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Nightwing (2016)
Nightwing: The Joker War
The return of Dick Grayson!
A bullet from KGBeast robbed Nightwing of his memories and shattered the identity of Dick Grayson. Now he has found himself living as Ric Grayson, free from the influence of Batman and all that comes with him.
But when the Joker comes to town, armed with a mind-controlling crystal and a taste for mayhem, Ric finds his identity in question once again. Is he Nightwing, wisecracking hero fighting for what's right? Is he Ric, masked vigilante attempting to carve out a new life? Or is he Dicky-Boy, son of the Joker, sinister foot soldier in his "father's" deadly war against Batman?
To find the anser, and to rightfully take his mantle as Nightwing again, Ric will need to delve deep into his own subconscious. But how will he be able to do that whenthe Joker War rages all around him?
Comics legend Dan Jurgens ( The Death of Superman , Batman Beyond ), along with artists Ronan Cliquet ( Green Lanterns ), Ryan Benjamin ( The Immortal Men ), and Travis Moore ( Batman ), brings the Ric Grayson saga to an epic and heartbreaking conclusion in The Joker War . Collects Nightwing Annual #3, Nightwing #70-77.
A bullet from KGBeast robbed Nightwing of his memories and shattered the identity of Dick Grayson. Now he has found himself living as Ric Grayson, free from the influence of Batman and all that comes with him.
But when the Joker comes to town, armed with a mind-controlling crystal and a taste for mayhem, Ric finds his identity in question once again. Is he Nightwing, wisecracking hero fighting for what's right? Is he Ric, masked vigilante attempting to carve out a new life? Or is he Dicky-Boy, son of the Joker, sinister foot soldier in his "father's" deadly war against Batman?
To find the anser, and to rightfully take his mantle as Nightwing again, Ric will need to delve deep into his own subconscious. But how will he be able to do that whenthe Joker War rages all around him?
Comics legend Dan Jurgens ( The Death of Superman , Batman Beyond ), along with artists Ronan Cliquet ( Green Lanterns ), Ryan Benjamin ( The Immortal Men ), and Travis Moore ( Batman ), brings the Ric Grayson saga to an epic and heartbreaking conclusion in The Joker War . Collects Nightwing Annual #3, Nightwing #70-77.
248 pages, Paperback
First published March 2, 2021
71 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Dan Jurgens
2,233 books285 followersDan Jurgens is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for his work on the DC comic book storyline "The Death of Superman" and for creating characters such as Doomsday, Hank Henshaw, and Booster Gold. Jurgens had a lengthy run on the Superman comic books including The Adventures of Superman, Superman vol. 2 and Action Comics. At Marvel, Jurgens worked on series such as Captain America, The Sensational Spider-Man and was the writer on Thor for six years. He also had a brief run as writer and artist on Solar for Valiant Comics in 1995.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
March 23, 2021
I am ecstatic that the Ric Grayson era is finally over. Too bad it took some nonsense with the Joker brianwashing him to bring it to a close. A magical crystal that subverts one's memories multiple times was just dumb. That being said the rest of it was OK and the art was very good. The one good thing to come out of this was Bea and it unfortunately looks like she's went the way of Batman's girlfriends. It's so cliche at this point.
May 19, 2022
This was so good omg!
It took me quite some time to read and like two sittings but I kinda liked it.
Okay so the story here is like a story set in the past with Condor Red and how Dick met them and its kinda fun bringing power rangers elements into it and shows why Dick works best without an armor and then what happens when Joker gets control of the memory crystal and like uses it to mess Dick's memories even further? Its a battle for Dick Grayson's identity as he fights his friends and family like Batgirl and Red hood and then the coming of the hero and I love the whole build-up and yeah some moments might seem cringe but its still good overall if you read it at once and the end of Ric and the return of NIGHTWING!
So yeah in that regards its fun and then KGBeast returns and I love how it wraps up this time and Dick battling and defeating him was a cherry on top. Its so good omg, I love it! And finally the big thing with Bea and its alright, you feel sad for her but the sacrifices of a hero shown here and then a story set in christmas time and how he and Bruce help some people there and its a feel good story and wraps up this rebirth era of nightwing pretty well!
So yeah a fun read overall and made for some good moments and shows why Dick is the heart of DC and yeah some moments are cringe but ignoring that, Jurgens wrote a good book and also the art was so good! Overall a great run for sure!
It took me quite some time to read and like two sittings but I kinda liked it.
Okay so the story here is like a story set in the past with Condor Red and how Dick met them and its kinda fun bringing power rangers elements into it and shows why Dick works best without an armor and then what happens when Joker gets control of the memory crystal and like uses it to mess Dick's memories even further? Its a battle for Dick Grayson's identity as he fights his friends and family like Batgirl and Red hood and then the coming of the hero and I love the whole build-up and yeah some moments might seem cringe but its still good overall if you read it at once and the end of Ric and the return of NIGHTWING!
So yeah in that regards its fun and then KGBeast returns and I love how it wraps up this time and Dick battling and defeating him was a cherry on top. Its so good omg, I love it! And finally the big thing with Bea and its alright, you feel sad for her but the sacrifices of a hero shown here and then a story set in christmas time and how he and Bruce help some people there and its a feel good story and wraps up this rebirth era of nightwing pretty well!
So yeah a fun read overall and made for some good moments and shows why Dick is the heart of DC and yeah some moments are cringe but ignoring that, Jurgens wrote a good book and also the art was so good! Overall a great run for sure!
February 26, 2021
When Dan Jurgens took over the Nightwing title, he had the unenviable job of untangling all of the plot threads he had inherited from Benjamibn Percy and Scott Lobdell, as well as from the main Batman title like that pesky amnesia. And now, with that story coming to a close, he also has to get Ric through the Joker War somewhat intact as well. But Jurgens has been in comics for a very long time, and his resilence as a writer is one of the many reasons why.
This final volume of the Ric Grayson saga plunges head first into the Joker War, with the first five issues or so seeing how Ric fares against the Joker and Punchline when they come a'calling. Then the remaining four issues act both as fallout from the War and a conclusion to this section of Ric's life.
Brilliantly, Jurgens ties all of this into what's happened to Ric recently, with a brainwashing plotline that would feel wrote if not for the fact that it sets up a new dynamic with the Batfamily for the extent of the story. I'm not hugely sold on the nickname that Dick gets while under the Joker's control, but it's fun to see one of the boy scouts of the DC Universe let loose.
Jurgens also manages to tie off the faux-Nightwings story in a fairly satisfying way, although the same can't be said for Dick's latest romance with Bea. While we all knew it wouldn't last once he returned to himself, it's a shame to see her pushed aside rather than given the graceful exit. The retribution with KGBeast is a nice touch though, and definitely cements Dick's return nicely.
The final issue of the volume is a Christmas special which made me smile, and there's also an annual that wraps up on the Raptors from the previous annual.
The vast majority of the artwork here is from the unsung hero of the this run on Nightwing, Ronan Cliquet, who manages to turn out beautifully rendered issues of superhero action almost entirely unaided. Ryan Benjamin steps in for an issue or so, while the ever-brilliant Travis Moore also gets to join in the fun, but it's Cliquet's clean, clear pencils that anchor this story. I really hope he gets another big title after this.
The Joker War's effects on Nightwing feel seamless, as Jurgens slips the Joker and his plans into Nightwing's world efficiently as hell. With multiple plates spinning and conclusions all over the place, this final volume really shows how well Jurgens has managed to tie all of these disparate plot threads together, almost none of which were his own to begin with.
This final volume of the Ric Grayson saga plunges head first into the Joker War, with the first five issues or so seeing how Ric fares against the Joker and Punchline when they come a'calling. Then the remaining four issues act both as fallout from the War and a conclusion to this section of Ric's life.
Brilliantly, Jurgens ties all of this into what's happened to Ric recently, with a brainwashing plotline that would feel wrote if not for the fact that it sets up a new dynamic with the Batfamily for the extent of the story. I'm not hugely sold on the nickname that Dick gets while under the Joker's control, but it's fun to see one of the boy scouts of the DC Universe let loose.
Jurgens also manages to tie off the faux-Nightwings story in a fairly satisfying way, although the same can't be said for Dick's latest romance with Bea. While we all knew it wouldn't last once he returned to himself, it's a shame to see her pushed aside rather than given the graceful exit. The retribution with KGBeast is a nice touch though, and definitely cements Dick's return nicely.
The final issue of the volume is a Christmas special which made me smile, and there's also an annual that wraps up on the Raptors from the previous annual.
The vast majority of the artwork here is from the unsung hero of the this run on Nightwing, Ronan Cliquet, who manages to turn out beautifully rendered issues of superhero action almost entirely unaided. Ryan Benjamin steps in for an issue or so, while the ever-brilliant Travis Moore also gets to join in the fun, but it's Cliquet's clean, clear pencils that anchor this story. I really hope he gets another big title after this.
The Joker War's effects on Nightwing feel seamless, as Jurgens slips the Joker and his plans into Nightwing's world efficiently as hell. With multiple plates spinning and conclusions all over the place, this final volume really shows how well Jurgens has managed to tie all of these disparate plot threads together, almost none of which were his own to begin with.
February 1, 2021
When the Joker's involved you can always count on weird twists. And what a weird twist this ride has been! Can somebody explain to me, how on earth the Joker figured out the crystal magic that was the reason for Dick's memory problems? Anyways, I am so glad that Richard / Dick - and not Ric - is back! He is one of my absolute favourite characters and I'm glad to see things go back to (somewhat) normalcy! I feel bad for Bea though, I think that relationship between the two of them could have worked, but Dick had to be the superhero (TM) again and pull the "everybody-I-know-and-hold-dear-are-in-danger-so-it's-best-to-break-the-love-of-my-life's-heart-to-protect-her" blablabla. Always the same thing. I feel like if he really would have wanted to, he could have put in a bit more of an effort for this relationship to work (and yes I do understand that she would be in constant danger and so on, but then Dick should just finally manage to hide his identity and not let every villain now his alter ego!).
February 1, 2021
Fiiiiiiiiiiinally.
April 16, 2021
I thought dick was back last volume but I guess not fully. Now we have a crystal that'll bring him back. Just have to read 200 pages of the insufferable ric with a joker twist to do so.
Least art was okay.
Least art was okay.
July 6, 2023
A mani basse l'arco più interessante finora. Brividi
May 23, 2021
Nightwing: The Joker War continues where the previous trade paperback left off collecting eight issues (Nightwing #70–77) of the 2016 on-going series with Nightwing Annual #3 and collects eight interconnected one-issue stories with one story that should have belong to the previous trade paperback.
"Wings Up" is a one-issue storyline (Nightwing Annual #3), which has a group that wanted to recruit Dick Grayson as Nightwing into one of their own. It is an avian-theme team with members wearing flight controlled armor. It is a story which takes place during Nightwing #68 and feels a tad misplaced in this trade paperback.
"From the Darkness", "War of the Mind", "Welcome to the New Family!", "Son of the Joker!", and "Crystal Clear" are interconnected one-issue stories (Nightwing #70–74) that has the Joker using the same method that the Court of Owls used on Dick Grayson to brainwash him into being Dickie-Boy, someone loyal to the Joker. "Who is Dick Grayson?" and "The Problems with Napkin Man" (Nightwing #75–76 has Dick Grayson regaining his memory and faces off with the person who shot him in the head – KGBeast.
"Abstract Holidays" is a one-issue storyline (Nightwing #77), which is a holiday special that focuses on Dick Grayson as Nightwing and his new normal after regaining his memories.
Dan Jurgens penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. Jurgens has continued the Dick Grayson amnesia storyline and pushed it further by having the Joker using the same techniques to control Dick Grayson to his side. The main narrative is disjointed, the characters are often written poorly, the central theme feels like a rehash of the previous volume, and the conclusion is somewhat disappointing. However, the stories dealing with the aftermath of the Joker War event were the best as it has Dick Grayson as Nightwing taking on the KGBeast – the person who shot him in the head and a nice holiday story that captures the character's optimism, his sense of community, and his love for the people around him.
Ronan Cliquet (Nightwing #71–72, 77), Ryan Benjamin (Nightwing #70, 73–74), Travis Moore (Nightwing #74–75), and Inaki Miranda (Nightwing Annual #3) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part the penciling styles ranged greatly, which made the artistic flow rather disjointed as each penciler have their own strengths and weaknesses. Cliquet has improved greatly and Moore's artwork is always great and a pleasure to view. Benjamin and Miranda fairs slightly worse, but depicted the narrative rather well.
All in all, Nightwing: The Joker War is a mediocre continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
"Wings Up" is a one-issue storyline (Nightwing Annual #3), which has a group that wanted to recruit Dick Grayson as Nightwing into one of their own. It is an avian-theme team with members wearing flight controlled armor. It is a story which takes place during Nightwing #68 and feels a tad misplaced in this trade paperback.
"From the Darkness", "War of the Mind", "Welcome to the New Family!", "Son of the Joker!", and "Crystal Clear" are interconnected one-issue stories (Nightwing #70–74) that has the Joker using the same method that the Court of Owls used on Dick Grayson to brainwash him into being Dickie-Boy, someone loyal to the Joker. "Who is Dick Grayson?" and "The Problems with Napkin Man" (Nightwing #75–76 has Dick Grayson regaining his memory and faces off with the person who shot him in the head – KGBeast.
"Abstract Holidays" is a one-issue storyline (Nightwing #77), which is a holiday special that focuses on Dick Grayson as Nightwing and his new normal after regaining his memories.
Dan Jurgens penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written moderately well. Jurgens has continued the Dick Grayson amnesia storyline and pushed it further by having the Joker using the same techniques to control Dick Grayson to his side. The main narrative is disjointed, the characters are often written poorly, the central theme feels like a rehash of the previous volume, and the conclusion is somewhat disappointing. However, the stories dealing with the aftermath of the Joker War event were the best as it has Dick Grayson as Nightwing taking on the KGBeast – the person who shot him in the head and a nice holiday story that captures the character's optimism, his sense of community, and his love for the people around him.
Ronan Cliquet (Nightwing #71–72, 77), Ryan Benjamin (Nightwing #70, 73–74), Travis Moore (Nightwing #74–75), and Inaki Miranda (Nightwing Annual #3) penciled the trade paperback. For the most part the penciling styles ranged greatly, which made the artistic flow rather disjointed as each penciler have their own strengths and weaknesses. Cliquet has improved greatly and Moore's artwork is always great and a pleasure to view. Benjamin and Miranda fairs slightly worse, but depicted the narrative rather well.
All in all, Nightwing: The Joker War is a mediocre continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
May 21, 2022
I liked this volume better than many of the prior volumes for several reasons. For one thing, we have the Joker. Also, we finally get "our" Nightwing back. There's also an old school Christmas tale that we don't see many of recently.
When I look back over the Nightwing series up until this point, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It wasn't a bad run when you put it all in perspective.
Things are back to the status quo for the most part, which in this case isn't a bad thing. I'm curious to see where things go from here.
When I look back over the Nightwing series up until this point, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It wasn't a bad run when you put it all in perspective.
Things are back to the status quo for the most part, which in this case isn't a bad thing. I'm curious to see where things go from here.
June 17, 2021
Dicky Boy finally ditches the side-piece, but doesn't go back to Babs, or even talk to her really. Also the Joker, while having never seen a mind control stone before, instinctively uses it better than the world's greatest brain surgeon. Also cybercrimes will be rewarded if you're homeless at Christmas.
July 9, 2025
Gotta love the random christmas special at the end
August 30, 2021
Essa guerra Coringa tá esquisita, tem umas parada esquisita acontecendo, mas vamos ver como vai terminar.
September 29, 2021
I personally didn't like how they dragged out the Ric arc here. That may not be entirely the fault of the Joker War arc (though I'm certain it was a significant contributor), but I felt that it had the perfect chance to end at the end of Gray Son Legacy, the previous volume.
I enjoyed the art, but not so much the story. As much sense as it made, I did not like the execution. Though I did enjoy the closing issue or two. Dick reflecting on Alfred was nice and I am glad that they addressed the whole thing with Bea. While Dick and Ric are the same person with the same good nature, who they were as people was different.
I enjoyed the art, but not so much the story. As much sense as it made, I did not like the execution. Though I did enjoy the closing issue or two. Dick reflecting on Alfred was nice and I am glad that they addressed the whole thing with Bea. While Dick and Ric are the same person with the same good nature, who they were as people was different.
February 20, 2022
Nightwing: The Joker War starts off with annual #3, which was fine, but really should have been in Nightwing, Vol. 10: The Gray Son Legacy.
