Nightwing had a troublesome time in the long run of the ’10s. Whereas his guide began off effectively sufficient within the Rebirth period, issues acquired worse because the years glided by, with the Ric Grayson storyline being the ultimate straw for lots of readers. Starring a brain-damaged Nightwing and a group of Bludhaven cops carrying his outdated costumes, followers weren’t proud of the route DC took issues.
All of that modified in 2021 with author Tom Taylor and artist Bruno Redondo got here on the guide. Since then, the guide has been one of many DC’s greatest. Taylor has finished rather a lot to fully redeem the character in readers’ eyes, fixing the errors of the previous.
10/10 He is Taken Issues Again To Fundamentals
Nightwing grew up as Robin, combating alongside Batman. Very like Batman, he is joined groups and fought in battles with larger stakes, but he all the time goes again to his personal metropolis, Bludhaven. Nightwing’s historical past is Bludhaven informs a few of his greatest tales. Whereas he can work in different environments, Bludhaven is his house.
After the Ric Grayson storyline, followers wished one thing acquainted, and Taylor gave it to them. Nightwing is again as Dick Grayson in Bludhaven, combating crime. There are positively new components added in, however the entire thing feels refreshingly traditional.
9/10 He Would not Deliver Up Ric Grayson At All
The complete Ric Grayson storyline is a black eye on Nightwing’s historical past. It isn’t that it was a totally horrible concept, however the character was simply unlikable. It felt like DC was actively attempting to sabotage Nightwing’s reputation. It additionally went on too lengthy, angering followers as a result of there was no decision in sight.
Taylor has been somewhat clever in not mentioning the Ric Grayson storyline in any respect. That point is over, and as a substitute of reminding followers of one thing they’d positively somewhat overlook, Taylor has moved on from that fully. His Nightwing run is in regards to the future and new concepts, and he would not must flex on the previous by bringing out how significantly better what he is doing is.
8/10 Followers Love Bitewing
Everybody loves canine. Everybody loves Dick Grayson. Put Dick Grayson along with a cute blue-nosed pitbull pet with three legs, and followers go loopy. Taylor and Redondo did the maths and created Haley, a cute little pet for Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon to handle. Followers predictably fell in love, and the remainder is historical past.
Animal sidekicks in comics are uncommon these days, and whereas there are not any plans for Bitewing to get a fancy dress and have adventures, the pet provides one thing nice to the comedian. On high of all that, Redondo attracts the cutest pet ever, and one of many guide’s greatest points, Nightwing #87, centered on the rescue of Haley.
7/10 Introducing Melinda Zucco Brings A New Side To The Nightwing Mythos
Melinda Zucco was a brand new consider Bludhaven when the Taylor run started. The town’s management was all the time corrupt, so having the daughter of gangster Tony Zucco as mayor of Bludhaven appeared prefer it was going to be extra of the identical. Taylor flipped the script on readers, revealing Melinda was really the daughter of Dick’s personal father and Zucco’s girlfriend Meili Lin.
Making Melinda Dick’s half-sister made the character that rather more attention-grabbing. She’s ostensibly on Dick’s facet, however Taylor is certain to throw some attention-grabbing wrenches into issues. She provides one thing to the comedian that it did not have earlier than.
6/10 Blockbuster Is Again As Nightwing’s Major Antagonist, However Taylor Flipped The Script On Him
Nightwing has battled loads of nice villains, however Blockbuster is his archenemy. Because the crime boss of Bludhaven, Blockbuster mainly management all the metropolis, with the municipal authorities and police pressure on the take for him. He’s the ability in Bludhaven, and he is sturdy as he’s sensible, gifted with tremendous power and sturdiness from a particular components.
He and Nightwing have had some wonderful battles through the years, however he is been absent from Nightwing for a very long time. Taylor bringing him again as essentially the most highly effective enemy in Bludhaven is a superb concept, as is introducing a brand new villain to battle him for management of the town, Heartless. It is a very totally different plot for Blockbuster than earlier than, and it ought to pay dividends.
5/10 He Gave Readers One The Greatest Nightwing/Teen Titans Reunions Ever
The Teen Titans are DC’s premier teen group and the place Nightwing lastly stepped out of Batman’s shadow. His relationship with the members of that group, particularly the New Teen Titans model of the group, is without doubt one of the most necessary in his life, but many creators have saved him away from them in his solo outings. After the Ric Grayson period, followers wanted a reminder of what they cherished about Nightwing, and Taylor gave it to them.
Nightwing #88 noticed Donna Troy, Starfire, Cyborg, Wally West, Raven, and Beast Boy come to Nightwing’s assist, defending him from an assassination try by Blockbuster. Taylor gave readers a beautiful team-up that reminded readers of a favourite time within the hero’s life.
4/10 He is Stored Nightwing Away From Batman As A lot As Attainable
As one in every of DC’s most iconic legacy heroes, Nightwing has loads of baggage. He was Batman’s sidekick for many years of tales, however that may be a hindrance as a lot as a assist. Each time Batman reveals up, he is the focal point. Taylor is aware of this, so not solely has he saved Batman appearances to a minimal, not even together with the Dark Knight within the “Concern State” crossover problems with Nightwing, he barely brings up Batman.
DC places an excessive amount of within the Batman boat as it’s, so retaining Nightwing as impartial as doable was a terrific transfer by Taylor. It reminds readers he would not want his mentor to be a terrific hero and makes his adventures his personal.
3/10 Teaming Nightwing Up Once more With Barbara Gordon Introduced Again A Fan Favourite Ship
Barbara Gordon is without doubt one of the Bat-Household’s most expert members, and followers love her and Nightwing collectively. For a lot of followers, theirs is essentially the most iconic relationship between each characters, so Taylor giving readers that’s positively a step in the appropriate route. He is additionally served to deliver Barbara nearer to her portrayal as Oracle, working with Nightwing as back-up in numerous methods relying on the mission.
Dick and Babs are good for one another and make a terrific group. Taylor taking part in up their relationship once more, one which has been dormant for years, reminded readers of what they cherished about each characters and set a traditional ship crusing again into readers’ hearts.
2/10 Making Nightwing A Billionaire Contrasts Him With Batman
One of many largest adjustments that Taylor dropped on Nightwing was his inheritance. Alfred had left Dick billions of {dollars}, one thing he lastly acquired when he stopped being Ric. This led to an enormous change for Nightwing, as he was instantly in the identical place financially as his former mentor. As a substitute of utilizing all of it as a conflict chest, Taylor has Grayson take issues in a unique route.
Grayson instantly places the cash to work serving to the poor of Bludhaven, going farther than Batman ever went. Giving the comedian a heaping dose of the outdated social commentary, Taylor has taken a extra socially acutely aware strategy to being a superhero, which followers are loving.
1/10 He is Given Followers The Nightwing They’ve Craved For Years
Ric Grayson was loads of issues, however the one factor he wasn’t was Dick Grayson. He was surly and unlikable, a distinction with Dick’s persona. Followers cherished Dick Grayson, and he is thought-about one in every of DC’s biggest heroes. Taylor gave followers the Dick Grayson they cherished, the Dick Grayson they’d craved all through the Ric Grayson years.
Dick is a enjoyable character who has action-packed adventures. He loves his life as a hero and serving to folks. Taylor gave this character again to readers, and it is paid off. He is expertly put the Ric Grayson years within the rearview mirror.