Nightwing #118
DC Comics
Writer: Bruce Jones
Artist: Joe Dodd
This is the first issue of Nightwing One Year Later. The rumor that the man wearing the black and blue togs has changed is true, and yet it isn’t. The first issue of what can truly be called a new run on the character has all the changes one might expect. There’s a new setting, new crooks, and the return of the only living supporting character from the original Dixon/McDaniel run. There’s still a few mysteries to pique the curiosity of fans of the Bat-family. There’s that murdering hero in the familiar outfit, mysterious shifts in alliances, and a meta-human redheaded party gal. Overall, the issue doesn’t feel completely there yet (the dialogue is very patchy in places, veering out of character once or twice) but this installment gives readers hope that things will even out, and perhaps even improve. Those readers who visibly suffered under the Grayson pen will enjoy this humongous change of pace and style.
Score: B
Green Arrow #60
DC Comics
Writer: Judd Winick
Artist: Scott McDaniel
Star City One Year Later has a lot in common with quite a few other locations in the DCU’s recent past. There was NML in Gotham not too many years ago. Monte Video during DC One Million didn’t turn out much worse. And the political scene has more than a bit in common with a certain Wildstorm title. Still, it’s not the catastrophe, it’s how the writer uses it. Winick’s idea of trying to rebuild a city while paring away graft and corruption is an interesting if unrealistic premise. Combining that plotline with an overview of how the average Star citizen has been suffering over the missing year is a great double hook. The only questionable story elements involve things that may be under and overdone in this series. There is no sight of a certain emerald bowman in this issue; that’s a bit of a shove considering readers have no idea what’s been going on for a year. There is plenty of panel time for the most overexposed assassin in the DCU. Slade Wilson is all over this issue, and Villains United aside, many readers might be hoping he would get a rest during or after the missing year. It’s lucky that Scott McDaniel is handling the art chores; his Terminator is one of the best renditions ever.
Score: B
Infinite Crisis Secret Files and Origins 2006
DC Comics
Writer: Marv Wolfman
Artists: Jurgens, Ordway, Smith, Thibert, Bullock, Chaykin, Andrasofzky, and Roux
This is the issue where people completely unfamiliar with the Pre-Crisis multiple Earths can learn about the histories and motivations of Kal-L, Alex Luthor, and Superboy Prime. Why this tale wasn’t released months ago (say two Infinite Crisis issues ago) is unknown. That would have made those characters more relatable to many readers. Those readers who dislike the older archetypes and attitude will still be bored and annoyed by them. This chapter in the arc of Infinite Crisis shows us exactly who has been manipulating who for the duration of the characters’ time in limbo. That’s a neat nugget of information and it makes the deception inherent in Villains United more believable, but there’s a lot of hokey narration to wade through to get there. Robert Frost and Pacific Jazz lyrical allusions just can’t save the crusty tone of the story. No amount of injected style can make this complete flashback relevant enough to pay six dollars for it. This SF&O could have been included in the IC issues as interludes and had it been spaced appropriately, it wouldn’t have lagged so far behind the arc’s main plot. The tag team of great artists can’t make the plot work
Score: D
