In a recent issue if Batman, Nightwing was shot in the head by an assassin. Significant trauma, but he has physically recovered, through not without cost. Nightwing is gone, leaving in his place a completely different person, with no desire to be any kind of super-hero. He’s a civilian now; borderline petty criminal.

For many years I’ve thought of Nightwing as bit of Tom Cruise, and his Jack Reacher-like behavior in this issue reinforces that. Perhaps it’s the smirky self-confidence, or maybe just the hair. But that hair is gone now, replaced by Joey Lawrence-style stubble. I find this symbolic, representing the stunted presence of what we once knew. Batman, Batgirl and others would love to have their old partner back, but that doesn’t seem to be happening any time soon. He’s content to live his days, driving a cab, sleeping where he can, even if it means a wee bit of home invasion.

The artwork is fine, told partly in flashback by one artist aping Walt Simonson, while another tells the tale of the new and not-terribly-improved Dick Grayson. I’m unable to tell which artists did what, but they all did fine, except for the flashback. Whoever drew it put Dick Grayson in Tim Drake’s costume, and we all know better.

I regard this as a temporary diversion, much like the electric Superman or the Azrael Batman of some years back. Things will change back soon enough. Perhaps when Booster Gold fixes the Heroes in Crisis fiasco, he’ll impact time in a way to prevent Nightwing’s near death experience.

Rating: 1/10. We needed this change like we need a hole in the head.