Nightwing: Tom DeFalco, Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Rod Reis, Carlos M. Mangual

We’ve now seen the origins of two of Batman’s four Robins: Damian and Jason. Let’s take a further step back in time to see the very first…the original…the classic Dick Grayson. It’s a pretty wild ride, so please keep all hands and feet inside the vehicle.

My heart almost exploded when I heard DeFalco was credited on this issue. I was so scared he’d mess everything up. But apparently he only gets story credit, and that’s with Higgins. Higgins is the guy behind the actual script (thank God). There were parts of this that I liked, and parts I didn’t. Mostly I liked it. If I had to give it a percentage, I would say I liked 95% of it. That other 5% is made up of the following: parkour, and a change in the origin story. I’ll get to those.

First let’s talk about Eddy Barrows. This guy is awesome. I love his work. He always does a great job of these acrobatic poses and fluid movements. There’s PLENTY of that here, and it almost made me want to start reading the main title again (I put it down, after all). You wanna see something really cool? On page 2, check out Dick’s second position as he jumps from the train. With his arms up like that, and his jacket billowing out? Look like a Nightwing symbol to you? Ferreira joins his buddy from the Nightwing book on inks, and Rod Reis also returns. That’s interesting that the whole art team from the series is working the Zero Issue - as many of them have been different. I like this, though. I feel like someone else wouldn’t have done Dick the justice he deserves. Barrows also makes Dick look VERY MUCH like himself, younger. There’s a definite relation between this younger Grayson and the one we see grown up as Nightwing. I always like that.

Speaking of justice, that’s part of where the origin story differs from the preboot one. After Dick’s parents are killed, he’s not whisked away to Wayne Manor immediately. He’s put into a care facility while Bruce watches him, feeling sympathetic. This is much more realistic, and I dig it. The justice part comes in when Dick starts sneaking out nightly to try and find Tony Zucco. This reminds me more of the “Batman Forever” version of Dick Grayson…but, y’know, better.

I wasn’t a big fan of how the only moments we see with Dick and his parents together they were mad at him, because it doesn’t give us that loving connection we need in order to feel our guts ripped out when they die. But what are you gonna do? So, the parkour thing comes in because Dick and Raymond did parkour will running across moving trains as kids, and I guess it stuck with Dick as he grew and stuff. The main story didn’t really make much mention of parkour, though, so it feels lumped in there awkwardly. Kind of like how Tim Drake, now, was a star gymnast at school before becoming Robin. Coincidence? I liked how Dick and Tim had to train their ASSES off to gain the title.

Now, for the other major change in the origin story for Dick. He uses his understanding of motion and body language to figure out who Batman is. If that’s the case…then we have a problem. Because Tim uses his keen intellect and detective skills to figure it out later. So that means that Bruce isn’t doing a very good job of hiding it. It also makes Dick too similar to Tim in origin, for me at least. I liked that Tim was the only one to actually figure it out, and the others were told.

The ending of the issue, with a really cool surprise guest villain, was VERY awesome, and full of triumph (despite where Dick faltered). It really made me smile. I thought it was the perfect ending, in fact. Even better was the consistency of the theme of change throughout the ish, and how it tied in to the very last page. There are moments when you might get tired of the word “change” appearing on the page, but it does work for the purpose of the story. It gives Dick a very good motivation that more than foreshadows his eventually outgrowing the role of Robin.

Nightwing #0, the verdict: A very good issue, with outstanding art, and a really cool telling of how Dick came to be not only Robin, but surrogate son to Bruce Wayne and partner in crime-fighting. A great story that could have been more emotional, considering the tragedy in Dick’s life, but I suppose it does go with the whole “change” and “looking forward” mantra that’s repeated throughout the ish. I’m most bummed that he’s now another of the Robins to figure out Batman’s identity before it’s made clear, because that made Tim special, whereas Dick was already special. God, you really have to have everything for yourself, huh, Dick!?

