Batten Down The Hatches: Reviewing ‘Nightwing’ #109

Shiver me timbers mateys! The harsh nature of the high seas might just be too much for the high-flying Nightwing. Blood, swords, and secrets abound as this pirate adventure comes to a swift conclusion.

Another arc comes to a close with Nightwing #109, thrusting the title character deeper into a growing web of intrigue. A swashbuckling tale from Tom Taylor, Stephen Byrne, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott. With a backup story from Taylor, Lucas, and Abbott who are joined by artist Sami Basri.

I’ve been a fan of this series since the run began. There have been ups and downs, as is natural for any story. Through and through, though, I like it. That being said, is it just me, or did this feel extremely rushed to a conclusion?

Again, I liked this issue and the series overall. There is no malice or finger-wagging here. I’m just saying that some of the plots, after being meticulously spread out over the previous few issues felt like a speed run here. Bea’s stabbing and rescue move fast, before the Dirk stuff is wrapped quickly. We never learn why Dick has a sudden fear of heights again, and the vault secret is done. I felt like I was done reading before I even began.

In a way that can be attributed to that up-and-down, roller coaster, aspect I mentioned. Previous issues were the build-up to that final drop. Then we drop, and the ride is over. To also be fair, the vault reveal also shows this was again, just a piece being added to the overall plot puzzle being built. I find no fault in the resolutions (though vagueness about Dick’s sudden fear was not my favorite), just was surprised by how fast it all was wrapped up.

Taylor just really gets the character and makes his charm, wit, brains, and more work so smoothly. It was interesting to see him dealing with stuff outside the normal Bat/Gotham circle. Our big reveal though brings him right back to that, as it seems we are about to get even more possible retcon looks at the state of affairs of the Graysons. From secret sisters to now possibly more secrets about their deaths.

On the one hand, such things always make me raise an eyebrow, but then on the other hand I’m very intrigued. We’ll see how it all goes in 2024, because after this Dick has Titans: Beast World things to contend with.

Byrne’s artistic guest role has concluded with this issue, but hopefully, it’s not the last time we see him in Blüdhaven.

This artwork is a natural companion to what we normally see from Bruno Redondo. A slick gorgeous style that is appropriate for such a big spotlight sort of superhero vibe. Bold and detailed, kinetic energy is crackling on almost every page. Emotions are beyond clear both on the faces and body language of the characters, creating an even deeper overall feeling through the issues.

Smart paneling choices not only enhance all of those aforementioned qualities but also keep the viewer right in the heart of the action. Allowing us to feel like we’re with the characters rather than just background observers. Nightwing is a natural character to follow in this fashion, which is why that full point-of-view issue earlier in the run worked so well.

Setting the overall tone is something the artwork must balance alongside many of those other issues. It’s also chiefly one of the big things that the colors must do at any given point. Lucas has been guiding the color train of this run so smoothly, letting the colors shift and grow depending on the artist without losing anything. Some moments are big bombastic vibrant colors all over the pages while others reign things back in with grounded or darker tones. Whatever the scenes, or even the characters, need can be found within the palette choices.

Those bolder colors remind us that we’re in a superhero, albeit swashbuckling one, story, but the other tones keep things heavy. They’re combined in such a smooth fashion, that these often-contrasting colors and ideas just feel naturally at peace.

Even as the story quickly wraps up, there are plenty of words to be shared with the right energy that Abbott always brings. Voices are natural and showcased with the right emotional energy they need. It flows around the pages, words carefully placed both for the most impact and also what supports the given artistic story moments.

As noted before, this story paved the way for the series to quickly jump into the ongoing Titans: Beast World event story. A fact that is reflected in the issue backup, which happens to be Damian Wayne/Robin-focused.

It’s a quick little piece as Taylor taps into what he’s doing over in the main event series, but with a Gotham focus. As a prologue, it does the job solidly to introduce elements that will be picked up in the next issue. Taylor writes a solid Damian so far, and it’ll be interesting to see the bouncing off of Nightwing we get (the former dynamic duo has an always fun relationship). The memeness of Damian’s animal transformation (and the subsequent issue cover we’re getting from it) was a big shrug worthy but I’ll give it a pass.

Barsi, just like Byrne, is a natural fit for superhero books. Lots of big energy radiates from every piece of the artwork, with characters moving so fluidly through the world. Plenty of depth and detail on every page, pulling back when needed to create impact or certain feelings. Love the choices for the paneling further on, where things are slanted and torn and shift quickly. It fits the frantic nature of a fight scene and radiates that energy far and wide.

Nightwing #109 is now available from DC Comics.