[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Bruno Redondo
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

There’s more to last issue’s celebration of Dick Grayson…and none of the Bat-family sees it coming.  Heartless enacts his plan to take down Dick Grayson!

Positives

For a while, comic writers have been accused of writing for the trade.  Single issues when collected in these trades are called graphic novels sometimes, despite not being conceived as such.  However, with Nightwing #114 it’s clear that Tom Taylor has constructed his run on Nightwing like a novel.  The theme of Heartless has run throughout while Taylor developed his cast of characters with their own stories along the way.  Heartless is still around and Dick Grayson’s journey under Taylor is inextricably linked with Heartless.  He’s not just an adversary or danger from which Bludhaven must be saved, Heartless is in some ways the opposite of Dick Grayson.  As long as this idea isn’t overused it can be very effective, perhaps one remembers Mike W. Barr and Michael Golden’s Batman Special #1 from 1984 with the story “The Player on the Other Side.”  Nightwing 2022 Annual recounted much of Heartless’ backstory that explores the similarities between Dick and Heartless.  This adds a cohesiveness to the run as well a through line.

Even though most of the recent issues of Nightwing have been illustrated by some fine comic book artists, it’s great to have Bruno Redondo back on art chores for the entire issue.  It’s not just his look, or ability to communicate with characters’ expressions, but his layouts and dramatic choices.  An early two-page spread is a great demonstration of this.  It’s great storytelling!

There are lots of character moments peppered throughout Nightwing #114 that range from Dick’s good heart, the lovely and infectious dynamic between Dick and Babs, and the way Bruce Wayne views his family.  This was on display in the emotionally moving Nightwing #100, and it’s echoed here.  It’s one of the consistent aspects of the series that have made it a fan favorite.  

Negatives

It’s hard to find a negative with this issue.  It is slightly surprising for the meat of this issue that Taylor takes us back to Dick’s celebration from last issue, whilst only teasing what comes next on the opening pages.  It remains to be seen how well this storytelling technique works for “Fallen Grayson.”

Verdict

Nightwing #114 is a solid start to Taylor and Redondo’s final story arc.  It includes many of the elements that have made their run successful over the past three years.  Redondo is in fine form as he returns to the title and the story points towards a big wrap up for what comes across as a longform graphic novel.

The post Review: Nightwing #114 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Travis Moore
Art: Travis Moore
Colors: Alex Guimares and Ivan Plascencia
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

We already learned there was more to Bea Bennett.  Now learn her full secret history and what she shares with Dick Grayson! An espionage rollercoaster!

Positives

Fleshing out Bea Bennet is a great idea after revealing her pirate past in Nightwing #106.  Travis Moore puts a lot of hard work developing the script as well as the art.  He utilizes a lot of elements from Dick Grayson’s past to create the story.  As a longform espionage story there are lots of twists and turns and they utilize this aspect of the genre well.

The strongest part of Bea’s past is her time with the Quartermaster, something we’ve know for a while.  Nightwing 2024 Annual provides some context.  Showing that Bea and Dick were both taken in as orphans and adopted by someone to care for them is an enjoying parallel.  While this story doesn’t give full closure for Bea, it does demonstrate that she’s got a separate life beyond her relationship with Dick when he was “Ric” Grayson.

Negatives

Bea Bennet’s story in Nightwing 2024 Annual doesn’t have enough space to be effective.  It’s understandable that this wasn’t going to play out over a five year period in an ongoing series, but it has that sort of scope.  Because of this, a lot of the twists and turns feel forced.  It also doesn’t provide enough space to connect readers with Bea outside of being “Ric’s” girlfriend.  The pieces of that puzzle are there, but this story has so much that it is told too quickly to be effective.

This leads to the connected places in Bea and Dick’s lives being a bit contrived.  Moore works in a lot of intersections and parallels that would be more effective in a story that had more space and/ or was a different set of characters.  One of the things that’s lost by giving Bea such a circuitous backstory is that is eliminates the sweeter moments of her romance with “Ric.”  Bea is no longer “just a girl” that he meets, she’s someone there specifically to watch him.  It’s contrived.

The speed at which the twists come down the stretch of the narrative make it difficult to focus on what’s happening.  There’s not enough time for the impact to be meaningful.  This makes the ending feel rushed.  The first half of the story is paced a bit better.

Verdict

While Nightwing 2024 Annual has some interesting ideas, the pacing of the story and amount of twists make it difficult to create the right connection with Bea.  The idea of giving her her own story is solid, but it would’ve been stronger if the tale had been centered around her and the Quartermaster instead of turning her into a near super-spy.  The story is unbalanced with too much plot and not enough of Bea herself. The art is strong and Moore’s effort on the project is clear.

The post Review: Nightwing 2024 Annual #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writers: Tom Taylor and Michael W. Conrad
Art: Sami Basri, Vicente Cifuentes and Francesco Francavilla
Colors: Adriano Lucas and Francesco Francavilla
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Gotham City: Batman investigates a murder with an M.O. that matches Heartless and the Dark Knight calls in Nightwing to help…and more begins to feel familiar as the investigation begins.

