Mr. Ian Flynn) with interior pencils by the same art crew from the previous book (Tracy Yardley, Adam Bryce Thomas, Jennifer Hernandez, and Evan Stanley).
Nothing too special about the plot. The book is more focused on establishing the setting and tone than on telling a complete story so it feels more like part of an Act 1 than a complete story. The dialogue and character dynamics are spot on though. Standout character for me is Amy Rose, who is smitten with Sonic, but Flynn doesn't let that attraction be her defining character trait. Amy goes quip for quip and blow for blow with Sonic in the second issue and it's charming to read. While we don't spend enough time with Tangle in issue 4 to really get to know her character, she has a slick design and the artist has a lot of fun utilizing her tail for various action sequences and acrobatics.
Speaking of the art. As noted by others, it's inconsistent. There's a different artist and colorer each issue so it feels like you're reading a compilation of one-shots rather than a complete volume. That said the cover art is all fantastic (shoutout to newcomer, Nathalie Fourdraine, and her stellar variant covers) and the interior art is still solid with Thomas and Stanley's being the highlight of the volume for me. Their art has more volume to it and the action sequences are much more frantic and fun.
So far the book hasn't reached the highs of the previous Sonic comic, but it hasn't hit the lows either. It's fine. Inconsistent, but fine. If you are a Sonic fan, I would recommend you wait and pick up the first 3 volumes all at once. Once the groundwork has been laid, this book takes advantage of its setting and gets CRAZY fun.
Real-life-background-info-dump: There was a Sonic comic published by Archie comics with this same creative team. However, due to Archie wanting to focus on their own brand, they cancelled the comic...without telling the people working on the book, leaving them all without a paycheck for roughly 6 months (yiiiiiikes). When the rights to the book changed hands to IDW, fans of the old comic championed for the previous creative team to come on onboard and help IDW build a new continuity from the ground up. For this volume you've got the same writer for all issues (the bumble-king himself, Mr. Ian Flynn) with interior pencils by the same art crew from the previous book (Tracy Yardley, Adam Bryce Thomas, Jennifer Hernandez, and Evan Stanley).
Nothing too special about the plot. The book is more focused on establishing the setting and tone than on telling a complete story so it feels more like part of an Act 1 than a complete story. The dialogue and character dynamics are spot on though. Standout character for me is Amy Rose, who is smitten with Sonic, but Flynn doesn't let that attraction be her defining character trait. Amy goes quip for quip and blow for blow with Sonic in the second issue and it's charming to read. While we don't spend enough time with Tangle in issue 4 to really get to know her character, she has a slick design and the artist has a lot of fun utilizing her tail for various action sequences and acrobatics.
Speaking of the art. As noted by others, it's inconsistent. There's a different artist and colorer each issue so it feels like you're reading a compilation of one-shots rather than a complete volume. That said the cover art is all fantastic (shoutout to newcomer, Nathalie Fourdraine, and her stellar variant covers) and the interior art is still solid with Thomas and Stanley's being the highlight of the volume for me. Their art has more volume to it and the action sequences are much more frantic and fun.
So far the book hasn't reached the highs of the previous Sonic comic, but it hasn't hit the lows either. It's fine. Inconsistent, but fine. If you are a Sonic fan, I would recommend you wait and pick up the first 3 volumes all at once. Once the groundwork has been laid, this book takes advantage of its setting and gets CRAZY fun.
Missed Clint this volume, but still had a good time nonetheless. Feels a bit like a detour from the main plot, but Kate's reason for leaving didn't feel contrived and seeing her crazy antics in LA was really enjoyable. Annie Wu did the interiors for this volume. I missed David Aja, but I like Wu's art, particularly her character expressions. There's a bit more humor in this volume and Wu's art really helped sell the more comedic moments. Not what I expected, but a fun read.