The Curse of the White Knight is a concept often found in folklore and mythology. It revolves around the notion that a knight clad in white armor is cursed or doomed to fail in their quests or endeavors. This trope can be traced back to medieval literature and continues to be used in various forms of storytelling today. One of the earliest examples of the Curse of the White Knight can be found in Arthurian legend. Sir Lancelot, known for his loyalty and bravery, is often portrayed wearing white armor. However, despite his skills and accomplishments, his illicit affair with Queen Guinevere ultimately leads to his downfall.
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Getting right down to it, Murphy reveals toward the end here that his Bruce Wayne is not a Wayne that the Waynes are not Waynes, but rather the descendants of a mad cleric of St. It was a speech that would have undoubtedly helped to get him elected were in not for the Joker crashing the party and dropping one hell of a bombshell during the event.
However, despite his skills and accomplishments, his illicit affair with Queen Guinevere ultimately leads to his downfall. This tragic narrative emphasizes the idea that even the noblest of knights can be subject to curses and suffer the consequences of their actions. In addition to Arthurian legend, the Curse of the White Knight can also be seen in other medieval romances and fairy tales.
"batman: curse of the white knight" #2: recap + analysis
The second issue of Batman: Curse of the White Knight begins by taking us back to the seventeenth century, wherein we see Edmond Wayne taken by the local authorities for breaking into Wayne Manor. We find out that the Wayne’s have apparently all died from the Plague, meaning that Edmond is the last heir to the Wayne legacy – though, he doesn’t tell this to the authorities. While he rides in the back of the carriage, his guard reveals that he knows who Edmond is, and then, the two make a bloody escape towards the port – hopping aboard a vessel and making their way towards Gotham Valley.
While I found myself vehemently annoyed by the inclusion of this prologue in the first issue, I have to say that I find myself much more open to the idea now. The first issue offered us very little information and, as such, the introduction felt very disconnected from the overall story. I encountered a very similar issue with the first issue of Donny Cates’ run of Venom , and anyone who has been following my work knows just how much I love that comic. That being said, when I originally picked up the book, I almost didn’t purchase it because of how strange the beginning was. Comics, being expensive as they are, really need to get my attention from the jump, and neither Venom nor Curse of the White Knight really managed to do that.
That being said, both have managed to subvert my initial expectations by being pretty spectacular. The former story used that initial moment to introduce Knull and his Dragon; while the latter has introduced us to the Order of St. Dumas, and a legitimate reason for why Jean Paul might have an issue with the Wayne’s. While it’s not the best reason to launch an all-out assault on Bruce, it’s one that I can at least somewhat get behind. The best part about this sequence came from the action – which definitely took advantage of the “Black Label,” as it showed Bakkar unleash some serious hell on the authorities attempting to apprehend Edmond. If Jean Paul is anything like his ancestor then Bruce is in from some serious trouble.
Something else I wanted to point out was the fact that it appears as though Edmond and Bakkar’s relationship is very similar to that of Bruce and Jean Paul in the original Azrael story – only reversed. Bakkar has saved and trained Edmond, while in the original story, it was Bruce who saved Azrael and trained him to become the next Batman. I like the way it appears to be honoring the original story while putting a unique spin on it.
The next scene focused on Ruth – who, I swear, has to be an alias for Amanda Waller; I mean, just.. come on! But, I digress. The two have a conversation regarding Bruce’s supposed “Bat Problem,” – wherein she lets him know that she is fully aware of the fact that he intends to out himself as Batman, and, boy, does she go in on him. A lot of what she says mirrors my own thoughts in my video for the first issue of Curse of the White Knight , but, I do have to hand it to her – or, I suppose, Sean Murphy – because she listed repercussions that even I didn’t consider; such as the fact that the collapse of WayneCorp would have a damning effect on Gotham’s entire economy. And, frankly, none of that seems very heroic.
Following this meeting we see Jim Gordon make his case for why he should be the next Mayor of Gotham City. Quite frankly, it was a damn good speech – speaking to his own shortcomings and how he understands what needs to be done in order to fix the issues plaguing Gotham. It was a speech that would have undoubtedly helped to get him elected – were in not for the Joker crashing the party and dropping one hell of a bombshell during the event. And, let the chaos ensue.
In all honesty, the fact that Gordon was fooled by pointy ears and a “silly leather mask” is a tad bit embarrassing. I mean, do they used voice modifiers? If not, it is a bit unbelievable that he isn’t able to recognize her, given the fact that her mask does little to really mask her identity. Not in the way Bruce’s cowl completely covers more than half his face.
The fallout between the two is as appropriate as one would expect – especially given the fact that Bruce shows up as the two are going at it. It’s understandable that Jim is upset – the fact that it is his daughter aside, he feels as though he was betrayed by Bruce and any chance of him being Mayor is probably out the window given the fact that the city will have two opinions on the matter – either he is so incompetent that he could not see that his own daughter was Batgirl, or that he did know, and lied about it as he gave a speech about being honest; neither option is very flattering, if we’re being honest. And that doesn’t even begin to deal with the fact that his daughter is now a real target for the super villain community.
