Writer: Sean Murphy
Artist: Matt Hollingsworth
The past five issues of the dramatic and engulfing Batman White Knight story arc, Jack Napier mirrored Bruce Wayne. Wayne’s passion for Gotham, ridding crime, and his philanthropic care in social issues. However, in issue #6, I stopped seeing Bruce in him.
This issue solely focuses on the emotional toil of five characters: Jack, Bruce, Gordon, Barabra, and Dick. There are fewer politics and less discourse between good and evil, Sean gives us a family in distress.
Throughout the issue, Nightwing and Batgirl deal with the hardest move they’ve ever had to do; turn in their mentor. Neither protege is proud of this, but they are the “good guys” and Batman is acting like one of the “bad guys,” it’s their job.
The deterioration of Gordon’s belief in Batman is hard to watch. Artist Matt Hollingsworth did an on-point panel rendering the Commissioner’s heartbreak.
“Sorry, old friend, but someone’s gotta get through to you…”
The art is gorgeous. I love the shattering effects throughout the pages. It’s a treat for action lovers as well. Hollingsworth’s eerie but beautiful figures fit Murphy’s narrative perfectly. The colors blow you away; Jack and Batman fight head to head and the juxtaposition between the rage in Jack’s eyes and the immediate regret just hits me.
Conclusion
Issue #6 isn’t about politics. Gotham thrives off the drama, and so it would be a loss if we don’t see the family break. There’s much more to it; the ending is what was expected (spoilers!) Of course, this was all set up and we need a hero! But, what are those pills doing to him and did Napier just call Harley Quinn a “Hot Topic shoplifter”? Because I lost it in laughter; ending Friday night by heading out in Harley Quinn’s jacket courtesy of Hot Topic, thanks for the laugh! I needed it in the midst of all that pain. Can’t wait for the next issue!
Images Courtesy Of DC Entertainment