What do you think?
Rate this book
Nightwings
Rome wasn't built in a day... But it was destroyed in one!Set in a post-apocalyptic Rome untold eons in the far future, this is the story of three a world-weary Watcher, a fearsome scaly-skinned Changeling, and a beautiful delicately winged Flyer. We meet these three on the eve of a terrible invasion... an invasion one of them foretold... and one of them secretly led.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
20 people want to read
About the author
Cary Bates
704 books13 followersCary Bates (born 1948) is an American comic book, animation, television and film writer. He is best known for his work on The Flash and Superman.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 7, 2024
Como adaptación me parece un poco floja (más una versión ilustrada que otra cosa) pero el trabajo de Colan es sensacional.
August 15, 2021
This is a graphic novel version of one of the lesser known gems of new wave science fiction. Cary Bates has done a reasonable job of adapting Robert Silverberg's novel, but 48 pages is just not enough to cover a 256-page novel, even with the ability to tell much of the story with pictures.
The artwork - pencils by Gene Colon and painted by Neal McPheeters - is exceptional.
The artwork - pencils by Gene Colon and painted by Neal McPheeters - is exceptional.
July 18, 2017
This is a incomplete version of the novella of the same name. Still great though.
May 23, 2019
***DON'T READ THE BACK OF THE BOOK***
When I read it AFTER reading the story I realized how angry I would have been if I knew what was going to happen!
When I read it AFTER reading the story I realized how angry I would have been if I knew what was going to happen!
August 12, 2016
What an odd story. That is the best summation I can give you for this strange tale. Robert Silverberg's Nightwings is the second in the DC line up of Science Fiction Graphic Novels. This seemed like a grand tale, yet the 50 page limit of the GN limits the setting within which that tale operates. This can generate moments where the reader will be left wondering "what?" or "why?" and these not being symptoms of a mystery setting, but rather due to innovative characters or situations left unexplained.
This tale starts in the "third age" of man (never explained). Seems to be some weird mix of technology and ancient world. There are three main characters- one is a Watcher, a profession that projects itself into the astral plane to seek out incoming threats from outer space. The second is a Flier, a beautiful young girl that has wings enabling her, and others like her, to uh fly. But they can only fly at night due to the sun melting their wings during the day. The third is a Changeling, a big, verdant monster resembling a lizard man. So the three end up making a journey to Roum.
Roum is a hodgepodge mix of Roman artifacts and buildings, everything from the Coliseum to St. Peter's to more modern palaces and churches. Why or how this happened we know nothing of and never will. The soldiers of Roum resemble Roman Legionnaires but carry laser rifles and grenades. I know, weird.
SO in this weird story these three go into Roum and the Watcher is denied the chance to stay at his Guild's quarters since the Roum Chapter is "full". As they stand there, pondering, along comes the Prince of Roum and his entourage. Now comes the weird part- the Flier ends up being propositioned by the Prince in return for the three of them being allowed to stay at a Royal Hostel for free. So she agrees to do this and the Flier sleeps with the Prince. This makes the Changeling angry since he seemed to have feelings for the Flier. Okay then.
The three later go to a Truth Telling machine in Roum, where the penalty for lying is the machine biting your wirst off. There the Watcher admits to thinking his profession noble but his life worthless since no invasion from space ever came. The Flier admits to liking the physical act of sex with the prince (another WTF moment in the plot writing) but finding him to be cold and cruel, so instead she chooses Changeling. Annndddd Changeling admits to being not only a changeling but an ALIEN changeling!
Then the Watcher goes into astral space and sees the invasion fleet. He sounds the alarm and finds he has fulfilled his life's purpose. As people begin to panic he looses track of Changeling and Flier. Roums troops and Prince launch their space fleet. The Prince once again kidnaps the Flier so she can ride in his attack ship (what is it with these two?). The war in space happens. Roum loses. The Flier is freed and flies off with the Changeling. The Watcher is now in a world that has been invaded and conquered by the Changelings people. So he will watch those events now. Uh-huh. I see now.
