Nightwing 102

[JotaEse]

Title: Nightwing
Issue #: 102
Story Arc: Year One
Issue Title: Friends in High Places
Writer(s): Scott Beatty & Chuck Dixon
Penciller: Scott McDaniel
Inker: Andy Owens
Editor: Nachie Castro

Major Characters: Dick Grayson, Clark Kent/Superman, Lois Lane, Bruce Wayne/Batman, Alfred Pennyworth, Boston Brand/Deadman (cameo)

Story Summary: Dick begins the story arriving at the Daily Planet building. He wanted to discuss his current situation with an adult who lives in the light instead of the dark. He checks in at the front desk to see Clark Kent, and immediately Lois Lane wants to know who Dick Grayson is. She checks it up, and as Dick begins telling Clark he was fired as Robin and that he took a break from the Teen Titans, Lois busts in asking how they know each other. Dick explains that they are both hockey fans, but then both have to take off separately: Clark obviously has heard something, and Dick deduces what it is and follows. Superman stops a bomber planning to bomb the president, and Dick stops a partner bomber Superman did not notice. Dick decides to sacrifice himself instead of the crowd below, but Superman reveals to him the bombs are based on altitude, and that he does not need worry.

Superman then flies Dick to the Fortress of Solitude, where he tells of a hero on his world that inspired him: a hero named Nightwing. Dick confesses that he has trained and always planned and expected to one day BE Batman, and Clark tells Dick he should have his own fortress of solitude. Dick decides there is one place he can return to, and goes back to the Haly circus just in time to stop a robbery. He is given his job back, as long as he doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight…with Boston Brand.

Review: This story was a nice retelling of older DC comics that showed Superman giving Dick the idea for the name Nightwing. It will be nice if we see Dick introducing himself to Superman and Superman giving a nice smile to Dick in return. The story is well written, but the art is not as sharp as we typically expect from McDaniel…nice, but not his best work. This is a nice Chapter 2 of 6, and the introduction of Boston Brand is nice, but the dialogue and art are not as strong as the first part.

Rating: ****

[/\/\att]

[shadow=green,left,300]Fantastic review! Thanks JotaEse![/shadow]

[ThatBlockoGuy]

Great review. I've always liked Dick's relationship with Clark. He's sorta the neat uncle figure. I've always felt that there was a bit of hero worship in there too, at least at the beginning of their relationship.

[JotaEse]

I love their relationship too...and I agree with the uncle sentiment. Who can Dick go to? Uncle Clark.

Also, I think the hero worship has gone BOTH ways at times....

Dick looks up to Superman....Who doesn't? But I think Clark also sees everything Dick has...and what he has went through, how he turned out....and admires and is even proud of him.

People ask me "Why Nightwing?" after I tell them my favorite hero....my reply: Who are the two greatest heores in DC? "Superman and Batman." Take most of Batman's brains, add some to his physical ability, and his humanity and mix it with Clark's personality, belief the public should TRUST the heroes, and good and often happy nature...and you have Nightwing...a mixture of the two.