Nightwing, Volume 1: Better Than Batman by Tim Seeley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book collects Nightwing: Rebirth, Nightwing 1-4 and 7 and 8. This book started off somewhat awkwardly in the Rebirth story and Issue 1. While each story has had a lot of narration to establish the status quo for new readers, this book it felt a tad excessive, even over-indulgent and egocentric on Dick Grayson's behalf. In addition, some art seems a bit off, particularly on Doctor Leviticus.

But then the story gets going. Dick has agreed to work for the Court of Owls as Nightwing because they they have implanted a bomb in Robin (which he has secretly removed), but he wants to play things his own way, not killing or walking on the dark side. However, the Court of Owls wants to bend him to their way, so they give him a partner in the thief Raptor, a man who isn't what he seems, insists that everything Batman has taught him is wrong.

The rest of the book is very interesting as Dick tries to take down the court of Owls and figure out Raptor. Dick is put through the ringer and the nature of Raptor, and the Raptor's true identity takes the book into some deep waters and probes questions like how far should you tow the line between light and darkness, whether you do short term harm to play the long game, the nature of justice (should it be focused on law or on "Robin Hood" style robbing from the rich to give to the poor), as well as the idea of family and adoption. It's about those things, but it doesn't stop being a superhero saga either, which makes it work.

If you like a deeper story or Dick Grayson, this is a good one to check out. It is worth noting that this book unlike other DC Rebirth books doesn't have some ongoing puzzle or hook to keep you reading, but I think the overall quality of the writing is sufficient is for that after the first couple of issues.



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