Was that confusing? A bit vague considering the scope of some of the concepts I'm saying? AGREED. There is my problem with the story. There are so many WTF moments here, that it's truly head-shaking. I thought it was a very original and very strange tale. Some of the things though could have used some more fleshing out. I honestly would give this story a 2/5 but the beauty of the artwork by itself deserves a 4/5. It is the reason this tale a combination of the written word and the art (it is a graphic novel after all) get a 3/5.
If you enjoy artistic renditions of new worlds and strange scenes then I would recommend this. If you are looking for a good science fiction tale-well I don't think this is anything more than OK. Not bad, certainly had aspects that were quite creative but the lack of time spent explaining this "third age" lessens the impact of the things we see. At least for me.
This tale starts in the "third age" of man (never explained). Seems to be some weird mix of technology and ancient world. There are three main characters- one is a Watcher, a profession that projects itself into the astral plane to seek out incoming threats from outer space. The second is a Flier, a beautiful young girl that has wings enabling her, and others like her, to uh fly. But they can only fly at night due to the sun melting their wings during the day. The third is a Changeling, a big, verdant monster resembling a lizard man. So the three end up making a journey to Roum.
Roum is a hodgepodge mix of Roman artifacts and buildings, everything from the Coliseum to St. Peter's to more modern palaces and churches. Why or how this happened we know nothing of and never will. The soldiers of Roum resemble Roman Legionnaires but carry laser rifles and grenades. I know, weird.
SO in this weird story these three go into Roum and the Watcher is denied the chance to stay at his Guild's quarters since the Roum Chapter is "full". As they stand there, pondering, along comes the Prince of Roum and his entourage. Now comes the weird part- the Flier ends up being propositioned by the Prince in return for the three of them being allowed to stay at a Royal Hostel for free. So she agrees to do this and the Flier sleeps with the Prince. This makes the Changeling angry since he seemed to have feelings for the Flier. Okay then.
The three later go to a Truth Telling machine in Roum, where the penalty for lying is the machine biting your wirst off. There the Watcher admits to thinking his profession noble but his life worthless since no invasion from space ever came. The Flier admits to liking the physical act of sex with the prince (another WTF moment in the plot writing) but finding him to be cold and cruel, so instead she chooses Changeling. Annndddd Changeling admits to being not only a changeling but an ALIEN changeling!
Then the Watcher goes into astral space and sees the invasion fleet. He sounds the alarm and finds he has fulfilled his life's purpose. As people begin to panic he looses track of Changeling and Flier. Roums troops and Prince launch their space fleet. The Prince once again kidnaps the Flier so she can ride in his attack ship (what is it with these two?). The war in space happens. Roum loses. The Flier is freed and flies off with the Changeling. The Watcher is now in a world that has been invaded and conquered by the Changelings people. So he will watch those events now. Uh-huh. I see now.
Was that confusing? A bit vague considering the scope of some of the concepts I'm saying? AGREED. There is my problem with the story. There are so many WTF moments here, that it's truly head-shaking. I thought it was a very original and very strange tale. Some of the things though could have used some more fleshing out. I honestly would give this story a 2/5 but the beauty of the artwork by itself deserves a 4/5. It is the reason this tale a combination of the written word and the art (it is a graphic novel after all) get a 3/5.
If you enjoy artistic renditions of new worlds and strange scenes then I would recommend this. If you are looking for a good science fiction tale-well I don't think this is anything more than OK. Not bad, certainly had aspects that were quite creative but the lack of time spent explaining this "third age" lessens the impact of the things we see. At least for me.
September 13, 2014
In the distant future, during the Earth's "third cycle of civilization", a group of guardians known as Watchers use portable machines to project their minds into space in search of potential threats from other worlds. One elderly Watcher in particular has been devoted to that duty since his youth, yet has never found even a hint of the invaders who, according to prophesy, would arrive to conquer Earth at the end of days.
The Watcher's companions include a stocky, bipedal changeling named Gormon who appears as a lizard, and Avluela, a graceful, lovely flier whose wings expand only at night, for the "pressure of solar winds would crush them" should she attempt flight during the day.
Together, the three make a pilgrimage to the ancient city of Roum, once considered the capital of Man in an earlier cycle of civilization, long before the oceans rose to reshape the continents. Although they hoped to settle there, the trio is unable to find lodging. The Watcher is advised to seek the mercy of the Prince of Roum.
