Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Did Not Shoot the Deputy
Written by: Devin Grayson
Penciled by: Mike Lilly
Inked by: Jesse Delperdang
Colored by: Gregory Wright
Lettered by: Willie Schubert
Editor: Michael Wright
Publisher: DC Comics
DIFFERENT THAN THE REST
Nightwing is one of the books I myself rarely give the due it deserves. It’s not one of the books I immediately think of, when the question of favorites arises; and it should be. When I write reviews, one of my goals is to tell the reader why a specific book stands out from the crowd. I hope to generate interest in this way, and quite honestly this thought pattern gives me a greater understanding of why I like a book.
For the entirety of its 85 issues, the adventures of Dick Grayson have been a lot different than most books on the shelf. Most of today’s comics work in an arcing format that comes to a relatively neat conclusion every 4-6 months, and will someday make a great trade paperback. While Nightwing often has arcs within the series, the grander storyline is always there, the supporting characters and subplots continue, there aren’t frequent new directions or jettisoned subplots. This is a monthly serial, that never suffers fits and starts, and progress is always gained.
PART 85 OF ?
Nightwing’s solo book began about seven years ago, and has followed a very clear direction since the inception. Much like Batman fights to clean up Gotham, Nightwing is doing the same to end corruption and make the city of Bludhaven a better place. The plotlines are never unwieldy. By no means do you have to read every single issue to know what’s happening. Devin Grayson has been on board for more than a year, and she continues telling amazing tales every month. They add up to a continuation of the whole, but are nice smaller pieces as well.
This month, Nightwing is awakened to find the “Night-Signal†calling him to duty. The biggest problem, there’s never been one in the past. Nightwing goes to the source, and finds Nite-Wing his one time companion, and more frequent antagonist. Nite-Wing’s a young buck named Tad, whose real goal is to clean up Bludhaven…by any means necessary. His unfortunate lack of morals always seems to put him at odds with Nightwing. He may want a good thing, but he’ll do a lot of bad to get there.
DID NOT SHOOT THE REDHORN
Tad enlists Nightwing to help bring to justice the murderer of former Police Chief Redhorn. Redhorn was on the take, and an accomplice of the super villain Blockbuster, who is the chief villainous presence in “The Havenâ€. The good guys don’t exactly mourn Redhorn’s loss, but Nightwing’s duty is to find the killer. Nite-Wing has been framed, and while he admits to killing before, he’s desperate to clear his name from this crime. Tad’s such a great character, mainly because of these inconsistencies in his disposition. The Wing duo goes after the suspected culprit, the new Tarantula. It’s an action packed issue that leads to a nice conclusion, and offers up some interesting problems the Bludhaven police force must deal with, because of the vigilante tactics used by Nightwing.
THEY CHANGED THE ARTIST
This title has seen some different talent in the penciling chair of late. Rick Leonardi departed last issue after an all to short run, to take on Batgirl. Mike Lilly does a nice job with a one-month fill in this month. This issue is light on dialogue, and heavy on action. He translates the frenetic pace quite well, and never confuses the reader from panel to panel. To those interested, Patrick Zircher joins the book next month as the regular penciller.
BUT THEY BETTER NOT CHANGE THE WRITER
Devin Grayson has done no less than a stellar job, since taking over this title with issue #71. She had the tough task of following in the great Chuck Dixon’s footsteps, and I’m thrilled to say that Nightwing is as good now as it ever was.
