DCU Comic Book Reviews

NIGHTWING #143

Freefall, Part Four

June 2008

Written by Peter J. Tomasi

Pencils by Don Kramer

Inks by Christian Almay and Mark McKenna

Cover by Rags Morales and Michael Bair

Synopsis

At the Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, Nightwing interrupts grave robbers trying to unearth the corpse of the KGBeast.  He is attacked again by the Zombie being pieced together with the dead bodies they are stealing.  The Zombie is able to pull Nightwing away from the grave robbers, who then get away with the KGBeast.  However, Nightwing captures the Zombie, but to no avail as the creators of the Zombie use a micro-imploder in the brain to kill it.  Later, Dr. Mid-Nite performs an autopsy and discovers that the zombie is a clone.  They also determine that Talia al Ghul may be behind the grave robbers.  That night, Dick prepares to go after Talia, with Robin along to help.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

The best part of this issue is the dialogue between Nightwing and Robin.  The plot is fairly standard and, frankly, could have been pulled out of a plot-by-numbers box set.  That is not to say Tomasi and Kramer do a bad job.  On the contrary, the story moves crisply and cleanly, with enough suspense, mystery, and action to keep it from getting dull.  The minor subplot of the winged creatures gaining consciousness seems a touch out of place in the story, but it is brief and at least serves to give the heroes a chance to get away.  What helps the issue is the dialogue, a great exchange from two characters that displays their camaraderie, friendship, and long-term association.  Without Robin as a foil for Nightwing, I think the issue would fall flat and the standard plot would become more exposed, but, with Robin, the opening sequence sizzles, giving the issue some impetus. 

I am, however, confused with where Tomasi is taking the plot.  He seemed to be leading up to Talia and the league of assassins, but instead he turns around and gives us Doctor Kendall.  There is even a brief moment where Nightwing asks:  “Where’s Talia?”  It is a question I am asking myself.  It seemed strange that Tomasi would lead the reader to Talia, and then turn around and introduce someone completely different.  Granted, I assume Tomasi is leading somewhere with this, but I expected a little more Talia or more clues leading to Talia rather than seemingly ignoring her altogether. 

I am also confused by the “end” on the last page.  This can’t be the end of the story.  Nothing was resolved.  I suppose you could argue most of the winged creatures were killed (along with the guards), along with the method to create the creatures, effectively shutting down Doctor Kendall’s plan, but ultimately got away.  And Talia is hanging around somewhere.  It just does not feel like an “end” to me. 

 

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