We leave the good guys and take a moment to catch up with bad ones. We see that Amanda – erm, I mean “Ruth” – has assembled her “Squad.” She and Jean Paul – along with two other people – are discussing Jean Paul’s plans to take down Bruce and how she intends to help turn him into the new Batman; one who comply with the “Elite’s” plans. Jean Paul seems to care little about whatever plans Ruth has for him – he only seeks the destruction of Bruce Wayne and his legacy.
It is interesting, seeing how different Jean Paul is now, as opposed to how he was portrayed in the previous issue. Our introduction to him in issue number one showed us a frightened man – one who seemed rather meek and unthreatening. Yes, he was powerful – as we saw him shove a man’s face into a wall, leaving a bloody streak behind – but that was when he was in a manic state. The issue did not present him as someone who sought out violence, and yet it appears as though that is exactly what he is doing.
I understand that he feels that he has a right to Gotham, but it is not as though Bruce Wayne actually owns the city of Gotham. WayneCorp is a powerful business and it has its foothold in many aspects of the city, but it does not mean that Bruce, himself, owns the city. I wonder, is it just the revenge that Jean Paul wants – or is it more than that? He claims that he does not plan to see the end of this, so it is very unlikely that he wants to take WayneCorp for himself – but, we cannot rule that out, as Ruth has planted the idea in his mind that they could help sustain his life after he puts Bruce down – and we all know how susceptible this man is to suggestions.
Just before the finale of the issue, we see Bruce pay a visit to Harley, who was noticeably absent from the first issue. While brief, this moment proved interesting because one cannot help but wonder what the idea of Harley’s siring his child will do to the Joker. The man is a sadist, but underneath that, he’s still Jack – and Jack, without a doubt, loves Harley. Could the child act as a catalyst that might bring back Jack from the abyss that is the Joker? I suppose only time will tell.
There’s no doubt a Red Hood path on which to travel, which Murphy could treat in the same revisionist way that he remixes “Knightfall” here, but is the end result — given a Batman story — to have Bruce retake the mantle of the Bat? Or to pass it to someone else or otherwise continue the Batman legacy proper? Sure, I’d read more, let’s not kid ourselves, but there’s something unique and therefore attractive about an ending that leaves Bruce in jail, never to be Batman or a Wayne again. For the fictional character, it might in some ways be a relief.
It often serves as a cautionary tale, warning against pride, arrogance, or the pursuit of forbidden desires. The cursed knight may be cursed as a result of breaking a vow, betraying a loved one, or succumbing to the temptations of power. The Curse of the White Knight, however, is not limited to medieval tales. It has made its way into modern literature, movies, and video games. For example, in Alan Moore's graphic novel "Batman: The White Knight," the Joker, traditionally depicted as the villain, becomes the White Knight after being cured of his insanity. This story explores the idea of redemption and how even the most wicked can break free from their curses. The Curse of the White Knight is an enduring concept because it taps into universal themes such as morality, destiny, and the consequences of one's actions. It reminds us that even those who seem invincible or virtuous can fall victim to their inner demons or external forces beyond their control. Overall, the Curse of the White Knight serves as a reminder that no one is exempt from the potential consequences of their choices. It adds depth and complexity to characters and narratives, making them more relatable and compelling. Whether it is a knight in shining armor or a modern-day hero, the Curse of the White Knight reminds us that no one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life..
Reviews for "The White Knight Curse: A Force Beyond Explanation"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Curse of the White Knight". The plot felt disjointed and confusing, jumping between different timelines and characters without any clear direction. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself getting bored halfway through. The dialogue was also lacking, with characters delivering cliched lines that felt forced. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling and well-executed story.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Curse of the White Knight" was a complete letdown. The artwork, which is usually a strong point in Batman comics, was subpar and unappealing. The character development was non-existent, as the story focused more on action sequences rather than delving into the emotions and motivations of the characters. The ending was predictable and felt rushed, leaving me unsatisfied and uninterested in any future installments. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Alex - 2 stars - As a big fan of the Batman comic series, I had high expectations for "Curse of the White Knight", but unfortunately, it fell short. The plot felt convoluted and took too many unnecessary twists and turns. The character motivations were unclear, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The artwork was decent, but it couldn't make up for the weak storyline. Overall, I was disappointed in this installment and hope that future Batman comics will return to their former glory.
4. Emily - 2.5 stars - I wanted to love "Curse of the White Knight", but it left me feeling underwhelmed. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The dialogue was uninspiring, and the attempts at humor fell flat. The artwork was the only redeeming quality, as it remained consistent and visually appealing. However, even that couldn't save this lackluster storyline. Can't say I would recommend this to anyone other than diehard Batman fans.