The plot is: Condor Red goes against orders and saves Nightwing's life/helps him in a showdown against some of Blockbuster's baddies. Condor Red brings Nightwing back to base to treat his injuries & Ms. Hale (the head of the Condors) both hits on Nightwing inappropriately & offers him a working partnership. It's Condor Red that shows up again/before in Nightwing Vol 10 (issues #67 & 68).
Now, into the meat of this volume/story. THANK GOODNESS Ric is gone & Dick is ready to "find his true self". Please let him be Nightwing/Dick Grayson again, please let him be Nightwing/Dick Grayson again, please let him be Nightwing/Dick Grayson again!
Alas, it's not that simple. Dick feels like his brain/identity is all muddled and we're still where we left off in Vol. 10, with Dick holding onto the crystal and not asking his superhero family for help.
Surprisingly, this is where the Joker walks in!
Joker: "I'm here to help, m'boy. I can tell you all about your mommy and daddy...and their splendiferous trapeze act. Not to mention what that nasty Zucco fellow did to them. And that overly serious and terribly damaged Wayne fellow who took you in."
Dick: "How did you find...?"
Joker: "My boy. I have always known."
!!!
Omg, that reveal from Joker was *chef's kiss*.
I've always known he knows, but I'm not sure he's ever come out and said it before on-page. This is pretty big.
Also, the fact that he carries around a crowbar is just... *whistles*.
The Joker is just twisted.
So... when he uses the brainwashing crystal against Dick, man was I not surprised. Totally disappointed Dick let himself get bamboozled again (leaving the crystal unattended, not asking his super-dad for help...), but not surprised. Because, OF COURSE Joker would.
And surprisingly, again, I didn't hate Dickyboy as much as I had hated Ric, so, lol.
Issue #72 opens with Bea going to Gotham to ask for some bat-help with Ric. Ric's acting super weird after their visit from the Joker, so Bea lights a bonfire/bat signal in the middle of a park to get someone's attention (lol).
Batgirl goes looking for him, but sadly, Dickyboy finds her first. He and Punchline KO Batgirl and Joker shows up for a creepy "family photo"-like last frame of the issue.
#73 Joker (and Punchline) pit Dickyboy against Batgirl in a cage match and the taunting from the sidelines is rough. How Joker is Dickyboy's real father, a throwaway line about Alfred, etc.
The next issue, #74, was the tie-in included in The Joker War Saga.
Bea finds Dickyboy (Dick/Ric) fighting it out with Batgirl, Red Hood, and Red Robin. The Joker & Punchline stick around until Bea intervenes by grabbing the mind-control/memory/identity crystal. Dickyboy (so terrible) is pointing a gun at Batgirl & Joker is egging him on to kill her. Bea, using the crystal tells Ric he's not the Joker's son. He's not Dickyboy. He's not even Ric. He's Dick Grayson. Adopted by Bruce Wayne, raised by Batman. Boy Wonder turned Bludhaven's superhero. AND, OMG it finally works! Two terrible volumes of Nightwing where Dick was Ric & we finally got Dick Grayson back! Thank God!!
Batman shows up on scene as soon as the Joker & Punchline escape. Bea is starstruck (lol) and Batman tells Dick he was checking up on him the whole time in Bludhaven, even if he wasn't seen.
Dick to Batman: "Nice of you to remember. I thought you'd given up on me."
Batman: "Because I didn't drop in to say hi?"
Batman: "Do you really believe that I stayed away from Bludhaven? That I never checked up on you? You know me better than that."
Dick thinks for a second & then smiles: "How often?"
Batman: "Many times."
Middle frame of the page is a flash back of Ric in Bludhaven with Bea. Batman can be seen in the top left of the frame. Note from the editors reads *Nightwing #50 and more!
I went back to Nightwing issue #50, and if look at this page you can also see Batman in the back of the middle frame, on the left, checking up on him. <3
Anyway, this is the batfamily reunion I was waiting for & it feels so good!
Sadly, Bea runs off because she's nervous Dick forgot her/Ric/that it all wasn't real. It's a little dramatic for my tastes, but it's better she go home anyway since Gotham is still a shit-show.
Issue #75 brings back pretty Dick with the good art by Travis Moore and Ronan Cliquet.
Sadly just because Dick "is back", "doesn't mean Nightwing is". :(
Dick's still working on it all. Understandably, but I'm impatient.
Batman: "All I want...is for you to be whole."
Dick: "Who's to say I'm not? I feel fine."
Batman: "If you say so."
Dick: "I hate when you do that."
Batman: "Do what?"
Dick: "Get all passive-aggressive. Your "if you say so," really means you don't think I'm fine!"
Batman: "If you say so."
LOL! Batman humor. (o>艸<)
There's a real tear-jerker page where Dick goes to Alfred's grave (now that he had his memory back), and he and Alfred "talk". And, OOF, I HATE THAT THIS IS STILL A THING. Can we bring back Alfred already?!
The issue ends with Dick putting the Nightwing suit back on! (YAY! CHEERS! HURRAH!)
He goes to meet the Nightwings and tells them to hang up their tights for their own safety, and though I really liked the Nightwings, it makes sense.
The issue ends with bad news; a visit to Bea's bar from KGBeast. :(
Issue #76 is an all-out battle between KGBeast & Nightwing. I love that Hutch (Nightwing Red) shows up on the scene for his day job as a firefighter (& gets the go-ahead from Dick to be Nightwing again <3).
Dick breaks up with Bea by lying to her & I am literally not surprised in the slightest. His motives are noble, but this is classic Dick behavior. Here's another lost girlfriend after issues of making me try and care for her...
The volume ends with a short and sweet Nightwing story Abstract Holidays by Jurgens. Nightwing uses his judgment to not takedown "the bad guy" after learning she's not really that bad. The story ends at Bruce's new house(?) and the batfamily is there together celebrating Christmas. <3
And now, we await the new Nightwing title.
3.5 stars
The plot is: Condor Red goes against orders and saves Nightwing's life/helps him in a showdown against some of Blockbuster's baddies. Condor Red brings Nightwing back to base to treat his injuries & Ms. Hale (the head of the Condors) both hits on Nightwing inappropriately & offers him a working partnership. It's Condor Red that shows up again/before in Nightwing Vol 10 (issues #67 & 68).
Now, into the meat of this volume/story. THANK GOODNESS Ric is gone & Dick is ready to "find his true self". Please let him be Nightwing/Dick Grayson again, please let him be Nightwing/Dick Grayson again, please let him be Nightwing/Dick Grayson again!
Alas, it's not that simple. Dick feels like his brain/identity is all muddled and we're still where we left off in Vol. 10, with Dick holding onto the crystal and not asking his superhero family for help.
Surprisingly, this is where the Joker walks in!
Joker: "I'm here to help, m'boy. I can tell you all about your mommy and daddy...and their splendiferous trapeze act. Not to mention what that nasty Zucco fellow did to them. And that overly serious and terribly damaged Wayne fellow who took you in."
Dick: "How did you find...?"
Joker: "My boy. I have always known."
!!!
Omg, that reveal from Joker was *chef's kiss*.
I've always known he knows, but I'm not sure he's ever come out and said it before on-page. This is pretty big.
Also, the fact that he carries around a crowbar is just... *whistles*.
The Joker is just twisted.
So... when he uses the brainwashing crystal against Dick, man was I not surprised. Totally disappointed Dick let himself get bamboozled again (leaving the crystal unattended, not asking his super-dad for help...), but not surprised. Because, OF COURSE Joker would.
And surprisingly, again, I didn't hate Dickyboy as much as I had hated Ric, so, lol.
Issue #72 opens with Bea going to Gotham to ask for some bat-help with Ric. Ric's acting super weird after their visit from the Joker, so Bea lights a bonfire/bat signal in the middle of a park to get someone's attention (lol).
Batgirl goes looking for him, but sadly, Dickyboy finds her first. He and Punchline KO Batgirl and Joker shows up for a creepy "family photo"-like last frame of the issue.
#73 Joker (and Punchline) pit Dickyboy against Batgirl in a cage match and the taunting from the sidelines is rough. How Joker is Dickyboy's real father, a throwaway line about Alfred, etc.
The next issue, #74, was the tie-in included in The Joker War Saga.
Bea finds Dickyboy (Dick/Ric) fighting it out with Batgirl, Red Hood, and Red Robin. The Joker & Punchline stick around until Bea intervenes by grabbing the mind-control/memory/identity crystal. Dickyboy (so terrible) is pointing a gun at Batgirl & Joker is egging him on to kill her. Bea, using the crystal tells Ric he's not the Joker's son. He's not Dickyboy. He's not even Ric. He's Dick Grayson. Adopted by Bruce Wayne, raised by Batman. Boy Wonder turned Bludhaven's superhero. AND, OMG it finally works! Two terrible volumes of Nightwing where Dick was Ric & we finally got Dick Grayson back! Thank God!!
Batman shows up on scene as soon as the Joker & Punchline escape. Bea is starstruck (lol) and Batman tells Dick he was checking up on him the whole time in Bludhaven, even if he wasn't seen.
Dick to Batman: "Nice of you to remember. I thought you'd given up on me."
Batman: "Because I didn't drop in to say hi?"
Batman: "Do you really believe that I stayed away from Bludhaven? That I never checked up on you? You know me better than that."
Dick thinks for a second & then smiles: "How often?"
Batman: "Many times."
Middle frame of the page is a flash back of Ric in Bludhaven with Bea. Batman can be seen in the top left of the frame. Note from the editors reads *Nightwing #50 and more!
I went back to Nightwing issue #50, and if look at this page you can also see Batman in the back of the middle frame, on the left, checking up on him. <3
Anyway, this is the batfamily reunion I was waiting for & it feels so good!
Sadly, Bea runs off because she's nervous Dick forgot her/Ric/that it all wasn't real. It's a little dramatic for my tastes, but it's better she go home anyway since Gotham is still a shit-show.
Issue #75 brings back pretty Dick with the good art by Travis Moore and Ronan Cliquet.
Sadly just because Dick "is back", "doesn't mean Nightwing is". :(
Dick's still working on it all. Understandably, but I'm impatient.
Batman: "All I want...is for you to be whole."
Dick: "Who's to say I'm not? I feel fine."
Batman: "If you say so."
Dick: "I hate when you do that."
Batman: "Do what?"
Dick: "Get all passive-aggressive. Your "if you say so," really means you don't think I'm fine!"
Batman: "If you say so."
LOL! Batman humor. (o>艸<)
There's a real tear-jerker page where Dick goes to Alfred's grave (now that he had his memory back), and he and Alfred "talk". And, OOF, I HATE THAT THIS IS STILL A THING. Can we bring back Alfred already?!
The issue ends with Dick putting the Nightwing suit back on! (YAY! CHEERS! HURRAH!)
He goes to meet the Nightwings and tells them to hang up their tights for their own safety, and though I really liked the Nightwings, it makes sense.
The issue ends with bad news; a visit to Bea's bar from KGBeast. :(
Issue #76 is an all-out battle between KGBeast & Nightwing. I love that Hutch (Nightwing Red) shows up on the scene for his day job as a firefighter (& gets the go-ahead from Dick to be Nightwing again <3).
Dick breaks up with Bea by lying to her & I am literally not surprised in the slightest. His motives are noble, but this is classic Dick behavior. Here's another lost girlfriend after issues of making me try and care for her...
The volume ends with a short and sweet Nightwing story Abstract Holidays by Jurgens. Nightwing uses his judgment to not takedown "the bad guy" after learning she's not really that bad. The story ends at Bruce's new house(?) and the batfamily is there together celebrating Christmas. <3
And now, we await the new Nightwing title.
3.5 stars
February 2, 2025
*3.5* Joker did a lot here that I really don’t find all that plausible. How convenient he found the memory crystal, knew what it was, and how to use it. The Joker War issues were pretty bad as Nightwing issues, to be honest, but I still found them to be enjoyable because Batgirl is the best. The one issue that ends with Jason and Tim believing Dick is back was really dumb considering the next one starts with the immediate reveal that he is, in fact, not himself. These would’ve been seconds apart in real time, so that’s dumb.
Alongside handling Joker War, I feel this volume effectively wrapped up what’d been going on since the Ric Grayson era began. Bea got to be pretty cool in this (setting a fire in the shape of the bat symbol as a DIY bat signal was quite the badass move) but it became increasingly clear that she and Dick could not last once he went back to his old life. I feel sorry for her but I also feel that she and Dick both unnecessarily flip flopped about how they felt toward the end of things, which dragged on the resolution. And it was definitely time for the other four Nightwings to pack it up. I’m not surprised they left room for Hutch to make a return to superheroism in the future, as he is the one who definitely had the most potential.
Ultimately the most compelling thing that happened in this volume was Dick imagining a very cathartic conversation with Alfred at his grave. It also serves as great setup for the next arc.
Before I go, I’ve just got some complaints about the first issue collected here. It seems to come out of nowhere and largely take place in flashback, which is so boring. And, more importantly, this: I’m begging comic writers to recognize that women committing mild forms of sexual harassment isn’t just excused because they’re women and meant to be on the good side, and it certainly isn’t the kind of equality us girls are looking for in our comics. Yeah, Dick Grayson is super hot, but that doesn’t make Miss Jacqueline Hale’s behavior okay. Guess it’s too much to ask that comics just cool it with the casual sexual harassment entirely?
Alongside handling Joker War, I feel this volume effectively wrapped up what’d been going on since the Ric Grayson era began. Bea got to be pretty cool in this (setting a fire in the shape of the bat symbol as a DIY bat signal was quite the badass move) but it became increasingly clear that she and Dick could not last once he went back to his old life. I feel sorry for her but I also feel that she and Dick both unnecessarily flip flopped about how they felt toward the end of things, which dragged on the resolution. And it was definitely time for the other four Nightwings to pack it up. I’m not surprised they left room for Hutch to make a return to superheroism in the future, as he is the one who definitely had the most potential.
Ultimately the most compelling thing that happened in this volume was Dick imagining a very cathartic conversation with Alfred at his grave. It also serves as great setup for the next arc.
Before I go, I’ve just got some complaints about the first issue collected here. It seems to come out of nowhere and largely take place in flashback, which is so boring. And, more importantly, this: I’m begging comic writers to recognize that women committing mild forms of sexual harassment isn’t just excused because they’re women and meant to be on the good side, and it certainly isn’t the kind of equality us girls are looking for in our comics. Yeah, Dick Grayson is super hot, but that doesn’t make Miss Jacqueline Hale’s behavior okay. Guess it’s too much to ask that comics just cool it with the casual sexual harassment entirely?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2023
The whole memory loss and events overwritten by false memories factor was getting freaking ridiculous by this point (I mean, just move on already!!).
May 13, 2024
There was nothing spectacular here, but it did end a story arc I was really bored with so yay.
February 17, 2024
now why did they make him a taxi driver
May 16, 2025
This was an excellent conclusion to the Ric Grayson era 👏😁🌟!! I could not ask for a better ending or a greater start for the next Nightwing Saga.
We begin with a mini arc centering on an independent intelligence agency run by Ms. Hale, fascinated by the Talon, aka Ric Grayson, who attempted an assassination on Condor Red (one of their field agents). Ms. Hale manages to put the pieces together and believes the Talon involved in that incident was actually Nightwing.
Our focus is then shifted to Nightwing, aka Dick who shows up to take down a terrorist/ authoritarian group known as the Blood Knight. Nightwing ends up in an altercation. The Knights try to gas him and are successful after one solid punch to the gut. Condor Red shows up after being assigned to follow Nightwing to gain intel post the incident and intercepts to stop the Knights from killing Nightwing. In the midst of the scuffle, Nightwing takes a hard fall off the concrete steps and slams his head. Condor Red is assigned to bring Nightwing back to their base, where he is treated by their doctors. Ms. Hale explains that their base of operations and her desire to hire Nightwing to train her agents. Nightwing rejects but goes on one mission to appease Ms. Hale and to repay her for healing him. Nightwing suits up as Condor Blue and goes out with Condor Red to take down a Blood Knight, but it's revealed that this was all a setup for Blockbuster. Nightwing & Blockbuster end up in a 1v1 fight, and Nightwing successfully subdues Blockbuster. Ms. Hale is determined to keep watch of Nightwing but advises her agents not to go after him.
We now focus back on our main arc centering around Richard Grayson in his Red Racer uniform, departing from a helicopter. Richard goes on to explain that he has many conducting memories due to Dr. Haas, who implanted a second set of syndicate memories about Richard being raised by his great-grandfather William Cobb to be a Talon. In addition, a mind-altering crystal was used on Richard to further cement those memories. However, Richard's true memories are starting to rise to the surface, leaving him with both immense pain from intense headaches and an identity crisis.
Meanwhile, Collen & Hutch are having a serious heart-to-heart as they express their feelings on being Blüdhaven's replacement Nightwings in Zak's hospital room. Hutch believes that the task at times demands far too much of them as a team and that it isn't feasible long term, whereas Collen thinks that they've been holding down the fort just fine. Zak pipes up towards the end and shares his opinions, which are in agreement with, and that the only reason they became the Nightwings was because of Sapienza.
In the next scene, we see Sapienza in his Nightwing uniform when he catches news on the police radio station of multiple stabbed victims outside of a restaurant. When Sapienza goes into investigation, he comes across one hell of a surprise as he meets the Joker face to face. In a swift fight, Joker reveals that he knows Sapienza isn't the real Nightwing as well as his disdain for fraud before burning the side of Sapienza's face. With the haunting words of the Joker asking if Sapienza knows where he can find "the little night birdie".
Our attention is then directed to Richard in uniform, who stops at a drug deal turned bad, sending the nearly killed drug recipient running from danger. That is, until he runs into the Joker, and in classic Joker style, he asks who just saved the guy's life while giving the man a cigar. The man replies that his name is Slappy and that it was a Nightwing. Slappy's head then explodes.
We then see Bea sweeping up the prodigal bar when she hears a noise upstairs and goes to investigate. Bea approaches and finds Richard in uniform, returning from his nightly patrol with a splitting headache. Bea becomes concerned and assures him that that isn't working and that it's time to find the proper medical care. Richard holds steadfast to the idea that the crystal is the key to restoring his memories and reversing his pain. Bea is willing to compromise, but before they can get farther in their conversations, Richard is on the move to stop an escaped prisoner, aka Rampage. When a very surprised visitor greets Bea by eerily coming down the stairs.
Outside Richard is fending off Rampage questioning how he know the feind. After an extensive head to head fight. It all comes to a stop when Richard sees a Joker card and comes to an epiphany. We then swiftly split the scene to see Sapienza brought in on a gurney about to go into emergency surgery when it's interrupted by Collen, who barges in demanding to know who did this to him. Sapienza replies that it was the Joker before coding, and the doctors rushing in to save his life.
Meanwhile the Joker slowly comes down the stairs to reveal that the knows Richard/Dick very well and all things Batman as he approaches the Bar. Richard then bursts in and begins attacking the maniac. Joker explains that he's here to help Richard remember who he truly is and to bridge the frauds stealing his good name. Richard is shocked by the Joker's extensive knowledge of him,im going so far as to list his parents and Bruce. The manipulative tactics begin to set in, and Bea leaps in with a trusty baseball bat to attack the Joker when he counters and states that he will crowbar her to death. Richard elevates the situation to draw attention to himself, asking what the Joker's intentions are and why he's here. Joker retorts that he knows about the Talons and the distorted memories they implanted in Richard's mind, and that he counters those fake memories. The crystal is then revealed and Joker begins to use it on Richard to have him swayed to believe that he is Dickyboy, the Joker's adoptive son who was his sidekick in his war against Batman after his abusive Trapeze artist parents were murdered.
We then cut to Bea lighting a self made Batsignal fire in the park which alerts Batgirl/Barbara Gordon who decides to appear out of uniform to investigate. Bea is slightly disappointed that to see Barbara instead of a Batfamily member but she makes due and tells her that Ric was acting strange and shattered the crystal used to mind control him before running off to Gotham. Barbara reassures Bea that she will take care of Ric and ensure he gets the help he need.
Batgirl returns ready for action as she scouts out nearby rooftops to locate Richard. The red racer uniformed Richard then makes a surprised appearance as he confronts Batgirl pretending know who she is. Batgirl then present Dick's Nightwing costume and requests that he puts all of this different persona uniforms away and embrace who he is asking Nightwing. When suddenly Punchline appears revealing this encounter to be an ambush and swiftly dispatches Batgirl knocking her out. The Joker then strolls in and declare this to have been a great "Family-outing".
In the next scene, we see Batgirl tied up in an area filled with cheering clowns when Richard takes center stage. Joker sets off the death match and watches from the sidelines with Punchline. What follows is an extensive back and forth fight between Batgirl who tries to reason a mind-altered Richard out for blood. Towards the end of the fight Batgirl realizes that she can leave and does so to regroup from the whole ordeal. Meanwhile Punchline leaves taking two clowns with her to the Alfred's Pennyworth Children's hospital where she sets up a bomb then patches into the Batfamily network impersonating Batgirl to alert Red Robin & Red Hood of the bomb.
Red Robin & Red Hood both show up nearby for the call and run into Richard who pretends to be a memory fixed Dick Grayson. We then redirect out attention to Bea as she runs throughout Gotham in search of Ric with the crystal in hand. Then return our gaze to Dickyboy who reveals his true colors as a word of Joker clowns shows up as he takes down Red Hood & Red Robin. Red Hood recognize the racer costume and that he had previously fought Richard. Red Robin finds a way out and charges into the Pennyworth hospital to defuse the bomb while Red Hood takes care of Richard. Tensions rise as Batgirl appeared and delivers a solid blow to Joker and Punchline before leaving to help Red Hood. Racer Richard picks up one of Red Hood's guns as he then treathens to end him. Red Hood retorts that Dick doesn't have "the stones to pull the trigger" as Richard takes aim. While this occurs we switch perspectives to Red Robin who desperately tries works to defuse the bomb sorting through wires. When we return Richard ready to take aim only to be redirects by Batgirl who appears with the crystal in hand. Richard the changes targets poised to shoot Batgirl to which Barbara slowly breaks under the pressure affirming to Dick that he "can't do this". Richard sets his hand on the trigger ready to shoot when Bea lunges infront of Batgirl with the crystal in hand pleading with Ric to look within himself. Compelled he drops the gun and grabs the crystal to which Bea claims "Take it and make it yours".
What follows is a transformation experience as all of Dick's memories flood into his mind and he recalls all of his lost memories. In the next moment Dick looks up and smashes the crystal and declares that he is no longer Ric but Dick. Bea & Batgirl proudly rejoice to have Dick back , and Batman appears glad to see Dick restored. Red Robin also appears proudly declaring that the hospital is safe. The Batfamily rejoices as the prodical Nightwing returns, but in the midst of the excitement Dick looks for Bea, who has departed with the realization that Dick will no longer be her Ric.
In the final arc, we see KGBeast being harassed in a Russian bar by his fellow marksman for missing the critical shot to kill Nightwing. KG takes down his naysayers and vows to finish the job as he storms out of the bar to hunt down Nightwing. In the next scene, we see Racer uniformed Dick & Batgirl to round up the remaining clowns. Batgirl asks why Dick doesn't want to wear his Nightwing uniform, to which he replies it's complicated. The same thing happens as Dick goes out on patrol with Batman to hunt down a few remaining Joker clowns. One clown leads the two to the top of the GCPD precinct and questions why Batman orcasted this. Batman presses further as Dick continues to question if it is possible for him to change the trajectory of his life to be able to have it all. Batman reasons that it's possible to try but not very likely in their line of work. Dick takes a moment and is trusted into his thoughts as he reflects on the words said by Alfred Pennyworth. Dick recalls that Alfred always believed Dick's path to be different from Bruce in that the abyss pulled him into the light rather than embracing the darkness.
Dick then makes the decision to dawn his Blue & Black uniform, returning as Nightwing.
The remarkable Nightwing then informs the other Nightwings (Hutch, Colleen, Sapienza, & Zak) that their services are no longer required and that he greatly appreciated their help while he was recovering. In the following scene, we see Nightwing return to the Prodigal bar where he greets Bea, who inquires on whether Ric/Dick has retained all of his memories. Dick confirms that he has and is now fully formed. Bea is glad to know that Dick has recovered but wonders if there will be a place for her now that he has his previous life back. Dick confirms his love for Bea.
Suddenly, KGBeast shoots through the windows of the Prodical bar. Nightwing dives with Bea under the counters and tells her to stay put while he goes to manage the assailant. KGBeast delivers 3 sharp blows to Nightwing, forcing him down while KG claims Bea and promises to kill her first as she is important to him. Nightwing demands that he leave Bea alone, but KGBeast retorts that his plan is to damage Nightwing by all means nessasary. Bea gets a solid punch in freeing herself from KGBeast, allowing Nightwinf just enough time to create distance and push the assasin through the window. The fight continues in the street as Nightwing further prods claiming KGBeast to be a coward by not only using guns but knowing that the only way to take Nightwing down was through distance. KGBeast fumbles but tries to prove that he is just as capable of killing Nightwing at a close range but fails repeatedly. Nightwing lays one solid hit to KG. In a last ditch effort, KGBeast takes aim with his gun arm, but Nightwing throws his escimega stick into the barrel of the gun, causing KG's arm to begin bleeding out. KGBeast screams out in pain that Nightwing will leave him for dead like Batman did, but Nightwing retorts that he is not like Batman and rips of a peice off his costume to make a turnakit. The police and medics arrive, and Nightwing departs to speak with Bea. On the rooftop, the two recollect and Nightwing reflects through an internal monolog that he has to let Bea go in order to keep her safe from harms way. The two talk, and Nightwing says how he hopes they can remain friends. Bea is instantly offended after pouring her heart into their relationship. Bea pushes Nightwing away and says that he she hopes never to see him again as she runs off. With a heavy heart, Nightwing let's out a tear on the rooftop before placing his mask back on and returning to action.
Our final story centers around a mother (Mazey) who used to work for a major company but when the company decided to claim ownership of the teach agents work she enact revenge by claiming 1.2 M dollars for ransom and closing out their accounts. It's Christmas Eve, and Batman & Nightwing are on the job, but a breakout in Arkham forces Batman to depart the case. Nightwing investigates a breaking by 3 pubk kids gains his attention as they run past a change collecting Santa. Nightwing nearly roughs up the punks, but they confess that they were hired and the hacker was Santa. Mazey returns home to the homeless shelter where she regroups with her friends and daughter. Nightwing tracks the woman down, appearing in her tent, requesting to know the whole store. After listening, Nightwing tells her to be ready by 8 am. as he is going to put her in contact with his friend Dick Grayson. The next day a limo arrives to pick Mazey and her daughter up and drives them to a new apartment complex where they are greeted by Bruce Wayne & Dick Grayson. Bruce offers Mazey a job with WE & a new home paid in full. Mazey is overwhelmed by the kind gesture but doesn't want to leave her friends. Bruce reveals that this is for the entire community as a bus drives up with all from the homeless shelter. That night Dick, Barbara, Damien, & Bruce spend Christmas together in celebration.
Wow, this was an incredible arc that perfectly ties up all loss ends. I found the major arc surrounding Dick regaining his memories to be deeply emotional and thought-provoking. I loved this arc. 10/10 🌟 for an incredible Nightwing/Ric Grayson conclusion 😁👍🦇💙.
We begin with a mini arc centering on an independent intelligence agency run by Ms. Hale, fascinated by the Talon, aka Ric Grayson, who attempted an assassination on Condor Red (one of their field agents). Ms. Hale manages to put the pieces together and believes the Talon involved in that incident was actually Nightwing.
Our focus is then shifted to Nightwing, aka Dick who shows up to take down a terrorist/ authoritarian group known as the Blood Knight. Nightwing ends up in an altercation. The Knights try to gas him and are successful after one solid punch to the gut. Condor Red shows up after being assigned to follow Nightwing to gain intel post the incident and intercepts to stop the Knights from killing Nightwing. In the midst of the scuffle, Nightwing takes a hard fall off the concrete steps and slams his head. Condor Red is assigned to bring Nightwing back to their base, where he is treated by their doctors. Ms. Hale explains that their base of operations and her desire to hire Nightwing to train her agents. Nightwing rejects but goes on one mission to appease Ms. Hale and to repay her for healing him. Nightwing suits up as Condor Blue and goes out with Condor Red to take down a Blood Knight, but it's revealed that this was all a setup for Blockbuster. Nightwing & Blockbuster end up in a 1v1 fight, and Nightwing successfully subdues Blockbuster. Ms. Hale is determined to keep watch of Nightwing but advises her agents not to go after him.
We now focus back on our main arc centering around Richard Grayson in his Red Racer uniform, departing from a helicopter. Richard goes on to explain that he has many conducting memories due to Dr. Haas, who implanted a second set of syndicate memories about Richard being raised by his great-grandfather William Cobb to be a Talon. In addition, a mind-altering crystal was used on Richard to further cement those memories. However, Richard's true memories are starting to rise to the surface, leaving him with both immense pain from intense headaches and an identity crisis.
Meanwhile, Collen & Hutch are having a serious heart-to-heart as they express their feelings on being Blüdhaven's replacement Nightwings in Zak's hospital room. Hutch believes that the task at times demands far too much of them as a team and that it isn't feasible long term, whereas Collen thinks that they've been holding down the fort just fine. Zak pipes up towards the end and shares his opinions, which are in agreement with, and that the only reason they became the Nightwings was because of Sapienza.
In the next scene, we see Sapienza in his Nightwing uniform when he catches news on the police radio station of multiple stabbed victims outside of a restaurant. When Sapienza goes into investigation, he comes across one hell of a surprise as he meets the Joker face to face. In a swift fight, Joker reveals that he knows Sapienza isn't the real Nightwing as well as his disdain for fraud before burning the side of Sapienza's face. With the haunting words of the Joker asking if Sapienza knows where he can find "the little night birdie".
Our attention is then directed to Richard in uniform, who stops at a drug deal turned bad, sending the nearly killed drug recipient running from danger. That is, until he runs into the Joker, and in classic Joker style, he asks who just saved the guy's life while giving the man a cigar. The man replies that his name is Slappy and that it was a Nightwing. Slappy's head then explodes.
We then see Bea sweeping up the prodigal bar when she hears a noise upstairs and goes to investigate. Bea approaches and finds Richard in uniform, returning from his nightly patrol with a splitting headache. Bea becomes concerned and assures him that that isn't working and that it's time to find the proper medical care. Richard holds steadfast to the idea that the crystal is the key to restoring his memories and reversing his pain. Bea is willing to compromise, but before they can get farther in their conversations, Richard is on the move to stop an escaped prisoner, aka Rampage. When a very surprised visitor greets Bea by eerily coming down the stairs.
Outside Richard is fending off Rampage questioning how he know the feind. After an extensive head to head fight. It all comes to a stop when Richard sees a Joker card and comes to an epiphany. We then swiftly split the scene to see Sapienza brought in on a gurney about to go into emergency surgery when it's interrupted by Collen, who barges in demanding to know who did this to him. Sapienza replies that it was the Joker before coding, and the doctors rushing in to save his life.
Meanwhile the Joker slowly comes down the stairs to reveal that the knows Richard/Dick very well and all things Batman as he approaches the Bar. Richard then bursts in and begins attacking the maniac. Joker explains that he's here to help Richard remember who he truly is and to bridge the frauds stealing his good name. Richard is shocked by the Joker's extensive knowledge of him,im going so far as to list his parents and Bruce. The manipulative tactics begin to set in, and Bea leaps in with a trusty baseball bat to attack the Joker when he counters and states that he will crowbar her to death. Richard elevates the situation to draw attention to himself, asking what the Joker's intentions are and why he's here. Joker retorts that he knows about the Talons and the distorted memories they implanted in Richard's mind, and that he counters those fake memories. The crystal is then revealed and Joker begins to use it on Richard to have him swayed to believe that he is Dickyboy, the Joker's adoptive son who was his sidekick in his war against Batman after his abusive Trapeze artist parents were murdered.
We then cut to Bea lighting a self made Batsignal fire in the park which alerts Batgirl/Barbara Gordon who decides to appear out of uniform to investigate. Bea is slightly disappointed that to see Barbara instead of a Batfamily member but she makes due and tells her that Ric was acting strange and shattered the crystal used to mind control him before running off to Gotham. Barbara reassures Bea that she will take care of Ric and ensure he gets the help he need.
Batgirl returns ready for action as she scouts out nearby rooftops to locate Richard. The red racer uniformed Richard then makes a surprised appearance as he confronts Batgirl pretending know who she is. Batgirl then present Dick's Nightwing costume and requests that he puts all of this different persona uniforms away and embrace who he is asking Nightwing. When suddenly Punchline appears revealing this encounter to be an ambush and swiftly dispatches Batgirl knocking her out. The Joker then strolls in and declare this to have been a great "Family-outing".
In the next scene, we see Batgirl tied up in an area filled with cheering clowns when Richard takes center stage. Joker sets off the death match and watches from the sidelines with Punchline. What follows is an extensive back and forth fight between Batgirl who tries to reason a mind-altered Richard out for blood. Towards the end of the fight Batgirl realizes that she can leave and does so to regroup from the whole ordeal. Meanwhile Punchline leaves taking two clowns with her to the Alfred's Pennyworth Children's hospital where she sets up a bomb then patches into the Batfamily network impersonating Batgirl to alert Red Robin & Red Hood of the bomb.
