Nightwing #81 Review

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Writer: Tom Taylor

Artist: Bruno Redondo

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: June 15, 2021

I always start these Nightwing reviews by telling you how much of a Nightwing and Tom Taylor fan I am.  It's because while everyone is going (lady) gaga over this book, I am waiting for it to hit with me.  I did give the first issue a perfect score, mind you, but since then, it feels like Taylor is treading water in a sea of fan service, and I'm worried that he could run out of time as he did with his excellent Suicide Squad book.  So, did this one pump up the jam and get me back on board?  Let's find out...

The issue opens with Melinda Zucco getting sworn in as the new mayor of Bludhaven.  It's a brief scene that reaffirms that Blockbuster is running the show and everyone knows it, especially Captain Obvious, who makes an appearance.  I did get a tinge of rebellion for Melinda, which had me intrigued.

We then head off to Nightwing, who is face-to-face with Heartless, and after the children are allowed to escape, it's fight time!  The only thing we get out of this, though, is that while Heartless is enhanced, he doesn't know how to fight.  He does know how to create a hell of a distraction, though, and can slip away because of it.  I know we haven't had a lot of Heartless so far, but it already feels like he's overstayed his welcome.  He isn't that interesting.

The issue then boils down to whether or not the people of the Blud are all pieces of shit or not when Nightwing makes a call out for all the help they can get to save the kids, and get this, they respond!  Well, at least many former Nightwing writers do in a page that had more back-patting than I care to see.

Luckily Tim Seeley, Dan Jurgens and crew were there to save the day since Dick got knocked out, but it's back on the case when he wakes up.  What case?  Melinda Zucco!

He sneaks off to find out more about her and oh brother, he does! I don't know what to make of the cliffhanger yet, but it is the most exciting thing in this book and series so far.  

I love Bruno Redondo's art so much in this series, and that continues in this issue.  As far as the story goes, there is nothing here that is bad, it's just moving so slowly, and instead of centering on the important parts of the book, Tom Taylor seems to get distracted with fan service moments that linger a tiny bit too long at times.  I mentioned that I am bored with Heartless, but only because he doesn't feel important in the book, just a minor distraction, especially with Blockbuster hanging around.  I want to know more about Melinda Zucco, and it looks like we will get that which is cool.  I just need some more meat on this bone and quick.

Bits and Pieces:

Nightwing continues to jog in place a bit, but the cliffhanger could be very explosive!  Tom Taylor still seems a little too concerned with fan service instead of developing his antagonists and story, but the art is excellent, and he writes Dick Grayson well.  I've said it for three months now, but I still like this book when I want to love it.

7.5/10