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Nightwing (1996) (Original Trades) #3
Nightwing: Love and Bullets
Growing up as Robin the Boy Wonder, Dick Grayson lived a lifetime in the shadow of Batman. Finally reaching adulthood, the former sidekick took the identity of Nightwing and began to forge his own destiny. Moving to neighboring Bludhaven, Dick established himself as the protector of a city steeped in crime and corruption. In NIGHTWING: LOVE AND BULLETS, Nightwing is joined in his mission to protect the streets by Nite-Wing, an inept vigilante inspired by Dick's heroics, the Huntress, his former love interest, and Robin, the latest protégé of Batman.
Collecting: Nightwing #1/2, 21-22, 24-29 and pages from Nightwing #19.
Collecting: Nightwing #1/2, 21-22, 24-29 and pages from Nightwing #19.
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,484 books1,084 followersCharles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 28, 2022
(B+) 79% | Good
Notes: Edgier, more violent plot elements clash against its cartoonish art style, but define the tone and personality of its city.
Notes: Edgier, more violent plot elements clash against its cartoonish art style, but define the tone and personality of its city.
August 19, 2019
Chuck Dixon's time on Nightwing remains my favorite Nightwing ever. There are a couple of great Cataclysm issues along with a really fun Nightwing and Robin training session. Nite-Wing makes his first appearance and sticks around for a bit. Most of the issues here are one and done. All of the art in the regular book is by Scott McDaniel. At this point you either love or hate his art.
August 20, 2019
I absolutely loved the issue where Superman comes to Bludhaven. The book does dovetail with what was happening in No Man's Land over in the Batman books. Dick joining the police force was really inspired. Overall, these are just fun stories. I love how acrobatic Scott McDaniel draws Nightwing and his rogues. They're always flying across rooftops and up the sides of buildings.
November 3, 2019
Another entertaining volume of Dixon's long Nightwing run.
This time we have Dick trying to figure out how to balance his life. He wants to help people but he's also trying to date the girl of his dreams on top of now joining the police academy. There's a lot of interesting ideas with the personal life here that they begin to explore. On the crime fighting side we have Blockbuster planning as he always does, a return of a old villain that might turn some heads (you'll get it if you read it), and Huntress grand return.
There's a lot to like here. Dixon has Dick's voice down perfect. A good plan of a good guy doing all he can to help others. I also really enjoyed the relationships with people like Huntress, Barbara, his new girlfriend, and even the villains like Blockbuster. The art is stylish and fun most of the time. However, sometimes, it is really hard to tell what is happening due to the art being so over the top. Also, the pacing is weird as Nightwing keeps getting dragged to different events.
Overall though, this was a fun run of the mill Nightwing adventure. Nothing great but strong character showcase helps it big time. A 4 out of 5.
This time we have Dick trying to figure out how to balance his life. He wants to help people but he's also trying to date the girl of his dreams on top of now joining the police academy. There's a lot of interesting ideas with the personal life here that they begin to explore. On the crime fighting side we have Blockbuster planning as he always does, a return of a old villain that might turn some heads (you'll get it if you read it), and Huntress grand return.
There's a lot to like here. Dixon has Dick's voice down perfect. A good plan of a good guy doing all he can to help others. I also really enjoyed the relationships with people like Huntress, Barbara, his new girlfriend, and even the villains like Blockbuster. The art is stylish and fun most of the time. However, sometimes, it is really hard to tell what is happening due to the art being so over the top. Also, the pacing is weird as Nightwing keeps getting dragged to different events.
Overall though, this was a fun run of the mill Nightwing adventure. Nothing great but strong character showcase helps it big time. A 4 out of 5.
May 1, 2024
This was a really good volume and wow so many things happened here and it again continues the good pacing with which the writer is approaching the series and fleshing out dick and that world like first a dc one million tie in vs Batman of the future and then team up with him to solve the case and then enter Helena again as she and Dick try to solve the case of Turk, another mobster and their associate Cisco and how Blockbuster is connected to it, and you get to see the friction between them and their differences and what not. I really like how this shows the difference between Helena and Dick and their approach to crime fighting.
Then Dick joining the police force and the drama in the building and his supporting cast was well done there and we seeing the affects of NML and good to see the aftermath of those and his growing closeness with Clancy, and she is becoming a pretty good character and then taking the battle to Blockbuster and the entry of "Torque" and who he is and it was a nice origin, even a bit insane yes but still well done and then you get to see some other stuff showing his hatred for Nightwing and all. It was nice to see that issue with Superman and how that scares Blockbuster lol.
Then the one vs Double dare is just fun, how it connects to circus and all and well their face off while short was something that I wanted more of and that was a good thing indeed. The other mercenaries that came in vs Dick also leads to nice expansion of his rogues gallery and I really like that guide issue which sort of makes the world larger and gives you descriptive details on his adversaries and life and supporting cast and if you go through it, it makes the whole thing compelling and serious kudos to Dixon on this, its really well written and makes you invest in this series a lot more.
Totally well done and the art continues to be a highlight here, and I love it!!
Then Dick joining the police force and the drama in the building and his supporting cast was well done there and we seeing the affects of NML and good to see the aftermath of those and his growing closeness with Clancy, and she is becoming a pretty good character and then taking the battle to Blockbuster and the entry of "Torque" and who he is and it was a nice origin, even a bit insane yes but still well done and then you get to see some other stuff showing his hatred for Nightwing and all. It was nice to see that issue with Superman and how that scares Blockbuster lol.
