“Nightwing”, and “00:01”
Artists: Daniele Di Nicuolo, Bruno Redondo, Howard Porter
Color Artists: Adriano Lucas, Hi-Fi
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Review by Steve J. Ray
Nightwing #113 is a celebration… in every way possible. Not only does it highlight the character of Dick Grayson, it also shines a light on his brothers, his sister, his city, and the incredible Barbara Gordon. Oh… the fact that it’s also the 300th issue, looking back over 29+ years, and his creators also get an extremely touching tribute, all made this ancient fanboy’s heart sing.
“Good Robin, Bad Robin.” Brilliant.
I said last month that issues #111 and #112 were the perfect Nightwing comics… add this one to make that a trilogy. Writers Tom Taylor and Michael W. Conrad give us two completely different stories, showcasing two very different sides of Dick Grayson, and they deliver pure excellence. However, we also get two pages written by Nightwing co-creator, Marv Wolfman, which really got to me.
I was there when Robin became Nightwing, I still own all the Wolfman/Pérez New/Tales Of The Teen Titans issues, so these pages feel almost like they were made for me. (Panel four of page 21 got me right in the feels… look at the picture on the wall).
It was lovely to see the work of Bruno Redondo again, even if it was for just two pages, but he’s back next month. More on that later…
Daniele Di Nicuolo drew the bulk of the “main” story. I can’t say that I loved it, as his style’s a little too cartoony for my tastes, but his layouts and storytelling are strong, and the characters are immediately recognizable.
Of course, Adriano Lucas’ colors and Wes Abbott’s letters are, as always, perfect. Wes absolutely kills it in the second story, too… even though there’s no dialogue.
“00:01” by Michael W. Conrad, Howard Porter, and Hi-Fi is a powerhouse of a tale. I love stories where no one speaks, and the visuals give the readers everything they need to know (of course, Michael Conrad’s script must be super detailed, but getting the action across, with no dialogue whatsoever, is no easy feat).
This is a non-stop, kinetic thrill ride of a tale. The art, colors, and letters – a great “24” style countdown – add tension, drama, and real stakes to the proceedings. I’d LOVE to see the full script.
Conclusion
Yes, Nightwing #113 is a celebration, but next month will see the beginning of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s final five-issue arc on this series.
I’m fortunate enough to own all of the 299 Nightwing comics (plus annuals) that preceded this one, and every issue of Grayson, too. I will approach the “Fallen Grayson” storyline with excitement and sadness, as, for me, the run by Tom Taylor, Bruno, Redondo, Adriano Lucas, Wes Abbott, and all the wonderful guest writers and artists, has been the finest in the series’ history.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment