Nightwing’s not responsible. Robin wasn’t responsible. It was Dick Grayson. That is the beauty of having multiple identities – you can shift the blame without ever being responsible. But in truth, it WAS Nightwing, back when he wore George Perez’s original costume design. He claims he wasn’t Nightwing yet, but he had the costume, so yeah, it was Nightwing who let the Judge get away the second time.

This issue (another flashback, obviously) recounts the origin of the Judge – who he is and how he came to be. It also fleshes out a tiny corner of the DC Universe, elevating Bludhaven to more than just another city. It’s begun to develop its own environment, and that a good thing.

I like the fact that the Judge is not a costumed villain. No cape, no mask, no tights. He’s just a guy in a suit and drink in his hand. It’s visual short-hand for how little regard he gives the meta-humans in the DCU. Unlike villains who feel the need to meet super-heroes on their own level, he’s content to dress like regular folks. It’s like playing basketball in your street clothes, as if you’re not going to work up a sweat.

The art by Phil Jimenez and Santorelli on the flashback sequences helps delineate it from that of Jamal Campbell, who draws the present day sequences. I appreciate the idea of using different artists to illustrate different sequences within a story. It alleviates the workload for everyone, without the jarring effect that often occurs when multiple artists draw a book.

Rating: 8/10