Red Robin & Red Hood both show up nearby for the call and run into Richard who pretends to be a memory fixed Dick Grayson. We then redirect out attention to Bea as she runs throughout Gotham in search of Ric with the crystal in hand. Then return our gaze to Dickyboy who reveals his true colors as a word of Joker clowns shows up as he takes down Red Hood & Red Robin. Red Hood recognize the racer costume and that he had previously fought Richard. Red Robin finds a way out and charges into the Pennyworth hospital to defuse the bomb while Red Hood takes care of Richard. Tensions rise as Batgirl appeared and delivers a solid blow to Joker and Punchline before leaving to help Red Hood. Racer Richard picks up one of Red Hood's guns as he then treathens to end him. Red Hood retorts that Dick doesn't have "the stones to pull the trigger" as Richard takes aim. While this occurs we switch perspectives to Red Robin who desperately tries works to defuse the bomb sorting through wires. When we return Richard ready to take aim only to be redirects by Batgirl who appears with the crystal in hand. Richard the changes targets poised to shoot Batgirl to which Barbara slowly breaks under the pressure affirming to Dick that he "can't do this". Richard sets his hand on the trigger ready to shoot when Bea lunges infront of Batgirl with the crystal in hand pleading with Ric to look within himself. Compelled he drops the gun and grabs the crystal to which Bea claims "Take it and make it yours".
What follows is a transformation experience as all of Dick's memories flood into his mind and he recalls all of his lost memories. In the next moment Dick looks up and smashes the crystal and declares that he is no longer Ric but Dick. Bea & Batgirl proudly rejoice to have Dick back , and Batman appears glad to see Dick restored. Red Robin also appears proudly declaring that the hospital is safe. The Batfamily rejoices as the prodical Nightwing returns, but in the midst of the excitement Dick looks for Bea, who has departed with the realization that Dick will no longer be her Ric.
In the final arc, we see KGBeast being harassed in a Russian bar by his fellow marksman for missing the critical shot to kill Nightwing. KG takes down his naysayers and vows to finish the job as he storms out of the bar to hunt down Nightwing. In the next scene, we see Racer uniformed Dick & Batgirl to round up the remaining clowns. Batgirl asks why Dick doesn't want to wear his Nightwing uniform, to which he replies it's complicated. The same thing happens as Dick goes out on patrol with Batman to hunt down a few remaining Joker clowns. One clown leads the two to the top of the GCPD precinct and questions why Batman orcasted this. Batman presses further as Dick continues to question if it is possible for him to change the trajectory of his life to be able to have it all. Batman reasons that it's possible to try but not very likely in their line of work. Dick takes a moment and is trusted into his thoughts as he reflects on the words said by Alfred Pennyworth. Dick recalls that Alfred always believed Dick's path to be different from Bruce in that the abyss pulled him into the light rather than embracing the darkness.
Dick then makes the decision to dawn his Blue & Black uniform, returning as Nightwing.
The remarkable Nightwing then informs the other Nightwings (Hutch, Colleen, Sapienza, & Zak) that their services are no longer required and that he greatly appreciated their help while he was recovering. In the following scene, we see Nightwing return to the Prodigal bar where he greets Bea, who inquires on whether Ric/Dick has retained all of his memories. Dick confirms that he has and is now fully formed. Bea is glad to know that Dick has recovered but wonders if there will be a place for her now that he has his previous life back. Dick confirms his love for Bea.
Suddenly, KGBeast shoots through the windows of the Prodical bar. Nightwing dives with Bea under the counters and tells her to stay put while he goes to manage the assailant. KGBeast delivers 3 sharp blows to Nightwing, forcing him down while KG claims Bea and promises to kill her first as she is important to him. Nightwing demands that he leave Bea alone, but KGBeast retorts that his plan is to damage Nightwing by all means nessasary. Bea gets a solid punch in freeing herself from KGBeast, allowing Nightwinf just enough time to create distance and push the assasin through the window. The fight continues in the street as Nightwing further prods claiming KGBeast to be a coward by not only using guns but knowing that the only way to take Nightwing down was through distance. KGBeast fumbles but tries to prove that he is just as capable of killing Nightwing at a close range but fails repeatedly. Nightwing lays one solid hit to KG. In a last ditch effort, KGBeast takes aim with his gun arm, but Nightwing throws his escimega stick into the barrel of the gun, causing KG's arm to begin bleeding out. KGBeast screams out in pain that Nightwing will leave him for dead like Batman did, but Nightwing retorts that he is not like Batman and rips of a peice off his costume to make a turnakit. The police and medics arrive, and Nightwing departs to speak with Bea. On the rooftop, the two recollect and Nightwing reflects through an internal monolog that he has to let Bea go in order to keep her safe from harms way. The two talk, and Nightwing says how he hopes they can remain friends. Bea is instantly offended after pouring her heart into their relationship. Bea pushes Nightwing away and says that he she hopes never to see him again as she runs off. With a heavy heart, Nightwing let's out a tear on the rooftop before placing his mask back on and returning to action.
Our final story centers around a mother (Mazey) who used to work for a major company but when the company decided to claim ownership of the teach agents work she enact revenge by claiming 1.2 M dollars for ransom and closing out their accounts. It's Christmas Eve, and Batman & Nightwing are on the job, but a breakout in Arkham forces Batman to depart the case. Nightwing investigates a breaking by 3 pubk kids gains his attention as they run past a change collecting Santa. Nightwing nearly roughs up the punks, but they confess that they were hired and the hacker was Santa. Mazey returns home to the homeless shelter where she regroups with her friends and daughter. Nightwing tracks the woman down, appearing in her tent, requesting to know the whole store. After listening, Nightwing tells her to be ready by 8 am. as he is going to put her in contact with his friend Dick Grayson. The next day a limo arrives to pick Mazey and her daughter up and drives them to a new apartment complex where they are greeted by Bruce Wayne & Dick Grayson. Bruce offers Mazey a job with WE & a new home paid in full. Mazey is overwhelmed by the kind gesture but doesn't want to leave her friends. Bruce reveals that this is for the entire community as a bus drives up with all from the homeless shelter. That night Dick, Barbara, Damien, & Bruce spend Christmas together in celebration.
Wow, this was an incredible arc that perfectly ties up all loss ends. I found the major arc surrounding Dick regaining his memories to be deeply emotional and thought-provoking. I loved this arc. 10/10 🌟 for an incredible Nightwing/Ric Grayson conclusion 😁👍🦇💙.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2021
I never want to hear the name 'Ric Grayson' again.
March 23, 2021
Dan Jurgens has been writing comics for a long time and he is one of the best at providing straightforward stories with lots of action. He had a lot of loose ends to tie up and did it as well as could be expected. Dick Grayson is reset for whatever the next creative team comes up with. The Joker War is really only half this volume, but that's definitely the best part of this run. Joker contrives to force amnesiac Dick to fight Batgirl, Fight Club style. Of course, Batgirl is able, as in any good soap opera, to get Dick to reach deep into his memories and recover before doing something unthinkable. Then, Dick faces off with KGBeast (either the worst supervillain name or the best) to close the circle on Dick's amnesiac journey these past couple of years. The final story reminded me of the type of stories Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams did in the 1970s where the hero uses compassion (and wealth) to help the homeless or underprivileged. The stories may not be memorable, but they are entertaining, something the main Batman title sometimes forgets.
May 18, 2021
3.5 Stars.
Nightwing has been a very odd book for a while. Glad to see, with this Volume, the character going back to his norm. Highlights:
- We get the full transition from Ric (his post-injury persona) to Dicky-Boy (mind rewritten to have a history as the "son" of Joker) to Dick (the man we've known for years) to Nightwing (donning the suit once again)
- The relationship with Bea takes a fall here. Despite being in love with her still after his conversion back to normal, he breaks things off with her to protect her from being hurt.
- Battles against Blockbuster, Tusk, Joker, Batgirl, Red Hood and KGBeast... lots of action in this Volume
It looks like Nightwing can get back to a more predictable book. I did like the creativity, but needed the strength of the Bat-Family to come back.
Recommend.... though you'll need to read a lot of previous Volumes to really figure out what's going on.
