Blockbuster is gone. Maroni and his gang have been taken in. And someone has to fill the power void in Bludhaven. So who is better than Tony Zucco? It seems Zucco has been let out on parole for good behavior, which doesn’t seem likely, and sees this as a prime opportunity to take control. Nightwing #99 has Tom Taylor partner with Bruno Redondo and Geraldo Borges for one of the strongest issues in the run.
Now, anyone who knows who Dick Grayson is knows his origin story, and right at the center of it is Tony Zucco being the reason Dick became an orphan. Throughout the years since, we’ve seen Dick fight Zucco a handful of times. However, it’s been quite a while since the last time the character appeared. Taylor presents an opportunity here for readers to see what happens when Dick comes across his parents’ murderer. This similarly provides a crossroad for Nightwing to either give into vengeance or leap further into the light.
Tom Taylor is at his best in this issue, writing a high-stakes suspense story with all the elements necessary in a Nightwing book. There are circus elements, grit, and hope. Throughout the story, we see Tony Zucco on a treasure hunt, with Nightwing not too far behind him. As the events unfold, we are reminded that although Dick is one of the world’s greatest heroes, he’s also a human subject to temptation. But rising above isn’t something unfamiliar for Bludhaven’s protector. Taylor seems to have a strong understanding of what separates Nightwing from the other heroes in the DCU, and Nightwing #99 is an example of that.
The artistic team of Bruno Redondo and Geraldo Borges might be one of the best alternating duos in comics right now. What could be said about Bruno Redondo that has not already been said? Redondo is one of the premier artists in the industry for his detailed and vibrant art. Additionally, Geraldo Borges has grown to be one of the most emotive artists who perfectly complements Redondo. It’s reminiscent of Invincible utilizing Cory Walker and Robert Kirkman, and it’s just as much of a treat in Nightwing for readers. Having Caio Filipe and Adriano Lucas on inks and colors is simply the icing on the cake that reinforces why this book is consistently beautiful. Altogether, the artistic team on Nightwing continues to shine.
Nightwing is often written as someone to wear his heart on his sleeve, which simply isn’t true. Dick may have an extraordinary amount of emotional intelligence, but he was raised by Batman and knows how to properly conceal his feelings when necessary. Above all, Dick is calculated and a strategist. This brings up the only gripe I find in the issue. It’s hard to believe Dick would ever rush into a fight without a plan, which has become a common trend in recent times. However, the issue seems to bounce back from this by having a strong outcome that pays off for everyone.
Nightwing #99 is jam-packed with action and adventure that makes it an enjoyable book from start to finish. With seeds planted for the next big arc, readers should buckle up because it seems things will only get more exciting from here. We’re only one issue until the 100th issue of Nightwing, and Taylor clearly has plans for the far future that will keep the series interesting.
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