Batman’s protege is out on his own. In this issue, he has to deal with being framed by some of his fellow police officers.
General Information
Title: Nightwing: The Target
Credited to: Chuck Dixon, Scott McDaniel, Aaron Sowd, Dave Stewart
Original Publication Date: 2001
Cover Price: $5.95 US, $9.95 Can
Premise
Dick Grayson, having outgrown his role as Robin, has moved to the town
of Bludhaven to work as a vigilante under the name Nightwing. In his
day job, he’s one of the few straight cops in a crooked precinct, and
some of his co-workers frame him for a murder.
High Point
The outcome of the interview with Miller’s employer.
Low Point
Finding the needed witnesses seemed too easy. I suspect that’s due to
the 48 page space limit. I certainly prefer the longer stories.
The Scores
This felt original to me as a comic book, as I haven’t read
many crime comics. The superhero is a normal human doing abnormal
things, and the story wasn’t about a supervillain. I give it 5 out of
6.
The artwork seems to have the same problems as much of the
other DC stuff I’ve read. The details are sometimes sparse, and the
faces are often cartoony. Either I’m getting used to it, or it’s not
as much of a problem here as it is in the other titles I’ve read. I
give it 4 out of 6.
The story was rushed in places (including the low point, and
a case of excellent instincts that led him to the drug dealer’s
hideout.) It fit together well, and it was certainly interesting, but
it could have used another ten or so pages to really put things
together in a little more plausible fashion. I give it 5 out of 6.
The characterization is one-dimensional for all but two
characters. Dick Grayson and his partner are the exceptions. I’ve
never read any comic with Dick Grayson before, but I got a distinct
sense that he’s trying to work differently than he did under Batman to
make his own name, but he is still hounded by Batman’s legacy. It
felt almost like he didn’t know how to let go, even though he thinks
he wants to. I liked that quite a bit, and I might end up getting
more Nightwing stuff because of it. I give it 5 out of 6.
The emotional response this produced was fairly good. I
liked the story, but some moments just seemed so easy that it pushed
me out. I certainly like this crimefighting style, though. I give it
4 out of 6.
The flow was very well done. Battles had little, if any
conversation, and the action was drawn well enough to flow from one
panel to the next very well. I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, this was an enjoyable issue, and it sold me on the
character. The Ultimate and Essential lines have been keeping me
pretty busy so far, but I’ll get more Nightwing stuff in the next slow
month. I give it 5 out of 6, despite the fact that it felt rushed.
In total, I give Nightwing: The Target 33 out of 42.