Forever Evil #1 Review

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: David Finch

With the way Trinity War ended how could anyone not be excited for this event. With it making a massive change to the DC Universe, being the first company wide crossover since the start of the New 52 I'm expecting a lot, and I'm sure it won't disappoint.

Plot

With the Justice League presumed dead, the Crime Syndicate plan to take over this world, recruiting as many villains as they can to do so.

Review

This was a fantastic issue, and although it wasn't quite as good as I hoped it would be, it was a brilliant start to the story. Geoff Johns did a great job of continuing from where he left of at the end of Trinity War, but at the same time made this easy enough to get into, as although people that didn't read Trinity War, who also avoid comic news may be shocked, Johns quickly brings things together, and story wise this looks to be shaping into something that's simply amazing. I also loved the tone of the issue, another thing that Johns did a great job with, as it flowed smoothly, having plenty of drama, and suspense when needed. It was however slightly lacking in excitement, but I'm sure Johns will make up for that with the next issue.

The art from David Finch was also amazing, being some of the best art that he's done for a long time. The detail in Finch's art was outstanding for most of this issue, as although there was the odd imperfection, it was generally fantastically handled. I also loved the layout from Finch in this issue, as although not very unique, it did add a bit of a dynamic tone to the issue, adding more depth, and helping the story to flow smoother. I also really enjoyed the fold out artwork in the middle of this issue, as due to slightly disliking parts of the cover, feeling that it was too many characters in to short a space, he has made up for it here, with this phenomenal assembly of villains.

This issue would start with Lex Luthor, showing him trying to take over Thomas Kord's company, then noticing the changes that the Crime Syndicate have caused. It was already established that Luthor would play a key role in this story, but it was extremely interesting the way that he was introduced into it, as following his short time in Trinity War I was really excited for this. The thing I liked most about Luthor's appearance had to be his reaction to the carnage, as considering just how far he's willing to go to get what he wants (as shown in this issue), I was shocked by his reaction to the Crime Syndicate, and this just goes to show how bad things are now that they are here.

Another character that was established to have a vital role in this storyline would be Batman original sidekick, Nightwing (Dick Grayson). To be honest he didn't have quite as bog a role in this issue as I expected, as although overall he had a huge role it wasn't for the reason that I expected. Nonetheless it was still extremely interesting, and very entertaining, and I loved seeing him step out from Batman's shadow, taking the limelight now that he's not around. I am however interested to see what role he will have in the future of this story, as so far it's been amazing.

The Crime Syndicate themselves were awe-inspiring, as although they didn't appear as a team as much as I would hope for, they certainly showed that they meant business. Their first goal would be to gather up all the villains that they could, no matter what it took, and the meeting between the Crime Syndicate, and the other villains was simply outstanding. Now I won't go into any details, as to avoid spoilers, but this is exactly what I was hoping for with this series, not disappointing, and if things keep up like this, as well as adding more excitement it has the potential to be one of the best events ever.

Final Verdict

This was an amazing start to what I hope will be a wonderful event. It had the perfect tone, setting everything up perfectly, allowing people who've missed Trinity War the perfect chance to see what changes it would cause. It also has some interesting sequences, and brilliant dialogue, and I for one can't wait for more, and would highly recommend it to anyone, even if you missed Trinity War.

Rating: 8/10

Nightwing #17 Review

Writer: Kyle Higgins

Artist: Juan Jose Ryp

This has been a very fun series, and although it's not been perfect it has been very good, and deserves to be one of the Bat titles out the now. I've been really happy since Dick Grayson returned as Nightwing, and I'm happy with the work that Kyle Higgins has been doing on the series.

Plot

In the aftermath of Death of the Family Dick Grayson is dealing with all the terrible things Joker did to him, and the people round him trying to fix as much as he can. But Dick has a follower in current Robin, Damian Wayne, who believes that there's something wrong with Dick.

Review

Although this issue isn't quite as good as the previous it is a nice stand alone issue to reflect on all the terrible things inflicted by Joker. Higgins did a fantastic job in showing how the events of Death of the Family have affected Dick, and I especially liked how he wrote the interaction between Dick, and Damian, but I'll talk more about that later. The only reason this wasn't as good as the previous issue was that it was all over the place, and although it had a purpose, it felt like a little too much was going on.

