Nightwing #50
DC Comics
Written by: Benjamin Percy
Art by: Travis Moore, Chris Mooneyham & Klaus Janson
Colors by: Tamra Bonvillain, Nick Filardi & John Kalisz
Letters by: Carlos M. Mangual
So, we finally got our first look at Ric Grayson.
Like most Nightwing fans, I didn’t like the idea of him going by Ric at all. And, of course, I didn’t like the idea of him being shot in the head, either.
However, Benjamin Percy has started something that I want to see play out in full. Now, Nightwing can go in a few different directions with his life. Though, I think there’s no shot he goes back to being the old Dick Grayson, which might not sit well with fans. But he’s clearly still interested in fighting crime in some capacity, based on the way he talked about his somewhat fresh start at the end of Nightwing #50.
Even before he burned down his old hideout, Grayson had shown he has an itch for the life he used to live – only with more of a degenerate edge to it. He wants to handle things differently. I think that will manifest into something similar to Red Hood from the Rebirth days where he worked under Batman’s rules again. (Makes sense that Scott Lobdell is taking over from issue #51 to #53.)
I still can’t imagine he kills anyone, but who knows with this new approach? Look at how he’s treating Barbara – which is the one thing I’m not a fan of. I recognize he’s going through a lot, and admits he’s moody, but he doesn’t need to be a jerk to the one person who’s actively trying to help him.
At the same time, Batman made a very valid point when he told Barbara, “Maybe it’s better this way. That he should get a fresh start without us.”
That’s really the only way he gets a fresh start, too. Because Dick Grayson always, ALWAYS sacrificed his time for others. By having no one else in his life, he’s finally able to completely do as he wishes, without guilt.
I’m not saying this is 100 percent the Dick Grayson/Nightwing I want now and forever, but this might be a nice change of pace. Even if it only lasts four or five issues.
Score: 9