Dick Grayson: Robin, Nightwing, Agent of Spyral Appreciation 2018

[Restingvoice]

Well, at one point this design had a very small utility belt (Batman Beyond-ish, again), and that circle was the belt buckle. I dropped the belt (obvs) but I still liked the buckle being there, and I figured if Henry Cavill doesn't need a belt to have a belt buckle, neither does Dick. If you zoom in, you'll see a few seams that work around the buckle to tie it all together a bit more. And the emblem in the middle of it is one he used back in the early 90's so I wanted to work it in. You'll find the same emblem on his boot heel too..

Oh okay. It's kind distracting because it's shiny.

Welp, happened before the Nightwing arc is even finished. Moore is on Batman for an issue.

I was about to say that.

Travis Moore is drawing Batman 62, while Nightwing 56 is drawing by Garry Brown.

I don't know how good artist is Garry Brown. Althougt if he's a really good artist, he will end up in other comic.

Moore originally draw Batman for an issue before working on Nightwing. He's back there because the story is a continuation of that issue.

NIGHTWING #56

written by SCOTT LOBDELL and FABIAN NICIEZA
art by GARRY BROWN
cover by CHRIS MOONEYHAM
variant cover by OTTO SCHMIDT
The Nightwings have been picking up the slack Dick Grayson left behind, making a dent in petty crime and cleaning up the streets of Blüdhaven. But as Scarecrow’s plan comes to fruition, it looks like they may have bitten off more than they can chew…putting Grayson in a position he was not prepared for. One where he may be forced to become a hero once more…
ON SALE 01.09.19
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FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
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LoL 6 issues in and still with Lobdell and this Scarecrow story of somebody’s. Ya, I really don’t think this series is long for this world.

Gosh dang it. Can't they at least wait cancelling double shipping until this farce is done? Monthly will make his return slower.

Since this is the issue where he's reconsidering heroism he better be cured next issue.

[oasis1313]

They at least lasted longer than an arc into that new direction though, LoL.

But ya, I think it’s clear at this point no one involved in this new direction is invested in it, not even management. They’re just buying time till cancellation. That why 6 issues in and the creative team situation is still a joke. Thats why there’s no new costume or anything to go with this. No interviews or anything about the direction. They’re burning this series off.

Darlin' Dan Didio knows there's more ways to bump off a character than crowbars. Looks like he's moving in for the kill.

[DGraysonWorldsGreatestSpy]

Yeah it does seem like cancellation is close since DC management & Tom King have started talking about Dick Grayson the same way they did for Wally West when Barry Allen came back in that since his Batman stories have been told he is a redundant character who should be replaced. Al least Dick does have to contend with someone taking his name and connection as the first Robin as Titans is now streaming and he is featured in so much media he is not going away.

[oasis1313]

Yeah it does seem like cancellation is close since DC management & Tom King have started talking about Dick Grayson the same way they did for Wally West when Barry Allen came back in that since his Batman stories have been told he is a redundant character who should be replaced. Al least Dick does have to contend with someone taking his name and connection as the first Robin as Titans is now streaming and he is featured in so much media he is not going away.

I haven't got much confidence on that. BTW, can I get Titans on Netflix?

[Onthetrapeze]

Yeah it does seem like cancellation is close since DC management & Tom King have started talking about Dick Grayson the same way they did for Wally West when Barry Allen came back in that since his Batman stories have been told he is a redundant character who should be replaced. Al least Dick does have to contend with someone taking his name and connection as the first Robin as Titans is now streaming and he is featured in so much media he is not going away.

I don't know, maybe Fabian Nicieza is a sign that the editors are still trying to save the book. Otherwise they could just leave it to Lobdell to do whatever he wants.

[Starrius]

Yeah it does seem like cancellation is close since DC management & Tom King have started talking about Dick Grayson the same way they did for Wally West when Barry Allen came back in that since his Batman stories have been told he is a redundant character who should be replaced..

Then that is all the more reason to keep Dick far away from the Batman world and let him be his own man.

He could do that as just Nightwing in Bludhaven
He can also do that as leader of the Titans

Let him get out of Batman's shadow once and for all.
Stop pushing him backwards.

[Konja7]

He can also do that as leader of the Titans.

It's possible this will be the future plans for Dick, he as leader of Titans (as only book).

It will force Dick fans to buy the Titans comics to follow his story. This is what DC did with Tim in New 52 (his Red Robin comic was dropping in sales) and Damian.

[Restingvoice]

Travis said on Twitter that "I'm just on the first half. Garry Brown is on the second half, but he did an awesome job as well."

[oasis1313]

It's possible this will be the future plans for Dick, he as leader of Titans (as only book).

It will force Dick fans to buy the Titans comics to follow his story. This is what DC did with Tim in New 52 (his Red Robin comic was dropping in sales) and Damian.

Dick's been kicked out of the Titans book in favor of Kyle Radner. He looks like he's being phased out, unless there's something long-term (which is doubtful unless it's Superman, Batman, or Wonder Woman). Fabian is the only good news. He really cares about his characters, he's a great writer, and he has a good heart.

[Shadow Myyst]

Travis said on Twitter that "I'm just on the first half. Garry Brown is on the second half, but he did an awesome job as well."

