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Nightwing (2011) (Single Issues)
Nightwing #1
Dick Grayson flies high once more as Nightwing in a new series from hot new writer Kyle Higgins ( GATES OF GOTHAM)! As he embraces his destiny, Haley's Circus, the big top where Dick once performed, returns to Gotham City - bringing with it murder, mystery and superhuman evil. Nightwing must confront his past, among former friends and enemies from his circus days, while uncovering a much greater evil!
Comic
First published September 21, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 15, 2017
This is so different.
Its the time line when Bruce almost died and all that. But hey Dick is so different. Is him wonderful awesomeness but his is not broken or mad or hurt. Not like before. This feels better. I like it a lot.
Its the time line when Bruce almost died and all that. But hey Dick is so different. Is him wonderful awesomeness but his is not broken or mad or hurt. Not like before. This feels better. I like it a lot.
August 10, 2021
This was part of an attempt to read every #1 Issue in DC’s New 52 Relaunch.
I recently read through all of Nightwing from this issue til the present. It’s been quite the journey. And I won’t lie, I kind of miss it. It’s real dark and gritty and Dick isn’t quite as charming as he is in Grayson. But I miss the Red outfit and I miss the art. Basically, Dick’s out doing his thing, protecting Gotham. Where’s Bludhaven? Who cares this is the New 52, forget about Bludhaven; Nigthwing is a dark avenger of Gotham just like his adopted dad. Except, this dark avenger makes jokes and cracks smiles. Give it til Rebirth when they realize that not everything before New 52 is trash, we’ll see Bludhaven again. Either way, Haley’s Circus shows back up in town and Dick goes to see his old friends and show off his acrobatics just a little bit. He’s maybe contemplating joining them on the road again. Then this ninja x-23 ripoff dude shows up on the streets killing people leading him to square off against Nightwing. After giving this issue another look, I don’t think it’s that great. The art is good and I really love the character. So I think that that could carry almost anyone through, but it doesn’t really get good til later in the run. But it’s definitely something you should stick with.
I recently read through all of Nightwing from this issue til the present. It’s been quite the journey. And I won’t lie, I kind of miss it. It’s real dark and gritty and Dick isn’t quite as charming as he is in Grayson. But I miss the Red outfit and I miss the art. Basically, Dick’s out doing his thing, protecting Gotham. Where’s Bludhaven? Who cares this is the New 52, forget about Bludhaven; Nigthwing is a dark avenger of Gotham just like his adopted dad. Except, this dark avenger makes jokes and cracks smiles. Give it til Rebirth when they realize that not everything before New 52 is trash, we’ll see Bludhaven again. Either way, Haley’s Circus shows back up in town and Dick goes to see his old friends and show off his acrobatics just a little bit. He’s maybe contemplating joining them on the road again. Then this ninja x-23 ripoff dude shows up on the streets killing people leading him to square off against Nightwing. After giving this issue another look, I don’t think it’s that great. The art is good and I really love the character. So I think that that could carry almost anyone through, but it doesn’t really get good til later in the run. But it’s definitely something you should stick with.
May 20, 2025
”Welcome to Gotham” starts with Nightwing in an awful new costume that I can’t believe no one noticed did nothing so much as remind you of Nightcrawler from the X-Men. I’m surprised he wasn’t sued for copyright violation.
He immediately mentions that he has been filling in as Batman for a while. So what’s the idea with the New 52 being about allowing new readers to pick this up. Isn’t a new reader going to go, ‘Wait! This is issue #1?! Why am I now being told there’s previous comics I have to buy to know the whole story!? Where did Batman go?’
Haly’s Circus is in town for the first time since gangsters killed Dick’s parents. He’s a little weirded out by it, but he goes to see his old friends.
Meeting an old friend, a redhead named Raya, her new partner Marc dares him to work out on the trapeze with them.
Walking home, Dick is attacked by an armored villain who calls him Mr. Grayson. Before he can fight back, a nearby patrolman stars shooting.
You see enough super-villains, you shoot first and ask questions later.
This distraction allows Dick to change into his costume. But the costumed hit-man kills two police officers while that’s happening.
The assassin doesn’t connect that Dick disappears and Nightwing appears. He thinks its Dick’s ‘bodyguard’ and runs away but Nightwing chases him.
Nightwing asks the killer why somebody hired him.
”… Dick Grayson is the fiercest killer in all of Gotham.”
This distracts Nightwing enough that the killer drops a water tower on him, breaking two ribs.
I’ll have to admit, I liked this story a lot. It’s a pretty good start. Lots of action, some personal moments and an opponent that can give Dick a run for the money. Which I imagine is hard once the hero gets good enough.
The art is really good too, by. Eddy Barrows and JP Mayer.
