COMIC REVIEW: FTN reviews Nightwing #25

Writer: Kyle Higgins

Artist: Will Conrad & Cliff Richards

Published by DC Comics

After Nightwing’s debut arc in Chicago, we get an issue of reflection in the one-shot tie-in for the Zero Year event. Turns out that as a youngster, dear old Dick really lived up to his name and shows that he wasn’t always the kind-hearted, big-brother-type most associate him with being today, though the leadership skills seem to be there.

It’s always interesting to see Higgins write Dick Grayson in different times of his life, from childhood, to adult, and beyond. I think he really grasps the whole concept of character development. You can really tell the age differences just by how he writes a person speaking or acting. You know, the hints of the beloved parts of the character are there, but not quite grown, and that’s an awesome skill to have as a writer.

As for the story, it was a nice little one-off deal, and I liked it a bunch. It wasn’t mind-boggling or soul-searing, and maybe even a little predictable. If I had to explain it another way, it would be like a mid-season filler episode of a television show. It’s all fine and good, but you can tell they’re just stalling to get to the good bits. And we know in the world of Nightwing, some good (or not so good) bits are on the horizon for our bodacious vigilante.

Just like the story, Conrad and Richards’ art was totally solid. I loved the body language, the faces, the colors, and all of it. I think the best part had to be the alleyway chase scenes. I really adored all of the different angles they used for each panel. The variety was just awesome.

What’s the summary of the story? Dick Grayson was kind of a little turd as a kid. But he learned in the long run, and that’s all that counts, right?

4 out of 5 nerds