A Darker Shade of Justice

Nightwing, with much hard work, has finally made Bludhaven his own; Nightwing is now to Bludhaven what Batman is to Gotham. Dick Grayson is the protector of the few innocents that still grace the streets of Bludhaven, an urban cesspool that makes Gotham look like a good site for a Girl Scout meeting. Superman makes an appearance early in the book, teaming up with Nightwing to pay Roland Desmond a visit. The relationship between Nightwing and Superman is very different from that of Batman and Superman. As one reviewer has already aptly pointed out, both Batman and Robin teamed up with Superman quite often. Robin, Dick Grayson, developed a stronger trust of Superman and invites his help. Batman views Superman as a hindrance. One of my favorite characters is the blond-headed "Nitewing" who busts up criminals in true vigilante fashion. He is utterly obsessed and I eagerly await new books that reveal the reason he battles crime so fiercely. How will Chief Redhorn utilize the aid of this Nite-wing? And what will happen when the two Nightwings finally confront one another? Another good series of plot twists, and a crime boss who refuses to fade away, the Nightwing series shows great promise. I've liked both books I've ordered so far.

Chuck Dixon's run on the monthly "Nightwing" books with artists Scott McDaniel and Karl Story are among the best runs by a creative team ever. The trio created a likable lead character in the former Boy-Wonder, Dick Grayson, and placed him in a town-without-pity, Bludhaven. With this volume (the fourth in the Nightwing series by the trio), Nightwing truly steps out of the shadow of his mentor, Batman, and becomes his own man. This is the volume that has everything and more to satisfy even the most demanding comic fan. Examples?1] A team-up with Superman that shows how deep the bond is that Dick shares with Supes. Remember that Dick was part of the "World's Finest" team in the Silver Age? (People always remember that team as a Batman-Superman team only!) Furthermore, in the Silver Age, Superman takes on the name "Nightwing" sometimes when he visits the Bottled City of Kandor. In this volume (set in post-Crisis continuity), we have Superman telling Nightwing the exploits of a "Kryptonian" hero called "Nightwing"! Also, see Superman take on the "kingpin" of Bludhaven, the Blockbuster.2] Nightwing in the No Man's Land! See how Dick fights to bring order to Blackgate Prison. There's more action here than in all five "Batman: No Man's Land" tradepaperbacks combined! See how Chuck Dixon silence all the cynics and critics calling this book "Batman Jr." or "Batman Lite" once and for all with this pulse-pounding tale. Dick Grayson is indeed his own man now, no less than his mentor.3] The kiss that seals a great love. In the Silver Age stories, we see Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) flirting many times with Robin, without it coming to any finality. Then by the 1970s-90s, Nightwing was primarily featured only in Marv Wolfman's "New Teen Titans" books (there, he was paired with the alien Starfire). In this volume, Chuck Dixon revives the Barbara-Dick romance with them finally expressing their love for each other. All in the midst of a life-and-death team-up against the mad, fanatical ex-GCPD cops.4] This volume also sets up the brilliant storyline that is further expanded upon in future volumes - Dick Grayson as a police officer!Lastly, I'd like to say that Scott McDaniel used to be my most hated artist at one time. Now, I can't get enough of the crazy perspectives and unbelievably "messy" details in his art. If you want comic-artwork that screams "action" and drives your adrenaline level all the way up, there's nothing comparable to the McDaniel-Story team.

For some reason, my last review didn't show up, so apologies for the shorter on.Definitely a must-read for any Nightwing fans. Nightwing continues to come into his own as a hero, even as he's pulled by his ties to Batman. The strongest segment of this compilation is definitely the retaking of Blackgate, which includes the seemingly obligatory "Dick Grayson, this is your life" flashback series (this one, however, is thankfully light on the self-doubt that plagues our hero). Seeing Oracle in acition is worth the price of admission all on its own. The only caveat I'd add is that if you're not familiar with the events in Gotham (the quake, No Man's Land) and the players involved, it might get a bit confusing.Less strong are the Double Dare and police academy storylines. DOuble Dare, while interesting enough, seemed a bit too cotton-candy in the midst of the other storylines, and while the idea of Dick going to the academy is interesting, it doesn't get nearly enough page time to be more than almost an afterthought.The continuing intrigue of of the Bludhaven PD is shaping up nicely, and Blockbuster's new storyline almost makes you feel sorry for the big guy.Overall, definitely worth acquiring.

I'm obsessed with Nightwing. Keep that in mind as you read this.The adventures of the man who was Robin and is now Nightwing continue to provide solid entertainment. The ongoing storyline of Blockbuster takes an interesting turn here, one that almost has you feeling sorry for the man (well, maybe for his mother). Dick's decision to join the police force gets it's follow through, although not a lot of page time as of yet. The usual players their appearances: Babs (interesting stuff there), Huntress(ditto), Clancy, Tad (who seems to have learned little in the way of caution from his shooting), and, of course, the Bat.Batman's appearance leads to what is certainly the best storyline in the compilattion: the retaking of Blackgate. It includes the seemingly required trip down memory lane, although this time with thankfully little of the self-doubt that plagues earlier storylines. Meanwhile, in Bludhaven, things are brewing nicely towards some larger plot.If anything cost this issue a star, it was the Double Dare segment. Don't get me wrong: I liked the ladies just fine. But sandwiched between a visit from Superman and the retaking of Blackgate, their hijinks seemed a little fluffy to me.Definitely a must-own for Nightwing fans!