Post by ryokowerx on Sept 28, 2011 17:07:25 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree)
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
Nightwing beats up a psycho killer on one of Gotham City's elevated trains. On his way home, he notices that the Haley Circus, the place where he grew up and his parents were murdered at, has come to town. Meanwhile, at the bus station a man gets off the bus and is accosted by two muggers. He kills them. Dick Grayson builds up the courage to visit the circus and meets the new owner, the clown and Marc and Raya, two acrobats. On his way home, Dick is attacked by a armored assassin. Two cops intervene and end up getting killed as Dick ducks away to change into Nightwing. The two fight and Nightwing ends up getting washed over the edge of a building by a collapsing water tower. The issue ends with him lying on the ground with the assassin standing over him.
THE ART:
Eddy Barrows is the penciller for the issue and he turns in some accomplished work here. His character work is average but he does a exceptional job at rendering Gotham City itself. It looks decayed and crumbling and lived in. Special kudos should be given to the inker, J. P. Mayer, for his excellent shadow work for helping this. While the art isn't on the level of Capullo on Batman, this is nothing to turn your nose up at. It is above average art.
THE STORY:
Unfortunately, I'm seeing a pattern with comics written by Kyle Higgins - making me uninterested. His Deathstroke didn't do anything for me and neither is Nightwing. The internal monologue is superior here but it can't help disguise that very little happens here. Dick beats up a psycho. Dick visits the circus. Dick fights a nameless assassin. Yawn. It's almost like Higgins has a fill-in-the-blank plot structure because this is very similar to the one used in Deathstroke. I really hope that this comic gets better because I've always liked Dick Grayson both when he was Nightwing as well as Batman.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Nightwing can be bought for $2.99 but I'm not sure why you'd bother unless you're just a fan of the art. The story is pretty cut and dry and doesn't really offer a compelling enough hook to get me to come back for #2. And, quite frankly, this is a huge letdown after such strong showings from all the other Batman related books. Take your $3 and buy a copy of Detective Comics, Batman, Batman and Robin, Batgirl or Batwoman - any of which is a far better use of your money than this.
NEXT WEEK:
Blue Beetle #1 and DC Universe Presents #1
NIGHTWING #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
Nightwing beats up a psycho killer on one of Gotham City's elevated trains. On his way home, he notices that the Haley Circus, the place where he grew up and his parents were murdered at, has come to town. Meanwhile, at the bus station a man gets off the bus and is accosted by two muggers. He kills them. Dick Grayson builds up the courage to visit the circus and meets the new owner, the clown and Marc and Raya, two acrobats. On his way home, Dick is attacked by a armored assassin. Two cops intervene and end up getting killed as Dick ducks away to change into Nightwing. The two fight and Nightwing ends up getting washed over the edge of a building by a collapsing water tower. The issue ends with him lying on the ground with the assassin standing over him.
THE ART:
Eddy Barrows is the penciller for the issue and he turns in some accomplished work here. His character work is average but he does a exceptional job at rendering Gotham City itself. It looks decayed and crumbling and lived in. Special kudos should be given to the inker, J. P. Mayer, for his excellent shadow work for helping this. While the art isn't on the level of Capullo on Batman, this is nothing to turn your nose up at. It is above average art.
THE STORY:
Unfortunately, I'm seeing a pattern with comics written by Kyle Higgins - making me uninterested. His Deathstroke didn't do anything for me and neither is Nightwing. The internal monologue is superior here but it can't help disguise that very little happens here. Dick beats up a psycho. Dick visits the circus. Dick fights a nameless assassin. Yawn. It's almost like Higgins has a fill-in-the-blank plot structure because this is very similar to the one used in Deathstroke. I really hope that this comic gets better because I've always liked Dick Grayson both when he was Nightwing as well as Batman.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Nightwing can be bought for $2.99 but I'm not sure why you'd bother unless you're just a fan of the art. The story is pretty cut and dry and doesn't really offer a compelling enough hook to get me to come back for #2. And, quite frankly, this is a huge letdown after such strong showings from all the other Batman related books. Take your $3 and buy a copy of Detective Comics, Batman, Batman and Robin, Batgirl or Batwoman - any of which is a far better use of your money than this.
NEXT WEEK:
Blue Beetle #1 and DC Universe Presents #1