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Nightwing (1996) (Original Trades) #4
Nightwing: A Darker Shade of Justice
Since relinquishing the Robin costume and persona, Nightwing has attempted to become his own man outside the shadow of Batman. But when his adopted town of Blüdhaven is overrun with fleeing Gothamites, Dick Grayson realizes that he must return to Gotham City to help his mentor. In a story that features Superman, the Huntress, and the Darknight Detective himself, Nightwing must infiltrate Blackgate Prison and wrest control from the vicious criminals that have taken it over. But in searching for a new life, he may have only found his own death.
Collecting: Nightwing #30-39.
Collecting: Nightwing #30-39.
244 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2001
1 person is currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Dixon
3,430 books1,033 followersCharles "Chuck" Dixon is an American comic book writer, perhaps best-known for long runs on Batman titles in the 1990s.
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
His earliest comics work was writing Evangeline first for Comico Comics in 1984 (then later for First Comics, who published the on-going series), on which he worked with his then-wife, the artist Judith Hunt. His big break came one year later, when editor Larry Hama hired him to write back-up stories for Marvel Comics' The Savage Sword of Conan.
In 1986, he began working for Eclipse Comics, writing Airboy with artist Tim Truman. Continuing to write for both Marvel and (mainly) Eclipse on these titles, as well as launching Strike! with artist Tom Lyle in August 1987 and Valkyrie with artist Paul Gulacy in October 1987, he began work on Carl Potts' Alien Legion series for Marvel's Epic Comics imprint, under editor Archie Goodwin. He also produced a three-issue adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit for Eclipse with artist David Wenzel between 1989 and 1990, and began writing Marc Spector: Moon Knight in June 1989.
His Punisher OGN Kingdom Gone (August, 1990) led to him working on the monthly The Punisher War Journal (and later, more monthly and occasional Punisher titles), and also brought him to the attention of DC Comics editor Denny O'Neil, who asked him to produce a Robin mini-series. The mini proved popular enough to spawn two sequels - The Joker's Wild (1991) and Cry of the Huntress (1992) - which led to both an ongoing monthly series (which Dixon wrote for 100 issues before leaving to work with CrossGen Comics), and to Dixon working on Detective Comics from #644-738 through the major Batman stories KnightFall & KnightsEnd (for which he helped create the key character of Bane), DC One Million , Contagion , Legacy , Cataclysm and No Man's Land . Much of his run was illustrated by Graham Nolan.
He was DC's most prolific Batman-writer in the mid-1990s (rivalled perhaps in history by Bill Finger and Dennis O'Neil) - in addition to writing Detective Comics he pioneered the individual series for Robin , Nightwing (which he wrote for 70 issues, and returned to briefly with 2005's #101) and Batgirl , as well as creating the team and book Birds of Prey .
While writing multiple Punisher and Batman comics (and October 1994's Punisher/Batman crossover), he also found time to launch Team 7 for Jim Lee's WildStorm/Image and Prophet for Rob Liefeld's Extreme Studios. He also wrote many issues of Catwoman and Green Arrow , regularly having about seven titles out each and every month between the years 1993 and 1998.
In March, 2002, Dixon turned his attention to CrossGen's output, salthough he co-wrote with Scott Beatty the origin of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl in 2003's Batgirl: Year One. For CrossGen he took over some of the comics of the out-going Mark Waid, taking over Sigil from #21, and Crux with #13. He launched Way of the Rat in June 2002, Brath (March '03), The Silken Ghost (June '03) and the pirate comic El Cazador (Oct '03), as well as editing Robert Rodi's non-Sigilverse The Crossovers. He also wrote the Ruse spin-off Archard's Agents one-shots in January and November '03 and April '04, the last released shortly before CrossGen's complete collapse forced the cancellation of all of its comics, before which Dixon wrote a single issue of Sojourn (May '04). Dixon's Way of the Rat #24, Brath #14 and El Cazador #6 were among the last comics released from the then-bankrupt publisher.
On June 10, 2008, Dixon announced on his forum that he was no longer "employed by DC Comics in any capacity."
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 13, 2022
(B+) 76% | Good
Notes: Made up of crossovers, debuts and plotline setups, it lacks autonomy and has the ancillary feel of a companion book.
Notes: Made up of crossovers, debuts and plotline setups, it lacks autonomy and has the ancillary feel of a companion book.
October 7, 2024
"This reminds me of a story. There was a man on my homeworld many centuries before my birth who was cast out of his family as you were. He dreamt of justice. He dreamt of helping the weak . . . He used his talents and his skills to fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves. He became a legend. No one knew his real name. He was called . . . Nightwing." -- Superman
"I like it." -- Dick Grayson, experiencing a 'lightbulb' moment
The brief moment - where a troubled young adult Dick Grayson, just after stepping away from his signature adolescent 'Robin' persona, seeks counsel from Superman - was probably the best or most memorable part of this overstuffed yet thin-seeming A Darker Shade of Justice volume. The three main storylines - involving twin acrobatic sisters who turn to jewel thievery, prisoners taking over a penitentiary, and an assault on Barbara 'Oracle' Gordon's base of operations - were essentially non-starters as far as interesting plots, but they do present that the newly-christened vigilante / crime-fighter can handle things well enough in Bludhaven without the Batmobile appearing on the scene.
"I like it." -- Dick Grayson, experiencing a 'lightbulb' moment
The brief moment - where a troubled young adult Dick Grayson, just after stepping away from his signature adolescent 'Robin' persona, seeks counsel from Superman - was probably the best or most memorable part of this overstuffed yet thin-seeming A Darker Shade of Justice volume. The three main storylines - involving twin acrobatic sisters who turn to jewel thievery, prisoners taking over a penitentiary, and an assault on Barbara 'Oracle' Gordon's base of operations - were essentially non-starters as far as interesting plots, but they do present that the newly-christened vigilante / crime-fighter can handle things well enough in Bludhaven without the Batmobile appearing on the scene.
August 21, 2019
This is bookended by well done tales in No Man's Land. First Dick tries to save a busload of people trapped ready to collapse. Then Batman tasks Nightwing with taking back Blackgate Prison from Lockup, which I really enjoyed. There's also an issue where Superman comes to Bludhaven for the day which is fantastic.
February 6, 2017
The first few comics in this series don't have a complete story outline however, they do make an interesting read. Also, you delve deeper into certain plots and relationships pre-established in another collection. The middle and end comics were part of the No Man's Land series (one of the comics I think I had already read because of that series) and it was interesting to see what Nightwing got up to (or the trouble he got into is more like). Overall, I enjoyed this collection and learnt more about the character of Nightwing which is what I really wanted.
August 9, 2010
It was a fun read, but ultimately forgettable.
March 5, 2012
The book series continues it's string of success with this new addition.
April 13, 2024
Another awesome set of issues for Nightwing, though you can start to see McDaniels art get a little less evocative. And while the scripts are just as sharp, the plot constraints - big Batman event tie ins like No Mans Land - slow down the core narrative.
June 2, 2021
3.5 stars
December 14, 2016
In this Nightwing volume, our intrepid hero fights off Blockbuster's goons, returns to Gotham to help Batman secure Blackgate prison after an earthquake, and then ends up in the arms of Oracle, rekindling a romance while keeping attackers on the clock tower at bay. Plus Huntress.
Dixon writes some great scenes and provides snappy dialog. He continues building Nightwing's/Dick Grayson's supporting cast here, while adding some drama to the Blockbuster subplot.
More McDaniel/Story art, meh. But a very enjoyable read.
Dixon writes some great scenes and provides snappy dialog. He continues building Nightwing's/Dick Grayson's supporting cast here, while adding some drama to the Blockbuster subplot.
More McDaniel/Story art, meh. But a very enjoyable read.
February 12, 2020
Nightwing: A Darker Shade of Justice picks up where the previous trade paperback left off and collects ten issues (Nightwing #30–39) of the 1996 on-going series with a story from Nightwing Secret Files and Origins #1.
Nightwing: A Darker Shade of Justice has Dick Grayson as Nightwing teaming up with Superman for one issue (Nightwing #30), and confronting many villains like Tad Ryerstad as Nite-Wing (Nightwing #31), and new villains Aliki and Margot Marceau as Double Dare (Nightwing #31–34). The rest of the trade paperback (Nightwing #35–39) are the tie-in issues for Batman: No Man’s Land. It has Dick Grayson being sent to control Blackgate Prison during the lawlessness after the earthquake that made Gotham City a no man's land.
Chuck Dixon penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, Dixon has expanded and created new villains for Dick Grayson as Nightwing to add to his rouge gallery – I just wished that they are more memorable. Dixon did rather well for the tie-ins for the Batman: No Man’s Land story arc. It a tad episodic and one does not get the full story of what happened in other chapters in other series.
Scott McDaniel penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style, slightly dated, but wonderful nevertheless.
All in all, Nightwing: A Darker Shade of Justice is a wonderful continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
Nightwing: A Darker Shade of Justice has Dick Grayson as Nightwing teaming up with Superman for one issue (Nightwing #30), and confronting many villains like Tad Ryerstad as Nite-Wing (Nightwing #31), and new villains Aliki and Margot Marceau as Double Dare (Nightwing #31–34). The rest of the trade paperback (Nightwing #35–39) are the tie-in issues for Batman: No Man’s Land. It has Dick Grayson being sent to control Blackgate Prison during the lawlessness after the earthquake that made Gotham City a no man's land.
Chuck Dixon penned the entire trade paperback. For the most part, it is written rather well, Dixon has expanded and created new villains for Dick Grayson as Nightwing to add to his rouge gallery – I just wished that they are more memorable. Dixon did rather well for the tie-ins for the Batman: No Man’s Land story arc. It a tad episodic and one does not get the full story of what happened in other chapters in other series.
Scott McDaniel penciled the entire trade paperback. Since he was the main penciler, the artistic flow of the trade paperback flowed exceptionally well. For the most part, I enjoyed his penciling style, slightly dated, but wonderful nevertheless.
All in all, Nightwing: A Darker Shade of Justice is a wonderful continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series.
December 23, 2020
Super strong Nightwing volume!
Love the Superman team-up in issue #30. There's something about the way Nightwing looks up to Superman that is so sweet and kinda sad. Bruce will never be anything like Clark and that obvious fact seems to get Dick in the feels every time. (It's a bit of a yearning for what never was...)
In A Darker Shade of Justice Dick joins the Bludhaven Police Academy! And it's everything I wanted: Dick having to fake being ordinary and "slow"! Dick being thrown around in hand-to-hand (lol)! It's the 'Dick out of the mask' pages I was looking for in the early issues of this run. And then. And then! Batman calls Dick up and asks him to come back to Gotham -totally killing Dick's chances in the Academy! Ug, what a conflict! But of course, when Batman calls, Dick answers.
I really liked the the Nightwing in Blackgate storyline. Especially the issue Taking Wing where Nightwing hallucinates through a big bump to the back of his noggin.
I loved the ending/action with Barbra and Dick! I'm not a huge Babs fan, but boy do I ship them hard. <3
I think this volume was Chuck Dixon at his finest. 4.5 stars!
Love the Superman team-up in issue #30. There's something about the way Nightwing looks up to Superman that is so sweet and kinda sad. Bruce will never be anything like Clark and that obvious fact seems to get Dick in the feels every time. (It's a bit of a yearning for what never was...)
In A Darker Shade of Justice Dick joins the Bludhaven Police Academy! And it's everything I wanted: Dick having to fake being ordinary and "slow"! Dick being thrown around in hand-to-hand (lol)! It's the 'Dick out of the mask' pages I was looking for in the early issues of this run. And then. And then! Batman calls Dick up and asks him to come back to Gotham -totally killing Dick's chances in the Academy! Ug, what a conflict! But of course, when Batman calls, Dick answers.
I really liked the the Nightwing in Blackgate storyline. Especially the issue Taking Wing where Nightwing hallucinates through a big bump to the back of his noggin.
I loved the ending/action with Barbra and Dick! I'm not a huge Babs fan, but boy do I ship them hard. <3
I think this volume was Chuck Dixon at his finest. 4.5 stars!
March 24, 2020
I still love Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel's Nightwing! There is so much energy and emotion. In this volume the duo is able to tell really good tales in Bludhaven while keeping up with the other Batbooks in the No Man's Land mega-event. Dick's conversation with Barbara was stellar and much needed. While some of the villains are corny its on par for DC. The book was a delight.
January 13, 2026
3.5 stars.
They made my man a COP I'm distraught. Free Dick Grayson from the shackles of copaganda.
I enjoyed the rest of the plot tho, especially the issue with Superman and Nightwing teaming up, that was so much fun.
They made my man a COP I'm distraught. Free Dick Grayson from the shackles of copaganda.
I enjoyed the rest of the plot tho, especially the issue with Superman and Nightwing teaming up, that was so much fun.
February 16, 2018
Nightwing takes Back Blackgate for Batman.
December 25, 2022
The art was absolutely horrendous but Dick doodling Oracle in the police academy was adorable.
August 11, 2023
Good storyline by Chuck Dixon on Nightwing's early days. Good stuff.
July 10, 2016
And this is where it all started. I found Nightwing a Darker Shade of Justice in a comic shop (not my normal Vault of Midnight but another one that was not pleasant to visit) and I loved it. However, I could tell I was walking in to the middle of the story. I started to look for other volumes, mostly on-line, only to find the series out of print. That DC Comics decided to start reprinting this series made me happy and excited - because this is my Nightwing and my Dick Grayson.
This particular issue overlaps with volume 4, Love and Bullets which I reviewed earlier today, but it also covers additional issues of the on-going comic. Therefore I was able to read more of the on-going storyline. So for this re-read, I skipped the issues I just read in Love and Bullets and started with "The Belly of the Beast". From the last page of "Sister Act", where Dick is interrupted by an urgent video message from Batman, Dick is sent on a solo mission to Blackgate prison. Blackgate is under the control of the vicious criminal Lock-up. Batman wants Nightwing to take back the prison and remove Lock-up from control, thus preventing him from realizing he has an army that can take over Gotham (this takes place at the same time as "No Man's Land"). Dick breaks into the prison but is unable to take over from the con and is immediately attacked. This is, ultimately, how he ends-up in such dire straits in "Taking Wing". Dick escapes and crawls to Oracle's door. Barbara Gordon begins to nurse him back to health - but her hideaway is attacked by the Gotham PD task force and Huntress. Huntress, however, decides that the PD's plan to eliminate Oracle - her friend whom she worked with in the Birds of Prey - is too lethal, so she helps out Dick and Barbara. The issue ends with Barbara and Dick heading back to Blüdhaven.
A Darker Shade of Justice being the original printing, collects the original newsprint books into a single volume. I must admit I felt a bit nostalgic holding and reading the old style of comic book printing. The colors aren't as vivid as the contemporary Nightwing books, though, and the tones are more muted. I hope that DC Comics publishes the rest of the series, including this book, because I suspect they with continue on from where Love and Bullets left off and continue past the end of A Darker Shade of Justice.
Nightwing A Darker Shade of Justice collects issues 30-39 of Nightwing, and Nightwing Secret Files #1.
This particular issue overlaps with volume 4, Love and Bullets which I reviewed earlier today, but it also covers additional issues of the on-going comic. Therefore I was able to read more of the on-going storyline. So for this re-read, I skipped the issues I just read in Love and Bullets and started with "The Belly of the Beast". From the last page of "Sister Act", where Dick is interrupted by an urgent video message from Batman, Dick is sent on a solo mission to Blackgate prison. Blackgate is under the control of the vicious criminal Lock-up. Batman wants Nightwing to take back the prison and remove Lock-up from control, thus preventing him from realizing he has an army that can take over Gotham (this takes place at the same time as "No Man's Land"). Dick breaks into the prison but is unable to take over from the con and is immediately attacked. This is, ultimately, how he ends-up in such dire straits in "Taking Wing". Dick escapes and crawls to Oracle's door. Barbara Gordon begins to nurse him back to health - but her hideaway is attacked by the Gotham PD task force and Huntress. Huntress, however, decides that the PD's plan to eliminate Oracle - her friend whom she worked with in the Birds of Prey - is too lethal, so she helps out Dick and Barbara. The issue ends with Barbara and Dick heading back to Blüdhaven.
A Darker Shade of Justice being the original printing, collects the original newsprint books into a single volume. I must admit I felt a bit nostalgic holding and reading the old style of comic book printing. The colors aren't as vivid as the contemporary Nightwing books, though, and the tones are more muted. I hope that DC Comics publishes the rest of the series, including this book, because I suspect they with continue on from where Love and Bullets left off and continue past the end of A Darker Shade of Justice.
Nightwing A Darker Shade of Justice collects issues 30-39 of Nightwing, and Nightwing Secret Files #1.
April 7, 2008
I like Nightwing. Is that wrong? This book is a little obvious, not esp. subtle, both in story and art. But I like that it's simple, and it didn't expect me to know much going in. Pleasant, forgettable.
One thing I loved: this book is the first I've seen of Barbara Gordon post-Killing Joke, as paraplegic Oracle. It was better than I thought it would be, reassuring to see her having a life, serving a purpose. I'm still really upset that they did that to her, but it seems like they're at least treating her like a real person. I wish TPTB had picked someone else to tell this story: why did it have to be Batgirl, girlhood hero, one of so few cool women? But on the other hand, why do these things happen to anyone? Maybe it's a mark of progress, not stagnation, that a female character can have the same devastating bummer storylines as anyone else. Anyway, the chapters with her towards the end of the book really pop.
One thing I loved: this book is the first I've seen of Barbara Gordon post-Killing Joke, as paraplegic Oracle. It was better than I thought it would be, reassuring to see her having a life, serving a purpose. I'm still really upset that they did that to her, but it seems like they're at least treating her like a real person. I wish TPTB had picked someone else to tell this story: why did it have to be Batgirl, girlhood hero, one of so few cool women? But on the other hand, why do these things happen to anyone? Maybe it's a mark of progress, not stagnation, that a female character can have the same devastating bummer storylines as anyone else. Anyway, the chapters with her towards the end of the book really pop.
February 5, 2016
I liked it overall but not sure about the references to another series. "No Mans Land" causes a major shift to happen in Nightwings storyline that brings Dick out of bludhaven and back to Gotham. At times the cameos felt more like a lineup of famous characters that the writers strongarmed into the story just to see how many they could get in there.
I also don't like the idea of moving Nightwing out of bludhaven in what felt like a "just cuz" reason. If he is in Bludhaven to discover his superhero self this sudden shift back to Gotham just puts a jarring stop to the progression of the bludhaven story arc without adding anything to the Nightwing story. Unless of course the next book provides a nice tie in between what just happened in Gotham and the Bludhaven story. which I hope it does.
I also don't like the idea of moving Nightwing out of bludhaven in what felt like a "just cuz" reason. If he is in Bludhaven to discover his superhero self this sudden shift back to Gotham just puts a jarring stop to the progression of the bludhaven story arc without adding anything to the Nightwing story. Unless of course the next book provides a nice tie in between what just happened in Gotham and the Bludhaven story. which I hope it does.
April 4, 2008
I believe this is the fourth graphic novel in the Nightwing comic series. There's an awesome part in this collection that tells the story of how Nightwing became Nightwing after leaving the Robin gig. I think that was the best part of the book. The artwork was nicely rendered too! Other than that, the story was just a little too incohesive for me to really get into. What it did make me want to do was read more though. Overall, I think this book would have seemed better to me if I read each comic separately rather than try to read it as one cohesive book...
June 12, 2009
Plotwise, this was pretty meh, and the artwork really wasn't my thing at all. Points for it being about Dick (well, yeah), the Dick/Barbara interaction and the bit with the Bat boxers. This also has the stories from the No Man's Land arc, which was an interesting addition to the Batman volumes. If only the artwork could've been different; I think I would have liked it better then. Especially during the flashback on Dick's life (which was a tad heavy-handed). But it was still fun to read.
December 2, 2016
Some overlap in the issues with this volume and with No Man's Land v. 3 makes this a quick read if you've read the other, but you'll want both in hand to bounce back and forth to make total sense of the stories that are wound together. A totally different, more fun vibe than in the Batman books in general, but less in a cheesy way than just in protagonist outlooks. Dixon redeems himself in my mind somewhat as this plotline goes along.
April 6, 2020
Probably my favorite Nightwing volume so far. I love a good Superman team-up. Plus there were some good Nightwing/Oracle scenes.
For more (much, much more) on Dick Grayson, tune in to a special spotlight over on the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...
For more (much, much more) on Dick Grayson, tune in to a special spotlight over on the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/ep...
February 25, 2010
Dick's biggest problem making it through the police academy in Bludhaven is, of course, having to ditch class to return to Gotham and help with the No Man's Land fiasco.
November 5, 2010
This series is getting better. Nightwing now has its own villians. Twin female acrobat thieves who fancy him. Its quite classic. The No Man's land tie-in is also well done. Quite a good read.
March 18, 2013
I'm not a fan of the art. The writing is still good.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews