The fourth and penultimate part of Tom Taylor’s finale of Nightwing is here. Ironically, before the fallen Grayson can return home, the hero must learn to climb again. To that end, Nightwing travels to the temples of Nanda Parbat to train under the high-flying Deadman! There’s even a silly cover of Batman dressed as “Nightwing 2.” Let’s see what Tom Taylor has in store below!
I can’t
Tom Taylor usually characterizes Nightwing as an optimistic, hopeful man, but now his confidence is faltering at his lowest point. Luckily, Deadman trained Grayson as a child and has a few ideas on how to heal him. For one, Deadman suggests meditative relaxation. Of course, this comes in the form of elaborate but atmospheric healing hot tubs. Thanks to the silly power of well-run bathwater, Nightwing emerges with new insights into his crippling fears. For example, after running over the villain Double Dare in the infamous POV issue, Shelton Lyle gave Nightwing a drink laced with fear toxin. In retrospect, Nightwing definitely should have known better.
In any case, the revelation helps Grayson finally pursue Shelton Lyle as a suspect. More importantly, the Bat-Family investigates Lyle’s dealings to find out the whereabouts of his henchmen’s kidnapped families. In addition, Deadman insists on trying multiple forms of exposure therapy. For Deadman, this involves leaving Grayson in increasingly higher places. Shockingly, the altitude doesn’t seem to be the problem, and Dick suffers a major breakdown and keeps giving up. As a result, Deadman concludes that Grayson is holding back a certain memory. After Dick has enough time to think, he becomes aware of another simple but detailed retcon to his parents’ deaths, allowing him to get back up.
Into The Nightwing-Verse
Meanwhile, Bruce has hilariously taken up Grayson’s mantle! Unexpectedly, not only does he look damn good in the tights, but he also goes out of his way to be “funny” a few times. Well, off-panel. Considering how many times Nightwing has kept Bruce’s costume warm, Nightwing ends up being genuinely grateful for the gesture. Although “Nightwing 2” is mostly a gag, it further reinforces their often difficult relationship with pure love. This positivity keeps the series tonally consistent, and jokes are even made about Nanda Parbat monks using the internet to “work remotely.” The book, however, maintains its tonal duality when Zucco darkly hunts down Meili and his daughter during a brutal raid.
I have no complaints about Redondo’s artwork. By now, the usual time-lapse gimmicks and image compositions have become a staple of the series. In part, the atmospheric use of rich blacks and flat colors reminds me a lot of Bunraku puppet theater. Each image seems to bathe in a neo-noir aesthetic, with the best parts using trippy, detailed illustrations as their calling card. Each color intentionally evokes a mood, and the arrangement plays carefully with momentum. However, some readers may find the square-jawed faces lack as much variety as a line of action figures. Otherwise, the undeniable highlight of this issue is the striking presentation of the images.
Recommended if …
- They panic every time Redondo delivers new work.
- Collecting all parts of Nightwings “Fallen Grayson“-Action.
- It’s hard to imagine Batman squeezing into Nightwing’s spandex.
In total
Tom Taylor and his team have made a big splash. Even if it feels like they wanted Violence Even though there’s a training arc until the penultimate issue, it’s still an endearing read. Even though our fictional heroes keep coming out on top, sometimes it’s rewarding to see them wrestle with themselves. Unfortunately, the worst thing about this battle is how superficial it feels to cram it into a single issue. Worst of all, it just means the finale will be just as short-lived. That said, this is still a stellar issue with comic humor, action, and appropriate menace that I can’t complain about. I won’t waste my time hoping they stick the landing, but I hope they know how to do even better!
Score: 8/10
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