DCU Comic Book Reviews

NIGHTWING #137

321 Days, Conclusion:  The Assault

December 2007

Written by Marv Wolfman

Pencils by Joe Bosco

Inks by Alex Silva

Cover by Ryan Sook

Synopsis

Eddie Hwang and Liu have just entered Wayne Medical, using a sample of Dick Grayson’s DNA to get past security, in order to steal an experimental serum designed to increase one’s physical abilities.  However, Nightwing and the Vigilante have tracked them.  Durng the fight, Vigilante slings a scalpel at Liu, slitting her throat.  Nightwing rushes to save her, taking her to the nearby hospital.  On the way, Vigilante tells Nightwing that Eddie and Liu were working for H.I.V.E.  Meanwhile, Eddie decides to clear out of New York.  Later, at the hospital, Eddie’s Tigers arrive to take back Liu.  Nightwing fights, but the Tigers abilities have been greatly advanced, thanks to serum Eddie stole from Wayne Medical.  He loses her.  Vigilante tells Nightwing that the next time he sees her, he better kill her or she will certainly kill him.  The Vigilante won’t stop from what needs to be done.  Nightwing follows, determined, knowing that no matter, heroes don’t kill.  [To be continued in Vigilante #1]

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Whoa.  Are you telling me that once more DC is offering a resolution to a story in one of its title by putting the concluding issue in a different book?  Actually this may be worse, because at least some of the concluding issues (Outsiders, Wonder Woman, Action Comics) were published in Annuals.  This story is being concluded in a brand new series (or mini-series or whatever they are going to be calling the Vigilante).  I feel like I just watched that old tv show that would bump the regular cast to introduce new characters that would star in their series.  It was annoying then and it is damn annoying now.  Actually, I should clarify.  I like the idea of introducing Vigilante in this book with the idea of then bringing him back in his own title.  I think it is an effective tool; if done right a guest starring should garner some interested readers far more than any promotion or solicitation copy.  What bothers me about what happened here is that the story Wolfman started is not finished.  Will Liu live?  What is Eddie’s ultimate goal?  With the connection to H.I.V.E. is this also connected to Deathstroke (or for that matter to Apokolips; see this week’s Detective Comics for a similar drug-stealing plot device)?  And to make it worse, this was an intriguing storyline that was easily some of the best stuff in this title in several years.  Then, to have the ending yanked away like it, I am disappointed.