DC proves the Infinite Frontier period is keen to drag from all corners of the multiverse by bringing again considered one of Nightwing’s most hated characters.
The DC universe has entered a brand new period following Infinite Frontier, and nowhere is that extra obvious than in Nightwing’s newest story. The brand new period is characterised by the concept “all the things issues,” permitting writers the artistic freedom to mix pre-New 52 lore with the world of DC’s Rebirth period. As this philosophy deems each little bit of canon truthful sport – even dipping into animation and live-action films – Nightwing embodies the brand new strategy by bringing again maybe the final character Bat-Household followers would count on: Ric Grayson.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
Ric Grayson comes from considered one of Nightwing’s most controversial storylines and eras. As a part of Bane’s plan to “break the Bat” in thoughts and physique, he employed KGBeast to shoot Nightwing within the head in Batman #55 – an act Nightwing’s ‘killer’ continues to be paying for. This brought about Dick Grayson to lose his reminiscences of his time as against the law fighter and a member of the Wayne household. This launched an almost two-year run from October 2018’s Nightwing #50 to September 2020’s Nightwing #74 the place Nightwing adopted the persona of angsty cab driver Ric Grayson. Although Ric swore he wished nothing to do with the lifetime of a vigilante, he repeatedly assisted a gaggle of Nightwing-inspired heroes with out totally taking over his personal persona. Ric additionally encountered the Courtroom of Owls and Joker throughout this period of Nightwing’s historical past earlier than ultimately getting his reminiscences restored and going by Dick Grayson as soon as once more.
Over two years after Ric’s disappearance, Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s Nightwing #97 sees Nightwing and Batgirl – after rejecting superhero cliché and recommitting as a pair – gap up in a bunker of Batman’s within the Gotham Woods. Right here, the duo are defending crime lord Salvatore Maroni earlier than he can testify on Blockbuster’s crimes in Blüdhaven after they see a taxi seem exterior. Because the duo go to research, a well-recognized visage seems within the automobile, saying, “Hey, Nightwing. My identify is Ric Grayson. I want you to get within the cab.”
Nightwing Bringing Ric Grayson Again Is Good, Truly
This last web page of Nightwing #97 is a stunning second that pushes the “all the things issues” idea to the brink, bringing again one of many character’s most maligned eras. Upon additional examination, nevertheless, the return of Ric may very well be an important resolution. With Ric being hated out and in of universe as considered one of DC’s most baffling and poorly executed trendy story arcs, Ric Grayson really has nowhere to go however up as a personality. Bringing the morose taxi driver right into a run as profitable and beloved as Taylor and Redondo’s Nightwing comes as a daring and fairly thrilling transfer for the collection that makes good on DC’s promise that even the strangest items of lore at the moment are truthful sport. Followers who caught with Nightwing via the Ric period are having their religion justified because the character returns in an fascinating new method.
The ultimate web page of Nightwing #97 already reveals the comedian’s willingness to have enjoyable with the character, as Ric’s inexplicable look in the midst of the woods supplies a comedic distinction to his gloomier days. With Nightwing #98 set to introduce Nite-Mite, it is probably that Nightwing and readers alike are getting performed by a Fifth-Dimensional imp. However irrespective of why he is right here, the inclusion of a Nightwing character as maligned as Ric is a genuinely hilarious contact that totally capitalizes on the Infinite Frontier promise that, in DC’s trendy period, really all the things issues.
Nightwing #97 is on the market from DC Comics now.