So far Tomasi has penned two issues, #140 and 141, in a series entitled Freefall. Grayson has stepped away from his past haunts and moved in to upstate New York. Over the course of these two issues (though I’ll be focusing on the second issue) Grayson – with the aid of the Wayne money – takes ownership of the “Cloisters Museum,” in addition to numerous buildings and an apartment, all from which Grayson as Nightwing will tackle the crime of the city.
Tomasi has a grip of Nightwing/Dick Grayson that many writers have failed to capture over the past several years. The confidence that does not boast arrogance of Nightwing has been a mystery to many writers, and this has been unacceptable for one of the founding DC characters.
One of the problems I’ve found is that many people don’t understand that Dick Grayson is almost as old as the DCU is. This is exemplified in the opening pages of this issue (141) when Superman and Nightwing are discussing a crime that seems to be linked. The two are equals, and Superman – who is no doubt one of the biggest characters – sees Nightwing in the same category as himself.
This is just as it should be, especially when you consider that Dick Grayson first made his appearance in April of 1940. In comparison, this is only 2 years after Superman, a year after Batman, the same year as Green Lantern and a whole year and a few months before Wonder Woman and Green Arrow.
Issue 141 plays out this legacy by introducing a veritable fleet of the DCU’s finest. The implementation of a base of operations beneath the Cloisters Museum is being designed by Jon Stewart, aka, The Green Lantern, and constructed with help from the Justice Society, including Mister Terrific, Hawkman, Wildcat and Power Girl.
And possibly the best scene of the book – though somewhat awkwardly drawn by Rags Morales – is when Wally West, aka, The Flash, stops in to say hi. The genuine bond between the two – same aged men, who have teamed up countless times with the Teen Titans – is palpable.
I comment on the art, and I can’t help but feel that Rags is not the right man for the job. Opening up to the first page presents us with a Superman that just seems … not right. It seems that Rags Morales has trouble with faces; at least close-ups of faces. Dick goes from looking like Keanu Reeves in one page, back to Dick Grayson, and then later seems to look like he’s of Asian descent.
Nevertheless, do not let that put you off from what is a great book, and a great re-beginning for the Nightwing series. If you’re a fan of the DCU, the cast of Batman characters, or just Nightwing himself, then you will love this book! Pick it up, 4 out of 5 for me again!
