Review: Nightwing #61

“City Ablaze” – Conclusion
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Ronan Cliquet
Color Artist: Nick Filardi
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Review by Steve J. Ray
Nightwing #61 is another solid issue from the brilliant mind of Dan Jurgens and the shining pen of new Nightwing artist, Ronan Cliquet. The creature known as Backburn has struck again, and Bludhaven is in flames. Only Ric Grayson and the team of cops, who have donned his costumes to become a team of Nightwings, can save the city.
In the space of three issues this series has gone from being consistently good to jumping right back onto my list of favorites. Dan Jurgens’ history with DC, his knowledge of, and love for, all these characters leaps of the page. He gets Dick Ric Grayson and confirms what I’ve been saying all along. Even without the memories of his heroic past, Grayson’s soul is the soul of a hero. Amnesia may have wiped away his heroic memories, but nothing can quiet a heroic spirit.

Hearts On Fire

The disparate story threads, characters and situations left by former writers Benjamin Percy, Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza and Zack Kaplan have been pulled together by a comics veteran. The way that Dan Jurgens has fleshed out the new Nightwings, developed their personalities and back-stories is really impressive. I’ve liked these characters from the get-go, but now I truly understand them.
Artist Ronan Cliquet’s Nightwing debut is an impressive one. This is a gentleman who has been drawing comics professionally from the tender age of 17, he’s worked for independent publishers and also the big two. His style, while not yet quite as polished as that of Travis Moore, is certainly reminiscent of it. Having the benefit of veteran Nightwing color artist Nick Filardi to help readers with the transition also helps. Once again I’m saying that this series needs a permanent art team, and if Mr. Cliquet is free, I’d be very happy if he took the job on.
Yes, Nick Filardi is on fire… please pardon the pun. He and letterer, AndWorld Design, give this series a really distinctive feel. Previous artists Chris Mooneyham and Travis Moore could not have more different styles, but Nick Filardi’s colors have really given the book a sense of identity. AndWorld’s clever and distinctive lettering, which lets us know which Nightwing is speaking to us, is terrific.

Conclusion

Nightwing #61 delivered a strong and conclusive ending, but left us with a tantalising tease for what’s to follow: The Year Of The Villain is upon us. How will this event affect Mr. Grayson and the Nightwings? Join me back here in four weeks, and we can find out together.
Images Courtesy Of DC Entertainment


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