Something I wasn't too sure on was the art by Juan Jose Ryp. In some respects I liked this art, and overall it was very nice looking, but at the same time it wasn't anywhere near as good as former artist Eddy Barrows, or upcoming artist Brett Booth. The other problem I had with Ryp's art was that the facial expressions looked a bit awkward from time to time. Besides that the art was very good, and it's a Ryp is a very good choice to fill the gap between Barrows, and Booth (as there are a lot worse artists working for DC). The detail throughout is also very good, and he draws most of the characters very well. The only character that I didn't like drawn by him was Damian, an more importantly his hair. I didn't really see any problems in the way he drew Damian in general, but his hair looked very unrealistic.

What I liked about this issue was that it gave a chance for multiple characters to make an appearance. The appearance I liked the most (baring Damian of course) was current Batgirl, Barbara Gordon. The history between these two characters is vast, and I always enjoy seeing the two characters together. I especially liked how she saw something slightly strange in Dick's relationship with Sonia Zucco.

Talking about Sonia Zucco, it was nice to see her make an appearance in this issue. It's not a surprise that she made an appearance as she's been in most of the series, but it's still nice all the same. Although Dick has had many relationships over the years, and that he still cares about all the women involved in one way or another I like that there's a chance for him to move onto someone new, and even if they have a form of history between them it would be nice for Dick, and Sonia to work things out. Either way I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops, as whether they grow to love each other, or hate each other it should be interesting, and I don't expect to see anything in between (at least in the long run).

It was nice to see exactly all the damage that Joker has inflicted upon Dick. Although it was seen happening throughout Death of the Family it's hard to notice the exact lengths of Joker's actions, whereas now that it's all over and done it's a lot easier to notice the exact extent. What was mainly interesting was how Dick reacted to all this, and more so how he reacted to other peoples reactions. It leaves a lot of questions about Dick future, and not just the direction of the series, as it's also questionable about Dick's connection with Haly's Circus, and the employees of Haly's, as well as his mental state, and how he reacts to others around him. He's looking all calm the now but I wouldn't be surprised if it all got too much for him.

Damian's appearance in this issue was the thing I enjoyed the most, and when I noticed he'd be involved once seeing the cover, and solicit this is what I was looking forward to. I'd really enjoyed how Damian and Dick worked together in the original Batman and Robin series prior to the New 52, and since the New 52 they've not really interacted much at all, let alone on a personal level. It was nice that Damian was able to spot that unlike what Dick was telling everyone, that he wasn't alright. The only problem I had about this interaction however was that it didn't last long enough, and I hope that it happens again sometime in the future.

I'll finish by talking about the ending. I won't talk much as to avoid spoilers, but I will say that it's a very interesting turn of events, and bodes interesting things for the next issue.

Final Verdict

This was a fabulous issue, and although it's not the best in the series so far it's still a very good issue. I would highly recommend this issue, as well as the series, and am looking forward to the next issue.

Rating: 4/5

Nightwing #16 Review

Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Eddy Barrows

This has overall been a very good series, and one of my favourite out of the Bat titles. Kyle Higgins has really done a terrific job, and although the series hasn't always been brilliant, it has been fun.

Plot

This issue sees Nightwing rush to Haly's Circus where he finds Joker, and dug up former members of Haly's Circus.

Review

This was a very good issue, and Higgins did a great job. Although this issue was very fast paced, it was still very good, and written brilliantly. For a two part story, Higgins has really done a fabulous job of utilizing the most he can get out of it, and has kept the tone of the series the same,whilst adding the psychotic element that comes with Joker. What I've liked most about this story is that it's centered around Haly's Circus, which has been a big feature in this series. It makes he story twice as personal for Nightwing, as Joker isn't only attacking the Bat-Family, but also Haly's Circus, that Dick has started to see as a second family.

The art in this issue is fantastic, and Eddy Barrows continues to produce some fabulous work. He's done a brilliant job throughout this series, and I will be sad to see him leave, but I do look forward to seeing him work on Teen Titans, and also look forward to seeing Teen Titan artist Brett Booth join this series. Barrows art in this issue is just as phenomenal as any of his other artwork, and it really makes the issue look fabulous. There are ton's of detail in his artwork, and it's hard to fault any of it. The way Barrows draws Joker is also fantastic, as he really makes him look gruesome, whilst still looking realistic.

I really enjoyed the suspense in this issue, and how Nightwing was confused at certain points. Higgins did a really good job of this, as it felt like something Joker would do, and although it wasn't as surprising as some of his other antics, it was handled brilliantly, which made the sequence better than most of Joker's other plans. The shock on Nightwing's face at certain points also added brilliantly to the atmosphere of the issue, and showed just how impaired he was.

