Don’t worry, Dick. We’ll buy you another one.”
Nightwing #10
DC Comics (July, 1997)
“The Neighborhood” WRITER: Chuck Dixon PENCILER: Scott McDaniel INKER: Karl Story COLORIST: Roberta Tewes SEPARATIONS: Jamison LETTERER: John Costanza ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Darren Vincenzo EDITOR: Scott Peterson
Life isn’t so good for Dick Grayson. His neighbor and co-worker, Bruce, has a hot wife, a great car, and a new promotion. Dick, however, has to train his new superior Jean Paul Valley, his wife Donna is having an affair with some guy named Roy Harper, and his boss, Mr Kerr, really hates him. Then there’s the paperboy, JT, Bruce tosses Dick’s son out of a window…The Scarecrow is really pouring it on Nightwing and when he snaps out of it, Dr. Crane–and Bludhaven’s criminals–are in for a whooping!
What they got right: This seems to be exploring Dick’s fear of failure, which has been in the shadows since this book started. The usually terrible art works as a look into Dick’s mind but I can hardly tell the difference due to the usual art style on display here.
What they got wrong: I also wonder about Donna being Dick’s wife in this scenario. This series wasn’t too long after a miniseries which involved a woman named Miggi Webber. Things were happening but he couldn’t help her because he was overseas looking into a situation involving his late parents and long story short he failed her. Seems to fit the narrative a lot better. Or his recent girlfriend, Starfire. I don’t recall Dick even dating Donna Troy.
Recommendation: In conjunction with the previous issue it’s a good look into Dick’s mind, but I would have preferred seeing Dick overcome his fear instead of “J.T.’s” reveal snapping him out of it. Still worth a look if you can survive the art.
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