“I should have warn my summer tights.”
Nightwing #2
DC Comics (November, 1996)
“Gangland Express” WRITER: Chuck Dixon PENCILER: Scott McDaniel INKER: Karl Story COLORIST: Roberta Lewis LETTERER: John Costanza ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Darren Yincenzo EDITOR: Scott Peterson
Nightwing goes to Bludhaven to uncover the mystery of a lot of people with broken necks. As we join, he’s held at gunpoint by Detective Soames, who is supposed to kill him but instead sends him to intercept a shipment of old cars being hijacked by Black Mask’s men, while delivering frozen embryos to another person. Dick, however, tries to find a place to live first.
What they got right: It’s about time Nightwing had an ongoing series by this point. There had been some miniseries and his continuing appearances in Teen Titans and the Bat-Titles, but this is the first ongoing series I’ve seen. Bludhaven is similar to Gotham City thanks to corrupt cops but still offers a few of its own “charms” that still make it unique. Dick also has his own limitations not utilizing Bruce’s wallet and not having a lot in his. It should allow him his own experience. Detective Soames in an interesting flipped coin of Commissioner Gordon.
What they got wrong: What was the point of the page with Madame Minh? A leftover plot point from issue #1? Having missed the first issue I can only guess, but here it seem out-of-place.
Recommendation: A good set-up issue with a decent moving train fight. It’s worth checking out.
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