Then the one vs Double dare is just fun, how it connects to circus and all and well their face off while short was something that I wanted more of and that was a good thing indeed. The other mercenaries that came in vs Dick also leads to nice expansion of his rogues gallery and I really like that guide issue which sort of makes the world larger and gives you descriptive details on his adversaries and life and supporting cast and if you go through it, it makes the whole thing compelling and serious kudos to Dixon on this, its really well written and makes you invest in this series a lot more.
Totally well done and the art continues to be a highlight here, and I love it!!
June 20, 2022
This is a pretty well written collection of mostly self-contained stories in which Dick Grayson (as Nightwing) partners variously with NiteWing (not too impressive), Oracle (Barbara's the brightest of Bludhaven (which is a dumb name for a city, by the way), too), and Robin (for a fun training session; Dick reflecting on his previous romantic interests is great). The best story is a longer reunion with Huntress. I didn't care much for the art, which looks a bit too much like the cartoon versions, but it was a fast, friendly read.
July 24, 2024
4.5
That Robin & Nightwing issue is seriously some of the most phenomenal Batcontent I have ever read. Wasn't in love with the first issue or too, but I may have just needed to adapt, because from then on I was totally in love. I'm going to have to buy the Dixon Nightwing compendium now.
That Robin & Nightwing issue is seriously some of the most phenomenal Batcontent I have ever read. Wasn't in love with the first issue or too, but I may have just needed to adapt, because from then on I was totally in love. I'm going to have to buy the Dixon Nightwing compendium now.
December 24, 2020
2.5 stars.
This is painfully 90s. I know, I know, but I've read books written around this time (and before it) that didn't feel so painfully 90s. Part of the vibe is the art and the outfits, but a big part is the fact that every female character that shows up here is either currently dating Dick or constantly thinking about it. Like near death experiences don't stop them from thinking about it. Even I think that's weird.
Anyway, the first part of this book deals with another run in with Helena Bertinelli. I've already written off thinking she's ever going to be done justice in this series. I've said it before: I hate when a female character is introduced just to show what not to do. They do this a lot with skilled women: she comes in too hot, thinks she's amazing and the entire point is to take her down a peg. It's never empowering in any sense and it's just downright annoying. This run in with Nightwing just reiterates what we already know: Dick isn't interested in being with her romantically or professionally because she believes in an eye for an eye and Dick doesn't. I don't understand why we had to have her go through a huge ordeal and nearly die and the first words out of her mouth to Dick are "can we get back together" (or something to that effect).
There's an issue where Superman drops in and that was kinda fun. Always like seeing Dick and Clark together.
Next, it's Dick dealing with gentrification. And considering when this was written, that was painful to read. It never got any better and now we have millionaires living in apartments and lower class people living 6 to an apartment just to survive. It's depressing and I wish I could say I saw it getting any better in the future.
Anyway, all the Gothamites moving out to Bludhaven means that Clancy's property taxes are impossibly high and she might lose the building. Of course, Dick solves that problem and then decides to join the police force to fix it from the inside. Worth noting, he joins because he's aware the police force is doing more harm than good.
There's the Double Dare twins, who are constantly thinking about how cute Dick is. I wish I could tell you what they're evil goals were. I feel like they weren't focused on as much as their crush on Dick, which was a shame.
The book ends in the middle of Dick's part in No Man's Land (which I also never finished). Over all, it's a recommendation if you're particularly attached to this series. For me, I wouldn't read this again. It was all the 90s tropes I never loved and the art just isn't my cup of tea. There were some cute moments with Dick Grayson, but I definitely think there are better books that show off his personality.
This is painfully 90s. I know, I know, but I've read books written around this time (and before it) that didn't feel so painfully 90s. Part of the vibe is the art and the outfits, but a big part is the fact that every female character that shows up here is either currently dating Dick or constantly thinking about it. Like near death experiences don't stop them from thinking about it. Even I think that's weird.
Anyway, the first part of this book deals with another run in with Helena Bertinelli. I've already written off thinking she's ever going to be done justice in this series. I've said it before: I hate when a female character is introduced just to show what not to do. They do this a lot with skilled women: she comes in too hot, thinks she's amazing and the entire point is to take her down a peg. It's never empowering in any sense and it's just downright annoying. This run in with Nightwing just reiterates what we already know: Dick isn't interested in being with her romantically or professionally because she believes in an eye for an eye and Dick doesn't. I don't understand why we had to have her go through a huge ordeal and nearly die and the first words out of her mouth to Dick are "can we get back together" (or something to that effect).
There's an issue where Superman drops in and that was kinda fun. Always like seeing Dick and Clark together.
Next, it's Dick dealing with gentrification. And considering when this was written, that was painful to read. It never got any better and now we have millionaires living in apartments and lower class people living 6 to an apartment just to survive. It's depressing and I wish I could say I saw it getting any better in the future.
Anyway, all the Gothamites moving out to Bludhaven means that Clancy's property taxes are impossibly high and she might lose the building. Of course, Dick solves that problem and then decides to join the police force to fix it from the inside. Worth noting, he joins because he's aware the police force is doing more harm than good.
There's the Double Dare twins, who are constantly thinking about how cute Dick is. I wish I could tell you what they're evil goals were. I feel like they weren't focused on as much as their crush on Dick, which was a shame.
The book ends in the middle of Dick's part in No Man's Land (which I also never finished). Over all, it's a recommendation if you're particularly attached to this series. For me, I wouldn't read this again. It was all the 90s tropes I never loved and the art just isn't my cup of tea. There were some cute moments with Dick Grayson, but I definitely think there are better books that show off his personality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2018
It's the return of old foes and old friends, as Huntress and Torque hit Bludhaven - hard. Plus, Nite-Wing's back, and a visit from the Batman from the 853rd Century!
This is...fine. I've heard people rave about this run on Nightwing, but I still haven't seen anything that differentiates it from any other Nightwing comic just yet. This volume is very much more of the same, with the same villains returning, the same plots taking place, and subplots moving exceedingly slowly. I'm all for a slow burn, but we're in the third year of the title now and things aren't moving at all.
Huntress's return is well handled at least, although I don't think I buy Dudley Soames as a crazy killer with his head on backwards. Nite-Wing's story is literally the same thing every time he turns up, so that's beginning to grate as well. Most of the other villains are fairly unmemorable, like the acrobats Double Dare and the continuing parade of useless minions that Blockbuster throws at Dick.
The DC One Million issue is interesting, but it's a bit like some of the issues in the previous volume; it's a small part of a larger story, and you don't get any of the catharsis from the conclusions since they're not collected here. I get that it's collected for completeness, but it'd be nice just to have a catch-up page between issues. There's a primer page, why not something at the end?
Speaking of same-old same-old, Scott McDaniel's drawn 34 issues of this title and counting without a break. Poor guy needs a break.
Nightwing's adventures are getting a bit repetitive at this point. They're still fun, but I'd like something to shake things up a bit now.
This is...fine. I've heard people rave about this run on Nightwing, but I still haven't seen anything that differentiates it from any other Nightwing comic just yet. This volume is very much more of the same, with the same villains returning, the same plots taking place, and subplots moving exceedingly slowly. I'm all for a slow burn, but we're in the third year of the title now and things aren't moving at all.
Huntress's return is well handled at least, although I don't think I buy Dudley Soames as a crazy killer with his head on backwards. Nite-Wing's story is literally the same thing every time he turns up, so that's beginning to grate as well. Most of the other villains are fairly unmemorable, like the acrobats Double Dare and the continuing parade of useless minions that Blockbuster throws at Dick.
The DC One Million issue is interesting, but it's a bit like some of the issues in the previous volume; it's a small part of a larger story, and you don't get any of the catharsis from the conclusions since they're not collected here. I get that it's collected for completeness, but it'd be nice just to have a catch-up page between issues. There's a primer page, why not something at the end?
Speaking of same-old same-old, Scott McDaniel's drawn 34 issues of this title and counting without a break. Poor guy needs a break.
Nightwing's adventures are getting a bit repetitive at this point. They're still fun, but I'd like something to shake things up a bit now.
October 12, 2016
I've read all the New 52 Nightwings graphic novels that the library has, so now I am into other volumes. This first collection is not great; the story and plot are underwhelming. My favorite section was a one-off featuring Robin and Nightwing training together as they discuss crime fighting, their love life, and Batman. The last few issues feature the Huntress, which was a great surprise, but sadly don't do much to enhance the story.
January 9, 2026
They really should have just let Soames die the first time
March 5, 2012
This book series just keeps getting better and better.
October 11, 2025
(3,5/5)
February 10, 2020
Nightwing: Love and Bullets picks up where the previous trade paperback left off and collects ten issues (Nightwing #19, 21–22, 24–29) of the 1996 on-going series with Nightwing ½.
"The Breaks", "False Starts", "Hospital Perilous", and "The Forgotten Dead" is four one-issue storylines (Nightwing #½, 21–22, 24) that has Dick Grayson as Nightwing combating against Blüdhaven not so finest and villains in particular Tad Ryerstad who picks up the moniker Nite-Wing. "The Boys" is a one-issue storyline (Nightwing #25) that has Nightwing and Tim Drake as Robin teaming up. While "Angle of Attack", "Live Not on Evil", and "Back to Back to Back" (Nightwing #26–29) has Nightwing teaming up with Helena Bertinelli as Huntress. Finally "Cataclysm" is a one-issue storyline (Nightwing #19) that is a tie-in story for Batman: Cataclysm storyline in which Dick Grayson as Nightwing has to deal with the earthquake that hit Gotham City.
Chuck Dixon penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, Dixon has expanded the new city in Blüdhaven, its villains by extending the rouge's gallery for Nightwing, teaming up with Tim Drake as Robin and Helena Bertinelli as Huntress for a couple of cases and the outlier story that are tie-ins to greater storylines in Batman: Cataclysm.
Scott McDaniel penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style, slightly dated, but wonderful nevertheless.
All in all, Nightwing: Love and Bullets is a wonderful continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
"The Breaks", "False Starts", "Hospital Perilous", and "The Forgotten Dead" is four one-issue storylines (Nightwing #½, 21–22, 24) that has Dick Grayson as Nightwing combating against Blüdhaven not so finest and villains in particular Tad Ryerstad who picks up the moniker Nite-Wing. "The Boys" is a one-issue storyline (Nightwing #25) that has Nightwing and Tim Drake as Robin teaming up. While "Angle of Attack", "Live Not on Evil", and "Back to Back to Back" (Nightwing #26–29) has Nightwing teaming up with Helena Bertinelli as Huntress. Finally "Cataclysm" is a one-issue storyline (Nightwing #19) that is a tie-in story for Batman: Cataclysm storyline in which Dick Grayson as Nightwing has to deal with the earthquake that hit Gotham City.
Chuck Dixon penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, Dixon has expanded the new city in Blüdhaven, its villains by extending the rouge's gallery for Nightwing, teaming up with Tim Drake as Robin and Helena Bertinelli as Huntress for a couple of cases and the outlier story that are tie-ins to greater storylines in Batman: Cataclysm.
Scott McDaniel penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style, slightly dated, but wonderful nevertheless.
All in all, Nightwing: Love and Bullets is a wonderful continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
September 28, 2025
This volume collects 9 uninterrupted issues of the main Nightwing run. It's fantastic. The artwork, the writing, the story, the characters. This book delivers.
There's also two out of context issues in here: The 1,000,000 issue and an origin issue. The first is a bit out of place in this collection, as it is tied to the 1,000,000 event, while the latter is just filler material. The kind of issue that provides background information when people did not have the internet.
Back to the main run: In these 9 issues there's 2 heroes guest starring, developments on both the romance and the career of Dick Grayson and new antagonists being introduced. As a result Blüdhaven feels more and more like it's own place and less like a copy of Gotham City, which is how it started.
I can fully recommend this run, which by now is available in Compendium format: Nightwing: A Knight in Blüdhaven Compendium One & Nightwing: A Knight in Bludhaven Compendium Two. I will upgrade my thin trades, once it's available in Omnibus format.
There's also two out of context issues in here: The 1,000,000 issue and an origin issue. The first is a bit out of place in this collection, as it is tied to the 1,000,000 event, while the latter is just filler material. The kind of issue that provides background information when people did not have the internet.
Back to the main run: In these 9 issues there's 2 heroes guest starring, developments on both the romance and the career of Dick Grayson and new antagonists being introduced. As a result Blüdhaven feels more and more like it's own place and less like a copy of Gotham City, which is how it started.
I can fully recommend this run, which by now is available in Compendium format: Nightwing: A Knight in Blüdhaven Compendium One & Nightwing: A Knight in Bludhaven Compendium Two. I will upgrade my thin trades, once it's available in Omnibus format.
Read
February 9, 2020When this series focuses on Dick and his everyday life in Bludhaven - hanging out with Clancy, helping his building survive, training at the police academy - it’s great. Dick is one of the most relatable, down-to-Earth characters in DC’s arsenal, so showcasing this side of his life is a major strength. Sadly, I don’t find the crimefighting plots as compelling. The whole thing with Soames and Blockbuster just doesn’t interest me, and while I like Huntress, her mob takedown team-ups with Nightwing feel uninspired. I don’t know, it seems like I should like this stuff more than I do. I’m still enjoying the series as a whole, though. I’m entertained while reading it and like Nightwing’s new setting. This series oscillates between being truly about something - a young man setting out on his own for the first time - and rote superhero stories. There’s enough of the former to keep me reading.
I have to mention the Secret Files and Origins issue. It contains some Who’s Who-style entires plus a few short stories. The stories are all pretty good, but the one with Dick and Barbara is absolutely adorable. There’s also a story where it’s revealed how Dick got his name from Superman (Supes also appears in a great earlier standalone issue where he visits Dick in Bludhaven).
I have to mention the Secret Files and Origins issue. It contains some Who’s Who-style entires plus a few short stories. The stories are all pretty good, but the one with Dick and Barbara is absolutely adorable. There’s also a story where it’s revealed how Dick got his name from Superman (Supes also appears in a great earlier standalone issue where he visits Dick in Bludhaven).
November 17, 2011
Nightwing + Robin is always awesome.
April 14, 2018
Many of the emotional beats are lost if you haven't read the Huntress/Nightwing mini.
August 3, 2025
4.5
Always entertaining stories and a lot of fun characters populate this volume of Nightwing's continuing adventures.
Always entertaining stories and a lot of fun characters populate this volume of Nightwing's continuing adventures.
December 20, 2020
Love and Bullets takes place after Batman: Cataclysm, which *sigh*, is another crossover event I haven't yet read. Good news is, you're able to understand Gotham has suffered from a huge quake & Nightwing was out of town for a bit. The end?
In this volume, Nite-Wing, a new "crime fighter" wannabe gets sent to the hospital with a few new holes put in him. And when the criminals of Bludhaven (Blockbuster + the police dept.) hear "Nite-Wing" is in the hospital -they all think it's our Nightwing, and send their guys to finish the job. Dick has to go save the kid, ditch his date with Clancy (of course, poor kid makes the worst boyfriend) & shuttle him off to safety (thanks, Alfred!).
Other introductions in this volume are: a re-introduced to Mr. Soames, and Huntress makes a bloody appearance.
I really liked the issue The Boys of Nightwing out on the town training Robin.
And I also really liked a scene from the next issue Angle of Attack where Nightwing saves a baby being thrown from a window. He saves the baby, but it shakes him...
"On the other hand, my heart is doing ninety. A nanosecond. A fraction of an inch. Death is so close in this town.
I should feel good about tonight. But I feel like I'm alone out here on the line. No cops to count on. No partners. No one to share the burden." (Pgs. 117-118)
I'm loving Chuck Dixon's writing. I think he gets Nightwing.
Volume is a little all over the place because it feels like a collection of one-offs, but it's overall a good read. Also, Scott McDaniel's art has grown on me. ;)
3.5 stars
In this volume, Nite-Wing, a new "crime fighter" wannabe gets sent to the hospital with a few new holes put in him. And when the criminals of Bludhaven (Blockbuster + the police dept.) hear "Nite-Wing" is in the hospital -they all think it's our Nightwing, and send their guys to finish the job. Dick has to go save the kid, ditch his date with Clancy (of course, poor kid makes the worst boyfriend) & shuttle him off to safety (thanks, Alfred!).
Other introductions in this volume are: a re-introduced to Mr. Soames, and Huntress makes a bloody appearance.
I really liked the issue The Boys of Nightwing out on the town training Robin.
And I also really liked a scene from the next issue Angle of Attack where Nightwing saves a baby being thrown from a window. He saves the baby, but it shakes him...
"On the other hand, my heart is doing ninety. A nanosecond. A fraction of an inch. Death is so close in this town.
I should feel good about tonight. But I feel like I'm alone out here on the line. No cops to count on. No partners. No one to share the burden." (Pgs. 117-118)
I'm loving Chuck Dixon's writing. I think he gets Nightwing.
Volume is a little all over the place because it feels like a collection of one-offs, but it's overall a good read. Also, Scott McDaniel's art has grown on me. ;)
3.5 stars
December 24, 2025
**2.5 stars. i just can’t decide how i feel about this run. chuck dixon has ideas for sure but i still just feel like this stuff reeks of misogyny so bad at times, and even like those two acrobat sisters were very interesting to me at first but then you read the last tab on them and you’re telling me you’re dressing up a 16 year old in booty shorts, a bra, drawing her chest all sharp and perky and having her dialogue be mostly swooning over nightwing. these moments just lose me so bad.
but i do like the reoccurring characters a lot in the apartment he’s living in. i like the little moments we get of it in general, and i like the small snippets we get of him and babs. outside of that though, i don’t know..
but i do like the reoccurring characters a lot in the apartment he’s living in. i like the little moments we get of it in general, and i like the small snippets we get of him and babs. outside of that though, i don’t know..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2026
3.5 stars.
The Helena/Dick romance was SO UNNECESSARY!! I feel like it was written only for the gooners bc it's so OOC for both of them. The plot was interesting but the "romance" ruined it a bit for me.
The Helena/Dick romance was SO UNNECESSARY!! I feel like it was written only for the gooners bc it's so OOC for both of them. The plot was interesting but the "romance" ruined it a bit for me.
February 15, 2018
Nightwing and the Huntress fights crime but not together. An old ‘frienemy ” is back.
June 7, 2018
Great stories!
May 31, 2019
This volume was not as good as the earlier ones, but still entertaining.
July 9, 2016
I have been really enjoying DC Comics re-publishing versions of the 1990s run of Nightwing and this volume is no exception. Even though it has the same title as the previous collection, this volume includes additional material, making it a good buy even if you had the previous version.
The first story in this collection is "The Anachronism" a recreation of "Nightwing 1,000,000" - a Batman from the far future, part of the Legion of Superheroes, returns to "the present" to work with Dick Grayson, Nightwing. The other members of the Legion of Superheroes had also gone back in time while the Justice League will be sent to their time to attend celebrations. However, the Hourman Virus is released in the "present" and Nightwing and future Batman must stop it. It's an interesting concept - but it ends abruptly without the story being concluded.
The next story brings back Huntress who is now even more vicious, driven by vengeance, and willing to use extreme violence to accomplish her goals. It also introduces a new villain, Torque, formerly Dudley Soames, a dirty cop who's head was twisted 180 degrees. Surviving this, Torque is determined to bring down Blockbuster, who had caused his unique condition.
Dick meanwhile has settled in in Blüdhaven - he's finally started to date Clancy, his landlady, as well as secretly helping her financially through Haly Holdings. In the previous volume, when Clancy's apartment building was damaged by the quake in Gotham and threatened with a demolition order - Dick stepped in, secretly. In this issue, when Clancy gets a huge tax bill, Dick has Haly take care of it. This prevents Clancy from losing her home, as well as Amygdala, and the mysterious "Dr. Fledermaus". Dick also sees to it that his namesake, the vigilante "Nite-Wing" is taken to Dr. Leslie Thompkins clinic for care. Dick cares about the people around him and the consequences of actions in his universe. He'd given Huntress a chance - but convinced she's behind the recent string of unusual deaths of Blockbusters lieutenants - he not only breaks off his relationship with her, but becomes determine to capture her.
As it would turn out, though, it isn't Huntress who's killing Blockbuster's lieutenants - it's Torque. Though Huntress works briefly for Torque because her ultimate goal is to wipe-out the mob, she later changes her mind.
