Nightwing, Vol. 2: Get Grayson

Nightwing (2016)

by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo (Cover Art), Jamal Campbell (Cover Art)

After millionaire Dick Grayson announces to Blüdhaven his plans to give all his money away to create the Alfred Pennyworth Foundation and help unhoused children on the streets, Blockbuster feels the city's power slipping from his hands and places a target on Dick Grayson's head...and through gritted teeth he orders his assassins to...get Grayson. Also in this volume is the fan-favorite story from Nightwing #87 presented as one continously connected 22-page image, which was nominated for a 2022 Eisner for Best Single Issue.

Nightwing Vol. 2: Get Grayson collects Nightwing #87-89, Superman: Son of Kal-El #9, and Nightwing #90-91.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Graphic Novels Comics, Batman, Fiction

148 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2022

About the author

Once a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.

Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.

He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.

He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

We return to our regular scheduled programming after the Fear State interruption with Bruno Redondo. Dick has a price on his head after publicly declaring he'd be giving billions to the less privileged of Bludhaven. The first issue is all two page spreads with Dick jumping across them. It really invoked David Aja's time on Hawkeye. I loved it. Then the Titans show up in the next issue and all I can say now is that I want to see Tom Taylor write a Titans book. Then a quick crossover with Superman,, Son of Kal-El to set up Nightwing as a mentor. It's really good. Things get wrapped up with a 2 part guest stint on art from Geraldo Borges, who is fine but no Bruno Redondo.

[Diz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really well written. Writer Tom Taylor shows that he really gets what makes DC heroes so appealing. With appearances from Batman, Batgirl, the Teen Titans, Wally West Flash, and both the Clark and Jon Supermen, this story shows how well DC heroes work together and shows the respect and love that the heroes have for each other. The art is also a treat as well. There are a lot of imaginative panel layouts. This is a series I will be continuing.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nightwing & Friends.



Get Greyson is the volume where you see how much love this character has surrounding him at all times. Not just Barbara and Bruce, but Wally West, the Titans, Superman, and his son, Jon.
In other words, he's got friends in high places.



So when Blockbuster decides to pull out all the stops and use what some think is a legendary myth in the assassin world to take out Dick Greyson, he's in for more than his fair share of disappointment.



This one is just kind of a sweet love story to Nightwing, and there were more than a few moments that had me blinking back a bit of the old eye-water.
I've said it before, but I really think Tom Taylor is one of the most underrated writers out there. I would honestly expect to read his grocery list and be impressed at this point.



Recommended.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'm a pretty good detective. I've spent a lot of time with people in masks." -- Dick Grayson, a.k.a. Nightwing, after deducing a superhero's secret identity

And I've spent a lot of time reading about people in masks, so it can be refreshing when a graphic novel doesn't fall victim to rote storytelling. Amazingly but pleasantly, Vol. 2: Get Grayson is able to sustain the energy generated by the initial volume in terms of its serialized storyline and expected vigilante / super-heroic action scenes. Newly-minted billionaire Dick Grayson - first known as Robin during his teenage years, but now solo vigilante Nightwing in adulthood - finds a target on his back after pledging to assist the downtrodden and corruption-controlled city of Bludhaven, his new base of operations. Fortunately for Grayson / Nightwing, he has a line-up of talented friends to assist him - or, as Teen Titan teammate Raven quips, "I like what you said in your speech about 'the family who finds each other'" as she glides in to offer support - as a group of assassins are out for his blood.

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Dick Grayson is not my favourite character. I have always thought he was too smug, but I did like him here.

Since stepping into the Light, Dick Grayson has put a target on his back as well as a huge bounty on his head. Yes, on Dick Grayson, not Nightwing. However, the person putting the bounty on him does not realise how many friends and family Dick Grayson has and how far they will go to protect him.

I loved the Nightwing 87 as the continuous 22-page story. This was cool and a nice change when used once in a while. The other thing I liked was as someone who grew up in the superhero business (and in the shadow of a legend), he is the perfect mentor for others doing the same thing. The only complaint I have is for something legendary as one of the things in this book was supposed to be. It was defeated, I bit too easily.

A great book it follows Volume One but is a great jump on point, with good artwork and stories as well as a huge cast of guest stars. The book finishes with a variant cover gallery and sketchbook. Also, every chapter starts with the regular cover and a sketch of Nightwing's costume and equipment upgrades.

[Jim Ef · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.0/10
An excellent continuation. Both Taylor and Redondo bring their A game here.

A lot of people who are up to no good try to get Dick. That won't be easy tho, because a lot of powerful people really like him and they will do anything to keep him safe.
Taylor keeps writing an engaging series and Redondo's art is innovative.

[Molly™☺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid continuation, Nightwing remains a charming and solid protagonist who oozes the charisma you want from a lead. He's joined by even more familiar faces, once again allowing Taylor to shine when it comes to interactions and dynamics. It's also nice to watch the plot thicken and unfold, giving the cliffhanger at the end even more weight. Everything you want from a superhero adventure and more.

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good!

[Chantaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOWWWW is this series THIS good? It strikes such a perfect balance between superhero work and Dick's friend & family relationships. Action and heart through and through, with some BANGIN art. The first issue with Redondo's full pages of moving action...chef's kiss. Six stars. Just fantastic.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

After getting sucked into a multi-book crossover in the last volume, this one is mostly back on track to the excellence of volume one.

The only minor frustrations were:

1. the two-part crossover with Superman: Son of Kal-El, which was great but is mainly a set-up for a bigger story in the Supes book which isn’t included here.

2. the not-as-good fill-in artist on the last two issues collected in this book.

Mostly great stuff, though, and the fact that the first issue in this book was one continuous image (if you want to cut your book up and put all the pages next to each other, anyway) was a serious artistic achievement. Bravo!

[Willow Heath]

Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo continue their tour-de-force run on Nightwing, this time focussing on team-ups filled with action and banter.

This arc opens with a chapter presented in a single continuous frame, before moving into a brief two-part crossover with Superman (which Taylor was also writing at the time), and ends with Nightwing teaming up with fellow Titan, Wally West (The Flash).

Taylor and Redondo's story continues to move from strength to strength as the stakes rise, and the action, heart, and humour all rise with them!

[Machiavelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better. Vol. 2 delivers more of what makes this run so great so far— heart, momentum, and a great take on Dick Grayson. The action is slick, the dialogue sparkles, and the emotional moments (especially the Alfred scenes) hit hard. Taylor and Redondo are crafting something truly special here. Still stylish, still heartfelt, and still one of the best things DC has put out.

[havies_tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title was so clever. It felt playful to me on first impression, but after you get to the "Kill Dick Grayson" part, things get real 🤣

I'm obsessed with this series, ngl. The artwork is gorgeous. The number of hero cameos in this volume had me grinning. There's a particular panel where the titans come to Nightwing's rescue, and it brought me back to watching Teen Titans and how much I loved this group together.

Jon is not a character I know a lot about, so I really appreciated getting to know him in this issue. Nightwing can't help but be an older brother to these super kids. It was truly the sweetest thing to see. Jon deserves someone to talk to and hug. Dick definitely is delivering on both fronts.

Also, a little shout out to all the Wally and Dick moments in here. I missed seeing them together.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

DICK GRAYSON AND WALLY WEST BFFS OF MY HEART!!!! This made me very emotional, not going to lie. Was it the wrong Dick and Wally, yes, but honestly, I didn't care in the slightest.

[Spens (Sphynx Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I JUST LOVE NIGHTWING!!! Action-packed, full of heart, and with gorgeous artwork to boot! Also loved seeing Jon Kent here.

[Paz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Tom Taylor just gets it. The writing was phenomenal, the cameos are wonderful. Teen Titans, Batman, Superman, Barbara, Wally West. So many of these heroes show up to protect Dick Grayson and it's just beautiful.
Most importantly, the heart of this book is Dick's compassion. It's just SO good!
Full review later but oh my god, how pretty was this volume. Issue #87 goes INSANE.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one. The first book was really good but I feel like it got into the swing of the story properly here. It was great to see so many different characters and their relationship with Nightwing. The story has this lighthearted charm to it while also keeping the high stakes of Dick being hunted down, very good book!

[Frédéric · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

The book opens with an extraordinary issue, composed entirely of double splash pages. Following the title of the TPB, someone has put a contract on Dick Grayson's head, and this issue, with its exemplary fluidity and readability, sets the tone.

After that, everything is resolved a little too easily to be truly compelling. I'll skip over the mini crossover with Jon Kent, which is cute but of little real interest, and return to the conclusion, which is full of action but ultimately surprisingly underwhelming. Did I tremble for a nanosecond for Dick? Not even. Taylor plays the easy resolution card, and the thriller that could have been is nipped in the bud.
It's a shame, because Bruno Redondo's artwork is breathtaking and the last two issues drawn by Geraldo Borges are decent. The guy isn't bad, but the comparison with Redondo is overwhelming.

In any case, it's an enjoyable volume to read, well told with very good characters and superbly illustrated, but it just lacks that little bit of tension to make it excellent.

[BlueberryMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for bite-wing

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in action after Fear State! Dick Grayson has publicly pledged his billion-dollar inheritance to helping the poor and needy in Blüdhaven and of course that pisses off the people that prey on the poor and needy. Dick learns that he has a price on his head in the first issue of this volume, an amazing issue that consists of just big two page spreads of constant action spanning each spread, and it’s really fun and propulsive to read.



He gets help from his loved ones like Babs and the Flash as he navigates his new popularity and assassins out to get him, and he also finds time to check in on young Superman in a crossover that works well because Taylor is writing both series. While not being as fresh as the first installment, it’s still a fun read and the book always keeps Dick front and center as the shining beacon of light that he is.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Taylor is killing it with this run. This book has the right amounts of action, fun, friendship, and family, which is ultimately what Nightwing is all about. The art is great in this and the creative concepts with different issues were very clever and enjoyable! I loved the characters that popped up in these issues and I appreciate that you can really tell Tom Taylor actually appreciates Dick Grayson’s comic book history.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.T. keeps up his outrageous track record of penning ludicrous superhero stories that still somehow feel grounded and emotionally true. Bravo.

And what more need be said about Redondo’s legendary “single continuous panel” issue? Must be seen to be believed.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nightwing is no longer an action hero, he has devolved into a mouthpiece for therapy sessions.

[Sunny D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this even more than the first! Where volume one felt a bit more formulaic, this one had the freedom to branch out a bit since the narrative direction was already established. Really fun seeing so many DC characters appear, and seeing their friendships with Nightwing. Some of my favorite parts so far have been the dynamics between Dick and his friends, like Wally or Jon.

Something I really appreciate about DC's recent content is their above-all endorsement of compassion, empathy, and philanthropy. They don't have to sacrifice narrative grittiness to get there; there's room for both. With their recent Superman movie, and seeing Nightwing being featured like an A-list hero, and then working through some of his generational trauma by forging strong friendships, feeling his emotions, and using his resources to be generous to people in need, it's such a fantastic picture of healthy masculinity.

Redondo's art is stunning. Of course, more fun Easter eggs and DC nods—I spied the Mystery Machine on the street and I'm 90% sure Jon had a Taylor Swift poster. Mostly it's funny to see Dick wear the DC approval stamp as a shirt, and Babs wear a Teen Titans Go! shirt. And it makes me laugh every time Nightwing uses his weapons in a new way, and it's explained to the audience like a safety diagram. Anyway, I digress. Great volume. Very pretty cover art. (Although my favorite variant is still the clothesline logo from Vol 1.)

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comparada com as fases anteriores do Asa Noturna em Os Novos 52 e em Renascimento DC, esta aqui está muito melhor em qualidade tanto dos desenhos, como dos roteiros e das cores. Prova disso é a primeira história desse encadernado que pareceu, para mim, que eu estava lendo um videogame hit'n'run. O cenário é fixo numa splash page dupla e existe uma multimagem do personagem para dar a impressão de movimento. Muito bom! Esse é o início do arco Peguem o Grayson, em que o Arrasa-Quarteirão coloca a cabeça de Dick Grayson a prêmio. O legal desse arco é que ele reconecta Dick com sua equipe de estimação, os Novos Titãs. Segue para um arco de encontro entre Asa Noturna e o Superman Jon-El - que a Panini fez a burrada de publicar aqui em duplicidade -, e um encontro com o Flash Wally West desenhado pelo brasileiro radicado no Chile, Geraldo Borges. São histórias mais leves e mais gostosas de acompanhar para um super-herói que tinha abraçado demais um lado sombrio que, na minha opinião, não cabia a ele.

[kesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

tom taylor and bruno redondo my goats pull through for me once again with the most beautiful opening sequence that has ever graced this earth; so much budget that they made more cameos than a failed tiktoker trying to sell birthday messages; and a wally west x nightwing bromance that is literally me and sam.

it mentions a lot of other dc comics which makes it a little inaccessible and i struggled to go from nightwing #01 plot to this with it mainly focusing on dick grayson getting targeted by assassins - which is fine but it starts shifting to stuff happening in other cities. maybe i struggle w comics w multiple locations. maybe i’m just an impatient fk.

i love nightwing’s quips - he’s dc’s spiderman fr. js a lighthearted comic w friends, family, community and maybe love if he actually does smn ab it 😤😤

3.75/5.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

dick grayson my beloved.

[‎⋰˚☆ alo ₊˚✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

k mucho amo a mi familia (los titans <3) also el friendship entre wally/dick is so important tew me they truly are two pretty best friends

[Rory Wilding · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who is a fan of Nightwing, despite having read none of his solo comics, the current run by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo is the perfect gateway for anyone wanting to read Dick Grayson’s adventures in Bludhaven. Taking influence from Matt Fraction and David Aja’s Hawkeye series – not least with the appearance of a three-legged pit bull puppy named Haley – Grayson uses his newfound wealth to establish a philanthropic foundation to revitalize Bludhaven, while continuing to fight corruption and crime as the eponymous vigilante.

After the previous volume, in which Taylor had to adjust to the COGS going on during the crossover event “Fear State” that went across the other Bat-titles, this volume reunites Taylor with Redondo and immediately starts with a pitch-perfect issue that is #87.

Presented as one continuously connected 22-page image, Grayson is being targeted due to his wealth, setting in motion a daring chase to his apartment – where Haley gets dognapped – and from it through the city streets. This issue is a masterclass, not only visually through its collage work and detailed streets, but also thematically in seeing how diverse the people of Bludhaven are and how some are impacted by having Nightwing fighting for them. Also, Grayson and Barbara Gordon teaming up as Nightwing and Batgirl to rescue their dog is the personal touch that makes the issue an extra bit more special.

Most of this volume, subtitled “Get Grayson”, is about the numerous forces that are going after our unmasked hero, who is not going to back down and will do public events to help revitalise the city. From a couple of snipers to a group of masked gunners, all of which going after Grayson, he is not alone with the many allies that will protect him at any cost. Along with Babs and Haley to support him, issue #88 also includes the Teen Titans (who are technically not teens anymore) and you can see Taylor and Redondo are having an absolute blast, the banter between the fellow Titans to the variety of powers being displayed throughout. We do get a brief reappearance of Heartless, of which Taylor is still playing the long game regarding the mystery behind this villain.

Taking a break somewhat from the main narrative, we arrive at the two-issue crossover between this series and Superman: Son of Kal-El, which Taylor is also writing. If you have read the second volume of Son of Kal-El, you will feel a sense of Déjà-vu as that trade features the crossover. That said, it is still worth rereading with Grayson teaming up with Jon Kent to help out what struggles he’s going through, whilst Redondo’s art providing plenty of kinetic action set-pieces.

The last two issues continue the “Get Grayson” arc as after surviving a drone attack that destroys his apartment building, Grayson teams up with his best friend Wally West/The Flash to find out who is the next hitman going after the former. There is a change in artists with Geraldo Borges drawing these issues and whilst his style isn’t as clean as Redondo’s, there is still that kinetic feel that drives the drama and action, not least from the involvement of colourist Adriano Lucas, who makes the whole book visually consistent. Plus, the Flash continually asking Nightwing if he wants to carry him via piggyback or cradle when they travel to a new location is one of the funniest things in recent comics.

Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo continue to be one of the best collaborations in comics with the latest volume of Nightwing being prove of this, which is not quite as perfect as the initial volume, but still wonderful.

[Green Megs &Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? I love Dick