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10
I really loved this comic:
I hear many Nightwing fans complaining about what happened to Nightwing in Batman 55& I can see why fans are worried, however I think it’s an interesting take on Nightwing, that needs to be explored more. In Batman 55 we could see Nightwing being really carefree& it was stated in many Nightwing or Robin stories, that he is enjoying his vigilante „job“ ( a little too much) & the adrenaline, that comes with it. But this is when reality strikes& Dick isn’t untouchable anymore. It would be great, if we see a character development like Dick thinking more about the risks he is taking every night. Pre52 Dick was also wounded at some point, so it’s not an entirely new idea, but it was never that severe.I also think his reaction is quite normal. It makes sense, that he is pushing people away& tries to find a way to deal with his trauma. His anger is an understandable reaction. I however hope the writers won’t make him cross the no killing line, but to let him come back stronger& maybe wiser.
This story isn’t only a Nightwing story, it’s also Scarecrow‘s story. I especially loved the flashbacks with him. He was finally fully in character, what unfortunately doesn’t happen quite often in New52/ Rebirth. It was great to see, that the story also was told from his perspective. Nowadays comics unfortunately don’t focus much on the villains anymore. We rarely see their point of view. Like there are stories where the villains get one line at best. However the flashbacks with Scarecrow aren’t random at all, he was the first super villain Dick had to deal with in the New52/ Rebirth timeline after all. In Batman and Robin Eternal (BRE), where this was stated Scarecrow unfortunately was reduced to a side character in favor of a new& in my opinion boring villain. So the entire story about Dick fighting Scarecrow was never really addressed. The flashbacks however seem to take place after BRE& as for me I am happy their relationship gets addressed again here.
The flashbacks with Scarecrow& the ending teases an exciting conflict between Dick& Scarecrow ( which last time happened in the 90ies) Unfortunately Percy doesn’t have the chance to finish his story& another writer takes over next issue. The newest Solicitations are still promising a clash between Scarecrow & Dick, so I hope Lobdell also does the characters justice. I hope we are seeing more flashbacks about Scarecrow‘s & Dick’s conflict in the past& also in the present. Addressing Nightwings fears after a severe trauma makes sense. I only hope Lobdell also does Scarecrow justice& gives him more than just one line. more
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9.0
My love of Nightwing is complicated... I like to read about Nightwing, but I don’t really know who the character is, as he seems to have a constantly changing (and sparingly used) supporting cast, less than compelling villains, and a rotating-door of a love life, so I’ve always felt it’s been hard for me to really grasp who he is on his own... I’m looking forward to seeing how Ben Percy writes this story and sets Dick/Ric/Gray/Richard on a new path.
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9.0
I'm as surprised as can be I liked this as much as I did. Dick Grayson is my favorite comic book character ever. This was NOT Dick Grayson but that was the point.
Sometimes something can happen that is so impactful it can devastate one's sense of self, but we almost never see such things in superhero comics.
As someone that's been through a number of such things, too many for any one person, Percy's take on a brain-damaged "Rik" Grayson is remarkably apt. This is what can happen to a person and this is how it can manifest.
And things can happen that are so bad that they turn us into different people than we were, ones that are totally at odds with our very fixed and complex senses of self. This comic book demonstrated far more insight than I'd have thought Percy was capable or that almost any comic book writer is capable.
I found it incredibly powerful and, on the strength of Red Hood et al, I'm even glad Lobdell is going to carry this story forward. I'm ignoring my feelings about his work on every other book because Red Hood shows me he can handle this type of material and possibly shine his brightest while doing so.
I expected to love Justice League, Batman, and Green Arrow this week and I did love them. I did not expect to love this issue of Nightwing but I have it as my top DC book of the week.
I don't expect anyone to agree with me and that's okay. Nobody could put a dent in my feelings about this issue. It hit so close to home. more
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9.0
The best issue Percy did was his last. What a waste...
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8.5
A set up for what potentially could’ve led to good single story arc, in hindsight it didn’t, but not for lack of trying
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8.5
The decision to wipe Nightwing's memory doesn't please everyone, which is understandable. But from a storytelling perspective the new psychological handicaps have a lot of great potential. I'm on board.
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7.5
Everything's changed, change is good but it's also kinda sad to see Nightwing this way, hope he finds his way eventually. The writing is okay, the art boosts the comic.
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7.5
This was interesting. A bit of a shake-up to a familiar formula that some fans will probably not be very keen about.
Seems like most of the Bat-children is getting some kind of change recently.
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7.0
This is actually interesting and more enjoyable than Nightwing has been in a while, on the other hand we only just got Nightwing back and I hope this resolves quickly.
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5.5
Writing is fine for a status quo setup that the writer won't be bothering with.
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5.5
What the fuck.
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4.5
THE GOOD:
-Travis Moore’s present-day art was very well done.
-I like the new status quo for Nightwing. It might not be a popular opinion, but I was getting bored with main story, this shakes things up a bit, and in a good way.
-Percy’s characterization of Scarecrow was good. The right amount of twisted and original, in my opinion.
-I like Barbara’s place in this book, and her relationship with Dick. It adds an interesting new layer to their previously boring relationship.
-This issue provided an interesting setup for the next story arc, and for once I’m excited for a Nightwing story arc? Somebody check my head.
THE BAD:
-Chris Mooneyham’s flashback art was not so good. I wish Moore just did the whole issue, but alas it shall not be.
-We need to keep Benjamin Percy three feet away from writing a Batman comic at all times, because the dude cannot write Batman.
-Did they really have to give us those several scenes with Grayson in his underwear? C’mon guys.
-The guy slept in their house, and all they got was eleven stinking dollars?! Real cheap, Grayson.
-For an issue #50, this didn’t really do enough. It said goodbye to the old and hello to the new, yes. But there was no wow moments, if you know what I mean.
-That last page. First of all, the metaphor was way, way too on the nose. Second, was that really necessary. Third, arson! Arson! more
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4.5
Coming off of the big ending in Batman 55 issue, this issue feels like we flash forward quite a bit of time. I get that because he has lost his memory, he isn't the same Dick/ Ric but how he acts is to strange. If he lost his memory, how does he know his name, how does he know how to fight, and do other things very well. Seems like only thing that he forgot to do is be Nightwing even though apparently he remembers where is HQ is. Wish we got more on the after shot and people Nightwing is close to, to come and try and talk to him or reach out. The art I really enjoyed however, I am afraid this might change how he becomes Nightwing but hope I am wrong.
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3.5
The art was good.
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2.5
All points given are primarily for the art in the sequences happening in the present, was not the biggest fan of the art style used during in the flashbacks. Colorist and Inker did amazing overall work.
On to the writing...
There has not been a worse issue involving Dick Grayson to be published since the travesty that was All-Star Batman and Robin.
It’s a cheap gimmick meant to generate some interest in the short term but will inevitably alienate fans in the long run. Terrible storyline decision that will ideally be temporary.
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2.5
There's just no need for this garbage from DC. Nightwing is one of the best characters they have, if they can get a decent team on the book. This was awful.
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9.0
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8.5
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8.5
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8.5
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8.0
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8.0
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8.0
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7.0
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7.0
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6.0
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6.0
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4.5