Nightwing #107
Quick Review

 

Much like the Robin quick review I did last night (see the Robin forum for details), I find myself interested in checking out the Batman family of titles and seeing what's taking place in the shadow of the bat's cape. This week, I tried both Robin and Nightwing for the first time in quite a while.

 

A few weeks back I checked out the "Nightwing: A Night in Bludhaven" trade paperback from my local public library and enjoyed it. This read gave me a nice look at the start of the Nightwing series which was better than I expected. For years now, I've been dismissing the title not really giving it a chance. It just never grabbed me as a “must read” story like so many of the other DC titles have over the last few years. Well, this week a new creative team came on board and the title has been getting a lot of hype surrounding the recent Nightwing: Year One storyline. In that light, I decided to give the latest issue a read.

 

To say the least, I found myself pleased. In this issue, we find an almost broken Tim Grayson working for the mafia, sporting crutches for a broken leg and no longer wearing the costume. It wasn’t immediately clear to me as I read this issue whether or not Nightwing had become the grim former image of himself or simply found himself working undercover. I really liked that mix of mystery as it unfolded through the issue. The shadowing of the events of Grayson’s life between the panels was a nice touch as well. Nightwing, as a character in this issue, is at once honorable and violent. The hong kong action film grace of the fight scenes and the unmistakable gangster/Batman mentor comparisons were thoughtful in their approach. Nice storytelling.

 

I’ll be back next month and I invite you to give this issue a try.

 

Official word from DC ...

 

Written by Devin Grayson; Art and cover by Phil Hester and Ande Parks

 

Featuring the new NIGHTWING creative team of writer Devin Grayson and artists Phil Hester and Ande Parks (GREEN ARROW)! thingy has left Blüdhaven, and the only people he can trust are those who'd kill him if they knew his secrets. He's in over his head, alone, and it's only going to get more dangerous!

 

Batman | 32pg. | Color | $2.25 US

On Sale April 13, 2005

April 16th, 2005