(Photo Source: DC Comics)

Nightwing: Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows, Ruy Jose, Eber Ferreira, Rod Reis, Pat Brosseau

Incredible. The Night of the Owls starts early for this series, with #8. They broke it into a two-parter, because Nightwing has two Talons to fight. This issue was excellent. It had a great storyline, with great pacing, and it supplied us readers with a feint that I didn’t see coming at all. We jump back and forth between 1910 and present day, where we’re told the tale of the Talon and how he came to be. Now that we know the secret of the Talons - how Haly’s Circus recruited boys who would become Talons for the Court - it’s fun to watch the story of a kid who came from nothing and grew to be a star of the circus. Dick Grayson can appreciate, I’m sure. Meanwhile, Nightwing fights the Talon sent for Mayor Hady. This issue is full of some real gruesomeness, and I wasn’t expecting it. Usually for shots like what happened to Councilman Davis, we’re given a hint as to what happened…not all-out shown what happened. That was a little shocking, but it made the issue awesome. It made it feel real. It made the stakes feel extremely high, and I knew the characters were in real danger here. As I said, the pacing is well done in this issue, with the changing of the settings, and we’re given just as much of the Talon’s story as we need to keep going with Nightwing. It really does feel like the Talon story is pushing Nightwing’s forward, which is an interesting take. Gives the illusion that Nightwing really isn’t in control here, he’s not the driving force of this issue. He’s merely reactionary. This, of course, plays brilliantly into the feint. Barrows’ art is, as always, fantastic. There are a couple panels where the boy’s face is a bit awkward, but that’s all really. I love some of the panel layouts, too. The juggling balls at the beginning become the faces of Gotham’s Elite. The shattered glass becomes that page’s panels. Really well done.

Nightwing #8, the verdict: This was really excellent. It left us with a feeling of “holy crap,” and we really aren’t sure exactly how well this is all going to turn out. I love that…I mean, this is how you do a cliffhanger ending. Not something entirely impossible that you know there has to be something else. This is close, this is intimate. This is an immediate threat that is about to end a life. You really feel that. What’s even funnier is how you really feel for the Talon. I found myself almost rooting for this kid, even knowing what he would become. Tricky, Higgins.

(Photo Source: Newsarama)

Nightwing: Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows, Geraldo Borges, Eber Ferreira, Paulo Siqueira, Rod Reis, Carlos M. Mangual

The exciting conclusion to the Saiko arc! We learned that the assassin is actually Raymond, Dick’s childhood friend at Haly’s Circus, and we kind of know why he’s after Dick. We know that Dick’s name is in a selection book of some kind. Up to now, we’ve been led to believe it was a selection for assassination. Turns out that’s not quite the case. I don’t know just how far back this was all planned…but the book is actually a selection book for the COURT OF OWLS! Yes, the names in that book were the names of the boys the Court secretly chose to become their next Talon assassin. Dick was the most recent selection, but then Bruce Wayne adopted him and messed all that up. Raymond was the Court’s second choice…but he wasn’t good enough. He blames Dick for the torture he endured becoming a Talon, because if Dick had stayed, it never would have happened. Pretty good motive, I’d say. Selfish, but it works for the book, the story, and the character. Now, my curiosity as to how long ago this was planned comes up because, before, Saiko said Dick Grayson had to be killed because he was the “greatest assassin” in the world or something. This had everyone scratching their heads, and we all just assumed that whoever hired Saiko was just nuts. And I thought that was the case, Haly’s grandson or whatever had hired Saiko, right? So now Saiko has a double motive? That part kind of confused me. But nice job working in the Night of the Owls event. Barrows is still the only man for the job regarding this book’s art. That first page, with Dick’s horrified face is heart-breaking. Borges takes over at the end of the book, which ties in beautifully with this month’s Batman issue. I like seeing Dick’s rant from this side, because his frustration is suddenly put so well into context, and we understand his frustration with Bruce at being so secretive. Dick just waded waist-deep through secrets and barely made it out alive.

Nightwing #7, the verdict: A very good end to the series, though I do hope we somehow get to see Saiko again some day. I hate it when villains are written out. Though I might hate it more when they come back to life. I love how it ties in to the Night of the Owls crossover, but I can’t help feeling like certain points of it regarding Saiko kind of contradict. Maybe it’ll make sense if I re-read the series so far, all at once. Can’t wait for the Talons, next!

(Photo Source: Newsarama)

Yup. I’m getting rid of even more titles. Gotta really cut back. Here’s what I’ve let go (thought this’d be faster):

Nightwing, Batgirl, The Fury of Firestorm, Superman, Superboy, Legion Lost.

These titles just don’t excite me anymore. I’m not anxious to read them every month.

That leaves 25 of the New 52 that I’m still buying, which includes ALL of the upcoming 6 Second Wave comics.

Hello everyone.

Due to continuing financial concerns, I am going to be dropping even more titles than my previous “Status Quo” post. I’ll list those below, so you can see if I’ll still be covering the titles you read and/or are interested in.

Also, I can’t guarantee how often I’ll be posting these reviews, and how on-time they’ll be in the future. Hell, I don’t even know how long this Tumblr, with its current purpose, will last. It’ll still be here, and I’ll continue to share incredible comics-related content, but beyond that I don’t know.

Basically, I’ve got too much on my plate. I’m writing for screenplay ideas I want to pitch and sell, and I’m currently the sole writer on a cartoon pitch I’m trying to get off the ground with a friend. Gotta cut back somewhere…and comic reviews is the only place that isn’t really showing the promise of a lucrative income. :\

Sorry, guys.

Here are the comics I’m continuing to purchase and read, and hopefully review for you:

Justice League, Aquaman, The Flash, Captain Atom, The Fury of Firestorm, Batman, Batwing, Batman and Robin, Batgirl, Nightwing, Catwoman, Red Hood and the Outlaws, Action Comics, Superman, Superboy, Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Teen Titans, Legion Lost, All Star Western, Stormwatch, Justice League Dark, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, I, Vampire

And the Second Waves:

Earth 2, World’s Finest, Dial H, GI Combat, Ravagers, National Comics

As for Marvel, I’m only doing the following:

Uncanny X-Men, Wolverine and the X-Men

There may be a couple other titles I throw in as well, but this is the main bulk, which is - of course - subject to change. :)

Nightwing: Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows, Geraldo Borges, Eber Ferreria, Ruy Jose, Rod Reis, Carlos M. Mangual

So Nightwing’s in Texas searching a lead on Saiko, because the assassin’s plum disappeared. This worries Nightwing…but mainly because Saiko’s trying to kill Dick Grayson. The lead gets Nightwing the fact that Saiko’s not taking jobs right now…he’s not working for anyone. In fact, he’s working on a personal project. This terrifies Nightwing, because he now knows it’s a personal vendetta Saiko’s got against Dick. But we’ve already learned that. We know that Saiko is Raymond, Dick’s childhood friend from Haly’s Circus. He was thought dead, but he’s okay…just blinded, apparently. He’s hooked up with Raya and they are working together to kill Dick. WHAT A TWIST! There’s a big bash coming up on the anniversary of Dick’s parents’ murders. A Flying Grayson’s Tribute Show. It’s at this announcement that Dick understands what Saiko’s been waiting for. And, sure enough, when the show begins, Saiko appears and wreaks much destruction. I like the story, and I like that we’ve taken a break from the plot for a couple issues…but it’s time to come back, and finish this. It looks like next issue could be the final showdown between Saiko and Nightwing. Though I’m really hoping it doesn’t go the way of the superhero movie where the villain is killed and we’re down one possible recurring character for the remainder of the series. That’s a real bummer when that happens. Throughout this series, I’ve loved Barrows’ art. He’s been doing a really great job in animating Nightwing’s motions and movements. This issue left me a little wanting, however, as I saw some of the facial expressions didn’t meet previous renditions from issues past. Perhaps that had to do with guest penciller Borges, but I can’t be sure. I hope we finally get to learn what’s at the heart of Haly’s Circus that has everyone so riled up, and I can’t wait to see the fight to come with Saiko. With Higgins writing and Barrows drawing, it’s going to be absolutely epic. Two circus acrobats trained to physical perfection? Fun times. 

Nightwing #6, the verdict: Not much more to say about this issue, really. It’s pretty straightforward, and I didn’t want to give too much away about what happens in the end (not that it’s some huge spoiler or anything). I like the humor, as usual. Dick’s a pretty light-hearted guy, and so it’s always fun to see him having such a good time while fighting crime and all. His narration about and conversation with Shox at the beginning was quite a treat. And seeing Alfred and Dick together again was something somewhat special…although it kind of felt like Alfred playing the dutiful role to the writer more than to the reader…if that makes any sense to you. Still a great book. Looking forward to the end of this arc, though.

(Photo Source: Modern Myth Media)

Nightwing: Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows, Paulo Siqueira, Eber Ferreira, Rod Reis, Carlos M. Mangual

WHOA! Creepy voodoo lady, coming through! So this is another side-story to the main plot of the mystery of Haly’s Circus. Basically, to get the main story points from this book, just go to the last page. It won’t spoil this issue’s story at all, and you’ll understand everything you need to know from this issue. However, don’t miss out on the rest of this book just because it’s a side-story. We actually do get to kind of cover something that’s been bothering another one of our Haly’s Circus characters, the clown Jimmy. Remember? He’s been holding onto this note that’s been seriously making him sweat? Well here’s why. It’s a cool story that unfortunately doesn’t really go anywhere and only serves to give Dick a lesson in forgetting. Though it becomes a moot point, because we know Dick’s not going to listen…he’s going to dig into the circus’s past like he does and find all the unfortunate secrets he’ll later regret finding. That’s just how it goes. So, in terms of serving a purpose, this book really doesn’t. But it’s still a fun issue that has a marriage demon in it. And that’s something that I’ve never got to say before, so props to this book for that. I like that we’re back with Barrows’s art, because it’s superbly superior to the last stand-in. No one does Nightwing justice quite like Barrows, with his intricate knowledge of body posing and acrobatics. Hey, you think Barrows was a circus acrobat himself once? That would explain it! I feel like I just discovered the identity of Batman or something. This issue delivers some very good visuals in the way of the marriage demon and with Nightwing’s vision lenses and motorcycle riding. But the real treat lies at the end…the appropriately timed “dessert” of this issue…with the reappearance of Saiko…and his UNMASKING!! Shocks and gasps abound. I truly wasn’t expecting that either, even after this issue. So, enjoy that. It’ll be fun to see where this goes next, knowing this information. You know us as an audience cannot be kept waiting for too long after discovering something like that…the action’s going to propel forward in the next couple issues, I think. The book of names dealio is a bit…tired…I’m kind of wanting an answer to that sooner than later. I probably would have traded that info for Saiko’s identity. But oh well.

Nightwing #5, the verdict: Still enjoying this book, even if we have sort of taken a detour for two issues now. However, the fun part is that this is starting to feel less and less like an arc meant for trade paperback. This is the direction DC has been meaning to go…yet so many New 52 titles are still writing for trades. At least, with this, it feels like there are some separate stories that newcomers can enjoy simply by hopping in whenever. Sure, they may be a little lost when it comes to the over-arcing elements, but that’s something that’s always existed in comics, since before trades became really prominent. So it can be said that this is more “traditional” in writing style, in that sense. I like that, but I’m also hoping to see more of the story we were previously presented with.

(Photo Source: Kaskus)

Nightwing: Kyle Higgins, Trevor McCarthy, Guy Major, Wes Abbott, Eddy Barrows, Rod Reis

Writers in comics are allowed to get away with a lot these days. For example, printing “Double Trouble” on a cover featuring the hero and an evil twin. Or following up a truly exciting tale about a hired assassin as good as Nightwing with a lackluster stand-alone about a lame villain and girl problems. As you may have noticed, this wasn’t my favorite issue thus far. I just feel like the potential on this #4 is wasted. Coming off of that issue left a lot that could be done. So what does Dick do? He takes a break and tours south to Miami with the circus! Okay, I have to be fair for a moment…. I did say it would be interesting to see Dick back with Haly’s Circus and operating as Nightwing wherever he goes with them. Although I now see the problem with that. Nightwing starts popping up all over the place, and now he can be traced through appearances by watching where the circus goes. It’s too easy for someone to figure out who he is. And then, from there, who the rest of the bat-family is. And what’s even funnier is how that very issue, identity discovery, is brought up in this issue, but they don’t even mention being tied to Haly’s Circus. Batgirl makes an issue-long appearance here…and even she’s wasted, I feel. She’s not the same brooding, self-doubting Batgirl we see in her own title, and that’s a disappointment. It feels like a different person. Like young Barbara Gordon Batgirl or Stephanie Brown Batgirl. Basically, the story is she’s tracking down this shapeshifting bad guy named Spinebender - which is a neat name, I guess - and it leads her to Miami, where Dick is busy having sex. How serendipitous. This gets Dick in all kinds of trouble with his other red-head girlfriend and she gets all butt-hurt about Dick really liking her and stuff, because she doesn’t want it to go that far. Makes sense, I guess…but if he likes her that much, why not just like him back? I guess if she doesn’t, that just makes her a whore…and I’m not saying that she’s wrong for wanting that, but it just kind of puts me in this weird gray area about her character. Spinebender, now…is just lame. I’m sorry, but I feel like a shapeshifting villain would be super difficult to beat, but he’s not. As Batgirl says, “he’s not very imaginative.” Maybe that’s the point…maybe he’s supposed to be a terrible villain, like Shocker. But I didn’t feel like he was well utilized. He was barely even there to get the action moving. Hell, I would have preferred one of two alternatives: either remove him from the story entirely and focus only on character development here, or stretch this into two issues to make more room for character and villain development. Lastly, the art here was okay. It’s a guest artist, and it made me miss Eddy Barrows. Tyler did a good job and all (still better than I could ever draw), but I feel like he used those “afterimages” for movement a little too much. Barrows does use these, but they’re more sparingly, and in this book there’s almost one per page here. I just wasn’t enjoying all of that. It removed me too much from the story, and made me focus on exactly what moves Nightwing was making and all. I like it better when those are more infrequent. Now that Dick’s figured this whole thing out with the mystery of Haly’s Circus, hopefully the story will really start to move forward and we’ll see some awesome stuff. Also, what was up with that letter or whatever the clown was reading toward the beginning of the comic? That was surely never explained….

Nightwing #4, the verdict: After a very pulse-pounding few issues that pitted Nightwing against Saiko and his former friend at Haly’s, this issue just feels like a rut that the book is stuck in. I’m hoping it can dig its way out before the next issue. Conversely, this does act more like a single issue story than a part of an arc, which is what DC is going for in this New 52. They want to stay away from writing and publishing for trades, and start focusing on single-issue stuff. I’m all for that, but maybe this one just didn’t pull it off right for me. There was a lot going on, a lot of characters, and nobody seems fleshed out completely enough or even sticking to their own canon personalities. I was disappointed by the art, and I really hope Barrows comes back for #5.

Nightwing: Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows, Eduardo Pansica, JP Mayer, Paulo Siqueira, Eber Ferreira, Rod Reis, Allen Passalaqua, Carlos M. Mangual

Wow there is a literal army of staff on this issue, between pencils, inks, and colors. Luckily, it doesn’t detract from the content. I have to say that I love seeing this young Dick Grayson in all these flashbacks. We’ve seen a few now, including the one from Batgirl. They’re always pretty amusing, and - in this case - it sets up for later in this issue. We’re also getting a good timeline constructed here. The flashback we see here is “five years ago,” which is when Justice League is taking place. So we can see that Dick is not yet Batman’s first Robin, he’s still with the circus. It’s nice to have establishing timelines. I really enjoyed the involvement of Zane here in this comic. Nightwing is experiencing a lot of his past coming back to him in this series - whether that past is here to haunt him or help him…we’ve yet to see really. Zane here seems like it could haunt him…and they even have an altercation, but things tend to work out a little bit. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him yet. I like the visual of Dick in his Robin costume here. I like the green shoulders and he has pants and real boots. It fits with Batman’s “armor-plated” costume update. I never understood Robin’s original costume and how it was supposed to keep him safe while fighting crime. Sure, Batman’s costume got updates with kevlar and nomex stuff and all that throughout the years - and Tim’s Robin costume was updated - but Dick’s never did, what with flashbacks and all that. Finally, we’re seeing this update. We’re seeing a costume that is designed to keep the wearer safe. With seeing this image of Dick as Robin, though, here’s my question: what’s happening in this vision? He’s obviously not crying for his parents…because Dick wasn’t Robin when his parents died. So what happened? I’m curious to find out. The art here is outstanding, as normal. I keep saying how I think Barrows really understands the human form, and the various acrobatic positions we find Dick in. I love seeing the “motion” drawings, where we see a sequence of movements all in one panel. It’s so much fun imagining the entire fluid movement as I read. I normally spend a good few minutes on these, they’re a treat. The story so far has been interesting, but in this issue I felt a little bit removed from what’s been happening. I understand what Dick is doing and all, what with trying to follow a potential lead with who may have hired Saiko, the assassin. It was fun going on the adventure, and we link Dick back to his past with the circus, but it led nowhere…and we find out exactly who hired Saiko in the end. What I don’t understand now is…this guy’s motive. The hirer’s, not Saiko’s. I thought Saiko was after Dick Grayson because he’s “the most dangerous man alive,” or some schpeel. But that doesn’t seem logical at all considering who this man is and how he’s connected to Dick. I’m just confused.

Nightwing #3, the verdict: I’m on-board with this book. I really do like this series. Dick is a deep, complex character who can be totally amusing and completely serious at the same time. I love how he interacts with other characters. I like this plot with him being involved again in Haly’s Circus. Part of me really wants Dick to stick with it as a day job. That would open up the book to all kinds of great story potential. While I’m now concerned about the true motives of the person who hired Saiko, and why Saiko says Dick is the most dangerous man alive, I’m invested enough to want to find out what’s going on. The art is still astounding, with those poses really highlighting Dick’s history with the circus. He’s pulling stuff that we’ve yet to see Jason, Tim, or Damian do in their own titles. And rightfully so. They’re not as acrobatic. I’d say Damian would be next in terms of agility and maneuverability. And it’s probably a tie between Jason and Tim. They’ve both received excellent teachings from different sources. Nightwing is proving to be a really interesting, engaging, and deep book. And I don’t even like the character.

Nightwing: Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows, J.P. Mayer, Paulo Siqueira

The first book was fun, and showed us a Nightwing out there, fearless, ready for anything…and, in fact, asking for anything! He’s seeking a challenge! He wants something to be afraid of! Well…he got exactly what he wished for. For issue #1’s gleeful nature, #2 is dark. Dick is almost mournful as the subject of Haly’s Circus comes up when Raya visits and talks about Mr. Haly’s illness. Rightfully so, I think. Dick grew up in that circus. That’s where his parents died. It’s nice to see Dick visiting that place in his past, even if he doesn’t enjoy it quite as much. I’ve been big on character history in these relaunch titles, because I’m concerned that we’re missing some things with certain of them that have been “reset” more than others. Some characters may have large backstory/history changes…some not so much. But we won’t know that distinction until we’re told. I like the shadowing on Dick’s face after meeting up with Mr. Haly again. It’s like we can’t tell who he wants to be…Nightwing or Dick Grayson. It’d be unrealistic for Dick to give up crime-fighting (and, wasn’t he a cop before?), but he could still help run Haly’s Circus at the same time, right? I love the conflict we’re seeing here. He’s really torn. But, when it comes to kicking bad-guy ass, Dick knows exactly what to do. We get another, action-filled meeting with Saiko, who tries to kill Nightwing again. The flow of action and moves displayed here is very well-done. The unconventional panels lend to the movement and show us some pretty interesting angles. I have to comment on that backlit panel at the top of page 16, where Saiko is soaring toward a waiting Nightwing, and their shadows are thrown foward. Beautiful. Striking. Memorable. I’ll say it again: Barrows has a tight understanding of acrobatic form and pose, because these moves Nightwing’s throwing really do allow me to remember Dick came from the circus. The end of the issue was iconic and well-done…and it opens us up to another mystery. Surely something as old and established as Haly’s Circus has more than one mystery tied into its history. I’m intrigued, and can’t wait to see what Higgins has planned.

Nightwing #2, the verdict: This is turning into a well-rounded book. It showed the lighter side of Nightwing in #1 - a side of Dick that we’ve all known for a long time, thanks to his tenure as the Boy Wonder - and #2 introduced us to the haunting past of the circus. Fans of Dick Grayson as a more sexier DC character will enjoy this issue as well, I think. We get to see a bit of the Don Juan in him. In all, I’m liking Nightwing. It’s bold, it’s full of great, well-drawn action, it has an involved and layered story that hints to deeper roots, and it has a strong villain that poses a real threat to Dick. We still don’t know anything about Saiko, and I’m hoping to get more of that next issue, but so far I’m enjoying the masked, unknown assassin. We’re seeing something similar in Snyder’s Batman, and it’s working there too.

Nightwing: Kyle Higgins, Eddy Barrows, J.P. Mayer
I first want to say that I’m SO GLAD Dick is behind his OWN mask, and not Batman’s. I really didn’t like Dick as Batman. But, to be honest, I couldn’t see any of the others taking it up either. However, Dick back as Nightwing is definitely something of a breath of fresh air. Something I’ve been hoping for. I got worried when Bruce came back and Dick was still Batman. Getting to the point. This book was good!! I was on the fence about it…worried that I wouldn’t be interested, or I wouldn’t care (to be really honest, I’ve never liked Dick all around). But, no! This book is fun, it’s action-packed, and it brings up a really, really interesting plot. I can’t help but wonder if this whole “he’s the most dangerous killer ever” schpeel is relating at all to what happened in Batman Number One. It’s good to see Dick back in his environment, where he belongs, living on his own…messy housekeeper. He just didn’t fit in Wayne Manor anymore. And, what’s really funny, is he actually LOOKS like Dick again! It pained me, so much, during the previous Batman issues, where he looked pretty much exactly like Bruce did under the cowl. Sorry, guys, but Dick Grayson is a gymnast, not a body builder. So to see him with his own, distinct face and build back, fitting easily into his Nightwing costume, was very good. I love the story that’s presented…a fearless Dick Grayson challenging the night to bring him something that will actually scare him (I was half expecting Scarecrow to show up here)…and he’s met with Haley’s Circus. Genius. As Dick tries to face the ghosts of his past, a new threat appears and targets…Dick! I’m more than intrigued here. Beyond that, the art is pretty fantastic. There’s motion, fluidity, excitement, and Barrows definitely has a knack for the more agile figure poses of seasoned acrobats. And, as for the coloring? I like the red in Nightwing’s costume. So deal with it.
Nightwing, the verdict: This was definitely very cool. A fun book with a light-hearted character prowling the night instead of a darker one. Yet this one has his own demons threatening to come up and drown him. And they’re not from where you’d expect. I like where Higgins is going with this, and I’m intrigued to see where he takes the story, and how he incorporates other DCU events into the book (such as what’s happening in Batman). I’ll be following this book for a while, despite my dislike of Dick, just to see if he’ll start to grow on me.