I've checked out Garry's art on insta. While I believe no artist is bad as I wish I could draw half as good as any of them. But Garry is less Nightwing and more dark gritty shadowy which is what we don't want-downgrade. And that Blüdhaven being as bad as Gotham line from the preview rubbed me the wrong way; might also be a sign they won't even try to make tech, casino, tourist town Blüd and just revert it back to Dixon Blüd plain ol' knockoff Gotham-downgrade.

I feel when no one clearly knows what to do with a character they should pay people to look at forums like these and get off their high horse and make an effort to better a character instead of constantly tearing down and starting completely over again. And again.

[oasis1313]

I've checked out Garry's art on insta. While I believe no artist is bad as I wish I could draw half as good as any of them. But Garry is less Nightwing and more dark gritty shadowy which is what we don't want-downgrade. And that Blüdhaven being as bad as Gotham line from the preview rubbed me the wrong way; might also be a sign they won't even try to make tech, casino, tourist town Blüd and just revert it back to Dixon Blüd plain ol' knockoff Gotham-downgrade.

I feel when no one clearly knows what to do with a character they should pay people to look at forums like these and get off their high horse and make an effort to better a character instead of constantly tearing down and starting completely over again. And again.

I would say they should look at these forums and get a feel for what the paying customers want.

[Restingvoice]

I've checked out Garry's art on insta. While I believe no artist is bad as I wish I could draw half as good as any of them. But Garry is less Nightwing and more dark gritty shadowy which is what we don't want-downgrade. And that Blüdhaven being as bad as Gotham line from the preview rubbed me the wrong way; might also be a sign they won't even try to make tech, casino, tourist town Blüd and just revert it back to Dixon Blüd plain ol' knockoff Gotham-downgrade.

I checked it out. Tonally he fits a Scarecrow story.

[Badou]

Dick's had a solo book for over 2 decades consistently. I don't see them stopping that. The current book will end and it will get relaunched with whatever new direction they decide to go with after this amnesia story ends (I'd still put money on them making him a cop again), but I don't have any confidence that direction will be interesting. Nothing so far from DC shows they have a plan or care.

As for the Titans book I'd be fine with Dick moving on for good from it. The adult Titans franchise is a dumpster fire and has been for a long time. There is nothing of value to be had there with the adult Titans as a team in the DCU, but DC will do the same with Nightwing and probably end it soon and then relaunch it. Then drag Dick back to that slog of a franchise to continue to be useless. They will never be part of the JL and continue to look down by them while also being too old to tell proper Titans stories with the team. It is a concept that has no base for success other than people continue to buying it for name recognition.

[oasis1313]

Why bother relaunching it if The Publisher hates the character and wants it dead? Having a job is all about pleasing your boss.

I would probably use the Batman Inc idea to set up Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian, Cass, Duke, and Steph in large cities around the world as "agents of the bat". They would operate independently with plenty of local color, especially in hot spots, and they would protect their cities as they see fit. Batman has branded his values into all of them and he would trust them would establish their activities. Then they can all fly back to Gotham for holidays. That would bring them all out of Bruce's shadow; maybe pair up Dick & Damian in London, and Tim & Steph in Istanbul or something like that. Put them all far enough away that they can be their own persons once they've got the skills and maturity.

I'd also have a "Batman Family" book with a different focus that previously. While Batman has his own books where he is a loner/dark avenger/blah blah blah, the Batman Family book would be a standalone book, much lighter in tone, where he would be the patriarch of the family he has assembled for himself. The emphasis would be on the family; they might take on complicated missions together or they might have a camping trip or any sort of adventure. This book would explore the relationships of the Bat Family with each other, and have fun doing it.

It would be good, too, to stop comparing the Robins as in the Dick is the Acrobat Bimbo, Tim is the Supergenius, Jason is the Renegade, Steph is The Blonde sort of thing. It's lazy. Basically, if you've been raised and trained by The Batman, you're smarter and tougher than anybody else in whatever company you're keeping.

And maybe it's time to meta up more sidekicks than Duke.

[Ascended]

Dick's had a solo book for over 2 decades consistently. I don't see them stopping that. The current book will end and it will get relaunched with whatever new direction they decide to go with after this amnesia story ends (I'd still put money on them making him a cop again), but I don't have any confidence that direction will be interesting. Nothing so far from DC shows they have a plan or care.

As for the Titans book I'd be fine with Dick moving on for good from it. The adult Titans franchise is a dumpster fire and has been for a long time. There is nothing of value to be had there with the adult Titans as a team in the DCU, but DC will do the same with Nightwing and probably end it soon and then relaunch it. Then drag Dick back to that slog of a franchise to continue to be useless. They will never be part of the JL and continue to look down by them while also being too old to tell proper Titans stories with the team. It is a concept that has no base for success other than people continue to buying it for name recognition.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see a wait between cancellation and relaunch (even the Fantastic Four weren't immune to that), but otherwise I do agree with you. DC's being very, very frustrating and I find it easy to be pessimistic about things these days (us Wingnuts have just been getting beat on since Infinite Crisis, right?), but Nightwing is one of DC's most consistent selling titles, and while it doesn't sell like the Trinity and League books, it's one of the best sellers among the rest of the line. From what I hear anyway, I haven't paid much attention to sales figures in quite a while. Assuming that'st the case (correct me if I'm wrong Im too lazy to Google) keeping the book around isn't just smart business, it's blindingly obvious business. I know Didio hates Dick, but I can't imagine that he would be dense enough to remove Nightwing over a personal bias.