Nightwing left off with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger last month when Ric Grayson drove up drove up in a taxi and parked right next to Dick. This confusion is quickly resolved as Tom Taylor and guest artist Daniele Di Nicuolo set up a brief interlude from the drama around last issue’s mob chase.
Nightwing #98 opens with someone named Olivia being told her time is almost up. It’s an eerie introduction to the issue that immediately raises the stakes. Who is this girl and who is after her? Those questions are consequentially answered in the story, but one thing’s for sure: we know who’s likely to be saving her.
Why is Ric Grayson here, though? All is answered as we discover Nightwing has a superfan. Specifically one from the fifth dimension. After a sequence that feels a bit like a forced attempt to break the fourth wall, we find out what brings Nite-Mite to our pages today. Nite-Mite isn’t all too different from our friend Bat-Mite, although he’s arguably less intrusive. Coincidentally, this seems like the first issue that has the prime focus on Dick and his role as a hero.
DC Comics
Before starting the series, Tom Taylor made a point to mention his belief that Dick Grayson is an A-lister hero alongside the likes of Batman and Superman. However, much of this series has had Dick collaborating with friends and family. Given that, it’s nice to see Dick remind readers, and himself, that he’s awesome. It seems like Taylor hasn’t forgotten that statement and utilizes a fun story to reinforce Nightwing’s capabilities as a hero.
Guest artist Daniele Di Nicuolo works with Adriano Lucas in this issue, and the two make quite the pair. Nightwing has had spectacular art since the start of Taylor’s run, with a variety of artists sharing the role with Bruno Redondo, and Di Nicuolo continues a trend. In an issue with a combination of sharp action and animated facial expressions, the story feels quite energetic. Adriano Lucas continues to bring vibrant color to the story with masterful colors.
The main downside of this issue is it a couple of pages are dedicated to making a few jokes that may miss the mark for some readers. Depending on one’s level of investment in the characters involved, it’s one that may seem a bit unnecessary. Sometimes breaking the fourth wall can be fun and lighthearted; other times, a light jab might leave a bad taste in the mouth.
With an upcoming annual exploring the origin of Heartless, Nightwing #98 is a fun side step before whatever story Taylor has planned next. Di Nicuolo can liven the story up with his lively art. It’s uncertain whether Nite-Mite will make another cameo appearance in the future, so it’s a rather accessible story without much prior reading required. Nightwing #98 mostly stands on its own, making it an enjoyable done-in-one issue.
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