Positives

Tom Taylor is playing the long game with Heartless.  I don’t think he’s writing for the omnibus, but I think he’s got a long plan for Nightwing that casts Heartless as not just a “big bad,” but a thematic opposite of Dick Grayson.  It seems likely that Taylor saw the interruptions in the series over the past couple years, “Beast World,” “Knight Terrors,” “Fear State,” etc…, and planned the long story with this in mind.  Nightwing #111 brings Heartless back into play, but also includes a smaller story that allows Taylor to focus on Dick’s relationship with Bruce and related themes of adoption and being an orphan.  The moments between Dick and Bruce are particularly strong and it succeeds in focusing the issue on character.  Along these lines, Taylor also settles any lingering Bea vs. Babs questions with a caring question from Bruce, and insightful but straightforward answer from Dick.

This provides Nightwing #111 to include some touching moments from Dick’s childhood in parallel as a comparison to Heartless’ past which we first saw back in Nightwing Annual 2022.  These plot lines point to a larger scope that promises Heartless to become a true epic as well as developing Heartless into Nightwing’s true opposite number.

The back up story takes the reader on a journey deep into the past of Dick Grayson’s family.  The art by Francesco Francavilla provides the atmosphere that one expects in his work.  It pairs well with the period nature of the story and whets the appetite for something from Dick’s family’s past.

Negatives

It would be nice to have Bruno Redondo back on this title.  He’s still providing covers, but his art has been a big part of this series and his work is missed here. 

Verdict

Nightwing #111 feels like a return of sort.  The plot gets back to Heartless which brings the reader back to where Tom Taylor’s run began back with Nightwing #78.  Perhaps, Taylor has moved past the events which have been interrupting the DC Universe and Dick Grayson will soon face off against Heartless in a definitive if not final confrontation.

The post Review: Nightwing #111 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writers: Tom Taylor and Michael W. Conrad
Art: Stephen Byrne and Serg Acuna
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Dick and Bea head off on board her ship only to run into more trouble and betrayal than can be imagined!  It’s a pirates life!

Positives

Tom Taylor goes into a direction you don’t see coming in Nightwing #108.  There have already been surprises with Bea Bennett’s revelation as Captain Blud, but there’s even more.  It’s not fair to give away spoilers  in this review, but there are some surprising developments.  We will have to say that the surprises are not only unexpected, but quite engaging.

The pace of the plot itself is surprising as well, I certainly didn’t think things would develop this quickly.  This makes it possible for this arc to have some more turns in it.  One of the major developments really gets to the heart of Dick Grayson’s character and his relationships with other.  It’s has the possibility to go really complex and at the same time change the direction of the series depending on how it all plays out.  It’s not entirely clear how much misdirection there is.

Nightwing #108 also concludes the back up tale by Michael W. Conrad.  The first two instalments from the previous two issues are neatly tied up with this third and final chapter.  The conclusion is heartwarming and it, along with a far reach back into Bat-history put a big smile on my face.  Conrad shows how the Bat-family can connect on a personal level, and this three-parter even shows how Dick (and Babs?) have cultivated their own mini family.

Negatives

Titans: Beast World is on the horizon, and with the next two issues of Nightwing part of the crossover, it feels like this arc is racing along to accommodate it.  It feels like it’s going to split this arc in half.  It’s a little disappointing because this issue ends on a cliffhanger and it won’t be an organic transition.  A lot seems to be left for this arc and interrupting it with the crossover is counter productive.

Verdict

Nightwing #108 is another solid issue in this run.  The surprises surprises and they suggest some deeper developments to come.  This whole “pirate” storyline has been interesting from the first time the Hold was introduced.  There’s a lot of heart in this issue between both stories, which is one of the strengths that is a part of this title.

The post Review: Nightwing #108 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writers: Tom Taylor and Michael W. Conrad
Art: Stephen Byrne and Serge Acuna
Colors: Adriano Lucas and Ivan Plascencia
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Nightwing finally learns about Bea’s past, but in order to get the box that was stored in The Hold, he has to do a favor for her first that will cement her role as the new Captain Blud.

Positives

Tom Taylor keeps the story in Nightwing #107 focused on character.  This allows for whatever happens to feel legitimate.  It’s strange to see “Ric” Grayson in flashback, but Taylor makes it work because Dick is written accurately.  Bea is a bit of an unknown quantity since she’s been revealed to have a secret past, and what Taylor provides for her past is seamlessly woven into her previous appearances during the “Ric” era.  

The task Dick has to provide for Bea is not antithetical to him, but the situation provides some challenges.  He’s got to go off with Bea to apprehend her wanted criminal brother.  Barbara is not surprisingly a little concerned for multiple reasons.  Bea’s past is quite interesting as we learn that she is the new Captain Blud, the person in control of The Hold.  Bea’s mantle of Captain Blud dates back to the founding of Bludhaven, she’s descended from THAT Captain Blud.  This is an interesting legacy to fulfill and uphold. 

