Nightwing #14

This books starts where it ended last issues with Nightwing hunting world class assassin Lady Shiva.  The cover of this issue is done wonderfully. We see Nightwing and Lady Shiva locked in combat in the rain. The action in this issue starts right away with Nightwing  beating up scum in the streets of Gotham.  One of the things this issue does best is portraying Dick both as himself and as Nightwing. Since the new 52 began Dick as a person is one of the most interesting characters in the DC Universe. Where Bruce Wayne is just an alter ego to use as a cover for Batman, Dick has more traits similar to Clark Kent. Like Clark, Dick's personal life is just as interesting as his crime fighting heroics.

In this issue Dick has trouble with his relationship with Sonia. He doesn’t know if it is just business or possibly something more than that. And if it is more than business does he want that? Sonia is the daughter of the man that killed his father. Definitely not a good start to building a relationship. The only thing I didn’t like in this issues was how long Nightwing could hold his own against Lady Shavia. Shavia is a deadly assassin armed with swords where as our original boy wonder fights with sticks. This will always keep bugging me about Nightwing.  I appreciate the fact that he uses speed and acrobatic skills to win fights instead of brutal power like most  heroes but could he at least have some advanced weaponry. I know this will probably never change. Nightwing uses sticks for now and most likely forever.  The second thing that I didn’t like in this issue was the aftermath of the fight between Nightwing and Shavia. I won’t spoil the ending but I think it was way too easy and unrealistic.  Beside these two grievances I thought this issue was great overall. It shows some real progress in Dick’s personal life and  the art is beautiful.  As most of you know the Death to the family arc has started in the all the Batman family books including this one.  Throughout the issue you can feel an underlying fear that the Joker bring to Nightwing but it isn’t until the last page that “Death of the Family” rears it's ugly head and officially starts for our hero.