Customer Reviews

Nightwing: Ties That Bind (Batman, Robin)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

'Nightwing: Ties That Bind' collects the 'Nightwing: Alfred Returns' one-shot and the four issue 'Nightwing' miniseries. Nightwing is Dick Grayson, the original Robin, grown up. During the storylines 'Knightquest: The Search' and 'Knightsend', Bruce Wayne is looking for a way to recover from injuries suffered at the hands of Bane in 'Knightfall'. Driven like a madman to recover and resume his duties as Batman, his loyal butler/best friend Alfred is driven away, not wanting to see the boy he raised to manhood get himself killed. 'Nightwing: Alfred Returns' tells us what Alfred has been doing since he left Bruce Wayne. It seems Alfred has found an old girlfriend, who might have a few surprises for him. Meanwhile, Nightwing has decided Batman needs Alfred, and finds him. Can he convince Alfred to come home? 'Alfred Returns' is the first story in the book. The rest of the book is the 'Nightwing' miniseries. Early on, Dick Grayson decides to quit the hero biz, and meets an interesting girl. If only life were that simple, but Alfred gives Dick some papers, one of which contains what may be new evidence on his parents murder. As Dick resumes the persona of Nightwing <with a styling new costume> and travels overseas to investigate this possible evidence, we learn the girls life is not perfect either. This collection can be considered a lead-in to the ongoing Nightwing series. If you like Batman and Robin, give this book a try. It's a touch more lighthearted than the regular Batbooks, but contains plenty of action and adventure. -Mike W. Goos

Ties That Bind is a good introduction to the Nightwing character for anyone who's unfamiliar with him. This book collects Nightwing: Alfred's Return 1 and the Nightwing 1-4 miniseries.

While both stories feature some good character development and insight on the relationships Nightwing has with Alfred and Batman, the writing in Alfred's Return isn't among Alan Grant's best work. A noticeable amount of the dialogue is stiff and rigid, and the twists in the plot can be seen a mile ahead. That being said, it's still a good story and worthy of a read. The plot is set after the Knightfall series following Alfred's resignation, and revolves around Alfred's relationship with a woman from his past. Nightwing seeks Alfred out in England to try to convince him to return to Gotham.

The Nightwing 1-4 miniseries is the real gem of this book. Writer Dennis O'Neil seems to have a good understanding of the character, and keeps the dialogue interesting and fresh. I really enjoyed the plot of this one, as it wasn't what I was originally expecting going in and kept me on my toes. Greg Land's artwork here lends itself well to the story (plus it's the first time we get to see Nightwing's current costume.)

All in all, a very good book, definitely worth the cost of picking it up.

This is a book worth buying for the Alfred one-shot alone. The actual Nightwing miniseries is highly disappointing.

My main problem with the book is the fact that Nightwing travels to Eastern Europe in order to solve the mystery of his parents' murder. If you've read Batman books over the years you know that the murder of the Flying Graysons has been solved many, many times. Now it needs to be solved again like it's the only crime to have ever occured? Enough already. Why does it have to go back to that one crime for Dick Grayson when there are so many murders happening day after day? Why not have Grayson help solve the murder of some truly powerless people, whose murders may have gone unsolved without the help of the great Nightwing? There were so many possibilities for Nightwing's first big solo adventure and it seems like they went with a total cliche.

This book also features one of the most embarrasing proofreading errors I've seen in a modern comic. Alfred and Dick are looking at a promotional poster for the Graysons' act which has the dates 5/29 and 5/30. Grayson then states twice that he remembers those dates, JUNE 29 and JUNE 30th. Ouch! If the creators of this book didn't care enough to fix that error before it went to print, why should you?

If you set out to collect the entire series of Nightwing graphic novels, then this is really first on the list. It takes place almost exactly around the time that Dick Grayson decides to give up the mantle of Robin and become his own hero out from under Batman's thumb. It also showcases the brief period of time when Alfred left Bruce Wayne's employ because of the stress Bruce was putting himself under trying to recover from his injuries and Bane's hands. (Batman: Knightfall, Part One: Broken Bat (Paperback)) Nightwing is instrumental in getting Alfred to return, and that spins into his decision to retire from the hero business. But as with all the Batman family, they seem driven, or destined, to take up the cape and cowl. This first mini-series centering on Nightwing would introduce us to the costume that would more or less stick around from that point forward, and also led into a full time series. (Nightwing Vol. 1: A Knight in Bludhaven) Considering this took place more than ten years and change ago, the book has held up well. It's a good story, with great art that was pretty fantastic for it's time. It still looks good, even with modern art and computer technologies to compare it too. And let's face it, Nightwing, and his background as Robin, he's just cool. The series was just a step down down from a 5 star rating, but since I couldn't select 4.5 stars, it gets promoted to a 5. LOL I enjoyed the book, and if you're a fan of Batman and his extended family, or just of Dick Grayson, then I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Thanks so much for your time folks.
Sincerely, R.A. McDowell

nightwing is the best hero of comics now,he is human end super-hero,ok.