I'm not a "shipper," I draw a line of where I stop caring, but I've always liked the Dick Grayson/Barbara Gordon dynamic. Even though you sort of come in knowing that they aren't going to have a magical fairytale ending, this issue still provides a good helping of their complex relationship. Add the juxtaposition with the antagonist's own relationship problems, and you a good one and done story that does much more than just pander to Dick/Babs shippers, and really does offer up a fulfilling short story about the two. Read Full Review

Fans of Dick and Barbara need to check this out. Kyle Higgins does a great job addressing the past, present and future of these two. Having a full-annual-sized adventure gives the perfect way to fully tell this story without interrupting the flow and allowing it all to play out in one sitting. It's stories like this that are needed to explore the situations and backstories of the different characters given the bits of mystery that still exist within the New 52's updated history. There was some distraction having the story's art split between two artists. Seeing Dick and Barbara together and with the conclusion Higgins gives us will leave you wanting more. Read Full Review

There seemed to be a sense of closure, almost ending, in this annual for these two characters, and I think that's awesome for them moving forward. Higgins always does a fantastic job writing Dick and Barbara, and this issue is no exception. Why do I get the feeling this was a HUGE calm before the storm though? Read Full Review

On a quick final note, the issue is marketed as tie-in to the recent 'Batgirl: Wanted' storyline, but in actuality has next to nothing to do with it, and only comes up when Barbara dons a costume other than her traditional Batgirl cowl. Read Full Review

While this issue does feature a lot of action it spends the majority of the time exploring the relationship of Dick and Barbara. It moves their relationship into a new place in certain ways that are both interesting and heartbreaking. While the introduction of Firefly might be a little lackluster, the overall beats of the story hit home really well. Read Full Review

Nightwing Annual #1 is a great use of the oversized format. Higgins and Company give longtime fans what they want in a standalone story that develops the characters of Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson without derailing their respective titles. Read Full Review

Nightwing Annual #1 is a fun exploration of the relationship between Dick and Barbara, but a dull mystery involving Firefly and annoying elements tying intoBatgirl: Wanted drag the enjoyment down a tad. Bab's said it best in the final line of the comic, “It's almost worth an eight.” Read Full Review

Nightwing Annual #1 is a good issue for most and a really good one for Dick and Babs fans.  The introduction of Firefly was lackluster, but the book does a good job of establishing the two hero's complicated past in the New 52.  Though it's a stretch to think they will ever have a fairy tale ending, seeing them together for an issue brought a smile to my face.  I agree with Batgirl, this one is a... Read Full Review

Overall Nightwing Annual One, has some strengths that really overweight the weakness of the issues and that is from the amazing job that Kyle Higgins does with the chemistry between Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon have along with the flashback moment which was one of the best moment I enjoy the most. Shoot if I was DC, I would be willing to hired Kyle to pick up Barbara Gordon stand alone comic which they announce back in NYC comic con. Not many will like this issues if your a fan of Firefly, but if you either a fan of Batgirl or Robin you will let things slide like I'm doing now. But it doesn't change the grade that I would be giving it for. All I can say is, I'm looking forward for issues two and the writing that Kyle will bring to the first Robin boy along with maybe Batgirl in the near future. Make it happen DC ! Read Full Review

Nightwing Annual #2 is a well done annual that puts the spotlight on the Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon relationship. This annual comes at a great time because with Geoff Johns revealing to the DC Universe that Dick Grayson is Nightwing in the pages of Forever Evil the character is going to need a strong support system when the timeline lines up with present events. Thankfully that is exactly what Higgins shows us that Nightwing will have as Barbara will be a character that will be there for her friend. This issue also gives us more of a clearer idea of the Batman Family history within the New 52 Universe. If you're a Nightwing or Batgirl fan I highly recommend picking up Nightwing Annual #1 up. Read Full Review

Annuals allow for a book to tell a fun out of arc story, or even set-up what's to come and while Nightwing Annual #1 comes close, it still feels lacking. Like a visit from old friend that's cut far too short. Read Full Review

Jason Masters' art is fine, if fairly stiff in its depiction of movement and body language. Masters has more room to shine here than he did on his Batman Incorporated fill-in pages, but his work can't compare to the handful of pages from Daniel Sampere late in the issue. Read Full Review

Art for this annual comes from three sources. The main pencils belong to Jason Masters, assisted by Daniel Sampere and Vicente Cifuentes. With three times the artistic power, you’d think the work here would rise above standard comic book fare. It doesn’t. Nothing happening within the pages is bad, it’s just nothing to get excited about. Having no idea who is responsible for what, it’s hard to say who owns what errors. In several panels, there are problems with body proportions, which takes you out of the story. The faces are pretty interchangeable, such as the female Hollywood producer and Barbara Gordon. While those mistakes are glaring, the movement and action in the panels is executed very well. The overall effect is that the art tells the story, but never establishes itself as part of it. Read Full Review

"Nightwing Annual" #1 is a reminder that Higgins's run on "Nightwing" has been regularly pleasant and fun to read, and this follows that trend. It's got a story that works on several different levels, and while it's not amazing, it's solid and enjoyable. Add in some great visuals, and all in all it's a good way to fill out the dreaded 5th week gap in the shipping schedule. Read Full Review