Nightwing #13

The Hunter

I seem to be one of the few people on the planet who was actually offended by Nightwing’s zero issue where it was revealed that Dick was no longer raised by Bruce and the role of Robin was always meant as a temporary gig. How this does not cause Nightwing’s fanbase to react with unbridled venom is beyond me, but I am clearly in the minority. Despite my low opinion of this recon, I have generally enjoyed the DCNU Nightwing, and I am hoping that the series will get back on the straight and narrow so that I may enjoy the current story and pretend that last issue's alteration never took place. Does this issue help me reach my dreams, or am I doomed to cringe every time I now think of Nightwing?

In this issue, Nightwing knows that Joker is back in town, but without being able to get in touch with Batman to coordinate on the search, Nightwing scours the underworld for the mysterious assassin known only as Lady Shiva instead. On a more personal note, Dick deals with trouble from the non-assassin ladies in his life.

The Primo Penciler

I greatly enjoyed Eddy Barrows work on pencils last month, but Andres Guinaldo is clearly the better artist on Nightwing. All his images pop, and he does a great job capturing Dick’s grace of movement and expression. I especially enjoyed Grayson’s showy entrance to his penthouse.

The Balancing Act

In my opinion, every issue of a comic should move a character forward both as a hero and simply as a person. Most comic book writers would probably agree, but finding the balance between a hero's personal life and caped life can be difficult. I think Defalco, who has taken the writing reigns over from Higgins, has found a that balance for Grayson shows significant developments both in and out of the suit in this issue.

I do not believe it would be fair to call this issue filler, but it does largely serve simply to set up for the next issue. It does this by giving plenty of consideration to all the different elements of Dick’s life before the crap hits the fan. With that in mind, it seems like a good moment to evaluate the different Nightwing subplots some of which are working much better than others.

1. Nightwing’s tangle with Lady Shiva seems promising though I am a bit disappointed that she has been made younger presumably to make her a viable sexual candidate for Nightwing.

2. Dick’s funding of Amusement Mile is interesting, heroic, and in character. I only hope that Amusement Mile will not immediately be destroyed for “dramatic” effect by an unimaginative writer.

3. I am still not feeling the Sonia/Dick chemistry. The sooner that subplot is abandoned, the better.

4. Grayson has some romantic tension with Batgirl in this issue too, but she seems uncharacteristically harsh. I assume she is just venting in anger due to the results of Joker's manipulations.

The Cover Is a Lie!

Conclusion

Though less than perfect, I found this issue to be a very fun ride and it geared me up for the next issue. All fans of Nightwing should check this issue out.