[MikeandRaph87]

A little commentary on the current run on Nightwing. It is written by Tom 'Two Face' Taylor, a socialist hippie commentator. It is reflected in Dick Grayson's humanitarian mission of creating a community within Bludhaven for those in need similar to Lex Luthor's scheme in the Justice League cartoon with Lexor City. The commentary here is easy to ignore because it focuses on two things that I feel that highlight Dick Grayson best. His relationships with other characters and the dialogue are fantastic. The consistency of guest stars show that on his own Dick Grayson is not a strong lead, however if he is a part of a team he thrives in the lead.

I am not that big on him as Nightwing, I prefer him as either half of the Dynamic Duo as his character shines best as a part of a team. That being said, I also love the constant flashbacks to his time as Robin. I am getting a good helping of it between this and Waid's Batman/Superman: World's Finest. It's great to see character moments that make me smile with Barbara Gordon, Bruce Wayne, Wally West primarily and to a lesser extent Alfred and other Titans. This sudden admiration that Superman Jr. has for Grayson does not make any sense beyond the fact the characters are sharing the same writer at the moment.

The art is also suburb and takes liberties such as the issue of Nightwing's handicap puppy being kidnapped and it was left to the reader to follow a single frame. The story is an unnatural blend of liberal philosophy with a conservative approach, reliance on his time as Robin and his history with other characters to allow him to shine and thus the run itself. Even dusting off the once dead Blockbuster II and retroactive ties to his past through Haley and his supposed paternal half-sister. This reliance on character interactions and flashbacks is giving me what I want yet I can see people stating it is holding him back. I am just surprised at how conservative yet liberal this comic is. It's unnatural. Overall, I am enjoying it.


I have read complaints that the plot is dragging out slowly. One needs to recall that Fear State interrupted the narrative and it showed us a story that one did not have to read the actual Fear State storyline yet completely understood what was going on without having to read a page of the Batman title or one-shot specials. That is an achievement! Also, the issue spaces were needed for the character moments with Barbara, Bruce, Wally, and others. I also enjoy the flashbacks. Sure, whatever Heartless is after is taking its time, but if he acted quickly then we would not have gotten Wally lashing out at KG Beast or Barbara suit up alongside Dick more than once.

Hopefully we can get more of the Heartless part of the storyline soon resolve, I am expecting by #95's conclusion it will be done.