Nightwing #111 is written by Tom Taylor and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by Sami Basri with inks by Vincente Cifuentes (p1, 5-22). Colours by Adriano Lucas and letters are by Wes Abbott. Main cover art (left) is by Bruno Redondo. The book features a backup written by Michael W. Conrad with artwork by Francesco Francavilla and letters by Abbott.
Nightwing #112 is available from today, in print and on digital where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Nightwing continues to struggle with his recent woe—why can’t he leap, and what’s causing it? And Batman continues his investigation into it; is he any closer to figuring out the root of this new dilemma before there are some serious consequences?
Plus, part two of the period saga! Around seven centuries ago, the Grayson name was born. A child of the Black Death. The story of revenge reaches its epic conclusion.
Review
There’s no escaping that with each new issue we’re getting one step closer to the end of Tom Taylor’s time on Nightwing. With the “Fallen Grayson” arc on the horizon nobody is rushing to get to the finish line. Especially not Taylor. Picking up where last month’s issue #111 left off, Bruce and Dick are on the trailer of Copycat Heartless and both are feeling just a tad introspective about their histories.
In fact we kick off this month with Bruce feeling particularly protective and contemplative when it comes to his first adopted son. It’s not often we get this level of insight in to how Bruce is feeling. It’s not hard to wonder if there isn’t an aspect of Taylor reflecting on his time with the character. The moment doesn’t just illustrate the love Bruce has for Dick. It perfectly encapsulates how, even at a young age, Dick showed a level of empathy which Bruce struggled to emulate. It’s what sets the two character’s apart despite their own personal traumas. If ever we needed a reminder about what makes Dick an incredible leader, this was it.
In the present day that empathy means Dick is struggling to shake off the so-called Heartless murder from last issue. Of course we know more than Dick at this stage. There’s more going on that meets the eye but something in his detective brain is suggesting what we already know. The young Iko and Dick had connected in a similar way to the Dynamic Duo and that instinct to protect is what Taylor is really focussing on here. It also seems that Dick is starting to influence Bruce, who also shows up to follow up with the orphaned boy.
Batman’s perspective remains an important point throughout this month’s issue. When Dick turns to the Titans to help with the investigations we see more of that father-son insight. What was particularly interesting is how Bruce see’s the same qualities in the Titans taking over from the Justice League as most of us reading these books do.
For much of their joint investigation the actual activity they’re undertaking takes a back seat to observations about Dick’s strength of character. This kind of reflection definitely feels apt given the direction of travel for Nightwing’s creative team. A small moment to reflect before heading in to the final fight. But this is Tom Taylor we’re talking about. Of course he’s not going to turn Nightwing in to some mushy book purely because he’s moving on. In its third act, issue #112 returns to the mission for a solid conclusion which is satisfying both in service of the story and its characters.
Taylor weaves the notion of family in to the murder of Iko’s father, bringing the story full circle of the idea of Bruce, Dick and the Bat-Family’s mission. It’s a neat piece of writing which, when teamed with part one, will read perfectly in one sitting. The final panel perfectly encapsulates Bruce’s paternal feelings toward’s Dick whilst also showing us in one act why Dick is the hero the DCU needs right now.
The backup story – by Michael W. Contrad – returns to give us more insight in to the birth of the Grayson name. Orphaned by the plague and forced to face off against a garish clown, the Son of Gray is certainly a fighter. Referred to as “a demon, masquerading an angle of light” is certainly one way to describe this vengeful force. There are similarities between Dick and his ancestor. The narration from the Joker-like villain draws perfect comparison through his description of the Son of Gray’s almost relentless quest to avenge without killing.
I’m so used to backup stories giving further context to the main narrative – see Batman – that having something as disconnected as this feels odd. It shouldn’t though. What Conrad is doing doesn’t need to feed in to the main story. What it does instead is just fill in a piece of history with a cool story that serves as a reminder why the Grayson name means so much to fans.
Verdict
Ahead of his impending exit from Nightwing, Tom Taylor feels particularly contemplative as he explores the relationship between Dick and Bruce. The results are a heartfelt story which reminds us just why we fell in love with the former Boy Wonder.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
