Nightwing #21 Review

NIGHTWING #21

by Kyle Higgins and Brett Booth

The best moment of the issue:

Prankster: "That's your plan?!"

Nightwing: "I know, isn't it great?"

So, Nightwing #21 is the best issue of the series so far. The last 3 issues of the series have turned up the quality so far, it feels like a completely different writer behind the wheel. Higgins, as always nails the multiple voices, the story's tone and the plotting. Some of the most interesting scenes in the issue come in the form of Dick's actions. Throughout the issue, he finds himself crossing lines he didn't know he could. He's growing as a character, and the story is getting pretty intense. Higgins opens the book with a surprisingly disturbing scene, and then gets back to the action in grand style. The Prankster makes for a great anti-hero (I'm not going to use the word villain, because he's not a villain), as Nightwing's foil. The series is being taken in a new direction, and it's perfect.

While I'm still not a fan of Brett Booth's art, I will admit, I'm actually starting to warm up to him. He's perfect for this. The vibrant colors, the energy and the detail he brings to the pages just work. The only problem here is that is light-hearted style doesn't fit the opening scene.

It's simple. While Marvel has Hawkeye, DC has Green Arrow. Marvel has Dark Avengers, DC has Suicide Squad. And now, Marvel has Daredevil and DC has Nightwing. That's right. The series that started out as nothing more than an okay-at-best comic, has become a book just as good as an Eisner nominee. Thank you Higgins/Booth. 

STORY: 5/5

+ Interesting twists and turns

+ The Prankster is very interesting

+ Nightwing is a very developed character

+ Good pacing

+ The dialogue is well done

ART: 4/5

+ Vibrant and energetic

+ Suits the mood (for the most part)

- Does not fit the opening scene

- Personally, still not the biggest fan of his art

VERDICT: 4.5/5