DC Comics reviews for 9/5/18
Batman #54
This was a sneaky fast issue and felt like it was over after five pages. But no, Tom King put together a full-fledged issue here. It’s just Batman #54 read so smoothly it could have been a double sized issue and not have been enough. Fortunately, Dick Grayson isn’t in the cross hairs of Heroes in Crisis so we can be assured that King can hopefully have another Nightwing filled issue.
After substituting for Batman while he worked through his emotions after getting dumped at the alter by Catwoman, Nightwing still isn’t ready to leave. Bruce’s current mindset is all too familiar for Dick as King subtly draws the connection between the angry and bitter young boy whose parents were killed to Bruce’s feelings of loss.
Nightwing is such a fun character paired with the super serious Batman and King ups the comedic potential by throwing in appearances by some of Batman’s lamer villains. I loved that King isn’t rushing to get Batman fully back up to speed and needs a final boost of encouragement from his ward/adopted son. King uses this issue to define the special bond Dick has with Bruce. He might not have been Bruce’s best man, but he’s there when Bruce needs to stop taking life so seriously.
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Matt Wagner takes time away from his creator-owned works to handle the artwork this issue. King has collaborated with some comic legends over the years on the book and Wagner is another notch on an already impressive artist lineup. Wagner deftly handles the transitions from young Dick to adult Dick and weaves through the flashback sequences with ease. Wagner has done a lot of work with Batman so it was nice to see him return to the character.
Batman #54 is a standalone issue, but it’s another one that taps into King’s character-based focus strengths. Batman has been pretty much untouchable since the wedding and continues to be one of DC’s must-read titles each release week.
Rating: 10 out of 10