I’m giving this 4 stars and looking forward to reading the rest.
He immediately mentions that he has been filling in as Batman for a while. So what’s the idea with the New 52 being about allowing new readers to pick this up. Isn’t a new reader going to go, ‘Wait! This is issue #1?! Why am I now being told there’s previous comics I have to buy to know the whole story!? Where did Batman go?’
Haly’s Circus is in town for the first time since gangsters killed Dick’s parents. He’s a little weirded out by it, but he goes to see his old friends.
Meeting an old friend, a redhead named Raya, her new partner Marc dares him to work out on the trapeze with them.
Walking home, Dick is attacked by an armored villain who calls him Mr. Grayson. Before he can fight back, a nearby patrolman stars shooting.
You see enough super-villains, you shoot first and ask questions later.
This distraction allows Dick to change into his costume. But the costumed hit-man kills two police officers while that’s happening.
The assassin doesn’t connect that Dick disappears and Nightwing appears. He thinks its Dick’s ‘bodyguard’ and runs away but Nightwing chases him.
Nightwing asks the killer why somebody hired him.
”… Dick Grayson is the fiercest killer in all of Gotham.”
This distracts Nightwing enough that the killer drops a water tower on him, breaking two ribs.
I’ll have to admit, I liked this story a lot. It’s a pretty good start. Lots of action, some personal moments and an opponent that can give Dick a run for the money. Which I imagine is hard once the hero gets good enough.
The art is really good too, by. Eddy Barrows and JP Mayer.
I’m giving this 4 stars and looking forward to reading the rest.
May 20, 2026
This was a decent reintroduction to Dick being Nightwing after his stint as Batman following Final Crisis. I don’t care for the red on his costume, but this was published during the New 52 where the whole aesthetic was red, black, and edgy. While I usually find the retconning of a hero’s origin to be trite, I’m fine with it here since it’s the introduction to a whole new universe. I like the idea of Gotham twisting fond memories, but the whole “Dick Grayson is the fiercest killer in Gotham” tease didn’t leave me with much intrigue. Still, Eddy Barrows’ artwork is on point!
September 2, 2018
El pasado siempre vuelve.
Explorando en los inicios de Dick, con la vuelta del Circo a Gotham.
Un nuevo enemigo a la vista que acusa a "al alma con mas luz" de ser "el asesino más sanguinario", lo cual es un poco desconcertante, ya que a grandes rasgos se supone que conocemos todo de Dick, y la acusación que se le hace se encuentra totalmente fuera de lo que es Dick Grayson. Será interesante ver a que se refiere exactamente el nuevo villano.
3/5 para este capítulo.
Explorando en los inicios de Dick, con la vuelta del Circo a Gotham.
Un nuevo enemigo a la vista que acusa a "al alma con mas luz" de ser "el asesino más sanguinario", lo cual es un poco desconcertante, ya que a grandes rasgos se supone que conocemos todo de Dick, y la acusación que se le hace se encuentra totalmente fuera de lo que es Dick Grayson. Será interesante ver a que se refiere exactamente el nuevo villano.
3/5 para este capítulo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2025
Issue #1 – Flying Without a Net
Rating: ★★★☆☆
A decent start, but not as impactful as it wants to be. The art looks slick, and seeing Dick Grayson on his own again is refreshing, yet the writing leans heavily on exposition. The setup with Haly’s Circus feels familiar rather than fresh, and Saiko’s introduction doesn’t quite land emotionally. Still, the energy’s there — you can tell the creative team wants to do right by Dick.
Verdict: Solid reintroduction, just lacking spark.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
A decent start, but not as impactful as it wants to be. The art looks slick, and seeing Dick Grayson on his own again is refreshing, yet the writing leans heavily on exposition. The setup with Haly’s Circus feels familiar rather than fresh, and Saiko’s introduction doesn’t quite land emotionally. Still, the energy’s there — you can tell the creative team wants to do right by Dick.
Verdict: Solid reintroduction, just lacking spark.
February 20, 2021
Best Entertainment Makes Reading Fun
An exciting story told -- excellent writing -- with accompanying graphic illustrations makes extraordinary entertainment fun reading. Best Entertainment Makes Better Reading Fun.
An exciting story told -- excellent writing -- with accompanying graphic illustrations makes extraordinary entertainment fun reading. Best Entertainment Makes Better Reading Fun.
February 7, 2019
This is a very introspective issue for Nightwing. A good start, though I'm not a huge fan of the red on his outfit. I prefer blue for him.
August 11, 2025
3.7
Very cool fight scenes, art work is incredible. Unsure about back story up to this point
Very cool fight scenes, art work is incredible. Unsure about back story up to this point
August 9, 2016
I am extremely biased with Nightwing okay?
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews