Nightwing #16
PREFACE:
Whooo, boy was last issue a tough act to follow. Dick is now on his way to Amusement Mile, where the Joker is throwing him a surprise party with all of Haly's Circus, and I mean all ;). Nightwing is about to be brought to the edge and thrown off of it. The future solicits weren't kidding when they meant Dick was to lose everything, and this issue not only burns his dreams but pours acid into those burns. The entire Bat-family's conclusions will lie in the pages of Batman 17, but on to the review.
PLOT:
Dick is on his way to Amusement Mile, with Joker taking over the reigns of Haly's Circus. Dick enters the Mile, seeing past members of Haly's fresh out of their coffins, hanging around inside the big tent. A fight ensues, but Joker of course has a plan and begins to explode parts of the circus releasing a fear/Joker-fear toxin into the air. Even though that Dick uses his breathing insulator, he breathes in enough to start hallucinating. Dick is in the midst of various explosions, and taking some serious damage. Joker finishes off destroying Amusement Mile, and Dick sees Jokerized Jimmy and Jokerized Raya, antagonizing him over their deaths. Dick snaps back into reality and tries to take down Joker. He gives Joker a world of hurt, only to see all the members of Haly's Circus Jokerized. Joker explains, that of all the "bat-fakes", he is the worst of them all. Dick is shocked with the horror of the young new trapeze girl taking him down withe a spiked sledge hammer. Dick wakes to Joker and his mysterious bloody platter.
THE GOOD:
Now, right off the bat, this is another knock out issue. Higgins is tearing Nightwing apart and its so freaking sad to watch it all unfold (he might be taking some tips from his buddy Snyder's treatment of Batman). Just because this issue is focused on bringing Nightwing down, doesn't make it bad. I feel that Dick needs this to improve as a character. He was beginning to settle down, and he really doesn't need to do that. I don't know if this is what Higgins was planning since issue 10, but it worked out marvelously. The dead circus members scene was horrifying not to mention seeing a little girl poisoned with Joker venom, hitting Dick with a freaking SPIKED SLEDGEHAMMER. It was just hard to watch, as Dick's world falls apart. I am also glad, for the time being, Sonia wasn't included. I don't think Joker would have had enough time or one of his minions in that case, to snatch Sonia, bring her to Haly's before NW got there, and poison her in time. I found it weird last issue, with the two kissing, but I feel as though Sonia was trying to be there for Dick. And what better way to do that, than making out. But I dont know how I feel with her in the future. Obviously, she won't be recurring as the circus is destroyed, but she could still want to be with Dick, and it just depends how things turn out as to whether or not I will care for her being Dick's new love interest. As for Batman 17, bat-fans will know that this all culminates within those pages. So even though Dick will live, I recommend you check that out to see what happens at Joker's dinner party.
Barrows, this is one of the my favorite issues from your to date. Out of all the present artists drawing the Joker, I feel that Capullo and Mr. Barrows here have him nailed the best. Joker has no feeling in his face, and no movement whatsoever. I have seen some artist portray him where it looks like he can move his lips or make certain facial expressions. But it is Barrows, that draws Joker as though he actually wearing skin on his face. It is terrifying, and just plain awesome. Also, the Jokerized explosions left me awestruck, and the scene with the Haly's members attacking Dick was just horrific. Now I believe this might be his last issue, for he will be taking on the Teen Titans with Lobdell. I hope that he can fit his more gritty/realistic style over there, but I believe he can do it. Ironically, NW fans are being graced with Teen Titans artist, Brett Booth. A lot of people find Booth's work detailed, stylistic, and smooth, but noticed that he draws faces really similar to other faces. For months, Booth has been releasing some NW pics, and it makes sense for him to be taking the reigns. From what I hear, Higgins will be taking NW in well deserved new direction, and is rumored to have him in a new location. Higgins, have you been reading my mind? With Booth on the title (he has officially brought back the finger stripes!), and Higgins doing his thing, I am 100% on-board this title for the foreseeable future.
THE BAD:
I know I did a bit of a rave over there, but there were little things that I had a gripe with. Sonia's presence and possible future concerns me, but I have already mentioned that so there's no need to go back on it. I have said before in previous reviews that NW has been taken down a little bit too easily. Let me get one thing straight, explosions freaking hurt, so I don't blame Dick for taking some heat from that, but it is something that I noticed. Also, Dick trying to reason with Joker in the beginning. Dick, you know Joker, you have fought him before, so you should know that he is beyond reasoning. Don't get me wrong, I don't blame him for that, but it really doesn't make sense for Joker to say "Oh ok, you guys are good to go now that I have Nightwing". Another thing, how did Joker get all those bodies? First guess is henchmen, but again Joker would have to know where they are buried. 2nd guess, a year's worth of research? Ok I'll take that, but where is Mr. Haly, I know seeing his freshly rotten corpse would have some lasting affects. But my biggest gripe, though not really huge at all, is that not a lot happened. Dick goes to Mile, sees the corpses, stuff explodes, hallucinates, fights the circus and that's it. I just wished we saw a little bit more, because it was so good. That's all I wanted was a little more :P
Only art problem I saw was Dick hitting Joker so hard he lost a tooth. Now that is a bit of a nit pick, but Barrows needs to know that Joker's appearances have to be a bit consistent with the rest of the DOTF titles. I know that Dick gave Joker a beat down, but know that the damage Joker takes in one book has to resonate within all the books. That being said, it is easier to just leave permanent damage to the Batman title as it is the centerfold for this whole story. Other than that, this is honestly some of Barrows's best work ever.
OVERALL:
Another knock out NW issue, with this ending in Batman 17. Like I said earlier, with Booth taking over art duties and Higgins revealing that NW is going in a new direction, I couldn't be more happy for this series. I highly recommend this issue to NW fans, as well as highly recommending Batman 17, to see how this saga ends. I know I am seeming critical, but I feel I have been going easy on a bunch of issues so I am trying to do better in that department, but damn this was such a good issue. Happy readings guys, and see the aftermath of Batman 17, and NW 17 in next month's issue!
