DCU Comic Book Reviews

NIGHTWING #128

Targets, Part 4: Conclusion

March 2007

Written by Marv Wolfman

Pencils by Dan Jurgens

Inks by Norm Rapmund and Rodney Ramos

Cover by J. G. Jones

Synopsis

Nightwing is on patrol, trying to find some answers about his life.  He is also trying to find answers regarding the death of Jace Lorens, a scientist involved with the Raptor suit taken from a bankrupt LexCorp company.  Elsewhere, former executives of LexCorp are trying to find out why the Raptor suit is causing the wearers to die of radiation poisoning.  This on little problem could cause problems trying to sell it on the black market.  They decide to test it out.  The Raptor appears on the streets of New York City while the executives monitor the situation.  Nightwing comes to help out the police and accidentally causes the death of the wearer.  However, the wearer was already dead, thanks to exposure from radiation.  Meanwhile, the executives deal fall through, although it was Lex Luthor who was the one purchasing the armor and he just wanted to make sure no one profited from his inventions.  Nobody steals from Lex Luthor.    

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“Weapons?  I don’t need no stinking weapons.”

This was a damn good Lex Luthor issue.  You really get to see how much of a son a bitch Luthor can really be.  I always enjoy it when he out smarts people, proving what a genius he really is.  Unfortunately, this comic is titled Nightwing.  And in this concluding arc we realize that Nightwing does absolutely nothing to solve the mystery, except kill a man.  Well, his conscience is clear since the man was going to die soon anyway, but still, the man was alive when Nightwing caused the explosion.  Regardless, this ending was horrible.  This issue does not show, at all, why Nightwing deserves to live.  He doesn’t solve the crime, he doesn’t figure out who is behind it all, and he certainly didn’t help with the Raptor.  In fact, the issue completed blinded-sided me with the introduction of the new characters, which conveniently helped to explain the entire plot.  Personally, the story would’ve worked better if it was Nightwing who not revealed the flaw in the suit but then revealed to the executives that it was Luthor trying to buy the suit.  At least then it could’ve proved Nightwing was able to do his job as a super hero.  Instead, and I had to repeat myself but I fear I am, Nightwing remains a whining mess worried why he is still living after being told he should’ve died. 

I really hope you made it through that previous paragraph.  If it came across as harsh, I am sorry.  I guess it comes from a high hopes that someone can provide some good stories that would show why Nightwing is such a popular character.  Part of that popularity comes from the fact that Nightwing is the one character who has connections to almost everyone in the DCU from the JLA to the Teen Titans to the Outsiders and to the Birds Of Prey.  I am wondering if isolating him in New York City is a good idea.  Maybe they should get him out more, perhaps do a few team-ups.  Could be interesting, especially teaming him with some heroes who don’t now him.  Just food for thought, I suppose. 

I found the remark about money (Dick apparently as a boatload) to be interesting.  Doesn’t this contradict what Bruce Jones wrote in the opening arc of the One Year Later story?  I don’t have the issue in front of me, but it would be interesting.

 

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