Nightwing #10

Chuck Dixon should be forever remembered for his run on the first 25 issues or so of Nightwing.  The chracters were so nuanced, the dialogue rich, mystery abounded and perhaps best of all was his analysis of Dick's inner turmoils.  Dick is still fresh off of Knightfall when Bruce handed the cowl to Jean-Paul and not him, and all of his feelings about where he belongs are always lingering.  Finally he has his own city to protect but he is still taking orders from Bruce.  After he figures out that Blockbuster is calling the shots, he is captured and subjected to the Scarecrow's Fear Toxin.  Invariably this doesn't end well for Mr. Crane but in the mean time Dick is reliving his own personal demons inside a toxin induced dream/nightmare.  EVerything from his seemingly secondary role to Bruce, to feelings for his former Titans teammates are revealed.  More than any other comic series this one defined Dick for who he was.  Before he was all too often a miniature Batman.  Here his background comes to life and the complexities of his character begin to put him on par with Bruce.  Issue #10 forms a sort of turning point in his inner battle, Scarecrow throws everything he can at Dick and Dick comes out the winner, and with his inner demons fought and beaten, he can focus once again on the task at hand.