“On With The Show” – Part One – “Curtain Up”
Artists: Dexter Soy
Color Artist: Veronica Gandini
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Review by James Attias
Nightwing #119 is a new start for the title, new writer, new artists. Same Hero! Can Nightwing survive a new threat that is stalking Blüdhaven? Let’s Jump in!
Creepy Spooky Guy
After the fantastic run that has just ended from Tom Taylor, there were some big shoes to fill. This issue immediately felt different, but not in a bad way. With the change of art and writing style this book felt darker. A little bit more serious than Tayloy’s light hearted tone. Which was good to read. There is nothing worse than a writer trying to write like someone else. Something else I really enjoyed was that the continuity fit, it wasn’t; new team, nothing that came before is present. I can’t stress how much I hate when titles do that. We still have Dick and Babs together, we still have all of the other elements in place that we set up and left off. The only person missing from this issue was Haley, who did get shot at the end of the last issue, but I’m hoping she’s off with the Super Pets. As a dog owner myself I have anxiety whenever I think this fictional dog isn’t being taken care of.
What else is new, we have some new characters, we have a spooky creepy puppet master looking villain who has yet to reveal much about him/herself. Gangs. Politics. This book did a great job of showing us what Nightwing is going to be up against!
What’s Next?
With new darker, more grounded art and writing, it is key to keep these characters true to who they are and how they act. I absolutely love the way Nightwing and Oracle communicate in this first issue back, it really put my mind at ease that we would lose their fun, loving relationship in the creative change up. Please don’t let that happen. One day they will get married and it will be the best wedding in comics! To the author who finally puts that in motion I say this… What are you waiting for?! Make it Happen’ Cap’n!
Conclusion
Nightwing #119 is a great start to the new era of Nightwing, I can’t wait to see the trials and tribulations the grown up Boy Wonder faces next!
Review Written to Honor Steve J Ray – May he Rest in Peace.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment