Review: Nightwing #120
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Dan Watters
Art: Dexter Soy
Colors: Veronica Gandini
Letters: Wes Abbott
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Nightwing shares his fear that Spheric Solutions is behind the trouble in Bludhaven with his sister and mayor, Melinda. But, it’s not in time to stop the Bludhaven PD from deploying the Helios Officers using the Spheric Tech!
Positives
Writing good comics isn’t as difficult as it seems. Understand the character, write the character, throw in some personal moments and action each issue and touch on socially relevant topics sometimes…when it fits and it doesn’t consume the story and come before the character. The Bronze Age did this really well. I’d hate to call it a formula, but it is in the best way possible. Devising interesting plots may be the hardest part (unless you don’t know the character!). Nightwing #120 demonstrates that Dan Watters knows how to write good comics.
Watters understands Dick’s character. He does it not only through Nightwing’s actions and dialogue, but also through what Oracle and Olivia Pearce of Spheric Solutions say and observe about Nightwing. Getting a character right and writing character driven stories comes first in comics. These are recurring characters that readers like, because they like WHO they are and WHAT they stand for and the RELATIONSHIPS they have. If you don’t want to write a particular character, then don’t, do not destroy that character to reinvent them YOUR way. This is what’s difficult, bringing something new, introducing organic change while staying true to the character.
Dexter Soy provides dynamic action and a great sense of space in these moments. He also adds to the drama and tension with his facial expressions on all the characters. It’s as important as an actor being able to “face act,” and Soy does a great job communicating what he needs to in order to tell this story visually.
Watters wraps up Nightwing #120 with a socially relevant theme as well as a surprising twist about one of the gangs in Bludhaven. This ups the ante as they say and also connects what’s going on with the gangs to Dick on a more personal level. Spheric Solutions is even giving me a little Sunderland Corporation vibe, as well. A nice nod to Bronze Age Swamp Thing comics.
Negatives
It’s hard to find a negative here. Maybe some of Nightwing’s quips are a little off, maybe TOO much…but, if so it is a small complaint.
Verdict
Nightwing #120 is a great second issue from this creative team. Taylor and Redondo are a hard act to follow, but so far so good. Nightwing remains one of DC’s best books, and Watters and Soy may be going a bit above their predecessors in the action department. Definitely check out Nightwing!