I don't really want to talk much about the rest of the comic, as to avoid spoilers, but it was very dramatic, and had some amazing action sequences, which Barrows made amazing. Rod Reis also did a fabulous job with the colours in this issue, and really made some of the action sequences look even more amazing than they already were.

It was also nice to see Sonia Zucco make an appearance in this issue, as it showed that Dick, and her story is far from over.

Like Batgirl #16, and Batman and Robin #16 the ending was both good and bad. I won't spoil the ending, but will explain why I think it was both good and bad. The ending itself sets up Batman #17, which is the finale of the Death of the Family crossover. This was nice as the ending of Batman #16 was brilliant, and looked like it would involve the rest of the Bat-Family in the finale, but at the same time it leaves this part of the crossover ending unfinished, which may not suit the few people who have been reading Nightwing, but not Batman.

Final Verdict

This was an amazing issue, and one of the best final issues of Death of the Family so far. I would highly recommend this issue, as well as most of this series, and especially the Death of the Family tie-ins (this issue, and the last).

Rating: 4.5/5

Nightwing #15 Review

Writer: Kyle Higgins

Artist: Eddy Barrows

Overall this series has been terrific, and Kyle Higgins has done an excellent job. I've loved that this series has focused on Dick Grayson dealing with his past, and how he's embraced it. I've also been really enjoying seeing Dick as Nightwing again, as although I liked him as Batman, and Robin, I much preferred him as Nightwing.

Plot

This issue starts with Joker killing Jimmy Clark because of the resemblance between them, and to get to Nightwing. Joker also has Raya Vestri, and Nightwing has to figure out Joker's plan.

Review

This was an excellent issue, and Higgins has done a splendid job of introducing this series into the Death of the Family crossover. I have really liked Higgins work over this series, and although Tom DeFalco didn't do too bad a job on the last two issues, it wasn't as good as Higgins' work. The way he's reintroduced Haly's Circus into this series, and that he's used this as a recurring setting has been a very nice touch, and I felt he used that in this issue perfectly. He also appears to have a brilliant understanding of Dick as a character, whether he's normal Dick Grayson, or NIghtwing, and it's shown in this issue. I've also loved how Higgins has used Joker a little more casually than the other series in this crossover has, whilst still making him psychotic, which I really liked. These tie-in issues to Death of the Family have also been a brilliant platform to show that Joker has put a lot of effort, and planing into this, and that it won't be an easy feet stopping him.

The art in this issue was phenomenal, and Eddy Barrows did a fabulous job. I have loved his artwork throughout this series, and am happy he's back to do the art for this issue. His art is very detailed, and suits this series perfectly. It is obvious when looking at his artwork that a lot of effort has went into it, and it's much appreciated. He also does a brilliant job of showing the tone's in the series, whether that's through facial expressions/emotions, or in the sequence where Dick, and Sonia Zucco kiss' case with images in the background showing what's going through Dick's mind, although I'll talk more on that further down my review. The way Barrows draws Joker is also fantastic, and I love that he makes the differences between the real Joker, and the people affected by the Joker Gas obvious, even if Joker didn't have his face mask.

No Body Likes a Knockoff

The sequence where Joker kills Jimmy, at the start of this issue was brilliant, and one of the best things about the issue. I really liked that Joker couldn't see the resemblance until the Joker Gas had taken him over, killing him. It was however the symbolism in this sequence that caught my attention the most, as Joker hangs him above the Haly's Circus entrance, with a sign round him saying, "no body likes a knockoff," which could refer to Dick's time as Batman besides Jimmy's resemblance to Joker. I also liked this because it makes you question if Joker knows the Bat-Families secret identities or not, as it would have been easy to have worked out that it was a different Batman whilst Dick was in the role, especially to Batman's arch nemesis.

Your Dad was Tony Zucco

The relationship between Dick, and Sonia has been an interesting development throughout the series, and I was wondering when it would get to this stage. Although it may have been better kept till the Death of the Family crossover finished it was still nice to see, and a good choice of filler, between the Joker sequences, and Dick being Nightwing. The sequence itself was brilliant, and I loved that Higgins built up to it in the pages before the kiss, with both characters upset over what happened at Haly's Circus. I also loved that Dick's thoughts were shown in the background, and he remembered that Sonia was Tony Zucco (the man that killed his parents) father, and that them being in a relationship is something he's need to think over. I will be looking forward to seeing if this relationship goes any further, and if the events of Death of the Family will affect it.

WARNING: SMALL SPOILER!

Mini Joker

There was a small thing that I felt spoiled this issue, and it was the way Raya was used. I felt that there was more potential in Raya, and especially after seeing she'd be involved in this story, so when I found out that Joker infected her with Joker Gas I was slightly annoyed. I did however like that Joker pointed out that now Nightwing can have his own Joker. Raya's appearance does however set-up the next issue, which looks to be very interesting. I do however hope that Raya's appearance in this issue proves to be more worthy than it appears, and that it might have consequences further in the series.

Final Verdict

This was a brilliant issue, and one of the best in the series so far. It has also been one of the best Death of the Family tie-in's so far, and I hope the next and final part of this story is just as good, if not better, I would highly recommend this issue, and the series so far, as despite the few down moments in the series, it has still been very good overall.

Rating: 4.5/5

Nightwing #14

Writer: Tom DeFalco
Artist: Andres Guinaldo

I have been enjoying this series and with Dick Grayson being one of my favourite characters it's nice to see him have a good series, especially one where he's Nightwing the persona I prefer him as. I have been happy with the work Kyle Higgins has been doing with this series and although Tom DeFalco has done a decent job on this issue and the last I will be happy to see Higgins return next issue.

Plot

This issue sees Nightwing continue his fight with the gang of thugs he was facing last issue. After that he gets a phine call from Sonia Zucco who arranges another business meeting with him. Also this issue Nightwing final faces Lady Shiva and the issue finishes by leading into the Death of the Family crossover.

Review

This was a good issue but I'd much rather have Kyle Higgins writing the last two issues. No offence to DeFalco but he's jumped onto this series for two issues to fill in the gap between these issues and Death of the Family and it appears he's quickly thrown together something including a high profile villain. There are parts of his writing I like and the story in general isn't bad, it's just that it's felt too rushed and would have probably been better over a few more issues. I would like to see DeFalco have another go of writing Nightwing but as long as he gets a few issues to do a proper story as these tow issues haven't given him enough time to show what he can do with the characters.

Andres Guinaldo's art in this issue is amazing and I have loved his work over the series. I love the way he draws the characters and although he doesn't add detail in a lot of the scenery I can forgive that due to the brilliant way he draws the characters. I like the way he draws the fight sequences in this issue and think that he can move the pace of a fight very well. I love how he draws Nightwing somersaulting in slow motion showing how he landed. I've always liked this kind of art in fights that involve acrobat style fighters and Guinaldo does it perfectly. It's always nice to see emotion on characters faces during comics and Guinaldo does an amazing job of showing what the characters, especially Nightwing are feeling.

What I've been waiting for since last issue, the fight between Nightwing and Lady Shiva. So was it good? I liked the fight but it was a bit disappointing. The fight was a bit rushed and after such a great set up in Nightwing #0 I was expecting something a bit better when the fight came about. I know that Shiva is meant to be this brilliant assassin but Nightwing looked like he didn't stand a chance, which didn't make for a fair enough fight. At the same time I also felt that Shiva went to soft on him which showed that Nightwing would have had even less of a chance if she was putting 100% into it. The fight overall was very good and although a few points bothered me it was probably one of the best fights in comics this week. I'm also looking forward to seeing a rematch between the two further down the line and it would be nice if Nightwing learned enough in that time to put up more of a fight.

There was also a sequence where Dick talks to Sonia on the phone which I felt dragged the issue along. Although it lead into revealing Shiva's reason for being here it was unnecessary and I would have preferred more time spent on the Shiva fight. The conversation itself was also similar to the one they had in a previous issue where Sonia is calling to make a business meeting. I would rather they just show you the two having a meeting or not and just get it over with instead of teasing something that might never happen. I may be nitpicking here but I felt that this conversation was just to fill time in a story that's essentially filling time.

I also loved how Penguin's involvement in the last issue was mentioned during this one and how he also made a brief appearance during. His role over the two issues makes you question how much he knew and if he was keeping something from Nightwing. It also made me question whether Penquin was actually involved with any of the events that happened during this story.

I liked the leas into the Death of the Family crossover at the end and although it probably could have kept till next issue it's a nice teaser of what's to come.

Final Verdict

This was a good issue and a nice end to the two part story featuring Lady Shiva. I would recommend getting this issue but if you're a new reader considering getting the series I would advice waiting till the start of Nightwing's part in the Death of the Family crossover in the next issue.

Rating: 3.5/5