Inciting Gormon's wrath, the Prince takes Avluela as his consort before granting quarters to them in the Royal Hostelry. While there, Gorman reveals to the Watcher his love for Avluela and swears revenge on the Prince. Later, the three visit a structure that houses a massive globe depicting present-day Earth. The Watcher and Alvuela each find their birthplace and describe the events that led them to meet one another. When Gormon is asked to the do the same, he indicates that his birthplace is not on the globe, but says no more.
Afterwards, they enter a giant sphere in which they find the Mouth of Truth. The mouth, lined with rows of sharp fangs, is actually that of a stone serpent carved as high relief into one of the walls. Each person must place his or hand into the mouth and answer a question truthfully...or else A round-robin between them forces the Watcher to admit that his life has been a waste. Avluela confesses her love for Gormon, and Gormon reveals that he was not born on Earth, but is a member of the promised enemy race that is right now on an attack course for Earth!
Through his instruments, the Watcher confirms the approaching fleet and sounds the alarm. Will Earth's defense forces rally in time to defeat the enemy or will the city of Roum fall once more? What of Avluela and Gormon? Will the changeling avenge himself upon the prince and steal away with the beautiful night flier?
Nightwings is essentially a story of love, revenge, and betrayal set in a future dystopia when life on Earth has regressed to primitive times, yet has managed to preserve a certain level of technological advancement including the Watcher's machine, energy weapons, and even space combat fighters. The world-building is exceptional for such a short tale, not just for what is prominently featured in the story, but also for what is merely mentioned (such as Guilds and Rememberers), and what is left to the reader's imagination. The version I read was a graphic novel published by DC Comics in 1985 with gorgeous, lush artwork by Gene Colan and Neil McPheeters. Fast-pacing and strong characters make this an enjoyable SF tale from the legendary Robert Silverberg.
The Watcher's companions include a stocky, bipedal changeling named Gormon who appears as a lizard, and Avluela, a graceful, lovely flier whose wings expand only at night, for the "pressure of solar winds would crush them" should she attempt flight during the day.
Together, the three make a pilgrimage to the ancient city of Roum, once considered the capital of Man in an earlier cycle of civilization, long before the oceans rose to reshape the continents. Although they hoped to settle there, the trio is unable to find lodging. The Watcher is advised to seek the mercy of the Prince of Roum.
Inciting Gormon's wrath, the Prince takes Avluela as his consort before granting quarters to them in the Royal Hostelry. While there, Gorman reveals to the Watcher his love for Avluela and swears revenge on the Prince. Later, the three visit a structure that houses a massive globe depicting present-day Earth. The Watcher and Alvuela each find their birthplace and describe the events that led them to meet one another. When Gormon is asked to the do the same, he indicates that his birthplace is not on the globe, but says no more.
Afterwards, they enter a giant sphere in which they find the Mouth of Truth. The mouth, lined with rows of sharp fangs, is actually that of a stone serpent carved as high relief into one of the walls. Each person must place his or hand into the mouth and answer a question truthfully...or else A round-robin between them forces the Watcher to admit that his life has been a waste. Avluela confesses her love for Gormon, and Gormon reveals that he was not born on Earth, but is a member of the promised enemy race that is right now on an attack course for Earth!
Through his instruments, the Watcher confirms the approaching fleet and sounds the alarm. Will Earth's defense forces rally in time to defeat the enemy or will the city of Roum fall once more? What of Avluela and Gormon? Will the changeling avenge himself upon the prince and steal away with the beautiful night flier?
Nightwings is essentially a story of love, revenge, and betrayal set in a future dystopia when life on Earth has regressed to primitive times, yet has managed to preserve a certain level of technological advancement including the Watcher's machine, energy weapons, and even space combat fighters. The world-building is exceptional for such a short tale, not just for what is prominently featured in the story, but also for what is merely mentioned (such as Guilds and Rememberers), and what is left to the reader's imagination. The version I read was a graphic novel published by DC Comics in 1985 with gorgeous, lush artwork by Gene Colan and Neil McPheeters. Fast-pacing and strong characters make this an enjoyable SF tale from the legendary Robert Silverberg.
July 1, 2012
I picked this treasure up a long time ago, and fell in love with the story and artwork.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews