DC’s Nightwing has done the impossible: he has freed Bludhaven from the poisonous grasp of the ruthless crime boss Blockbuster. A meticulously planned and precisely timed series of strikes on the city’s organized crime hubs cripples Roland Desmond’s entire criminal empire, which forces him out into the open for a final conflict with Nightwing. The hero comes out victorious over the brute, who is later killed by Heartless. Tom Taylor continues the mob angle of the arc in the same virulent style as before, with high-voltage action that deputizes the budding romance. With artwork from Bruno Redondo, Geraldo Borges, and Caio Filipe, colors by Adriano Lucas, and letters from Wes Abbott, Nightwing #97 rides high on the momentum of the previous issue.
Salvatore Maroni finds himself in hot water in Nightwing #97 as his operations lay exposed after Nightwing’s raids. There is a certain nonchalance in Maroni’s behavior stemming from his faith in Blockbuster’s impunity from Bludhaven law enforcement. But once he learns of Roland’s death along with the mountain of evidence the man had over the other crime families, Maroni changes his tune and agrees to help in return for police protection. As Maggie Sawyer hands the mob boss over to GCPD Commissioner Renee Montoya, the news lights up the criminal world, with corrupt cops and greedy mercenaries out on the prowl for blood. The only thing standing in their way is the dynamic duo of Nightwing and Batgirl.
The previous issue felt like a natural conclusion of the ongoing arc, but Nightwing #97 goes the extra mile continuing to explore Bludhaven’s criminal underbelly. With Blockbuster gone, rather anti-climactically, Maroni forms the centerpiece of the plot. However, he lacks the ruthlessness that has been the perfect foil to Nightwing’s nimble-footed cunning for the entirety of Tom Taylor’s run. The issue begins with an elaborate exposition and interrogation before quickly transitioning into an all-out gunfight in the middle of a highway. This issue is full of twists and turns, but it never feels overwhelming. The romance finds a peaceful corner of the book to flourish in without distracting from the main narrative, allowing for light-hearted moments in a story that ends with a stunning twist.
Redondo’s art has been the cornerstone of Tom Taylor’s Nightwing run. Each panel has a distinct style that has become synonymous with the character. Lithe movements bringing the acrobatic best out of Bludhaven’s protector, the lucidity of the character art, and the focus on their actions help create a satisfying reading experience. So it is a little strange to see the climactic chase sequence drawn by Geraldo Borges and Caio Filipe, who try to emulate the intricacies of Redondo’s panel work to keep the narrative flowing. Colorist Adriano Lucas fills the backgrounds in solid gradients and a liberal sprinkling of Ben-Day dots, letting the glow of the twilight spruce up the dank locales.
There is nothing in Nightwing #97 that Tom Taylor has not already done. Anything at this point is a stop-gap measure to keep the wheels running before the milestone centennial issue. As familiar as this issue is, it is still a fun read. The interpersonal exchanges and lighthearted humor make the book palatable. Nightwing #97 feels like a dry affair despite the reckless action, mostly because it comes hot off the heels of such an engrossing finale.
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