Nightwing has been a very odd book for a while. Glad to see, with this Volume, the character going back to his norm. Highlights:
- We get the full transition from Ric (his post-injury persona) to Dicky-Boy (mind rewritten to have a history as the "son" of Joker) to Dick (the man we've known for years) to Nightwing (donning the suit once again)
- The relationship with Bea takes a fall here. Despite being in love with her still after his conversion back to normal, he breaks things off with her to protect her from being hurt.
- Battles against Blockbuster, Tusk, Joker, Batgirl, Red Hood and KGBeast... lots of action in this Volume
It looks like Nightwing can get back to a more predictable book. I did like the creativity, but needed the strength of the Bat-Family to come back.
Recommend.... though you'll need to read a lot of previous Volumes to really figure out what's going on.
July 1, 2021
3.5 rating, bumped to a 4 because I liked reading the moments Nightwing had with his bat family.
I've read most of the currect Nightwing stuff but I stopped reading during the Ric arc, so I don't know much about about Grayson being Ric. It was easy enough to fill in the gaps, but I have no personal investment in the new people he's surrounded himself with, especially Bea. So, I can't really say if I hated or liked how these were concluded.
This book shows the conclusion of the Ric arc and Grayson is back to being normal with his memories returned. It's also ties into the bigger arc of "Joker's War" but can still be read without reading Joker's War.
This volume had some dark times in here for Grayson but I enjoyed that it ended on a happy note at the end, with a little Christmas Holiday thrown in. It was nice to end with them having a happy moment as a Bat family.
The art was great and I can't wait to see what happens next with Nightwing.
I've read most of the currect Nightwing stuff but I stopped reading during the Ric arc, so I don't know much about about Grayson being Ric. It was easy enough to fill in the gaps, but I have no personal investment in the new people he's surrounded himself with, especially Bea. So, I can't really say if I hated or liked how these were concluded.
This book shows the conclusion of the Ric arc and Grayson is back to being normal with his memories returned. It's also ties into the bigger arc of "Joker's War" but can still be read without reading Joker's War.
This volume had some dark times in here for Grayson but I enjoyed that it ended on a happy note at the end, with a little Christmas Holiday thrown in. It was nice to end with them having a happy moment as a Bat family.
The art was great and I can't wait to see what happens next with Nightwing.
January 8, 2025
After many, many issues, the Ric fiasco if finally over.
So Nightwing is brainwashed again, and now thinks he is not Ric, but the Joker's son - Dicky boy. Which is also very dumb but at least you could see this was gonna be reversed sooner rather than later. And it indeed does get reversed to where Dick Grayson finally gets his memory back, and really - it was time. The whole Ric thing was very 90's comics and it really was just.... not good. I mean, Dan Jurgens is pretty much a legend at this point, but yeah this was not one of his better plot points.
It was interesting seeing how the bat family was trying to get through to Dick and remind them of who he is and what he means to them. I think that aspect of the story really did shine through well. However, I was glad when the Joker War was over and Nightwing was back in the blue suit.
Recommended for those who wanted Ric to go away.
So Nightwing is brainwashed again, and now thinks he is not Ric, but the Joker's son - Dicky boy. Which is also very dumb but at least you could see this was gonna be reversed sooner rather than later. And it indeed does get reversed to where Dick Grayson finally gets his memory back, and really - it was time. The whole Ric thing was very 90's comics and it really was just.... not good. I mean, Dan Jurgens is pretty much a legend at this point, but yeah this was not one of his better plot points.
It was interesting seeing how the bat family was trying to get through to Dick and remind them of who he is and what he means to them. I think that aspect of the story really did shine through well. However, I was glad when the Joker War was over and Nightwing was back in the blue suit.
Recommended for those who wanted Ric to go away.
January 26, 2022
The return of Dick Grayson and Nightwing proper! This is the last collected editions of the “Ric Grayson” saga and I’m glad to see it end. The last volume and this one did interesting things with the concept, but I’m glad to see Richard Grayson donning the proper blue Nightwing costume again. The volume itself ties in nicely to the Joker War saga going on at the time, and had some emotional moments involving our boy wonder and his current at the time Bea.
While the way Richard returned was a little convoluted and very much comic shenanigans, it was still and overall enjoyable volume. Joker using the memory crystal to turn Richard into “Dickyboy” was pure hilarity, and see him square off against Red Hood was pure fun.
I’m very excited for what comes next though with Grayson having his memories returned, and sporting his iconic Nightwing apparel.
While the way Richard returned was a little convoluted and very much comic shenanigans, it was still and overall enjoyable volume. Joker using the memory crystal to turn Richard into “Dickyboy” was pure hilarity, and see him square off against Red Hood was pure fun.
I’m very excited for what comes next though with Grayson having his memories returned, and sporting his iconic Nightwing apparel.
April 5, 2022
This is the first ever Nightwing title I've bought.
I'm a huge DC comic collector but Batman and company was always more interesting in animation and film.
Solo Batman or Detective Comics or Nightwing never interested me much.
But Tom Taylor has a critically acclaimed run out and when I went to buy it at my local comic shop it was sold out.
But I thought reading Dan's run leading into it would give me a good comparison and help me better appreciate Tom's run once I bought it.
So Joker War isn't anything spectacular but it sure did hold my attention and Dan is a great writer. Some of the amnesia stuff is odd and this magic crystal is just fine and all.
Look maybe this is just a 3 star as far as plot goes but the art and Dan's writing kept me flipping page after page and since I have no other way to judge a Nightwing title I'm gonna say I had fun with this. 4 stars.
I'm a huge DC comic collector but Batman and company was always more interesting in animation and film.
Solo Batman or Detective Comics or Nightwing never interested me much.
But Tom Taylor has a critically acclaimed run out and when I went to buy it at my local comic shop it was sold out.
But I thought reading Dan's run leading into it would give me a good comparison and help me better appreciate Tom's run once I bought it.
So Joker War isn't anything spectacular but it sure did hold my attention and Dan is a great writer. Some of the amnesia stuff is odd and this magic crystal is just fine and all.
Look maybe this is just a 3 star as far as plot goes but the art and Dan's writing kept me flipping page after page and since I have no other way to judge a Nightwing title I'm gonna say I had fun with this. 4 stars.
August 19, 2022
"It's a mission. A calling. I feel like I'm seeing Dick Grayson... for the first time." —Bea Bennett, #76
actually 2.5 stars!
after so many issues... SO many issues of the amnesia arc... dick grayson is finally back but jesus christ this was so contrived. honestly for #75 i wanted to give it 5 stars just for moore's art and the titans interactions but yk... i didn't cave because this was just so incredibly mediocre. it doesn't help that the art changes artists every few pages sometimes it's weird and disjointed and bea getting the batman's girlfriend treatment—my eyes are rolling to the back of my head fr.
owned as single issues: #75-#77
actually 2.5 stars!
after so many issues... SO many issues of the amnesia arc... dick grayson is finally back but jesus christ this was so contrived. honestly for #75 i wanted to give it 5 stars just for moore's art and the titans interactions but yk... i didn't cave because this was just so incredibly mediocre. it doesn't help that the art changes artists every few pages sometimes it's weird and disjointed and bea getting the batman's girlfriend treatment—my eyes are rolling to the back of my head fr.
owned as single issues: #75-#77
December 11, 2022
The conclusion to the Ric Grayson era and it couldn’t come quick enough. Joker steps in to mind control Dick with a magic crystal - a plot I can only describe as a load of rubbish but which has its moments. Its conclusion though sees Dick’s memories restored and the latter half of the book thankfully has the true Nightwing back in the drivers seat as he ties up the loose ends from his life as Ric and has one final showdown with the man who originally shot him: KGBeast.
October 28, 2023
Having read none of the Nightwing series prior to this, I had a lack of knowing what was going on and who some of the major characters were. I got this because of its connection to the Joker War. That story line only somewhat crosses over here, though the Joker does make a major appearance in two or three of the issues, and Dick's amnesia about his prior life is finally overcome, bringing him back into the fold. It was OK but nothing groundbreaking.
August 17, 2024
Another good volume and the end of the Ric storyline and the Nightwings. The first story gives us some a story involving Red Condor and the organization he’s part of. This takes place before Nightwing was shot so he’s around and healthy. The main story involves the Joker. Dick is on the recovery but not before some trouble from the Joker. Quicker than he enters Nightwing’s life he disappears. The final story is a feel good holiday story. Good artwork throughout the entire run.
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