Nightwing Annual #2
Writer: Marc Andreyko
Artists: Joe Bennet and Jack Jadson
Well, this was a suprise. A good, well written Annual that pretty much finishes the Dick and Barbara engagement storyline. We see Dick propose, get hurt in Infinite Crisis, how he was healed so damn fast, and then left on his trip with Bruce and Tim. This Annual takes place in between all those moments, mostly Dick recovering from his injury to go on the cruise. You see, there is something wrong with IC and 52's timeline concerning Batman. I'm not entirely convinced they in 52 week 1, more like week 6, 7, or 8. Dick has injuries that ruined his muscle and nerve timing, so he has to retrain with Barbara as his cheerleader to get back up to speed. During this time, we see Dick and Barbara work out their relationship issues, and rebuild what they had lost. They reminisce some major times in their relationship, outlining for new readers, and revisiting it for long-time readers. It has a lot of sweet moments, and some funny ones as well (See the scene with Dick and Babs stuck in a small safe together, for some reason, Dick can't stand up straight in front of Batman when he gets out). Andreyko handles the teen angst and lust very well in this issue, as well as the post-teenager maturity that comes without warning. The resolution to the proposal, that there is no current engagement, feels like a logical conclusion after reading this issue and ties in nicely with what Marv Wolfman is currently doing in Nightwing, find Dick Grayson. Dick has been serving everyone else his entire life, and never once thought of himself. He goes on the cruise not only to help re-build Batman, but to re-build Dick Grayson. Barbara loves Dick, but doesn't know the real Dick, so she can't marry him until both of them know the real Dick Grayson. Some may find this cliche, but I think it plays nicely with what Batman is doing in 52. Both Dick and Bruce had become some really dark people before Infinite Crisis, they both needed help, but in different ways. If you're not reading Nightwing, or Birds of Prey, you can still pick up this annual to enjoy it. I think this is a great book to hook people on Nightwing, or the Dick and Barbara love story. Hell, I might even make my girlfriend read this issue, she might enjoy it. Anyway, Andreyko does a great job. Someone please put him on a book that doesn't get cancelled all the time.
Joe Bennett does the art here, and does a fantastic job. Barbara is hot, Dick looks as he should, and Batman is menacing. His best talent is drawing faces and expressions, so he is a great fit for this annual. Let's hope he gets another ongoing at DC too, I'd hate to lose him to Marvel. B+
I have the issue of Batman Family where Robin tries to tell a sleeping Batgirl his feelings, but I don't remember what issue the whole "locked in a safe" happened.