Nightwing #19 Review

Writer:  Kyle Higgins
Penciller:  Brett Booth
Inker:  Norm Rapmund
Colorist:  Andrew Dalhouse

Nightwing #19 is a good jumping on point for new readers.  Kyle Higgins is setting up a new status quo for Dick Grayson.  After learning that Tony Zucco, the man responsible for killing his parents, is still alive and in Chicago, Dick relocates from Gotham City to investigate.

What I Liked

Brett Booth’s art is amazing.  I’ve been a fan of his since his Wildstorm days of working on Backlash.  I missed his run on Teen Titans but I told myself I wouldn’t miss his start on Nightwing.  Booth does a great job displaying Nightwing’s acrobatics.  Booth also excels at displaying backgrounds in his images.  Everything is very detailed.

I’m impressed that Dick has decided to do this relocation without the help of Bruce Wayne.  Dick’s having to rent out an empty room from an internet listing and is doing it all without borrowing money from Bruce.  This shows more fallout from “Death of the Family”.

Tony Zucco makes an appearance at the end of the book.  For him to have faked his death for this long, he has to have friends in high places.  We get to see one of these friends and this alliance should only make Nightwing’s time in Chicago more unpleasant.

What I Didn’t Like

Even though new supporting characters and enemies were introduced, a few of them left me with questions.  There was a girl named Mali who seemed to display multiple personalities.  I’m not sure if she is a brand new character or someone leftover from the pre-New 52.  Same can be said for The Prankster, who is shown on the foldout “WTF?” moment cover.  My lack of history with the DC Universe can be a hindrance sometimes.

There is one panel where I couldn’t tell if Nightwing jumped through or behind a helicopter.  Another panel also shows Nightwing jumping headfirst towards the opening in the helicopter, but the next panel has him entering it feet first.  Minor grievances, but still worth pointing out.

Summary

Very good opening arc for Nightwing’s hunt for Tony Zucco in Nightwing #19.  Nightwing must find Tony Zucco, while also dealing with new enemies and learning about Chicago’s history with masked crimefighters.  If you are interested in following a Bat-family member’s adventures outside of Gotham City, then Nightwing should be a book you add to your pull list.

This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network.  They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/

Timdogg

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE