Nightwing Vol. 1: Traps and Trapezes (The New 52) [Anglais] [Broché]

With all of the new titles coming in the DC New 52, Nightwing wasn't on my list of pick ups. Not that I don't enjoy Nightwing, but I had way too many other weekly comics I was picking up, and Nightwing wasn't one of them. And I thought there were way too many Bat-titles to pick up, so I passed on it. But I was reading Scott Snyder's Batman Vol. 1: The Court of Owls (The New 52) monthly comic, and heard some people saying Nightwing's subtle connections to Batman and the story of the Owls, so it got me interested. And so, I decided I'd pick up Nightwing in trade form when it was released. How's it hold up? Not bad at all.

NIGHTWING VOL.1: TRAPS AND TRAPEZES collect issues #1-7. Dick Grayson, AKA Nightwing, as returned to his former title after spending time as Batman while Bruce Wayne was out of town (Batman: The Black Mirror and Batman: Gates of Gotham for example). Grayson is happy enjoying his current life and identity again in Gotham, but Haly's Circus is back in town, which is Grayson's old traveling circus as a boy, and things suddenly start happening. A masked assassin shows up by the name of Saiko wanting Greyson dead, a woman enters his life, Grayson inherits the circus, and the past comes back to haunt him. Now Grayson and his circus travel around the country, while he's off to solve this case.

New comer writer Kyle Higgins made a decent name for himself in Gates of Gotham, and gave a reasonable portrayal of Dick Grayson as Batman. Now that he has reign over Grayson in his old Nightwing persona, he gets to let loose and it makes for a good comic. Beyond the conspiracy Grayson is tracking down this assassin, we get a nice natural feel of Grayson's values, beliefs, and yes: witty, sarcastic humor. The ingredients I think we all enjoy for Nightwing. Much of the better wording comes from the banter and a special guest from the Bat-family. And further exploration of Dick Grayson being the Robin that was positive and looked ahead is a good character study as well. Overall, it's a good book for new readers, even if you've never read any of Grayson's previous stint as Batman (though it's recommended).

And the prime reason I picked it up (and maybe for those people as well), being some of the ties to The Court of Owls storyline. I will say that it's not essential to the Court of Owls, but the story plays a reasonable role in Nightwing that works very good on its own, as well as a better perspective of Grayson's point-of-view from BATMAN #7. Well done there.

Eddy Barrows art is amazing. His art looks so close to Aquaman artist Ivan Reis I confuse the two sometimes, because they both draw so well and similar. Fill-in artist Eduardo Pansica and Geraldo Borges are not as strong as Barrows art, but they handle the narrative fairly well when it comes in. And special fill-in artist Trevor McCarthy does issue #4, which is quite comedic, but might throw off some readers of the narrative from the art change. But overall, no biggie.

Some faults include the mentioned art changes in between issues, as well as issue #5 introduces an odd, super-natural plot device that just doesn't feel like it belongs here. Other then at, the book holds up on its own.

NIGHTWING VOL.1: TRAPS AND TRAPEZES may not be ground-breaking or sticking out among some other Bat-books, but it does hold up as a good and fun title for Nightwing fans, new and old. It also holds up as a solid story for Dick Grayson that organically crosses over with Batman #7 and The Court of Owls/Night of the Owls arc. Here's to more Nightwing in the future.

Out of the new batch of Batman-Family books, Nightwing is by far one of my favorites. I never gave the super hero much thought before the New 52. However, I decided to give the monthly series a try after seeing the striking preview pages for issue #1. His new red and black suit appealed to me much more than the one with a blue logo. I know it's shallow to judge a comic book icon on looks alone, but they are characters in a visual medium after all.

I'm glad I gave that first issue a chance and immediately became addicted to it. A new graphic novel collection of the first seven issues entitled "Nightwing Volume 1: Traps and Trapezes" gives new readers a chance to jump on board now.

Haley's Circus returns to Gotham City, bringing with it a trail of murder, mystery, peril, and supernatural evil. Dick Grayson / Nightwing rejoins the traveling show to uncover the truth behind sinister deeds that haunt the greatest show on Earth. He uncovers more than he bargained for when a mysterious costumed assassin calling himself Saiko appears with an obvious taste for vengeance against either Grayson or his alter ego.

Writer Kyle Higgins takes the reader on a cross-country adventure filled with plenty of action and engaging stories. He does a great job incorporating some familiar faces into the pages and even getting one involved in the heavy duty crime-fighting workload Grayson has taken on. Higgins is also unafraid of going into supernatural territory, which many current Bat-Family writers avoid.

Eddy Barrows, Eduardo Pansica, and Geraldo Borges handle the penciling for the book. Each of their styles is similar enough to where it isn't distracting. The illustrations lean towards realism. There's one flashback towards the end that stands out more than anything else. The difference in drawings gives the section a surreal feeling like we're in a dream.

"Nightwing Volume 1: Traps and Trapezes" is an entertaining read from start to finish. There's something for everyone within its pages. We get a realistic storyline and a paranormal tale all within its pages. Nightwing is all grown up and is more than capable to carry his own monthly series as reflected in this graphic novel collection.

Nightwing Vol. 1 was a joy to read. It is much lighter than it's fellow Bat comics and Dick Grayson is a breath of fresh air in the Bat-verse. The action is very good and bringing Dick back to his roots was a very wise call. I never read Batman R.I.P, but I was never really a fan of Dick Grayson as Batman because he wasn't enough like his mentor. His way of doing things just doesn't really Gel with Bruce's. He doesn't have that same kind of depth or intensity, he doesn't have that fire in his heart, and that's the way it should be. Robin was always meant to soften Batman up and as Nightwing he is Meant to be the Night Bird that flies through the sky who looks down with hope and optimism, not the Bat who flies but who needs to keep Low to the Earth in order to "see." I Loved spending time at the Circus with Dick and getting to know his past. What Knocks this down to 4 stars is the fact that this villain wasn't one of my favorites and in a way he is kind of a rushed B-villain. I get that they were trying to keeps things "suspenseful and Mysterious" but I always hate it when comics wait til the last 4 pages to give you the back story for this weeks villain and they expect you to care. It is usually pretty cheap, and I wish they would've spent more time showing you the kind of relationship Nightwing had with his villain when they were younger and less time with them fighting because apparently Nightwing is the "greatest killer of them all."

I also thought the transitions within the book between issues were very sloppy and more confusing than they should've been. The Tie in to Court of the owls is done in such a messy way that it literally looks like they just cut the last few pages out of Court of the owls and glued it into Nightwing. I don't like the way they mention Batman is missing, but yet Dick doesn't seem to care much nor does he seem interested. I also must say I kind of appreciated the backhand Batman gave to Nightwing towards the end to Bring him down to Earth when he was all "You have no idea what I have been through these past few weeks" Bruce. If you actually read court of the owls and compare notes, you will understand why Bruce kind of socked him in the Jaw. But you will also be glad when Dick takes it, realizing he might've stepped over a line but he can still tell Batman what's up too. It is a testament to the maturation of their relationship.