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Nightwing #96
- Writer:
- Tom Taylor
- Artist:
- Bruno Redondo, Caio Filipe
- Letterer:
- Wes Abbott
- Cover Artist:
- Bruno Redondo
- Publisher:
- DC
- Price:
- $3.99
- Release Date:
- 2022-09-20
- Colorist:
- Adriano Lucas
Since setting foot in Bludhaven, Nightwing has been fighting its corrupt police force and going toe-to-toe with its beating criminal heart, the Blockbuster. Meanwhile, as Dick Grayson, he has built a safe haven in honor of Alfred Pennyworth for the city's at-risk children while welcoming people in need, in stark contrast to Roland's crumbling empire. The war comes to a head when Nightwing and his half-sister, Mayor Melinda Zucco, expose Commissioner Maclean and his goons, which causes a major setback to Blockbuster's operations and leaves him without political impunity. Tom Taylor finally lifts the lid off this cooking pot in DC's Nightwing #96, with artists Bruno Redondo, Caio Filipe, Adriano Lucas, and letterer Wes Abbott adding their herbs and spices for the simmering final touch.
Nightwing #96 opens with Haven on fire, a retaliation from Blockbuster as Nightwing's friends take down the crime kingpin's multiple illicit activities across the city. The two nemeses stand before each other in a burning library, clenching their fists when Nightwing's cowl comes off in the ensuing tussle. For the first time, Blockbuster looks upon the face behind his recent miseries and is shocked to learn that both thorns at his side are but one person. Barbara tries to send help, but Nightwing chooses to handle the situation alone. For far too long, he has put this bout on hold, and now, he has the perfect chance to unleash his vengeance upon the man who rots the city's faith in its institutions.
The fire that started the wave of change in Bludhaven and lit the animosity between Nightwing and Blockbuster ablaze now engulfs the characters in its most destructive form. Writer Tom Taylor effortlessly incorporates the intensity of the struggle into the storytelling, reciprocating the exchange of blows with a similar exchange of words, with Grayson delivering a select choice of scathing remarks as punchlines to his every punch. The torrid affair does not end with the decisive battle as the story gathers steam for a final sucker punch in the most satisfying way that rewards the readers for their patronage. As the dust settles, Taylor cannot help but indulge in his knack for creating wholesome moments in the most intimate, quiet corners of the book.
Artist Bruno Redondo runs the show from start to finish like a spectacular ring match exuding off-the-charts machismo, with muscles contracting visibly and joints cracking menacingly at the faceoff. Redondo's sleek, minimalistic line work adds a litheness to the acrobatic protagonist, and Caio Filipe's inks bring out the animalistic wrath of the brutish antagonist. Like a flipbook of well-choreographed dance, the artwork frames each movement to make the reader feel the animation behind the pictures. Meanwhile, colorist Adriano Lucas is the mastermind behind the vibrant tones, which amp up the visuals to reflect the book's varying moods. His use of Ben-Day dots for shading and simulating depth is inspired work that shows the boundless possibilities of simple techniques.
Nightwing #96 turns the tide of the war in this lethal match-up between David and Goliath as the fast and furious tale brings a gripping, long-running arc to a close. But fire and knuckle-dusting action are not the only priorities in this issue. Thematically, it is about hearts - the bleeding heart of a hero inspiring a whole city to rise against corruption or someone like the serial killer, Heartless, making a timely cameo to pick a new victim. And then there is the matter of two hearts beating as one. Nightwing #96 teaches the titular character a thing or two about life and love, giving fans what they've been waiting for.