"Just Passing Through" takes place after the great quake in Gotham and Gotham being declared "No Man's Land". With no place else to go, many ex-Gothamites end up in Blüdhaven. Nightwing protects them as he protects all of his city. In this story, he's aided by Superman - who's basically a sounding board for Dick, who in many ways, is still trying to figure out if the role of solo crimefighter is what he wants to do.
The next stories brings in Double Dare, a pair of sisters who are circus aerialists and bank robbers. Their techniques are similar to Nightwing's so at first he's blamed. And when Dick goes to stop them they are pretty evenly matched. But Stallion and Brutale try to take out all three for Blockbuster - which forces Nightwing to work with the two women for a short time.
Meanwhile, the imposter, "Nite-Wing" is caught by the Blüdhaven PD, but the corrupt police chief Francis Redhorn sees "Nite-Wing" as an opportunity to get out of the thumb of Blockbuster.
Once he's take care of Clancy's financial issues, Dick talks to her about the direction of his life. He decides that he really wants to be a police officer - to fight corruption from the inside and to stop crime by legal means. He also discovers Clancy had wanted to be a doctor but didn't have the money for college and was too intimidated to try for a scholarship. He pushes her to apply for a Wayne scholarship and grant. Yet, within a few weeks of his training at the police academy - Dick receives an urgent message from Batman. Next we see Dick - he's dying and hallucinating Jason Todd as he relives his life. I was a bit confused as to how Dick ended-up drowning or dying.
This new version of Love and Bullets also features a number of extras - write-up summaries of info of all the major and minor characters that make up Dick Grayson's (Nightwing's) universe. A map of Blüdhaven, a map of Dick's apartment and his floor in Clancy's building, even a year-by-year history of the character of Dick Grayson in DC Comics (which was brilliant - I'd always wondered when the Teen Titans fit in). This is a handy reference to Dick's universe.
I hope DC Comics continues to publish these updated re-prints of the 1990s version of Nightwing. I enjoy reading the collected volumes very much. The bonus material in this one is awesome and helpful, and the thicker, shiny paper holds the colors very well - so they pop off the page. Also, the drawing of Grayson himself in his black and blue uniform is just gorgeous.
Nightwing Love and Bullets (Vol. 4) collects:
Nightwing # 1,000,000 (Nov. 1998)
Nightwing # 26 - 34 (Dec 1998, Jan. - Aug. 1999)
"Taking Wing" from Nightwing Secret Files # 1 (Oct. 1999)
The first story in this collection is "The Anachronism" a recreation of "Nightwing 1,000,000" - a Batman from the far future, part of the Legion of Superheroes, returns to "the present" to work with Dick Grayson, Nightwing. The other members of the Legion of Superheroes had also gone back in time while the Justice League will be sent to their time to attend celebrations. However, the Hourman Virus is released in the "present" and Nightwing and future Batman must stop it. It's an interesting concept - but it ends abruptly without the story being concluded.
The next story brings back Huntress who is now even more vicious, driven by vengeance, and willing to use extreme violence to accomplish her goals. It also introduces a new villain, Torque, formerly Dudley Soames, a dirty cop who's head was twisted 180 degrees. Surviving this, Torque is determined to bring down Blockbuster, who had caused his unique condition.
Dick meanwhile has settled in in Blüdhaven - he's finally started to date Clancy, his landlady, as well as secretly helping her financially through Haly Holdings. In the previous volume, when Clancy's apartment building was damaged by the quake in Gotham and threatened with a demolition order - Dick stepped in, secretly. In this issue, when Clancy gets a huge tax bill, Dick has Haly take care of it. This prevents Clancy from losing her home, as well as Amygdala, and the mysterious "Dr. Fledermaus". Dick also sees to it that his namesake, the vigilante "Nite-Wing" is taken to Dr. Leslie Thompkins clinic for care. Dick cares about the people around him and the consequences of actions in his universe. He'd given Huntress a chance - but convinced she's behind the recent string of unusual deaths of Blockbusters lieutenants - he not only breaks off his relationship with her, but becomes determine to capture her.
As it would turn out, though, it isn't Huntress who's killing Blockbuster's lieutenants - it's Torque. Though Huntress works briefly for Torque because her ultimate goal is to wipe-out the mob, she later changes her mind.
"Just Passing Through" takes place after the great quake in Gotham and Gotham being declared "No Man's Land". With no place else to go, many ex-Gothamites end up in Blüdhaven. Nightwing protects them as he protects all of his city. In this story, he's aided by Superman - who's basically a sounding board for Dick, who in many ways, is still trying to figure out if the role of solo crimefighter is what he wants to do.
The next stories brings in Double Dare, a pair of sisters who are circus aerialists and bank robbers. Their techniques are similar to Nightwing's so at first he's blamed. And when Dick goes to stop them they are pretty evenly matched. But Stallion and Brutale try to take out all three for Blockbuster - which forces Nightwing to work with the two women for a short time.
Meanwhile, the imposter, "Nite-Wing" is caught by the Blüdhaven PD, but the corrupt police chief Francis Redhorn sees "Nite-Wing" as an opportunity to get out of the thumb of Blockbuster.
