“Fallen Grayson” – Part Four
Artists: Bruno Redondo and Caio Filipe
Color Artist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Review by James Attias
Nightwing #117 takes us to the top of the mountain, can Deadman and Dick find the courage and inner strength to make the leap?
A note to our loyal and devoted readers, as most of you may know by now, our beloved editor in chief Steve J Ray passed away earlier this month, in honor of the great man, my mentor. I will be taking over the ongoing reviews of this title, Steve knew we both shared a passion for Nightwing, and I even covered a few issues when he was unable to. I hope wherever Steve is now, he’s reading this review and chuckling to himself about one of his favorite superhero jokes “Nightwing’s sidekick Batman”. Steve, we miss you old chum. I’ll make you proud.
Now where were we?
Fear is Why You Fail
This storyline has been one of if not the best run’s of Nightwing in his 80 year existence. I get excited every time I read an issue. This issue doesn’t contain many life altering fights. No tense city saving moments. This issue shows us Dick Grayson, Boston Brand, a little Oracle, and a little Nightwing-Two. Each doing their own thing to forward the plot. But every word on the page, every panel is liquid gold!
I can’t stress enough how easy to read and enjoyable these issues are. Taylor has been the best thing to happen to Nightwing since they did away with his disco neck line! Redondo’s art is also something to be marveled at. You want to frame it and put it on your wall! Not leaving out the great parts drawn by Filipe too. Honestly this lot are solidifying themselves as the greatest team in modern comics, I can only think Tom King and Daniel Sampere are the only duo remotely close to that level of creators active in comics today!
Time to Fly
With this issue being 4 of 6, we don’t have much time left to wrap up this story and leave it with a nice bow for the next creative team to take over, so there was a little sense of rushing through some elements in this particular issue. But it was written so well, my only grievance would be that I want more. So I can’t fault them for that. With the story of Heartless drawing towards its end, what surprises do we have left for Nightwing, Bitewing and the gang? What would you like to see? Is it too much for me to want a quick 2 page shotgun wedding for Dick and Babs? That way what has been done in this story can’t be undone almost immediately when Tom Taylor leaves the book? I live and hope.
Conclusion
Nightwing #117 is a beautiful book, with wonderful writing and wonderful art. Savor these perfect issues people, they don’t come by as often as we’d like.
Review Written to Honor Steve J Ray – May he Rest in Peace.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment