Convergence is DC Comics’ complicated answer to the simple question of “When can I see my favourite characters again?” Convergence is a dream for long term fans, filled with Easter eggs and references to old stories that you may have not though about for years. For newer fans though, particularly those who’ve grown up with the New 52, Convergence is a chance to explore facets of characters that haven’t been explored in recent story arcs, and that’s why I loved this comic.
Written by Gail Simone, Nightwing and Oracle #1 follows a Gotham from the pre-Flashpoint DCU living under the Dome. Fleshing out some of the concepts from the main Convergence story, the issue explores how the city survived in isolation; saved by Poison Ivy growing food for the populace, as well as how key heroes and villains have taken to their exile. When the Dome falls, and Telos’ tournament begins, Flashpoint Hawkman and Hawkwoman come to claim this Gotham as their own; interrupting a long awaited proposal.
THE POSITIVES
The art in this issues is excellent, and it’s refreshing to see Dick in the blue and black again rather than his New 52 costumes. Oracle being back in the chair is drawn and coloured well too, and the art team do a great job of presenting an older Barbara Gordon than we’ve been seeing in the New 52 Batgirl run.
It’s great to see Simone take back Oracle, and her writing is superb; both in terms of Oracle’s voice, and the plot of the issue.
THE NEGATIVES
To be honest, I didn’t find the interactions between Oracle and Nightwing as moving as they should have been, and to an extent, the characters were written like they didn’t really trust each other. I couldn’t decide whether that was deliberate, and an effort to add to the hopeless, dystopian feel of the setting, or if it was done to allow for future drama, but it just didn’t feel like quite the team up I expected.
THE VERDICT
Despite all that, I loved it, and I loved seeing Dick and Babs together again, even after all this time. I’m very much looking forward to the next issue.
