Customer Rating:  
Summary: Inconsistent
Comment: My first exposure to Chuck Dixon's writing came on his enjoyable Nightwing Year One trade, therefore deciding it was time to check out more of his work. One problem that I quickly discovered about all Nightwing trades is that they are not one complete arc but mostly a collection of single or double issue stories. These individual bits and pieces do somewhat add up to a whole, but usually require some knowledge from a previous trade and will probably continue into the next one. It is similar to a soap opera with no beginning and rarely any resolution. Combine that with the inconsistencies of each individual issue and you are left with a rather "fast foodish" reading experience. It tastes okay but there is also something missing. Dixon's entire 60 plus issue run consisted mainly of Nightwing confronting three antagonists; Blockbuster (a lame D list villain), Soames/Torque (who is interesting as a crooked cop but ludicrous as Torque), and a totally annoying character named Tad, who for some unknown reason is almost made a co-star in the book. Plotting is not one of Dixon's strengths, which tend to become stale and redundant, and this limited group of bad guys definately doesn't help. His forte is his use of internal monologue for Nightwing, which is insightful, witty, and humorous. Scott McDaniel's frenetic albeit cartoonish artwork is also a plus. The main highlight of this trade consisted of the Robin guest shot issue. Unfortunately the others that comprise it are weaker, which leaves the reader skipping over numerous pages to get to the best ones. Many people complain today that the monthly comics are written and decompressed so that they can eventually fit into a six issue graphic novel, and their point is valid. Unfortunately Nightwing trades are a good example of how the opposite approach, a collection of shorter stories compiled into one book, is also flawed and may actually be the worse of the two.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Lot of transitions
Comment: This particular installment of the Nightwing saga is a lot of story set up for some developments that come later. Some points of interest: The strange character "Nite-wing" is nearly killed, and Nightwing rushes to the rescue. One of Dick's earliest foes in the series has returned with a vengeance and an interesting new m.o.
What I like about the Nightwing series is rather straightforward. It has a great, action-packed style of art and dialogue. So much happens on every page. If you aren't careful, you'll miss something.
Second, Nightwing is so different from Batman, despite their similar skills, methods, and talents. Dixon has kept part of the optimism and positive social adjustment that makes Grayson a more identifiable character. Part of the draw of Batman is that he is so mysterious. Dick Grayson says in this installment to Robin: "You, Alfred, and I have been close to him for years, yet still we seem to know hardly anything about him."
Nightwing, on the other hand, is a far less enigmatic figure that takes Robin under his wing. Every parent wants better for their kids than what they got. Batman wanted better for Dick, and Dick wants better for Tim. Nightwing is kind of like a combination big brother/father figure to Robin. Their cameraderie is exemplified in the scene where they are doing combat training with blindfolds.
I really like the creative team for this magazine. The books are just the issues of the comic added together. Nonetheless, Nightwing is a genuine crowd pleaser.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Nice book
Comment: If you love Nightwing you wont be disapointed!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Modern superheroes at their best!
Comment: Nightwing is one of the best monthly books out there. This third volume collects some memorable stories, when Dixon and McDaniel were really hitting their stride. Dixon portrays Nightwing as the very definition of a hero, while McDaniel's artwork is both moody and frantic. While this wonderful team may not be doing the series anymore, here's a collection of some of their best work for fans to treasure.
|
