Let’s Hear It For Dads And The Dead: Reviewing ‘Nightwing’ #116

Heartless has made his move, leaving Dick Grayson holding he proverbial bag and poised to lose everything he has built. Family, friends, and a dead man are all that stands between Blüdhaven and the cruel plans of the serial killer villain.

The end is in sight as Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott move their acclaimed run closer to conclusion with Nightwing #116.

My feelings about this run are well documented. I have been reviewing it since it began, mostly running hot rather than cold. I have to say though, this particular one, well… it hit the spot in a few ways.

 There will be some spoilers ahead, so tread carefully.

Oddly enough, I’m going to start at the end. Most specifically, the big finishing moment of the issue, with ‘Nightwing’ standing on a rooftop ready to be the hero Blüdhaven needs and deserves. Or more accurately, Batman stands in a Nightwing costume ready to stand in for his son who is away trying to get himself right.

Call me a rube, loser, sucker, whatever you want but that moment worked for me.

Not in a “Oh that was brilliant/unexpected/totally new” sort of way. But in a “That really hits the spot” sort of way. As much as I want comics to elevate and innovate (especially in various diversity related ways) they are at the end of the day, still comfort food. These characters have lasted as long as they have because we enjoy them, derive joy from them, find comfort in their presence and their longevity.

Much like any franchise.

This isn’t a macaroni and cheese dish that’s been deconstructed and reconstructed with elevated flavors or outlandish new ways to present it. No, this, my friend, is just a big bowl of the cheesiest warmest boxed mac & cheese around, and I’m gobbling that stuff up. Bruce Wayne, Batman, stepping up to put on a Nightwing costume, previously prepared for his bulkier frame, to do for his son what his son has done for him numerous times?

Yes please, I’ll take a heaping helping!

It helps greatly that no matter what happens in these issues, Redondo and Lucas truly sell it. There is an earnestness and wide-open feeling to anything that Redondo puts on the page. Characters feel present, powerful, and so truly real. Just that shot of Bruce on the roof ledge, bursting out of the seams of this costume almost, feels like a truly earned ‘here comes the third act’ type moment. Because that is the feeling that has been built across this whole run.

Just the right color tones are used to make the city and characters feel alive, but not too over the top. Just enough that the space feels realistic but also surreal, as it should. Blüdhaven is a city like any other but also, it’s not. Lucas gives the backdrop these really muted but authentic color tones, allowing the foreground (chiefly the figures in them) to really be the things that push the vibrancy or color levels.

We are talking costumed super figures after all.

These two artists working together help nail that comfort factor. Actually, I take back what I said earlier. It’s their work that takes the bowl of cheesy good, boxed mac and adds some elevation. Maybe some paprika, or baked breadcrumbs, or an addition of another totally awesome cheese that just makes it ooier and gooier. I’m making myself hungry right now.

Oh, before I forget, I do love how they did the recap pages here. Both on the writing and artistic side. Showing off big moments of the whole run but through the lens of reporters bringing those moments up, connecting the (false) breadcrumbs to paint Dick Grayson as a secret monster. Placing the moments in the background like B-roll footage behind the talking reporter, chef kiss.

Taylor has ups and downs as a writer, who doesn’t really, but this is one of those times where the heart and idea work out. Sure, there are some moments like Babs being shocked that Dick would seek the help of a dead man, when (it’s a dead man they know) talking to and getting help from the dead is commonplace for them at this point. A moment where the joke is superseding the world logic, but it’s fine.

Overall, though, it all just works. It took a long time to get here, with some weird twists and turns and off-road moments, but this was the destination the whole time.

All along, and onto other titles, Abbott has been there helping turn Taylor’s scripts into visual gold lettering wise. Finding ways to mix things up, give characters unique personality and energy in their words, and take even some of the cheesiest lines and spin them into gold. Finding the right rhythm and flow to Taylor’s particular dialogue style so it works easily on the page.

What a journey it’s been with this crew, and I’m actually intrigued to see how they bring it all to a close. Bring it all on, cheese and all.

Nightwing #116 is now available from DC Comics.