I
am often confused by the current Nightwing. Some months back, He took a bullet
to the head erasing his memories as a super-hero. Since then, he’s said on more
than one occasion he has no interest in his former life. “All that stuff –
those Batman years…are meaningless to me. I can’t care about things I can’t
remember.”
But as his
girlfriend Bea asks in this issue, who do it now? “I’m good at it. I can make a
difference. On the best of days, save lives.”
So what
exactly is it he’s walking away from? His connection to Batman? His life behind
a mask (because now he uses grease paint)? He’s still leaping off rooftops and
fighting criminals. Clearly “Ric” Grayson is conflicted.
But an
unseen observer is keeping tabs on the super-hero/not super-hero, later
revealed to be Talon, Dick Grayson’s grandfather. Because if you will believe a
man can fly, you will also believe an assassin will remain a viable threat well
into his golden years. Talon works for the Court of Owls, but what his ultimate
goal regarding “Ric” Grayson may be is unknown.
The high
point of this issue for me was the meeting of the four replacement Nightwings,
in which they raise concerns over their mysterious ally’s backstory. Honestly,
I’m surprised it’s taken them this long to question his origins and
motivations, but I’m glad it’s finally happened.
Rating:
6/10