NIGHTWING #6

[ NIGHTWING SALE ] 

Will Dick discover that he has been duped? Or better yet figure out that he's just pooped? Well that's what Raya told me - after she sat on my knee - and gave me some very bad soup. And that's the story I'm sticking too! So there, Writer: Kyle Higgins; Artist: Eddy Barrows; and Publisher: DC Comics in March 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Yep! I'm afraid to say that this issue of Nightwing, entitled 'Good Girl Gone Bad', is one full of concern, surprise, planning, and a punch. Oh! And of course, a question for good measure. 

CONCERN: Obviously Nightwing is concerned that his nemesis, Saiko, has not tried to attack him within the last couple of weeks. Moreover, he is also perplexed when a 'booking agent' tells him that Saiko's motivations are purely personal.

SURPRISE: When Raya tells Dick that Haly's Circus is going to commemorate the death of his parents by returning to Gotham City, and holding a gala event there, you can safely say that he is quite surprised.

PLANNING: Once back at Gotham, Dick does whatever he can to either stop this show from commencing, or installing preventative methods to keep Saiko out of the circus. Alfred thinks that this is a good idea.

PUNCH: Poor Nightwing, if it wasn't bad enough that Saiko attacks him on the night of his parent's anniversary, worst still, Saiko unveils who he really is - Raymond.

QUESTION: Who will survive the explosion that Saiko suddenly sets off in the circus?

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I found it funny when Nighthwing had that 'booking agent' hanging upside down from outside a building in the pouring rain, and him saying to this fiend "A contract killer - goes by the name of Saiko. I hear that you know him. Tell me how. Preferably before all this rain gives us both a cold".

Nice statement - because it was caring, considerate, and blunt at the same time, ha!

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Personally speaking, I am somewhat relieved that the 'grander arc' has started to progress more fully in this issue than it did in the previous two. Plus, I did not mind the 'excuse given' as to why there was this 'delay' either - i.e. waiting for Dick to return to Gotham City - very pat, heee! 

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

Only two slight niggles all in all with this yarn. Firstly, I wasn't that keen about how the 'reveal' was made - whose Raymond? And why should we care? Secondly, that slight segway where Nightwings 'club' has been found on the street by the police, did feel slightly disjointed to me, because I was not sure if it was relating to this arc, or another one that will come after.  

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: I love the whole 'travelling with the circus' vibe that this book has at the moment. I found that it has given Nightwing the platform to be more of a 'travelling hero' rather than a 'Gotham player'.

Also, I did find it amusing that Dick wasn't really treated with the proper respect by his fellow performers, which was highlighted when they pushed him into the ring. Very boisterous.

ART: Eddie Barrows artwork on this book is simply amazing. In many ways his style reminds me of Alan Davis meets George Perez, particularly in the faces and the angles he chooses to illustrate the characters from.

My favourite panel in this issue is when Nightwing is in the rain and interrogating that trussed up bad-guy - very 'Batman' in pose.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

RAYA: Well, I am sure that you would agree with me when I say that 'That 70's Show', Donna Pinciotti, would look very good in a leotard. Plus she does possess all of the discernable attributes that this duplicitous acrobat has (i.e. she has red hair).

RAYMOND: Primarily due to the fact that he looks like a chap who could easily blow up a circus, I would have to say that 'CSI: NY' Eddie Cahill to be none other than Saiko himself. 

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

On The Anniversary OF His Parents Death, Dick Grayson Is Going To Have A Explosive Time Under The Big-Top.

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

I tried my best to put off this movie reference for quite sometime now, but I do feel that the Elvis film 'It Happened at the World's Fair ' does have a similar jovial and serious tone than this comic book possesses. Here, check this out to see what I mean...

FINAL thoughts...

Well, as it's finally coming up the end of the first story arc, I have to state for the record that this series isn't that bad at the moment. Granted, it does flimflam in places. But the current creative team is good, although the series direction isn't definite yet. Agreed? 

MARKS out of 10? 8.5