Chip Off A Different Block: Reviewing ‘Nightwing’ #112

Once upon a time, a young man lost his family to violence and rose to become a protector of all. Rather than relying on fear and superstition, he relies on his emotions and sense of hope and justice.

It’s time to celebrate Dick Grayson as Nightwing #112 puts the former Robin to quite the test. It is a character-centric journey from Tom Taylor, Sami Basri, Vicente Cifuentes, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott with another backup from Michael W. Conrad, Francesco Francavilla, and Abbott.

Last review, there was a point (at the start) where a swipe was made about the issue being a Batman comic that guest starred Nightwing. It was pointed out as harsh at the time, but mostly true. While some of my points still stand about Batman’s recent repugnant actions that have been glossed over, the Batman framing worked this time.

Chiefly because Taylor uses him as a father who is speaking about all the things his son has done. How that child has surpassed him in the best ways and how proud he is of his son, even if he isn’t saying it out loud as much. Therefore, it makes it a Nightwing story (fitting since it’s his title) even if someone else is doing the narrative lifting.

Again, Taylor’s Batman is much more personable and humanlike than a lot of the usual depictions. It’s jarring to compare that version to what we saw him do in Gotham War to all of his children. Truth be told, I prefer Taylor’s Batman even if it’s inconsistent to what has been on the page lately. Still grim and gruff, relying on fear and trying to stay detached, but far more human in every aspect. Not just the gritty grim gargoyle that ends up screwing over everyone that tries to get close to him.

A bit more of the overall plot aspects come into play, but it’s mostly a departure duo of issues. Still quite important though because it continues to showcase who and what Nightwing is as a person, which works ahead of the upcoming final arc of the series regular creative team.

Basri and Cifuentes work together so well and create a style that is fitting for a superhero related series. There is a heaviness felt through every panel, even if visually things have a lighter and almost whimsical feeling. Keeping the really glowing energy that has accompanied this entire run, in a way helping sell that softer Batman we’re given.

Very fluid movement, as the characters breeze through the pages. All the emotions are very tangible, from joy to anger and more.

One of the things that keeps the title connected no matter who draws it lies in the colors Lucas brings month after month. Speaking of fluid things, those colors shift around each time with a different flair or focus depending on the artist. Keeping a deep well of very bright shiny, hopeful, color palette choices befitting a superhero story. Plenty of shadowy darker tones come into play as well, making their presence felt strong and hard.

Little shifts are employed in how Abbott handles the lettering each issue. Allowing Taylor’s writing style to really permeate things and flow in a way that works best. Giving a lighter touch to characters words so the right levels of personality and energy are sprinkled throughout. Batman’s caption boxes are a great example. Dark, black box with white font, and powerful but also still very to the point and personable.

With the issue comes the final part of the current backup story.

Overall, what Conrad is doing here is intriguing. I have no clue what the point of it is, and what part it plays in what is to come, but it’s interesting. This religious Joker-like figure plays an odd part and this ancient ancestor of Nightwing plays very similar to Batman in many respects. Apparently, the vigilante vibes were in the family DNA.

Either way it gives us more of Francavilla in the Bat-line which is never a bad thing. All those really heavy, dark, but also powerfully vibrant colors that create truly fun visuals. Horror vibes aplenty, resonating with every single panel. It’s rough, murky, shadowy, but inherently fun from start to finish. A reminder of the power that comic books hold.

Nightwing #112 is now available from DC Comics.