The inaugural book from DC\u2019s Black Label imprint, Knigh<\/em>t, sprang from writer\/artist Sean Murphy, debuted at #1 on BookScan\u2019s graphic novel bestsellers list which tracks point-of-sales for major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, independent bookstores, and more.<\/p>\n It\u2019s maintained a position on the New York Times<\/em> bestseller list.<\/p>\n DC Black Label issued a second printing for Knight<\/em> after the overwhelming reaction from fans for Murphy\u2019s unique take on the iconic character.<\/p>\n Knight<\/em> is an extraordinary take and examination two of comics\u2019 greatest antagonists, Batman and The Joker. In a world where Batman has gone too far, The Joker, now cured of his insanity and homicidal tendencies, must save Gotham City and sets about trying to right his wrongs. The book is pulling in a wide array of readers as the story explores justice, corruption, activism and the depths of mental illness.<\/p>\n Batman and The Joker have long embodied the relationship of that mismatched twosome, a pair of opposites seemingly attracted by their outward disparities \u2013 Batman\u2019s dark, grim, but ultimately heroic nature has always been perfectly countered by The Joker\u2019s comedic but sinister villainy.<\/p>\n Murphy and artist Matt Hollingsworth deliver the ultimate lovers\u2019 quarrel in, but it\u2019s not just\u00a0any<\/em>\u00a0quarrel \u2013 it\u2019s the final battle between two unhappy partners in a domestic relationship that\u2019s long been broken.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a game-changing confrontation that heralds the inevitable and dreaded conclusion that no one wants to face \u2013 as one side goes too far, it forces the other to make permanent and lasting move.<\/p>\n In terms of heroics however it\u2019s\u00a0 The Joker making the first pivotal move \u2013 an attempt to cure himself of his insanity, to essentially try and light a spark in their dynamic \u2013 but it\u2019s met with resistance by Batman. Like half of a couple<\/a> taking it upon themselves to unilaterally change in an attempt to better a relationship, Joker\u2019s actions inadvertently only worsen it, ultimately leading to what can fairly be described as a superhero\/supervillain divorce.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Murphy\u2019s core premise for White Knigh<\/em>t was to reverse the roles of Batman and the Joker by portraying Joker as the hero and Batman as the villain. His goal was to depict a more realistic take on Gotham City, where crime could not be stopped with a fist, i.e. Batman\u2019s methods. This led him to turn the Joker into a politician, using the character\u2019s intelligence and charisma to win the people of Gotham over.<\/p>\n DC Comics had no problems with the ideas that Murphy had for the series such as changing the timeline in Batman\u2019s history.However, the adult content like nudity and profanity that Murphy had intended to include were not permitted.<\/p>\n Murphy revealed that the Joker in White Knight<\/em> has the real name Jack Napier, a callback to Tim Burton\u2019s 1989 Batman<\/em> film where the Joker played by Jack Nicholson also shares that name.<\/p>\n The 1989 movie, along with Christopher Nolan\u2019s The Dark Knight Trilogy<\/em>, also inspired Murphy\u2019s design of the Batmobile in White Knight.<\/p>\n One of White Knight<\/em>\u2018s subplots involves one of the story\u2019s antagonists using a freeze ray to encase a portion of Gotham City in ice, a reference to the 1997 film Batman & Robin.<\/em><\/p>\n DC Black Label has already announced a second chapter in Murphy\u2019s series called Batman: Curse of the White Knight<\/em>, set to debut in 2019.<\/p>\n Check out DC Comics for more details.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The post Batman Comic Depicting Joker As Gay And In Love With The Caped Crusader Is Among 2018\u2019s Top-Sellers<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad Gay News<\/a>.<\/p>\n