Positives Cont’d

The relationship between Bea and Dick is intriguing.  Dick’s a good person so he’s going to do the right thing.  There’s no lack of tension with Barbara, you can tell she’s a bit afraid.  While not spoken, it feels implied that she’s a little worried for Dick falling for Bea all over again.  It’s something nice to have on the table, but it’s not something that should come to pass.

The second story is the middle chapter of a three-part mystery.  Michael W. Conrad also focuses on  character, this time it’s Dick and Jason Todd.  Dick and Jason certainly have a complex relationship as brothers, brothers who are not alike, yet also have so much in common.  Conrad makes this the crux of the story, and it works very well.  The contrasts in personality make me think of the pre-Crisis Jason Todd that was much more like Dick Grayson.  How would this story have been different if this had been THAT Jason.

The mystery is good.  There’s not a lot that’s been revealed.  Last issue, we saw a fairly non-descript fellow watching Dick as he baked with Cassandra Cain.  This issue Dick and Jason get jumped by some thugs (it doesn’t go well for them) in an alley on this guys orders.  You just can’t tell what’s going to happen.  The character moments between Dick and his family/ friends make the unraveling enjoyable.

Negatives

The only negative with Nightwing #107 is the fear that Dick’s going to get knocked on his head and go back to being “Ric.”  Not that it would last, but it would be a difficult journey for Dick and Babs, AND Bea when Dick came back, AGAIN!  

Verdict

Nightwing #107 is another fine entry in the series.  If you’ve been enjoying this there’s no reason to think that you won’t enjoy this issue.  Character reigns supreme and there’s an intriguing story developing in the lead tale.  That sense of character continues in the second story and ties the issue together.  Hopefully, you’re here for Dick Grayson, the person and not simply the punch ups and actions.

The post Review: Nightwing #107 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writers: Tom Taylor and Michael W. Conrad
Art: Stephen Byrne and Serge Acuna
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Dick Grayson’s time as “Ric” Grayson finally catches up with Nightwing when he learns the secret of Bea Bennett.  Plus, Dick and Cassandra Cain are cooking up something in the back up story.

Positives

With crossovers and events out of the way, we finally get back to what was introduced in Nightwing #99.  Nightwing had learned of The Hold, a mysterious storage center that is run by a fellow named The Quartermaster.  In Nigthwing #106 we learn that Nightwing has had previous dealings with the Quartermaster when he was going by “Ric” Grayson.  It would’ve been easy to completely forget about “Ric,” but Tom Taylor has come up with a way to connect that part of Dick’s recent past despite the current run doing everything to make the readers forget it.

The revelation about Bea is a surprise and certainly has the potential for more development.  It extends an olive branch to those fans of the “Ric”/ Bea relationship while connecting Bea to the intriguing introduction of The Hold and the Quartermaster back in Nightiwng #99.  What “Ric” stored in the hold that is missing will of course drive the storyline.  Taylor has a plot element as well as character set up for this story arc.  The opening of Nightwing #106 also incudes a nice transition back to normalcy that includes a lighter moment with both Barbara and Beast Boy from the Titans.The inclusion of Heartless integrates this arc with the larger tale that Taylor has been telling.  Will this be the resolution to Heartless saga or is Taylor going to keep Heartless around as an arch nemesis for Dick Grayson?

The backup story in this issue is a nice treat as Dick is paired with Cassandra Cain in a return to the milieu of Batgirls.  It’s a fun change of pace story that sets up a continuing plotline.  Stephanie Brown also makes an appearance.  One can only hope that we’ll get a full on Nightwing/ Batgirls team-up as this story plays out!

Negatives

Nightwing has been one of DC’s best series for the past couple years, so it’s no surprise that this issue is short on negatives.  One can hope that Bruno Redondo will get back to regular interiors soon.  His work is missed.

Verdict

Nightwing #106 is a great start to a new story arc with a balanced approach between plot and character.  This issue continues to prove why this comic continues to be one of DC’s best.  Hopefully, this will be the start of an uninterrupted run of tales.  As Dick says in this issue, “We’ve had a lot going on.  But, it’s finally time to ask…What’s in the box?”

The post Review: Nightwing #106 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Bruno Redondo
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Dick and Babs wake up to smelly dog breath and phone call from Dick’s sister, and thus begins an exciting chase through Bludhaven for a vaccine to save a country.

Positives

I guess the place to begin is by putting it right out there that Nightwing # 105 jumps to the top of the list for next year’s awards, Eisner’s etc…, you name it, this issue is right there…in ALL categories.  Now for the details….

Dick and Babs as a couple continues to be wonderful, it’s been a main element of this series since this creative team too over the title back in the Spring of 2021.  It grounds the book to something other than super-heroics.  And, while Nightwing #105 isn’t a “date” or “relationship” issue, it’s at the core of who Dick Grayson is and it informs how he operates, and more importantly, how Taylor writes him.  It’s very much like how Jeremy Adams used Wally West’s family in his run on The Flash.  

If you didn’t read the solicit for this issue, you’re probably not aware that this is a POV issue.  We see everything through Dick’s eyes.  Like Nightwing #87 that was a single continuous panel, Nightwing #105 is a real visual treat and an amazing artistic triumph for Bruno Redondo.  It’s a different type of framing when one has to see everything through the protagonist’s eyes, it takes a completely different approach to create the same types of exciting and engaging storytelling choices when limited to one POV.  There are so many clever uses of mirrors and reflective surfaces as well as things that only Nightwing could see.  Plus, I’m guessing that it’s Redondo and not colorist Adriano Lucas, but I love the use of Ben Day Dots.  It ads something nostalgic, and of course the shading that it’s supposed to be.  Lucas has created a unique palette for Nightwing, much like Sarah Stern over in Batgirls.  Keeping this consistent despite a change in artists or colorists gives a series a unique feel and look.  This fits Nightwing perfectly as it allows the lightness of his character to come through even if he was born and raised in a type of darkness.

Positives Cont’d 

Some readers aren’t going to like the subtle political jabs that Taylor makes in this issue.  While I can understand that it may take away from the pure fun of such an issue, at the same time, it also gets to the heart of the motivation for all these long-underwear characters since The Phantom first put on his brown/purple jumpsuit back in the funny papers in 1936.  These characters have always existed to fight for the moral right even if it isn’t the legal right.   It’s tough for people to come to terms with the fact that sometimes laws don’t uphold the moral right.  It would be easy to point to something in the past, like slavery and make a point about it, however, a topical issue like the vaccine in Nightwing #105 has a lot more impact and will, perhaps, challenge some readers.

Taylor also nicely brings Heartless back into this issue (Mr. Wing meet Mr. Hole, LOL! Taylor even manages to ad just the right amount of humor.).  Including Heartless connects the reader back to what was going on in the series before all the Dark Crisis interruptions.  It seems very likely that Heartless will again be the antagonist in future issues.  Taylor has played the long game with Heartless and it may be partly because he’s had to incorporate the rise of the Titans into this series.  It’s completely logical as Dick is the leader of the Titans, but readers do want to see where the Nightwing / Heartless storyline goes.  Or, that it at least goes somewhere.  This issue also works as a one off.  Any reader could pick this up and have a great time with it.  It doesn’t rely on a lot of previous knowledge.  Heck, you don’t really need to know anything.  It’s that solid a jumping on point.

Negatives

No disrespect meant to the artists who have been working on Nightwing while Bruno Redondo wasn’t (who approved his vacation?) because it’s not like those were bad issues, but Redondo brings something special.  As stated above, the inclusion of the Titans was logical and necessary, but having this be about Dick and Babs just feels…RIGHT.  So, not really negatives, just that the strength of this issue will make you forget how much you enjoyed the previous couple storylines.

Verdict

Nightwing #105 is a guide in how to make a great modern comic book.  Quite literally it has everything- an exciting story that’s character driven, maintains the fun but, also makes a statement that elevates, beautifully illustrated and colored, creative in its storytelling, fits into the overall run while also being enjoyed as a one-off and is accessible to new readers.  As Power Girl would say-

Look for this to win awards next year.  We need a graphic for 6/5!

The post Review: Nightwing #105 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Just like last year, Nightwing is once again among the top nominations this year for DC Comics. Alongside Nightwing are books like Batman: One Bad Day, The Human Target, and The Nice House On The Lake.

Voting will take place through June 9th. All industry professionals and those who have voted in previous years are automatically eligible to vote this year, but anyone who would like can register to vote by filling out this form by June 2nd. The winners will be announced July 21st at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con.

You can check out the full list of Eisner Award nominees below!

Best Short Story

“The Beekeeper’s Due,” by Jimmy Stamp and Débora Santos, in Scott Snyder Presents: Tales from the Cloakroom (Cloakroom Comics)

“Finding Batman” by Kevin Conroy and J. Bone in DC Pride 2022 (DC)

“Good Morning,” by Christopher Cantwell and Alex Lins, in Moon Knight: Black, White & Blood #4 (Marvel)

“Silent All These Years,” by Margaret Atwood and David Mack, in Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes (Z2)

“You Get It,” by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto, in Amazing Fantasy #1000 (Marvel)

Best Single Issue/One-Shot

Batman: One Bad Day: The Riddler, by Tom King and Mitch Gerads (DC)

Mary Jane & Black Cat Beyond, by Jed Mackay and C. F. Villa (Marvel)

Moon Knight: Black, White, and Blood #3, edited by Tom Brevoort (Marvel)

Star Trek #400, edited by Heather Antos (IDW)

A Vicious Circle Book 1, by Mattson Tomlin and Lee Bermejo (BOOM! Studios)

Best Continuing Series

Daredevil, by Chip Zdarsky, Marco Checchetto and Rafael de Latorre (Marvel)

The Department of Truth, by James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds (Image)

Killadelphia, by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander (Image)

The Nice House on the Lake, by James Tynion IV and Alvaro Martinez Bueno (DC)

Nightwing, by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (DC)

She-Hulk, by Rainbow Rowell, Rogê Antônio, Luca Maresca, and Takeshi Miyazawa (Marvel)

