Reviewer: The Flying Erhardt
Story Title: The Calm Before
Written by: Devin Grayson
Penciled by: Patrick Zircher
Inked by: Andy Owens & Sean Parsons
Colored by: Gregory Wright
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Editor: Michael Wright
The issue begins with a high-speed battle on Bludhaven’s rooftops while on motorcycles. Some pretty exciting stuff. Dick wins of (of course) but gets a little scrapped up. He stops off to see his girlfriend, and former Batgirl, Barbara. She looks none too happy with his state of appearance.
Then we cut to an old man who claims to be Dick’s kin telling John Law that he’s about to move in with Dick (cue the wacky hijinks.) Alfred stops by Babs’ place to tend to Dick’s wounds, but Dick hardly notices because he’s too busy solving cases from TV. It also appears that Blockbuster is trying to make a deal with a certain reporter who is very interested in Nightwing. Oh yeah, Babs gets fed up with Dick and ends their relationship.
Grayson did a very good job of characterizing Dick as an aloof, almost happy go lucky hero who doesn’t care about the ramifications of crime fighting, and is oblivious to the signs of strain on his relationship. Of course this happy go luck personality doesn’t quite jibe with the Nightwing in “The Outsiders†who is all too aware of the price of superhero antics (Donna Troy anyone?) I’m not going to fault Grayson because I believe that the character’s book should dictate character, not the team book. But it’s still a continuity gaffe. I also believe that how Dick hit the guy on page #5 is physically impossible. But Babs felt so real, in her frustration and anger.
I had no problem with the old art team. Every artistic change on a monthly title takes time to adjust for the reader. I don’t have a problem with the new look, I’m just not feeling it, yet. But they did a great job conveying action in the beginning fight sequence.
