Nightwing 134 - 142

Nightwing #134
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jamal Ingle

Hmmm…this was an interesting set up for the mystery of the new Vigilante. It isn’t someone who knows Dick and Nightwing are one and the same but it seems like it is someone who has dealt with Nightwing in the past. I am glad to see Dick isn’t sporting the rudiculous hair dough he had when Bruce Jones was on the title. Anyways, I liked this issue but I am wondering if I am really going to care when the Vigilante’s identity is going to be revealed.

Nightwing #135
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Now this was a good issue. I liked show it showed Dick’s glass half full view of the world and how that makes him different then Batman and the Vigilante. I liked it especially because I see things the same way as Dick (But I haven’t experience evil in the way Dick has so Dick is definitely a stronger person then I am). The art was good too, especially for fill-in.

Nightwing #136
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Um kinda confused by this. Do Eddie and Liu work for the HIVE? What is the new Vigilante’s connection to Adrian Chase? And why do they want Dick Grayson’s DNA, do they think he’s a metahuman? Hopefully we will get answers next issue.Nightwing #137
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Damn…a cliffhanger. Wolfman is leaving this book and writing a Vigilante Series…I will pick it up but geez that’s a big cliffhanger just to leave people hanging. Anyways, I loved the 321 days and the missing years between the end of the Teen Titans and the beginning of the New Teen Titans….I totally get the timeline now. But anyways, Wolfman’s run was decent, better then Jone’s run. I look forward to see what Tomasi does with this book. Oh and the last page of this issue was awesome!

Nightwing #138
Written by Fabian Nicieza Art by Don Kramer

DC’s go to fill-in guy Nicieza tackles this issue of Nightwing, part 2 of the batbook crossover “Ressurection of Ra’s Al Ghul”. It was okay….this crossover is just okay. Nothing too exciting to write home about. I like Ra’s Al Ghul but he isn’t my favorite Bat-villain (Not even close) so nothing here really excites me. It it is totally in character for Nightwing to try to save the villain’s lives though I liked that. Oh and Nightwing using a teleporter is too easy and lame for a Bat-book.

Nightwing #139
Written by Fabian Nicieza Art by Don Kramer

This is part 6 of the Ressurection of Ra’s Al Ghul crossover, and I did like this a lot. Although it was more a Robin story then a Nightwing story it was good to see Nightwing’s thoughts on what Robin has been through. You can’t blame Robin for wanting to bring his friends and family back but I think he made the right choice in the end.

Nightwing #140
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

Peter Tomasi’s first issue of his Nightwing run was a real treat. I have never read any of the former editor’s stuff (I think?) and he is really good. This blows Bruce Jones and Marv Wolfman out of the park. Of course, Morales’s amazing art helps as well. I love the characterization of the bat family and the idea of Nightwing building his base in a museum he is now the curator of. This was just awesome! The only problem I had is he always refers to himself as Richard, not Dick, in this issue. Huh?

Nightwing #141
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

Tomasi is quickly turning this into one of DC’s best monthly books and that is an amazing turn around from what it was before. Tomasi takes the time this issue to show what is going on with Nightwing’s relationships with different people in the DCU including the Flash and Batman. Tomasi knows how to use the DCU effectively and doesn’t forget that the JSA operate out of New York as well. Awesome! All writers should follow Tomasi when it comes to utilizing the shared universe concept.

Nightwing #142
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

With three great issues, Tomasi has proven himself as a great writer for Nightwing. This issue was full of awesomeness with the art and the story perfectly awesome. Robin and Nightwing’s brotherly relationship was great to see and it is always nice to see Ma Hunkel! Tomasi better be on this book for a long time to come. I don’t know that I care for the use of Talia so soon but o well, that’s only one problem in a book of awesomeness.

Batman 665 - 668

Batman #665
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert

Not sure why but the first time I read this I was very confused. Now I get it. It seems Batman is being visited by three ghosts- or versions of himself. The first one was the crazed cop Batman who shot the Joker, the second was the prostitute killing Bane-like Batman, and their is a third he has not yet met. That’s pretty crazy stuff. I think Morrison’s run is finally picking up after all.

Batman #666
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert

While I don’t normally enjoy stories that aren’t in continuity- this was pretty good. We meet the third ghost in this issue. It is Damian Wayne, who in the near future, long after his father is dead, has become an evil Batman who sold his soul. It was really cool and it was cool to find out what has happened to certain characters since Batman’s death. I still have no idea how this is all going to play out, but that’s typical Morrison fashion. It won’t all make sense until the end.

Batman #667
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.H. Williams III

We take a break from the Black casebook storyline for this story, Morrison’s new take on the silver age Club of Heroes concept. I loved it. I am not a big silver age fan but this update was really cool. We learn that their are a bunch of Batman-like heroes around the world who meet every so often as the Club of Heroes. They have really goofy names and such but Morrison write them in a completely serious murder mystery. It was almost CLUE-like in how they all meet at this house and have to solve a mystery. Awesome.

Batman #668
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by J.H. Williams III

Part 2 of the Club of Heroes story arc was in this issue. I didn’t really enjoy this one as much as the first issue mainly because I had forgotten who was who. I will have to go back and read this story arc as a whole when its over. But it was good. The art is amazing. Williams is a great artist and perfect for this storyline.

Death of a Bat-Son

Batman #658
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Andy Kubert and Jesse Delperdang

So it looks like Batman’s son is dead. We never see a body so in a comic book, that means he could easily still be alive. I am not sure why Talia would set herself up for death, so I am going to assume that they are still alive. But he’s dead for now. I doubt Batman is going to grieve much, since Damien was a brat from the day he met him. An evil brat at that. I find it hard to believe that Damien would end up as anything else besides a Jason Todd clone. In the end, I have to ask. Was this storyline needed? Or was it just a ruse to sell some comic books. I am leading to the second choice, it accomplished nothing in the development of Batman in the cover and if we erase this storyline from happening, it would change nothing. At least I believe so, I have been wrong before. I just do not think that this was one of Morrison’s better works. I am excited for next month with the return of the Joker. Everyone loves the Joker!

Batman 655 - 657

Batman #655
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Andy Kubert

Grant Morrison begins what will hopefully be an excellent run this issue. He starts a story that may change Batman’s world forever. The idea that Batman had a son with Talia has been around since the son of the demon graphic novel from years ago. DC never stated if it was continuity or not, but now it for sure is. Talia makes sure that Batman knows of his son by sending an army of man-bats after him. Very cool. The only problem I have with the plot is why wouldn’t Talia mention this to Batman before? I hope they explain that. Besides that minor problem, I love this issue. The art is great. There are so many great moments inlcuding the “There goes my vacation” line by Batman and Commisioner Gordon going all joker crazy. I would also like to see what will come of the Joker after being shot point blank in the head.

Batman #656
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Andy Kubert

The battle with the man-bats continues this issue and in the end, Talia leaves Batman with his son. I am starting to wonder if this is a good idea or not, is this truly Bruce’s son? If it is, a lot of things are going to change for Batman. The art continues to impress and I could not wait for the next issue after reading this.

Batman #657
Written by Grant Morrison
Art and Cover by Andy Kubert

We finally get to meet the son of Batman this issue, and he is…well…a real bastard. I really hate this kid. He is just a total dickwad. He murders criminals, incapacitates Robin, and most of all treats Alfred like crap. On top of that, his name is Damien; the most evil name ever. This spoiled little brat steals Jason Todd’s old Robin costume and decides he is going to be the new Robin. This is ironic considering how much Damien reminds me so much of Jason…and I think this was intentional. The art is great once again and this storyline is exciting and suspenceful. Morrison make sure Damien is unlikeable as he could be. Can’t wait for next issue!