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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
1 person is currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,429 books1,031 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."
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 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.
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.
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.
March 5, 2012
This book series just keeps getting better and better.
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.
November 17, 2011
Nightwing + Robin is always awesome.
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.
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.
August 31, 2016
I actually am coming to like the character of Nightwing, which I thought would be difficult, given his stupid earlier costume (who would choose to fight crime in that?), but the series has grown on me. It's a bit cheesey and funny and sometimes the art is wildly bad at times in both the general comic book way of being bad (dudes ripped in ever single muscle on their body who stand with their chests thrown soooooo way out in front of them you wonder how they can reasonably stand upright) and bad in the way of just visually incoherent garbage --and hey, this is a positive review!
Nevertheless, the character has grown on me and I've come to enjoy the breaks in the general Batman timeline to follow the solo adventures of Dick Grayson, former Robin.
Nevertheless, the character has grown on me and I've come to enjoy the breaks in the general Batman timeline to follow the solo adventures of Dick Grayson, former Robin.
December 13, 2016
Another fine Nightwing volume by Chuck Dixon. Dick Grayson continues his fight against Bludhaven's criminal element, while finding time to bond with Tim (Robin) Drake and have witty banter with Barbara (Oracle) Gordon.
The subplots featuring Inspector Soames and the new street-level vigilante take move forward, one leading up to the smashing conclusion in this volume (guest-starring the Huntress), and the other leading to more plot setups later on.
McDaniel's art still isn't my cup of tea, but looks like he's on this book for a while. I still find his art muddy, and maybe it's the coloring, but in many panels it's difficult to figure out what's going on and that's just distracting.
The subplots featuring Inspector Soames and the new street-level vigilante take move forward, one leading up to the smashing conclusion in this volume (guest-starring the Huntress), and the other leading to more plot setups later on.
McDaniel's art still isn't my cup of tea, but looks like he's on this book for a while. I still find his art muddy, and maybe it's the coloring, but in many panels it's difficult to figure out what's going on and that's just distracting.
January 30, 2016
This series is really picking up steam with this book. The Storyline is much deeper with character development and plot progression that is more than "Dick beats- up a bunch of bad guys." The story really finds its groove in this book and you the reader start to appreciate all the elements up in the air as parts of the same complex story instead of the confusing hodgepodge that was the first and some of the second book.
The art is still ugly imho. Its not as dark or ugly as the first two; its clearer and doesn't interfere with the story as much, but still ugly
The art is still ugly imho. Its not as dark or ugly as the first two; its clearer and doesn't interfere with the story as much, but still ugly
March 18, 2013
I'm really tempted to give this one 5 stars because of issue #25, in which Nightwing takes Robin on a blindfolded training session. I absolutely adore this issue. It may not be groundbreaking, but it is such fun. And it isn't just meaningless entertainment: the issue really fleshes out the relationship between the two boy wonders. It's a shame that there brotherly bond isn't so strong in the New 52. :( The rest of the volume is great too, but that interlude is the highlight for me.
January 17, 2014
Vol 3 of Dixon's Nightwing keep the quality high bit this volume was FULL of crossovers, good crossovers, bit ones that were begun or concluded in other comics so reading this volume you never find out what happened.
July 29, 2008
I believe this is the third book of the series...
November 2, 2010
Not a bad little story about the return of Soames. Huntress guest stars and she's still after revenge not Justice. It's a good progression in character for Nightwing and his past.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews