After a very long break, Tom Taylor successfully kicks off the next arc of Nightwing in issue #106 alongside artist Stephen Byrne. Although this isn’t Byrne’s first time drawing Nightwing (he drew a variant cover for Titans United: Bloodpact), this is his first time working on the character in a more expanded setting. With a new artist to partner with, Tom Taylor delivers an interesting story that will leave readers anxious for the next issue. In addition to the main plot, there is a brief, delightful backup story written by Michael Conrad and Serg Acuña.
The story starts with a flashback to a time not too long ago, the Ric Grayson era. Taylor, who helped spearhead the return of Nightwing from his time as Ric, does an excellent job flashing back to the past while laying the framework for the upcoming arc. Usually, we tend to stroll down memory lane, but in Nightwing #106, the past comes to haunt Nightwing in a very intriguing way. Through the first issue, Taylor successfully weaves the past and present of Nightwing to lead the character into an exciting new direction. The main story also ends on a cliffhanger that will leave many readers confused and eager to find out what happens next.
Stephen Byrne does a great job in his first issue working on Nightwing. The original Ric Grayson era was drawn by a variety of artists but ended with it being drawn by Travis Moore. Whether it’s intentional or not, Byrne parallels Moore in various subtle ways throughout the issue that really make it seem like it’s 2020 again for Nightwing. As always, Adriano Lucas brings that extra level of greatness that he’s been known for. One of my favorite pages is the 16th page, excluding the cover, which depicts a truly spectacular moment. Overall, Byrne does a spectacular job bringing the world of Blüdhaven to life.
In the backup story, Michael Conrad partners with Serg Acuña for a team-up that will make every reader smile. Conrad, who recently worked on the now-completed series Batgirls starring Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, and Barbara Gordon, delivers a very enjoyable story that’s simply wholesome and fun. Acuña has been a rising star at DC, and just recently completed his work on Tim Drake: Robin with another stunning issue. Every page comes to life and is very animated, making for a very fun story. Overall, this short story is a fun filler story that adds growth to some important relationships in Dick Grayson’s life.
Nightwing returns after a two-month hiatus and kicks things off rather well. Both stories successfully deliver a strong narrative that makes for an enjoyable read. Similarly, the issue is beautifully drawn and colored by a great pair of artists and superstar colorist who tackles both stories. Moreover, Nightwing #106 is a can’t-miss issue.
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