Best Limited Series

Animal Castle, by Xavier Dorison and Felix Delep (Ablaze)

Batman: One Bad Day, edited by Dave Wielgosz and Jessica Berbey (DC)

The Human Target, by Tom King and Greg Smallwood (DC)

Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age, by Neil Gaiman and Mark Buckingham (Marvel)

Superman: Space Age, by Mark Russell, Michael Allred, and Laura Allred (DC)

Best New Series

The Atonement Bell, by Jim Ousley and Tyler B. Ruff (Red 5)

Love Everlasting, by Tom King and Elsa Charretier (Image)

Public Domain, by Chip Zdarsky (Image)

Star Trek, by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing, and Ramon Rosanas (IDW)

Traveling to Mars, by Mark Russell and Roberto Meli (Ablaze)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)

Beneath The Trees: A Fine Summer, by Dav (Magnetic Press)

Fox + Chick: Up and Down: and Other Stories, by Sergio Ruzzier (Chronicle Books)

Grumpy Monkey Who Threw That? by Suzanne Lang and Max Lang (Random House Studio)

Hey, Bruce!: An Interactive Book, by Ryan Higgins (Disney/Hyperion)

The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! by Mo Willems (Union Square Kids)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 9-12)

Adventuregame Comics: Leviathan, by Jason Shiga (Amulet/Abrams)

Frizzy, by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra (First Second/Macmillan)

Isla To Island, by Alexis Castellanos (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster)

Little Monarchs, by Jonathan Case (Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House)

Swim Team, by Johnnie Christmas (HarperAlley)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13-17)

Chef’s Kiss, by Jarrett Melendez and Danica Brine (Oni)

Clementine Book One, by Tillie Walden (Image Skybound)

Do A Powerbomb! by Daniel Warren Johnson (Image)

Heartstopper Volume 4, by Alice Oseman (Scholastic Graphix)

Wash Day Diaries, by Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith (Chronicle Books)

Best Humor Publication

Cryptid Club, by Sarah Andersen (Andrews McMeel)

I Hate This Place, by Kyle Starks and Artyom Topilin (Image Skybound)

Killer Queens, by David Booher and Claudia Balboni (Dark Horse)

Mr. Lovenstein Presents: Failure, by J. L. Westover (Image Skybound)

Revenge of the Librarians, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Anthology

Creepshow, edited by Alex Antone and Jon Moisan (Image Skybound)

The Illustrated Al: The Songs of “Weird Al” Yankovic, edited by Josh Bernstein (Z2)

The Nib Magazine, edited by Matt Bors (Nib)

Sensory: Life on the Spectrum, edited by Bex Ollerton (Andrews McMeel)

Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album, edited by Rantz Hoseley (Z2)

Best Reality-Based Work

Alfred Hitchcock: The Master of Suspense, by Noël Simsolo and Dominique Hé, translation by Montana Kane (NBM)

Alice Guy: First Lady of Film, by José-Louis Bocquet and Catel Muller, translation by Edward Gauvin (SelfMadeHero)

But I Live: Three Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust, edited by Charlotte Schallié (University of Toronto Press)

Flung Out of Space, by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer (Abrams ComicArts)

Invisible Wounds: Graphic Journalism, by Jess Ruliffson (Fantagraphics)

Pinball: A Graphic History of the Silver Ball, by Jon Chad (First Second/Macmillan)

Best Graphic Memoir

Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story, by Catherine Pioli, translated by J. T. Mahany (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands, by Kate Beaton (Drawn & Quarterly)

It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth: An Auto-Bio-Graphic-Novel, by Zoe Thorogood (Image)

So Much for Love: How I Survived a Toxic Relationship, by Sophie Lambda, translation by Montana Kane (First Second/Macmillan)

Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure, by Lewis Hancox (Scholastic Graphix)

Best Graphic Album—New

The Book of Niall, by Barry Jones (Ellie & Beatty)

Crushing, by Sophie Burrows (Algonquin Young Readers)

Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral, by Thomas Woodruff (Fantagraphics)

The Night Eaters, Book 1: She Eats the Night, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (Abrams ComicArts)

Ultrasound, by Conor Stechschulte (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

Days of Sand, by Aimée de Jongh, translation by Christopher Bradley (SelfMadeHero)

Geneviève Castrée: Complete Works, by Geneviève Castrée, translation by Phil Elverum and Aleshia Jensen (Drawn & Quarterly)

Mazebook Dark Horse Direct Edition, by Jeff Lemire (Dark Horse)

One Beautiful Spring Day, by Jim Woodring (Fantagraphics)

Parker: The Martini Edition—Last Call, by Richard Stark, Darwyn Cooke, Ed Brubaker, and Sean Phillips (IDW)

Super Spy Deluxe Edition, by Matt Kindt (Dark Horse)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

Chivalry by Neil Gaiman, adapted by Colleen Doran (Dark Horse)

Rain by Joe Hill, adapted by David M. Booher and Zoe Thorogood (Syzygy/Image)

Ten Days in a Madhouse, by Nellie Bly, adapted by Brad Ricca and Courtney Sieh (Gallery 13/Simon $ Schuster)

Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album, edited by Rantz Hoseley (Z2)

A Visit to Moscow by Rabbi Rafael Grossman, adapted by Anna Olswanger and Yevgenia Nayberg (Turner)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

Always Never, by Jordi Lafebre, translation by Montana Kane (Dark Horse)

Blacksad: They All Fall Down Part 1, by Juan Díaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido, translation by Diana Schutz and Brandon Kander (Dark Horse)

Down to the Bone: A Leukemia Story, by Catherine Pioli, translation by J. T. Mahany (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)

The Pass, by Espé, translation by J.T. Mahany (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University Press)

Tiki: A Very Ruff Year, by David Azencot and Fred Leclerc, translation by Nanette McGuinness (Life Drawn/Humanoids)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

Black Paradox, by Junji Ito, translation by Jocelyne Allen (VIZ Media)

The Hellbound vols. 1-2, by Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Gyu-seok, translation by Danny Lim (Dark Horse)

Look Back, by Tatsuki Fujimoto, translation by Amanda Haley (VIZ Media)

PTSD Radio vol. 1, by Masaaki Nakayama, translation by Adam Hirsch (Kodansha)

Shuna’s Journey, by Hayao Miyazaki; translation by Alex Dudok de Wit (First Second/Macmillan)

Talk to My Back, by Yamada Murasaki, translation by Ryan Holmberg (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips (at least 20 years old)

Bungleton Green and the Mystic Commandos, by Jay Jackson (New York Review Comics)

Come Over Come Over, It’s So Magic, and My Perfect Life, by Lynda Barry, edited by Peggy Burns (Drawn & Quarterly)

The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1922-1924, by George Herriman, edited by J. Michael Catron (Fantagraphics)

Macanudo: Welcome to Elsewhere, by Liniers, edited by Gary Groth (Fantagraphics)

Pogo The Complete Syndicated Comic Strips: Volume 8: Hijinks from the Horn of Plenty, by Walt Kelly, edited by Mark Evanier and Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books (at least 20 Years Old)

The Deluxe Gimenez: The Fourth Power & The Starr Conspiracy, by Juan Gimenez, edited by Alex Donoghue and Bruno Lecigne (Humanoids)

The Fantastic Worlds of Frank Frazetta, edited by Dian Hansen (TASCHEN)

Home to Stay! The Complete Ray Bradbury EC Stories, by Ray Bradbury and various; edited by J. Michael Catron (Fantagraphics)

The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Ominous Omnibus 1 (Abrams ComicArts)

Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge: The Diamond Jubilee Collection, by Carl Barks; edited by David Gerstein (Fantagraphics)

Best Writer

Grace Ellis, Flung Out of Space (Abrams ComicArts)

Tom King, Batman: Killing Time, Batman: One Bad Day, Gotham City: Year One, The Human Target, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (DC); Love Everlasting (Image)

Mark Russell, Traveling to Mars (Ablaze), One-Star Squadron, Superman: Space Age (DC); The Incal: Psychoverse (Humanoids)

James Tynion IV, House of Slaughter, Something Is Killing the Children, Wynd (BOOM! Studios); The Nice House on the Lake, The Sandman Universe: Nightmare Country (DC), The Closet, The Department of Truth (Image)

Chip Zdarsky, Stillwater (Image Skybound); Daredevil (Marvel)

Best Writer/Artist

Sarah Andersen, Cryptid Club (Andrews McMeel)

Kate Beaton, Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands (Drawn & Quarterly)

Espé, The Pass (Graphic Mundi/Penn State University)

Junji Ito, Black Paradox, The Liminal Zone (VIZ Media)

Zoe Thorogood, It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth (Image)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

Jason Shawn Alexander, Killadelphia, Nita Hawes’ Nightmare Blog (Image)

Alvaro Martínez Bueno, The Nice House on the Lake (DC)

Sean Phillips, Follow Me Down, The Ghost in You (Image)

Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)

Greg Smallwood, The Human Target (DC)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

Lee Bermejo, A Vicious Circle (BOOM! Studios)

Felix Delep, Animal Castle (Ablaze)

Daria Schmitt, The Monstrous Dreams of Mr. Providence (Europe Comics)

Sana Takeda, The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night (Abrams ComicArts); Monstress (Image)

Zoe Thorogood, Rain (Syzygy/Image)

Thomas Woodruff, Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral (Fantagraphics)

Best Cover Artist (for multiple covers)

Jen Bartel, She-Hulk (Marvel)

Bruno Redondo, Nightwing (DC)

Alex Ross, Astro City: That Was Then . . . (Image); Fantastic Four, Black Panther (Marvel)

Sana Takeda, Monstress (Image)

Zoe Thorogood, Joe Hill’s Rain (Syzygy/Image)

Best Coloring

Jordie Bellaire, The Nice House on the Lake, Suicide Squad: Blaze (DC); Antman, Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age (Marvel)

Jean-Francois Beaulieu, I Hate Fairyland 2022, Twig (Image)

