Nightwing: The New Order #2

Writer: Kyle Higgins

Artist: Trevor McCarthy

Colourist: Dean White

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

DC's latest foray into Elseworlds stories continues here. In this issue, we begin to understand how the world became the way it is and why Nightwing is at the heart of it. I think Kyle Higgins shows just the right amount of backstory without revealing too much. It's incredibly engaging to me since I love Nightwing so much and seeing the role he plays in the downfall of the superhero feels very fresh to me.

And the story advances in a big way here; Higgins isn't wasting any time with the six issues he's got to tell the story. The outcome of this issue presents an entirely different situation that Dick is used to, and I'm excited to see where it all goes from here. The revelation that Dick's son Jake has superpowers is touched upon here and we also get to see who his mother is, which is something big Nightwing fans should have guessed by now. Dick's struggling with this reveal. He's the head of a team that suppresses superhuman abilities and his son happens to be immune to the pills that allow this. There's genuine tension, and I care for Jake.

Trevor McCarthy's art look unconventional but still works, contributing to the unease that Higgins presents with this world he's created. Dynamic panels aside, the best part about the art is the lighting and facial expressions, which definitely factor into the final few pages.

If you're not picking this up, I'd wholeheartedly recommend it. The story is fresh and it's only going to get fresher from here on out. The art is great too.