Nightwing #15
It has been a while since I have reviewed a Nightwing comic, even though I still pick it up every week. Honestly, ever since Night of the Owls ended this series hasn't been able to come up with a really good issue. When Tom took over for the filler issues, we saw Lady Shiva and even though it was interesting, the story didn't hold par. But Dick now has to face against the Joker, and faces will be turning their frowns upside down, but onto the review
THE GOOD:
We start with Joker's first victim, who I didn't see coming. This was someone who has been in the background in Dick's life for the whole series and his death was pretty darn horrifying. Barrows, it really is nice to see you again, even though I liked the previous artist as well. The grittiness of the storyline shows here, and is well appreciated. Dick is with Babs when he hears the news; they had both left Bruce's from issue 15 and I guess Babs is just about to take on her part of the story. Dick sees the horror and asks the circus and Sonia to leave town, but there is still one loose end; Raya has been broken out of Blackgate. The immediate search comes out with no hits, and Dick goes to Sonia's (who is too headstrong to leave) to sign some paperwork to hold off construction of Amusement Mile. A little romance is flared, which I was initially hoping wouldn't happen, but given the mood fo things, Sonia does seem like someone to give Dick a challenge. (And that is where peeps can make puns). Dick gets a message and goes off and finds Raya-jokerized. Honestly, this is where I got some chills. I minor fight takes place, with Dick trying to snap Raya back into reality. Dick uses an anti-toxin on Raya after her body starts to crash. Her last words are her begging for forgiveness, and then she passes. I was hoping that Higgins would bring back Raya for a future story, because I liked her character but her death is somewhat meaningful to Dick, who I believe still had hopes for Raya's redemption. One last message leads Dick to go and find Joker who is throwing a party with Haly's Circus at Amusement Mile.
One final thought on the matter. I honestly believe that Joker knows the identity of the Bat-clan. If have read Batman 15, then I have to say that Bruce is in some extreme denial.
THE BAD:
Art wise, I have nothing but good things to say. Story wise, there were some things that I didn't care for. I felt that when Sonia opened the door in the outfit that she was wearing, she was wanting some of Dick (Yes more puns intended). Her character seems too serious and professional to just throw herself at Dick when he is going through a tough time, although she has shown some of a soft side during the last of the Paragon arc. Dick doesn't necessarily needs a love interest at the moment, especially since his last one has just past away. Kyle has said that after the arc, Nightwing is going in a new direction, and I am having high hopes for that. Because, over the last few issues he hasn't shown much of his merit. He is beaten easily, and has basically become Batman-lite. Nightwing needs to be Nightwing, and hopefully after Dick goes through the Death of the Family, this new direction would mean that he get out of Gotham and become a stronger man.
OVERALL:
That being said, this issue is a huge pick me up from the last few months. Issue #0 was a huge relief and then we had regression. Now, Nightwing is back on track and will hopefully be making some great changes. I don't want to drop this series, which I have been contemplating, and with this issue out, I will definitely be sticking around to see what happens to Dick Grayson in THE DEATH OF THE FAMILY! :p