Dave McCaig, The Incal: Psychoverse (Humanoids)

Jacob Phillips, Follow Me Down, The Ghost in You, That Texas Blood (Image)

Alex Ross and Josh Johnson, The Fantastic Four: Full Circle (Abrams ComicArts)

Diana Sousa, Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins; The Mighty Nein Origins: Yasha Nydoorin; The Mighty Nein Origins: Fjord Stone; The Mighty Nein Origins: Caleb Widogast (Dark Horse)

Best Lettering

Pat Brosseau, Batman: The Knight, Wonder Woman: The Villainy of Our Fears (DC): Creepshow, Dark Ride, I Hate This Place, Skybound Presents: Afterschool (Image Skybound)

Chris Dickey, The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night (Abrams ComicArts)

Todd Klein, Chivalry (Dark Horse); Fables (DC); Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham: The Silver Age (Marvel)

Nate Piekos, Black Hammer Reborn, Minor Threats, Shaolin Cowboy, Stranger Things: Kamchatka (Dark Horse), I Hate Fairyland, Twig (Image)

Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo (IDW)

Thomas Woodruff, Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral (Fantagraphics)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

Alter Ego, edited by Roy Thomas (TwoMorrows)

Comic Book Creator, edited by Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)

The Comics Journal #308, edited by Gary Groth, Kristy Valenti, and Rachel Miller (Fantagraphics)

PanelXPanel magazine, edited by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and Tiffany Babb (panelxpanel.com)

Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, ICv2, Publishers Weekly

Best Comics-Related Book

The Art of the News: Comics Journalism, edited by Katherine Kelp-Stebbins and Ben Saunders (Oregon State University Press)

Charles M. Schulz: The Art and Life of the Peanuts Creator in 100 Objects, by Benjamin L. Clark and Nat Gertler (Schulz Museum)

The Charlton Companion, by Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)

Gladys Parker: A Life in Comics, A Passion for Fashion, by Trina Robbins (Hermes Press)

Resurrection: Comics in Post-Soviet Russia, by José Alaniz (Ohio State University Press)

Best Academic/Scholarly Work

Bandits, Misfits, and Superheroes: Whiteness and Its Borderlands in American Comics and Graphic Novels, by Josef Benson and Doug Singsen (University Press of Mississippi)

Graphic Medicine, edited by Erin La Cour and Anna Poletti (University of Hawai’i’ Press)

How Comics Travel: Publication, Translation, Radical Literacies, by Katherine Kelp-Stebbins (Ohio State University Press)

The LGBTQ+ Comics Studies Reader: Critical Openings, Future Directions, edited by Alison Halsall and Jonathan Warren (University Press of Mississippi)

Teaching with Comics and Graphic Novels. By Tim Smyth (Routledge)

Best Publication Design

Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral, designed by Thomas Woodruff, Jacob Covey, and Ryan Dinnick (Fantagraphics)

A Frog in the Fall (and later on), designed by Linnea Sterte, Olle Forsslöf, and Patrick Crotty (PEOW)

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts 40X40: Bad Reputation/I Love Rock-n-Roll, designed by Josh Bernstein and Jason Ullmeyer (Z2)

Mazebook Dark Horse Direct Edition, designed by Tom Muller (Dark Horse)

Parker: The Martini Edition—Last Call, designed by Sean Phillips (IDW)

Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic Album, designed by Lauryn Ipsum (Z2)

Best Webcomic

Deeply Dave, by Grover, http://www.deeplydave.com/

Delilah Dirk: Practical Defence Against Piracy, by Tony Cliff, https://www.delilahdirk.com/dd4/dd4-p46.html

Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe (WEBTOON), https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/lore-olympus/list?title_no=1320&page=5

The Mannamong, by Michael Adam Lengyel, https://mannamong.com/episode-1/

Spores, by Joshua Barkman, https://falseknees.com/22ink1.html

Best Digital Comic

All Princesses Die Before Dawn, by Quentin Zuttion, translation by M. B. Valente (Europe Comics)

Barnstormers, by Scott Snyder and Tula Lotay (Comixology Originals)

Behind the Curtain, by Sara del Giudice, translation by M. B. Valente (Europe Comics)

Ripple Effects, by Jordan Hart, Bruno Chiroleu, Justin Harder, and Shane Kadlecik (Fanbase Press)

Sixty Years in Winter, by Ingrid Chabbert and Aimée de Jongh, translation by Matt Madden (Europe Comics)

The post Nightwing & Batman: One Bad Day Lead DC’s Eisner Awards Nominations appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writers: Tom Taylor and C.S. Pacat
Art: Travis Moore and Daniel Hore & Jonan Trindade
Colors: Adriano Lucas
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Bestowed with Superman-like powers, Nightwing must face Neron’s temptation- hand over Olivia and keep the powers.  

