Nightwing #100 is published by DC Comics and written by Tom Taylor. The landmark issue features artwork by Bruno Redondo, Scott McDaniel, Rick Leonardi, Eddy Barrows, Javier Fernandez and Mikel Janin. Inks are by Karl Story, Eber Ferreira, Caio Filipe, Joe Prado and Rick Leonardi. Colours are by Adriano Lucas and letters by Wes Abbot. Main cover art (left) is by Redondo
Nightwing #100 is available from today in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold.
Synopsis
Come join us with big smiles and even bigger celebrations as Nightwing hits its milestone issue #100! Cheer how far we’ve come by looking through the decades at what has made Nightwing a beloved hero. What better way to celebrate than with familiar friends and artists? Then, with Heartless creating a lair in the heart of Blüdhaven to take Blockbuster’s throne, Nightwing will follow suit, setting up a headquarters of his own…with the help of some friends who helped make him who he is now, of course!
Review
Today Nightwing is turning 100 issues old. The latest volume that is. The landmark issue feels like it’s been coming for ages but now it’s here I can’t wait to shout from the rooftops about how perfect it is.
There’s absolutely no denying just how brilliant Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s run on the book has been. From the single panel issue right through to this oversized celebration, Nightwing has become THE flagship title in the DC line in recent years. But with the weight of celebrating their own achievements and Dick’s latest adventures, can the book live up to the hype?
Of course it can!
Like the season finale of your favourite show at the height of its creativity, Nightwing #100 hits all the right celebratory notes. It doesn’t divert from the series’ main story in order to have a 100th anniversary part. No, Taylor is sticking to his guns at Blüdhaven faces its own destruction at the hands of Heartless. Dick is going to need a little help from his friends which is where this issue gets to revel in its own creative successes.
Issue #100 is bookended by scenes set in the here and now, whilst the battle for Blüdhaven exists slightly in the past. It’s not a time jump. It’s simply the perfect excuse to tune out the rest of the world and allow Taylor the chance to grapple with our heartstrings. The moments between Bruce and Dick are a highlight of the book and quite effortlessly bring a tear to the eye. It also leads us in to an incredible final page that looks ready to change the status quo for the future.
But before you get to that, Nightwing and a HUGE guest cast needs to save the city. It’s testament to the importance of Dick in the DCU that so many characters come to fight by his side. Of course it beings with the Titans, a pre-requisite in a story such as this. But then to see the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman joining the fight feels like perfect way to illustrate the character’s full graduation from former-sidekick to potential Justice Leaguer.
A huge celebration like this deserves an outstanding suite of covers and Nightwing #100 doesn’t disappoint. Each of the covers is spectacular and will break the bank this week as fans try to collect them all. Artists include Bruno Redondo, Javier Fernandez & Tomeu Morey, Jorge Jimenez, Travis Moore & Tamra Bonvillain, Jim Lee, Scott Williams & Alex Sinclair, Jamal Campbell, Babs Tara, Jorge Fortes, Dan Mora and George Perez.
Here’s a look at the cover gallery:
The mix of artists in the book evokes all of the major Nightwing eras. It rightly honours everything which has come before without taking anything away from the amazing work of Bruno Redondo. Whilst there will no doubt that will be some who find the change in style a little disconnected, the motivations for doing it are honourable and it was great to call back to some classic moments from the past.
Redondo really proves his capability to handle everything that Taylor throws at him with this issue. The action looks great and lives up to what we’ve come to expect from Nightwing. But the smaller emotional moments also look great. As Bruce and Dick stand over the grave of Alfred, masks removed, Redondo captures the emotion on both men’s faces perfectly.
Verdict
Nightwing #100 is the perfect celebration, not just of the character but of the creative vision laid out by Taylor and Redondo. The high stakes action is combined with incredible emotional beats to create the most satisfying and poignant anniversary issue.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
