Batman: White Knight

This provocative thriller set in the world of Batman poses the question: what if the criminally insane Joker could be cured? Thanks to a plot-handy new medication, he’s reborn and rehabilitated as civilian Jack Napier. In turn, Batman becomes increasingly brutal, turning Gotham City and Commissioner Gordon against him. Treating the long-running Batman/Joker dichotomy as two sides of the same coin is hardly a new trope for the 75-year-old property, but Murphy (Batman/Scarecrow) cunningly depicts a sympathetic Napier and a supportive, nurturing Harley Quinn. The accompanying art is reminiscent of that of Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween), especially in character designs, and depicts quiet moments of discussion as strongly as the many explosive action sequences. Hollingsworth’s coloring brings chromatic richness and depth to Gotham City. This is the first offering in DC’s Black Label imprint featuring mature, standalone stories set in its superhero universe, and it proves an affecting and entertaining kickoff. This newest take on the Dark Knight will please Batman’s legion fans with its innovative and intelligent twists. (Oct.)