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Nightwing #98
Author: Tom Taylor
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Cowl Artist: Bruno Redondo
Writer: DC
Value: $3.99
Launch Date: 2022-11-14
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
The previous Boy Wonder’s solo title has shortly grow to be a must-read ebook on everybody’s pull record. Nevertheless, Nightwing #98, by author Tom Taylor, visitor artist Daniele Di Nicuolo, colorist Adriano Lucas, and letterer Wes Abbott, slows down the tempo with a sidestep into enjoyable, impish territories by means of the introduction of Nite-Mite. It is nonetheless part of the primary story arc, nevertheless it’s clear that Taylor and the remainder of the staff are biding their time till the a hundredth concern.
The looks of Ric Grayson in Nightwing #97 ought to have been a clue that one thing odd was going to occur within the subsequent concern — and it does. Batman has Bat-Mite, and now Nightwing has his personal imp generally known as Nite-Mite. Expectedly, he is a giant fan of Dick Grayson and completely fanboys over him. Nevertheless, as demonstrated by Bat-Mite earlier than, these imps typically go away a path of unintended shenanigans of their wake. The query is, can Dick harness the facility of Nite-Mite and level it in the fitting path?
The idea of Bat-Mite has at all times drawn totally different reactions from DC followers. On one hand, he embodies the enjoyable of the medium, whereas he is additionally too ridiculous to take severely, à la, The Nice Gazoo from The Flintstones. Equally, contemplating the path the Nightwing collection has taken just lately, the introduction of Nite-Mite might destabilize all the things that Taylor and his collaborators have established up till now.
But, this is the factor: Taylor pens Nite-Mite in a method that matches the tone of the ebook. Nightwing as a personality has at all times been rather less critical than Batman, so it is easy to see how he would be capable to relate to a shape-shifting fifth-dimensional imp and never even bat an eyelid. As soon as once more, Taylor finds a option to remind readers that Nightwing is a shining beacon of hope in a bleak world. Grayson is respectful and affected person with Nite-Mite, and the viewers ought to be too.
Di Nicuolo matches the playful tone of the difficulty with a cartoonish artwork fashion. The method is totally different from Di Nicuolo’s work with Taylor on BOOM! Studios’ Seven Secrets and techniques; nevertheless, it is sensible within the context of the story right here. Contemplating the difficulty is rooted in enjoyable, the artist ensures the reader does not attempt to take the occasions too severely. Lucas’ colours are the antithesis of most up to date Batman books. Nightwing #98 is vibrant and vibrant, and even the “darker” moments within the concern nonetheless boast pinkish and blue mild to counteract the gloomier contrasts. Abbott follows go well with with a lettering fashion that enhances the general temper of the ebook.
Whereas Nightwing #98 is basically a filler concern, it does the job of reminding the readers what makes Dick such a particular character. He has the guts of Spider-Man and the brawn of Batman. This concern deviates from the remainder of the collection, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a enjoyable learn. Extra importantly, it reveals the world that even probably the most surprising, zany characters could be a hit with followers if they’re handled with the identical ardour and consideration as others.