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Posted January 19, 2014 by Mikael Angelo Francisco in Comics
 
 

COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Nightwing #27 – good form, lackluster execution

Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Will Conrad, Cliff Richards
Cover: Will Conrad

As Nightwing is my all-time favorite DC character, it really pains me to admit that the recent issues of his New 52 ongoing series have been less than satisfying. I’m not entirely sure if it’s the apparent lack of focus – how many times has this series shifted direction and suffered from a disjoint in its storylines, really? – or the fact that it still hasn’t managed to catch up with the rest of the DC universe, since his ultimate fate in Forever Evil has yet to be revealed.

Truth be told, Nightwing #27 has all the ingredients of an interesting comic book. It has mystery, suspense, action, plot twists, and revelations, and the art isn’t shabby at all (it’s even reminiscent of Mike Deodato’s linework at times). Unfortunately, when all of its elements come together, the book reads less like a high-flying theatrical spectacle and more like a poorly-rehearsed circus act.

There’s mystery surrounding Nightwing’s frenemy, Marionette, but it’s a thinly-veiled one, and it’s nothing terribly consequential or interesting, especially not when Dick Grayson is a key character in a mega-event that actually puts his survival in question. The suspense is killed almost immediately by the rather dragging dialogue and execution, and the action leaves more to be desired. The “plot twists” are painfully obvious, and the “big reveal” in this book is invalidated simply by the fact that Forever Evil already did it months ago, on a much grander scale. And while the art is eye-catching, Dick Grayson doesn’t even look like the same person across different panels.

I’m not sure if I want this comic book to be able to finally catch up with the current goings-on in the DCU, or if I’m ready to find out if Dick survives his terrible ordeal at the hands of the Crime Syndicate of America or not. I’m sure about one thing, though – the word “fill-in” is all over Nightwing #27 like the smell of fish on the Penguin.

“Who pulls the strings of Dick Grayson’s life?” Whoever it is, that person’s not doing a very good job.

VERDICT: 5/10

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This review was sponsored by Druid’s Keep (third floor, Fort Strip Mall, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig). Join the group on Facebook (here) and pay the shop a visit – it’s an awesome place to hang out and play games.


Mikael Angelo Francisco