Connect with us
Nightwing #36 Review

Comic Books

Nightwing #36 Review

The Judge’s plans come closer to fruition.

[amazon_link asins=’B077F5HPVF’ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’601fb54a-ecf6-11e7-8c12-a5e7bf17e2eb’]

The last issue of Nightwing introduced a new creative team to the series, as well as a new antagonist named The Judge. I thought that the new team showed a lot of promise, but I wasn’t sold on the The Judge. Does Nightwing #36 keep up the good work, and does it flesh out the new villain in a satisfying way?

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

As with the last issue, the art here is fantastic. Bernard Chang keeps up a great and consistent level of detail in his line-work, and he’s particularly skilled at rendering characters’ emotions through their facial expressions. Even more impressive are some of his compositional choices; there are a lot of pages here that I don’t think could have possibly been organized any better in terms of fitting their plot contents and leading the reader’s eye.

The strongest page in the issue is a splash page in which Nightwing stands in the middle of a monastery, surrounded by dead victims of the Judge. The ground around Dick is covered in blood, bodies, and broken glass. As if the image weren’t cool enough already, moonlight is also streaming in through a hole in the monastery’s stained glass window, illuminating Nightwing at the image’s center. Speaking of lighting, colorist Marcelo Maiolo continues to amaze. His neon vision of Blüdhaven is one I hope we’ll get to see for a long time.

I’m happy to say that, for the most part, this issue’s writing is stronger than than the last’s. It wasn’t bad last issue, but it didn’t grab my attention to the same degree. Writer Sam Humphries is getting a solid handle on his voice for Nightwing, and I haven’t been this impressed by Dick’s dialogue and thought captions in roughly twenty issues. The Judge is also coming into his own as a more interesting villain. While I still don’t love the character, I am becoming more intrigued by his criminal strategy and running theme of fulfilling victims’ deepest desires…in horrible ways, of course. The character Guppy continues to be a standout as well.

Nightwing #36 Review

The Judge is starting to come into his own a bit more, and the artwork here is really nice as well.

My biggest qualm with this issue pertains to a specific scene in which Dick goes looking for clues as to the Judge’s whereabouts. While doing so, he attacks some criminals we’ve never seen before…for seemingly no reason. The different criminals don’t have designs that would imply inherent association with each other, much less with the Judge. One of the characters in question ended up providing Nightwing with information, but what of the others who Dick punched without cause, and who knew nothing about what was going on? Do we need to make up a term for the superhero equivalent of police brutality? (I suppose just “brutality” works.) I don’t know if, as a reader, I’m supposed to be okay with Nightwing punching any criminal at any time, or if the writing is just taking some context for granted as opposed to actually providing it. Either way, it’s a major blight on an otherwise really strong issue. Here’s hoping such behavior from the titular character doesn’t become a recurring problem.

[amazon_link asins=’B077F5HPVF’ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’601fb54a-ecf6-11e7-8c12-a5e7bf17e2eb’]

Overall, Nightwing #36 is another strong showing from the series’ new creative team. Art-wise, the page compositions and neon coloration really make Blüdhaven come alive. Narratively, the Judge is starting to become more interest, Guppy continues to be a promising new cast member, and Humphries’ take on Dick is mostly solid. The issue (and characterization’s) main problem is just the aforementioned scene in which Dick acts less like a superhero and more like an out-of-line cop. As long as that sort of thing doesn’t recur, I’m still feeling excited for what this creative team will bring to the title across their run. Here’s hoping Nightwing continues to be a good as these last two issues have been.

Nightwing #36 Review
Nightwing #36
Is it good?
With the exception of one specific scene, this is a strong issue that showcases the new creative team's solid grasp on the titular character.
The compositions throughout are impressive
The coloration is also fantastic
The Judge gets a bit more fleshing out
Nightwing crosses a major moral line and it's not acknowledged at all
8
Good

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024 'My Adventures with Superman' gets new comics series starting June 2024

‘My Adventures with Superman’ gets new comics series starting June 2024

Comic Books

'X-Men' #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age 'X-Men' #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age

‘X-Men’ #35 (LGY #700) is the final farewell to the Krakoan Age

Comic Books

New DC Black Label 'Zatanna: Bring Down the House' out June 25th New DC Black Label 'Zatanna: Bring Down the House' out June 25th

New DC Black Label ‘Zatanna: Bring Down the House’ out June 25th

Comic Books

DC Preview: Action Comics #1063 DC Preview: Action Comics #1063

DC Preview: Action Comics #1063

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup