Letters to Nightwing #8

WOW!

The same thought originally ran through my head when I wondered how Batman would be portrayed during the Crisis, how would Dick respond to a threat that was literally out of this world? Dick did what he always does. He played with the hand he was dealt.

Ellen I don't need to tell you know how to get into Nightwings head, but you do like no other. The difference in Bruce and Dick can be summed up in one word, Broccoli! In a big event like this it's easy to miss the small things but the inner monologue with Dick showed what type of person he was. The whole tale could have been told in this fashion and worked like a charm!

I loved the fact that it was Dick (not Batman) that realized one of Darkseid’ main advantages was the heroes not working together thus far. I wonder what that could possibly lead up to in the future?

I had heard that you felt out of your element with this type of story but it never showed here. You worked with your strengths and delivered a kick ass story Ellen!

This is by and far the best book on this site, month after month. Instead of worrying about shocking the reader, or lame plot twists, this writer continues to work diligently to create a well rounded character. This "event" became secondary to Dick's involvement with it. Well done.

A down to Earth telling of the Apokolips Invasion, and you make it work Ellen, and having been privvy to it before it posted, I must say on second read it's still great work. Really enjoyed it! You make everything work, in the way that all this high flying, out of this world events are rationalised so you can just get it. Nightwing, and the way he's been written, is the everyman of the DC2, he hasn't got the powers, he hasn't got the magical lasso, but he's got himself, and that's all that matters to him. Astonishing. And looky here, I'm a consultant!

Absolutely my pleasure!

Thanks! And since the cover was my idea, I'll take responsibility.

While I too am a fan of this writer and have never been disappointed by anything she's ever written, I have to take exception with the above post. Not with the reader's review of this issue but by the implication that other titles on the site are "by far" inferior, utilize "lame plot twists" and are concerned only with "shocking the reader."

Taking nothing away from Ellen's genuis, nevertheless she did not "create a well-rounded character" (Marv Wolfman did that, though arguments could be made for other writers, before and after, as well); she does, however, depict an extremely popular "well-rounded character" consumately well--- and this is her strength. But let's not credit her to the denigration of the many talented writers and editors (and artists) who consistently craft entertaining story, sometimes on multiple titles, month after month.

That being said, fantastic issue, Ellen! Your charcterization, as always, was right on the money--- from Dick to Scott Free to the Titans!

The cover was another home run by JrFan, who seems to get better and better with each cover she does!

But I gotta know: just what was your thought process on putting helmets on Dick and Scott?

David goes and defends the other writers on the site and here I was just happy that someone recognized one of my story's ;D



I agree. I came back today to check out the cover that wasn't up last night and was blown away. I loved it! Kalin captured the moment here! Also the coloring was incredible! The whole image just jumped right off the screen!

No one should give either her or Ellen a hard time about the helmets! It could be the end of the world! Everyone could die at any second! Is that any reason to ignore basic bike safety? ;D

One helluva story here, Ellen! I can't say much more then what everyone else has said, so I'll just kind of repeat some of it. The characters were excellent, as always. I honestly loved the mention of Scott's unawareness to leaning into the turn. I had been in that situation twenty years ago, and remembered the cyclist yelling the same thing to me, "Turn into it!" Gave me a chuckle. Loved the appearance of Orion and The Titans. All in all, it was right up there with the other Crisis chapters. Fun, exhilarating, and tense. Best of the week!

Just a quick side note, personally I love a little plot twist and a few shocking moments in comics. Without them, they wouldn't be half as fun as they are. Just wanted to throw in my two cents.

Another great Nightwing issue. What more is there to say? And that cover was amazing.

Good issue, except for near the end when the parademons are closing in. For a situation so urgent -- you made it sound like the bad guys were within a few feet of them -- it seemed strange that Dick could take the time to dial a cell phone and talk. The pace after that moment became a lot slower, almost like there wasn't any danger at all. Maybe it's just me. Otherwise, darn good story, helmets or not!

Thanks! I love your name and avatar.

Lame plot twists? Interested to know exactly what was meant by that... I strive for the lame, hopefully I don't disappoint.

Anyway, an excellent chapter in the Crisis saga! It was fast paced, action packed & insightful (as usual) into the inner-workings of Dick Graysons mind! I too thought that it started to slow down once he made the 'Speedy-dial' to the Titans, and as soon as they arrived I wanted to see them in more detailed action. But then I realised that Teen Titans comes out the following week (I'm a week behind & trying to play catch up amidst my stacks of homework) & if you tackled their action, we wouldn't have anything to read in their own title!

That being said, I do have one question: You stated the the American Government went into hiding. Now this does makes sense, but was it featured in an issue of something somewhere? I missed it...

Excellent issue: BEST OF THE WEEK!

The sound of applause for your excellent writing!

I agree with this completely. I'm always looking forward to Nightwing and it never fails to impress (unlike the DCU Nightwing that I look forward to when there's a new writer and dissapoints every time), this issue is no different. Keep up the great work, both you and JR (the cover looks really nice).

Thanks! Sadly, after #9 I'm taking a break from the title to work on a sequel for Locked Inside the Facade. I wish I could write both, but unfortunately, real-life constraints mean I won't be able to meet deadlines if I'm working on two projects simultaneously. I do hope to return to the title when I'm done with the Locked sequel. And Dick Grayson has some MAJOR things to do in that sequel.