Review: Future State - Nightwing #1

“Once Upon A Night In Gotham”

Writer: Andrew Constant
Artist: Nicola Scott
Color Artist: Ivan Plascencia
Letterer: Wes Abbott

Review by Steve J. Ray

In two, short months the brilliant Tom Taylor will take over writing the adventures of Dick Grayson. Until then, however, we still have a couple of brand new, DC: Future State adventures to enjoy, by writer Andrew Constant, with visuals by Nicola Scott, Ivan Plascencia, and Wes Abbott. The great news is – if Future State: Nightwing #1 is anything to go by, this series is going to be all thriller, and no filler.

Next Batman, and Dark Detective dropped lines like “Dick Grayson in Arkham Asylum”, so I feared the worst, but Andrew Constant has turned my terror around. Anyone who’s read the legendary Batman: No Man’s Land epic may have a clue as to what’s really going on, but brand new readers are in for a treat.

Nicola Scott Talent

I’ve been saying for a while now that I wished we’d see more of Nicola’s art gracing comics pages, and not just (gorgeous) covers. My wish was granted back in October with an issue of Detective Comics, and it seems that the comics genie’s still listening, because she’s back drawing a character that few people draw better than she does. An added bonus is that he’s also sporting a brand new look, designed by Nicola herself!

Check out that gorgeous aerial shot, as Nightwing swoops over Gotham City. That’s the kind of two page spread that comics are all about!

Once again, the issue is beautifully polished with stunning color art from Ivan Plascencia, and letters from Wes Abbott. The neon-tinged streets of this future Gotham City explode off the page, and every sound effect or cry of pain is beautifully rendered. It’s great seeing tried and tested talents like Nicola, Ivan and Wes working with a writer cutting his creative teeth with DC, particularly when we get results like this.

Conclusion

Dick Grayson, Arkham Asylum, Gotham City… all these things go hand-in-hand. We also get to see Nightwing catching up with an old friend, and meeting a brand new one, too. Page 18 of Future State: Nightwing #1 is scorching hot, and it leads to one hell of a cliffhanger. I’m really, really looking forward to issue #2.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment