Who's Lady Shiva's Targets?
I have liked the Nightwing series so far, but I am a bit disappointed to see Kyle Higgins isn't doing this issue or the next. I assume this is to give him more time to write the Death of the Family tie-in issues, but his absence is noticeable. I did like how Anders Guinalso's was still doing art (even though it says Guest Penciller, he's been doing the art since issue 11).
This issue sees Nightwing search for Lady Siva who he learned from the Penguin is in Gotham City. Without the help of Batman or Batgirl who are both looking for Joker Nightwing is on his own as he searches for Lady Shiva and her targets, before she strikes. He goes to the Black Bass using Batman's E.M.P. mask to conceal his identity to try and get information on where Lady Shiva will be.
I liked this issue but it wasn't quite as good as it's been in the past, when Higgins has been writing it. I will however give DeFalco his dues as he has done a better job than some temporary writers have done on series' in the past and it helped with the story as he was involved in issue zero which is referenced in this story. I also liked how we saw flashbacks from the zero issue to when Dick was Robin and had his run in with Lady Shiva. I liked how the Joker's return was mentioned in this issue, like it was in Batman and Robin even though it's not a direct tie-in showing that it is still happening at the same time. I was however a bit disappointed that Lady Shiva barely made an appearance in this issue, as I was looking forward to it and with this being a two issue story it means when Nightwing finally confronts Shiva it will have a short amount of time to pan out.
Final verdict. A good issue but I would only recommend this issue if you are collecting the series or are a Lady Shiva fan, otherwise I would leave it and get the Death of the Family tie-in starting issue 15.
Rating: 3.5/5
