Nightwing (2016-) #116

Nightwing by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (single issues)

by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo (cover_art), Adriano Lucas (colorist)

Everything Dick Grayson has built is crumbling around him. His life is spiraling out of control and Heartless is at the center of all of it. Now Nightwing must leave his city. Can he take back the power he’s lost? Or will Bl?dhaven and its citizens be lost to Heartless forever?

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics

24 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2024

About the author

Once a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.

Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.

He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.

He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.

Reviews

[Sid · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRUCE!!! BRUCE GET OUT OF THAT SUIT YOU'RE GONNA STRETCH IT OUT TOO MUCH BRUCE YOUR ASS IS TOO BIG FOR IT

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been so interesting to see how all of the stories of all the issues dating back to the start of Tom Taylor’s run on Nightwing have culminated with this last arc.

And if I can’t have a Batgirl book, I am so glad to have Barbara here. Hoping and praying and bothering all my friends about it that she sticks around when the creative team changes.

Last panel is a bit of a jumpscare for my personal tastes, but others will probably like it more than me, haha.

[Nightwing’s Thiccness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Brucie in a teeny suit teehee

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

FALLEN GRAYSON 3/5

Apart from looking at the cover...it may come as a pleasant surprise to see who Dick seeks out for help with his sudden fear of heights.
Bruce does the Nightwing thing in Bludhaven (including costume) while Dick is out of town.

[Andrew Gorham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent issue with great dialogue and amazing artwork. Dick’s journey with Haley is gorgeously drawn with amazing colors. Truly excited to see where this story goes.

[David Cassady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruce I’m sorry but you’re too old to be Nightwing

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good issue eventhough the cover gives up one of the reveal. But I am still outraged by the price tag of this last arc at $4.99 for 22 pages on content, that is really greedy of DC...

[Devin Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that the frustrating thing is that I could excuse any writer for being burned out.

I have this view of George Perez when it comes to the significant drop in quality in Wonder Woman issues he wrote.

But what I don't understand is how Tom Taylor didn't have a better idea already in place for where to take this when he started it literally years prior. I just find myself so bored by what's going on. So much of it just feels superficial, and none of it is exciting.

I'm honestly pretty sad that this arc is so uninspired. I was an advocate for a lot of issues that were total detours, but I just can't defend Tom Taylor when it comes to these issues. They're just so flat and lifeless, even visually: the static conversation panels covered in word balloons are just killing me. This team is better than that. (No, literally: they've specifically been much better than that.)

I wrote in my review of #115 that I hate crossovers.

"Deadman sacrificed himself for the world in Night Terrors." Good for Deadman. Eff off. I'm here to read Nightwing.

I hate the pretentious and presumptuous sprawl of superhero fiction so much. It just adopts the worst traits of the worst-booked pro-wrestling programming. I hate the constant, empty tease of catharsis that never comes and the never-ending parade of distractions and the limitless bloat of the storytelling.

"You're going against all the tropes here." TOM, STOP IT. YOUR CUTE WRITING CAN BE CUTE, BUT YOU ARE BEING WAY TOO PLAYFUL WHEN THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING OF SUBSTANCE TO THIS ARC. FOR COMIC RELIEF TO BE WELCOME, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING FOR IT TO STAND IN RELIEF OF.

I love characters like Nightwing. I really do. And I wish editors and publishers would just have more faith in them to actually drill down and tell a good story. (Note that I only blame Tom Taylor so much. Like, that Deadman line is horribly misguided and intolerable to me, but DC also pulled him in a million different directions over the past few years.)

At this point in this arc, I'm just glad I don't buy individual issues, because I would feel pretty abused by this run if I did. Thankfully, I just subscribe to DC Universe Infinite, so I really only lose time when I read something I don't like. (And not much time at all given how short these isssues are...) And my subscription also gives me access to stuff I do like much better, for no additional money.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Las mejores lecciones de vida... ¿provienen de un hombre muerto?"

Me gusta el ligar a Dick Grayson con Boston Brand. Ambos artistas circenses que tendrán su concepción heroíca con una tragedia en pleno escenario. Tom Taylor sigue encarando un clímax arrollador para la vida Dick Grayson y su personalidad heroíca (a la que acudirá la mejor ayuda de su compañero más longevo en la cruzada contra el crimen).

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This chapter connects the legacy of two high-flying acrobats, with Boston Brand mentoring a young Dick Grayson.

After the fallout of Heartless' attack on Dick's reputation, our hero finds himself looking for guidance from a literal Deadman.

The last page is Bruce returning the favor for the times Dick took on the mantle of the Bat. Even if Nightwing's togs are a little snug.

[Colin Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Quests typically involve a lot of walking.’ This issue has so much of what was great about the first ~15 issues of Redondo and Taylor’s run — heart, amazing art and inventive panel layouts, and superb dialogue between Babs and Dick. Plus now we get to see old man Bruce don Nightwing’s mantle…

[Kastie Pavlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. Love. This. Boston! Great, great way to further cement these two in each other's histories. And really just an awesome story. I don't want this team up to end. They're too good.

The later half is another preview.

[Javier Campos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Como siempre un dibujo excelente

[Paxton Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dick searches for a solution to his artificial fear of heights and asks Deadman to help him.

[Vijay Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadman!!

Bruce could've at least shaved before forcing himself into Dick's tights lmao

[danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

IM DEAD BRUCE

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+
Man, this book is good.