Art 3/3
Colors and Letters 3/3
Writing 2/4
Total 8/10
As I am reading this issue, I experienced numerous conflicting emotions.
Not because of the art, coloring nor the letters. The art team has done magnificent work for the past four issues. Bruno Redondo (artist), Adriano Lucas (colors) and Wes Abbott (letters) deserve all the praises being given to them. It will no doubt be a blessing for them to continue working on Nightwing. As I said time and time again, they gave an identity to Bludhaven as a city. Ever walked in Tokyo, Paris or New York, and exclaimed to yourself “Wow!”. That is what I felt looking at Bludhaven. The more amazing part is they can do more. A lot more. They have been restricted to tight spaces: alleyways, camps and apartments. In my humble opinion, the fight scenes in this issue, though unbelievably beautiful, will still be forgotten, while Bludhaven will stay in our hearts and minds.
My main concern is the writing, not to say Tom Taylor has been horribly lacking. He gave us three very great issues. One of which will be my favorite for years to come. Now, let us get to it. The criticism I will say have been said by some reviewers. Tom Taylor plays safe in his writing. I will repeat it. Tom Taylor plays safe in his writing. He lets one facet of the character, in this case Dick Grayson’s kindness, to carry his story. Most of the elements he adds in the story have already been made or told. And, foremost of all, the new things he adds dwindle to the once done past. Anyone reading this should understand I am not saying the story is bad. At its’ lowest it will be an average story, but the writer’s lack of bravery to go beyond traveled horizons is discouraging. You might say “Tom Taylor did what you wanted in the last page”. I will give my thoughts on that below because spoilers…
Spoilers (Read the issue. It is good. You can buy it for the art alone.)
Let me start with how I appreciate that they modified the escrima sticks to be an all-purpose tool: grappling gun, taser, laser and suction cup. Very cool. You know what is not cool? Tom Taylor can not write Nightwing as a competent hero. Nightwing had made small mistakes in the past issues, but in this issue, oh boy, did he make a lot of them, big ones.
1. Underestimating an enemy, which he does not know, and thus getting his brain scrambled again. This is not funny Taylor. Ric is not funny. Are you Tom King?
2. Underestimating an enemy, which he does not know, and thus getting his brain scrambled again. This is not funny Taylor. Ric is not funny. Are you Tom King? Déjà vu…
3. Having to ask Bludhaven for help when Nightwing has not done anything to help them. I get it, Taylor. You watched Dunkirk and you thought it was emotional and uplifting. In this issue, it is forced and undeserved. If Bludhaven is only rotten because of those in power, news flash, it is just another modern city in the world.
Nightwing has been Batman, yet Taylor writes him like he is still Robin. I would feel safer if Barbara Gordon or Tim Drake was the lead of the story. Past writers wrote a lot more competent Nightwing and they made their Nightwing make big mistakes. I do not like Dick Grayson as this emotional mess that rushes first before thinking. He should be kind and sometimes angry, but always rational and in-control.
Lastly, there is Heartless and Melinda Zucco, and I have got to admit Taylor should have just chose one. Both clog the story. This issue had way more words than answers. I do not care a lot about any of them and two is making it worse (yes even the half sister thing; it so cliche in comics). I do not know who, what, how or why Heartless is. While, I do not know how or why Melinda is connected to anything at all.
My wish is that the story simply focused on Dick and Alfred. This run should be Dick honoring Alfred through what he could do with Alfred’s inheritance. Taylor is crumbling beneath the weight of his story and the shaky foundations he made. Dick Grayson is one of the world’s greatest problem solver. Mr. Tom Taylor definitely needs some help with proving that. Thank you for reading my opinion. Have a nice day. more
By: Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo
Released: Jun 16, 2021
Dick Grayson trades out his escrima sticks for a magnifying glass and a sleuth hat to investigate Blüdhaven’s new mayor, Melinda Zucco, and find out how the daughter of the man who murdered Dick’s parents came to power in Nightwing’s city. But his investigative adventure is cut short when he comes face to face with the most horrendous villai...