Dick
Grayson got shot in the head. And now he is a ne’er-dod-well cab driver named
Ric Grayson. Whatever he knew before, he doesn’t know anymore, except maybe in
his sub-conscious. He knows the obscure history of cars, how to speak German,
and oh yeah, how to beat up bad guys. Does this mean he’s going to suit up in
tights and a mask again? Doubtful.
Does this
mean Nightwing is permanently sidelined in Bludhaven? Again, doubtful. Because
without a super-hero presence to keep the lid on things, crime is rapidly
getting out of control, from your average street mugging to master
super-villains with an ax to grind. Someone’s got to do something about it, and
the cops can only do so much.
Scott
Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza share the writing on this issue, taking over from
Benjamin Percy. I enjoyed Percy’s run, but can see the benefits of Lobdell.
He’s already writing Black Hood, Outlaw,
and if he writes the saga of both former Robins, there’s greater likelihood the
two characters will grow in different directions. Honestly, I’m kind of tired
of the former sidekick with a chip on his shoulder. I’d kind of like to see the
Earth-2 Robin from the Bronze Age show up, and show these surly punks how to
embrace their super-hero identity.
The artwork
is a little uneven, but that because it’s split in half between Travis Moore
and Garry Brown. Literally, one guy drew some pages, and the other drew the
balance. Their styles are individual (good), but the shift from one to the
other is a bit jarring (bad). I’m not sure who the ongoing artist will be
moving forward. Perhaps a player to be named later.
But for
those wondering how “Ric” Grayson would carry on as Nightwing, boy, wonder no
more. The answer is on the last page.
Rating:
8/10