Once he's take care of Clancy's financial issues, Dick talks to her about the direction of his life. He decides that he really wants to be a police officer - to fight corruption from the inside and to stop crime by legal means. He also discovers Clancy had wanted to be a doctor but didn't have the money for college and was too intimidated to try for a scholarship. He pushes her to apply for a Wayne scholarship and grant. Yet, within a few weeks of his training at the police academy - Dick receives an urgent message from Batman. Next we see Dick - he's dying and hallucinating Jason Todd as he relives his life. I was a bit confused as to how Dick ended-up drowning or dying.
This new version of Love and Bullets also features a number of extras - write-up summaries of info of all the major and minor characters that make up Dick Grayson's (Nightwing's) universe. A map of Blüdhaven, a map of Dick's apartment and his floor in Clancy's building, even a year-by-year history of the character of Dick Grayson in DC Comics (which was brilliant - I'd always wondered when the Teen Titans fit in). This is a handy reference to Dick's universe.
I hope DC Comics continues to publish these updated re-prints of the 1990s version of Nightwing. I enjoy reading the collected volumes very much. The bonus material in this one is awesome and helpful, and the thicker, shiny paper holds the colors very well - so they pop off the page. Also, the drawing of Grayson himself in his black and blue uniform is just gorgeous.
Nightwing Love and Bullets (Vol. 4) collects:
Nightwing # 1,000,000 (Nov. 1998)
Nightwing # 26 - 34 (Dec 1998, Jan. - Aug. 1999)
"Taking Wing" from Nightwing Secret Files # 1 (Oct. 1999)
June 19, 2021
The majority of this issue was just okay. Dick goes on (and ruins a date) with Clancy, teams up with (and kisses) huntress and gets a visit from Superman. The Superman issue was honestly pretty cute, and you could tell McDaniel had fun illustrating this issue as he drew Nightwing a full head shorter than Supes. There are also a lot of cute scenes that follow the trope of a kid standing up to someone bigger and stronger and the person laughing at them, only to turn around and see the kid's dad behind them. It's also refreshing to see Dick idolizing Superman, as he concludes the mission with the phrase "That was so cool." Furthermore Dick demonstrates the difference between him and his mentor as he disagrees with Batman's (sort of racist) statement that "Superman's not from our world. His loyalty will forever be in question. He's not human." and says "I'm not sure of that. He must be the most human guy I ever met." I love how much faith Dick puts in his friend, and honestly the faith is well earned. Superman is as much an earthling as any on else and has always been dedicated to helping the people on his planet. (Sometimes in a misguided way though) The whole issue is very wholesome and cute. There is also the one millionth issue in which Dick is visited by a Batman from the future. It feels a little out of place and disconnected but the banter is fun and its nice to see Nightwing get along with the new Batman instead of immediately treating him as an adversary. Also, Dick sleeps in Batman boxers and I think that's the cutest thing.
The highlight of this volume, though is Nightwing Secret Files and Origins. It contains a few stories that define and explore Nightwing's character. There is one that shows us the origin of his name, a hero from Krypton whose family disowned him. After Supes recounts his tale of heroism, Dick asks if the original Nightwing's family ever realized their mistake and Superman responds, "Does it matter?" It's a powerful piece of dialogue that reminds anyone from a dysfunctional family that they can be good for the sake of being good, and even then they may never win the approval of their family. But if all they're trying to do is win their family's approval then they're not really being good. It's a line that stuck with me. Then we also have a great issue of Dick with his new found family, the New Teen Titans. On the anniversary of the Graysons' death, the Titans wrap up a mission that involved the death of a child and Dick beats himself up over not being a good enough son. But luckily his new family is there to show him that he still has love and support even without his blood family. The issue also highlights the bond between Wally and Dick, and that's probably my favourite friendship in all of DC so I really enjoyed that. Finally, there is an issue where Dick gets injured and goes on a a trip down memory lane with Jason Todd as his guide. I am also a sucker for any Jason Todd inclusion (especially scenes where it seems like he was actually valued and loved by people) so I really enjoyed it. There's a line where Jason teases Dick about his extremely active love life and I like that Dick is a bit of a sex icon in DC. It works with his personality and it's nice to see a guy under that spotlight for once, instead of a woman. There are also fun additions like a map of Blüdhaven and the layout of Dick's apartment along with character bios (which I'm not a fan of).
Overall the main part of the book would be a 3/5 but my love for Nightwing Secret Files and Origins bumped it up to a 4.
The highlight of this volume, though is Nightwing Secret Files and Origins. It contains a few stories that define and explore Nightwing's character. There is one that shows us the origin of his name, a hero from Krypton whose family disowned him. After Supes recounts his tale of heroism, Dick asks if the original Nightwing's family ever realized their mistake and Superman responds, "Does it matter?" It's a powerful piece of dialogue that reminds anyone from a dysfunctional family that they can be good for the sake of being good, and even then they may never win the approval of their family. But if all they're trying to do is win their family's approval then they're not really being good. It's a line that stuck with me. Then we also have a great issue of Dick with his new found family, the New Teen Titans. On the anniversary of the Graysons' death, the Titans wrap up a mission that involved the death of a child and Dick beats himself up over not being a good enough son. But luckily his new family is there to show him that he still has love and support even without his blood family. The issue also highlights the bond between Wally and Dick, and that's probably my favourite friendship in all of DC so I really enjoyed that. Finally, there is an issue where Dick gets injured and goes on a a trip down memory lane with Jason Todd as his guide. I am also a sucker for any Jason Todd inclusion (especially scenes where it seems like he was actually valued and loved by people) so I really enjoyed it. There's a line where Jason teases Dick about his extremely active love life and I like that Dick is a bit of a sex icon in DC. It works with his personality and it's nice to see a guy under that spotlight for once, instead of a woman. There are also fun additions like a map of Blüdhaven and the layout of Dick's apartment along with character bios (which I'm not a fan of).
