Nightwing
comes face-to-face with the Judge – the man who’s been ruining lives all
over Bludhaven. Like a Prince of Darkness, he offers the heart’s desire, but
for a price. And usually, people are too willing to agree.
But this
vendetta has become more than putting away a manipulative bad guy. Nightwing
let the Judge slip through his hands once before, and now feels that much of
the blood spilt is on his hands. He’s determined to end it, once and for all.
But the Judge harbors a secret that Nightwing is unable to see, and that may
make the difference between victory and defeat.
It’s a good
story so far, from new-to-the-title writer Sam Humphries. The Judge isn’t your
typical super-villain, all posturing and dreams of world domination. He’s far
more subtle, like an evil version of “the Dude” Lebowski, even worrying over
the perennial drink in his hand. Cuz if you’re always drunk, you’re never
drunk.
I enjoy
Bernard Chang’s artwork. I think it works very well on the title, moreso than
previous artists in that Chang (and Maiolo) give Bludhaven a polish that all
the neon and glitz requires to convey a better sense of place. Sometimes
Chang’s work reminds me of Howard Chaykin’s, but never so much that he appears
to be imitating Chaykin. Perhaps merely an influence.
Rating: 9/10