Nightwing #13

Nightwing #13:

The Team

            Written by Tom DeFalco (X-Men, Avengers), Art by Andres Guinaldo (Son of Hulk) & Mark Irwin (Green Lantern)

The Book

            Regular writer Kyle Higgins is in the middle of his three month breather before Nightwing joins the epic Death of the Family story arc, so Tom DeFalco, who take over the reigns for the #0 issue, continues his run with the former boy wonder, and does so wonderfully.

            DeFalco, who did a great job on the #0 issue as well, skillfully uses the base from September’s work to build a compelling story line outside of the looming darkness that the Joker has cast over Gotham. He makes good note of Mr. J’s presence without being overbearing, and uses it as a device through which to tell the Nightwing portion of the story.

            But in the New 52, the Nighwing title has been equal parts about Dick Grayson during the day as it has been the costume and mask the he dons when the sun goes down. Higgins had been driving that home, working to create Dick Grayson as a staple in Gotham just as Bruce Wayne is while consistently and subtly contrasting the two of them. DeFalco, to his credit, continues with the fantastic plotline in which Dick rebuilds Haly’s Circus as a part of his all-consuming Amusement Mile Project. He doesn’t spend as much time on it as many prior issues have, but not leaving it behind was important and he did a rather good job with it.

            The strongest part of the issue, however, is the exchange between Nightwing and Batgirl. Their relationship has always been an absolute delight to read about, and this issue is no different. DeFalco quickly and poignantly attacks the elephant in the room: how Barbara would respond to the Joker’s return. The way the interaction between the two of them is written is masterful. When it comes down to it, any great piece of art is in someway about humanity and how we deal with each other, and this is one of the best exchanges between two characters that I can recall in the New 52. 

            Despite the many high points, there are some pretty odd and nonsensical portion of the issue that are off putting. The biggest being that Nightwing just busts into the Penguins hideout and talks to him like they’re pals. DeFalco tries to clean it up by having Cobblepot mention that they’re old friends, but it really doesn’t work for me.

            Either way, it’s a strong issue, and that’s something to be thankful for, as it’d be quite easy for the Bat Family books to just go through the motions until they get their hands on the Joker.