Overall the main part of the book would be a 3/5 but my love for Nightwing Secret Files and Origins bumped it up to a 4.
February 3, 2023
I've always enjoyed the Bat Family the most when it is "one turn of the dial" away from reality: a man dressed as a giant bat chasing down a criminal who obsessively leaves clues in the forms of riddles is one turn away from reality, to me. This is the major problem with this volume of Nightwing: it's multiple shifts away from reality. Torque is a patently ridiculous and unbelievable character. I suppose Blockbuster is one turn away from reality, but I still have a very hard time with Blockbuster - who, at least, has motivation. Many of the other characters in this volume have no real motivation for their actions. This combined with the art of Scott McDaniel, which continues to atrocious to the point where it is literally the worst art I've ever seen in a comic book, made this volume very hard to read.
There are some upsides. Dixon absolutely gets the Bat Family, so his character work with Dick / Nightwing is very good. Huntress shows up, and the continued tension between Huntress and the Bat Family is still very good material. The stories tend to a "villain / case of the month," rather than longer arcs, and while this isn't my favourite approach, it's fine. The volume is important, I suppose, as it's the genesis of Dick becoming a cop, which is a storyline I really dislike, but there's little else in here that's very important to the overall story of the Bat Family.
Largely a miss, and can largely be skipped unless you're really into Nightwing as a character. It's volumes like this that really make me wish DC had collected Dixon's incredible run on Robin, which, as far as I'm concerned, was written with more nuance, had better character development, had more engaging plots, and had art that didn't make you feel like somebody was constantly shooting lemon juice into your eye.
There are some upsides. Dixon absolutely gets the Bat Family, so his character work with Dick / Nightwing is very good. Huntress shows up, and the continued tension between Huntress and the Bat Family is still very good material. The stories tend to a "villain / case of the month," rather than longer arcs, and while this isn't my favourite approach, it's fine. The volume is important, I suppose, as it's the genesis of Dick becoming a cop, which is a storyline I really dislike, but there's little else in here that's very important to the overall story of the Bat Family.
Largely a miss, and can largely be skipped unless you're really into Nightwing as a character. It's volumes like this that really make me wish DC had collected Dixon's incredible run on Robin, which, as far as I'm concerned, was written with more nuance, had better character development, had more engaging plots, and had art that didn't make you feel like somebody was constantly shooting lemon juice into your eye.
February 17, 2018
This trade paperback picks up where the previous volume left off, collecting the next nine issues (26–34) of the 1996 on-going series, the DC One Million tie-in (Nightwing #1000000), and the supplement issue of Nightwing: Secret Files and Origins.
In the on-going series, Dick Grayson continues to wage his war on crime from the street corners to the police department and mayoral mansion. Grayson faces off with Blockbuster, Torque, Double Dare, and Nite-Wing, his impostor. He doesn't face these challenges alone; Huntress makes a cameo in a story arc as well for Superman for one issue. It culminates with Grayson quitting his job at the bar and joining the Blüdhaven Police Force to fight the corruption from within.
The DC One Million tie-in has Batman from the future working alongside Nightwing and to the present Batman to stop a virus from the future. The story line was rather interesting, but poorly executed. It ended far too abruptly and like most Crossover Event Tie-ins, it ended with little or no resolution.
The Nightwing: Secret Files and Origins provide good insight to Nightwing, his surroundings, his rouge gallery, major and minor people in his life – basically his universe. This bonus material is very useful to keep in handy to refresh yourself of who's who in Dick Grayson's complicated life.
All in all, I enjoyed this trade paperback, however like the previous volume, Love and Bullets suffers from mediocre filler stories and too many cross-over events or stories, which jars the overflow of the story that Dixon wants to tell. Still, I'm looking forward to the next trade paperback.
In the on-going series, Dick Grayson continues to wage his war on crime from the street corners to the police department and mayoral mansion. Grayson faces off with Blockbuster, Torque, Double Dare, and Nite-Wing, his impostor. He doesn't face these challenges alone; Huntress makes a cameo in a story arc as well for Superman for one issue. It culminates with Grayson quitting his job at the bar and joining the Blüdhaven Police Force to fight the corruption from within.
The DC One Million tie-in has Batman from the future working alongside Nightwing and to the present Batman to stop a virus from the future. The story line was rather interesting, but poorly executed. It ended far too abruptly and like most Crossover Event Tie-ins, it ended with little or no resolution.
The Nightwing: Secret Files and Origins provide good insight to Nightwing, his surroundings, his rouge gallery, major and minor people in his life – basically his universe. This bonus material is very useful to keep in handy to refresh yourself of who's who in Dick Grayson's complicated life.
All in all, I enjoyed this trade paperback, however like the previous volume, Love and Bullets suffers from mediocre filler stories and too many cross-over events or stories, which jars the overflow of the story that Dixon wants to tell. Still, I'm looking forward to the next trade paperback.
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