Positives

Is there any question that Nightwing would know how to use super-powers wisely?  Nightwing and Superman (Clark Kent) have very similar personalities and outlooks on life, despite their dissimilar origins and because of their similar origins.  As this series has been all along, Nightwing #104 is character focused.  Taylor doesn’t ever make the reader try and believe that Nightwing is actually tempted to keep the power, it’s not in his nature.  The insight comes from seeing what Nightwing does with his short-lived powers and the obvious parallel that Taylor builds with the Man of Steel.  Clark’s appearance is appropriate in the issue as it also turns the plot back towards the mission the Justice League turned over to the Titans back in Nightwing #100, to take over for the League while the League is on hiatus.  

While Nightwing may not be tempted, the reader might be.  Even some of Dick’s teammates seem to wish he had the powers permanently as they observe how well they suit him.  This comparison to Superman runs deep in the Nighwing lore, Nightwing selected his name from Superman’s adventures in Kandor as Nightwing a Batman-like identity that Superman used for the first time back in Superman #158 (January 1963).  The history of the Kryptonian Nightwing has been altered through the years, but it remains a deep point of connection between Dick Grayson and Clark.

Negatives

If there’s negatives in Nightwing #104 they are sins of omission as opposed to commission.  Barbara (Batgirl/Oracle) Gordon while appearing in the background of the Titans’ fight with Neron’s hordes is missing in the wrap up.  This series has used Dick and Babs relationship that it feels odd for her not to have a significant moment at the end of story arc.  

While the editor’s note tells the reader when this story takes place, the timing doesn’t match up exactly with the publishing schedule.  Most significantly, it was a little odd reading Titans #1 last week when this issue clearly concludes before the events of that issue.

Verdict

Overall, the negatives in Nightwing #104 are minimal at best and the “Rise of the Underworld” story arc concludes with a strong look at Dick Grayson’s character.  Initially, while Neron seemed to fit as a villain for the Titans, he doesn’t seem like a proper antagonist for Nightwing.  Despite this the finale provides a character driven story that does fit what makes Nightwing tick.  The issue also utilizes the deep history between Dick and Clark to add depth to the events.

The post Review: Nightwing #104 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Tom Taylor and C.S. Pacat
Art: Travis Moore and Edwardo Pansica & Julio Ferreira
Colors: Adriano Lucas 
Letters: Wes Abbott

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

Two new Nightwing tales launch this issue as Dick and the Titans investigate a body at the destroyed NYC Titans Tower and Dick continues to train Jon Kent in a story that takes them to the circus.

Positives

It’s great to see familiar faces like Raven, Starfire and Garfield Logan.  The Titans (formerly New Teen Titans, ca. 1980).  They don’t always operate together, but when they do it’s like getting together with old friends.  Last issue they got an upgrade from the DC Trinity of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman- the Titans are now the preeminent super-team in the DC Universe while the Justice League is on hiatus.  This should come as no surprise, they’ve faced down the likes of Deathstroke, Baron Blood and Trigon over the years.  Nightwing #101 shows them taking up the case of Olivia Desmond whom we met back in Nightwing #98.  She’s Blockbuster’s daughter and Neron has a claim on her soul.  

Taylor writes these old friends and teammates in a way that shows the reader that these characters have history.  Dick knows what Starfire will do before she does it.  It’s an enjoyable dynamic.  The young Olivia brings some lightness to the proceedings, especially with the usually foreboding demeanor of Raven.   This fits with the overall tone of the Nightwing series.  Plus, it’s good to see Raven this way, it can’t be easy being Trigon’s daughter, right?

Positives Cont’d 

While Neron is a huge shift in villain type for Nightwing, it’s par for the course for the Titans.  This may feel like a de-facto Titans title right now, and that’s ok.  Dick thrives with his friends and family, and this is his current status quo as the leader of the Titans, the protectors of the world.  This should be a fun and intense confrontation with Neron in the coming issues.  The cliffhanger ending already promises something interesting.

The second story has Dick continuing his training of Jon Kent.  It’s the first chapter of a mystery and it starts out a little awkwardly, as all appearances of Jon Kent have since he was artificially aged up.  Once it gets going and we get to see how these events, that seem to mimic the death of his parents, affect him. The story is quite good.

Negatives

It’s always a little hard to tell what’s going on with Raven.  Her history has been muddled for a while.  We know she’s Trigon’s daughter, but she definitely feels different (and younger)  from the New Teen Titans days.  If this issue suffers from anything, it’s the complete unbelievability of Jon Kent as Superman.  It’s  a decision DC doubled down on after Bendis left the Super-books.  They had a chance to right the ship and restore Jon to his proper age.  Until DC does that his appearances will drag down wherever and whenever he appears.  It’s the equivalent of hearing one’s dog talking.  It’s happening, but it just doesn’t feel right, and it never will.  It’s a real shame, because everything else in Tom Taylor’s Nightwing run feels perfect, exactly like it should be.

Verdict

Nightwing #101 works around the appearance of Jon Kent pretty effectively.  The main story does a great job of setting the reader up for a heavy hitting confrontation for the Titans.  The character work is great as usual, and it’s a real joy to read them all interacting together.  There’s a big chunk of nostalgia with this, but what comes next promises to be great as well!

The post Review: Nightwing #101 appeared first on DC Comics News.