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The Duo Dynamic / The Hidden Display
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Main Story
Written by Ty Templeton
Pencils by Rick Burchett
Inks by Terry Beatty
Colors by Heroic Age
Lettering by Balsman
Cover by Kelsey Shannon
Asst. Editor Harvey Richards
Editor Joan Hilty
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Back-Up
Written by Dan Slott
Pencils by Rick Burchett
Inks by Terry Beatty
Colored by Zylonol
Lettered by Rob Leigh
Asst. Editor Harvey Richards
Editor Joan Hilty |
Issue #12 - The Duo Dynamic / The Hidden Display
Cover Date - May 2004. Released March 19th.
The Riddler’s been badly wounded — but by whom? Everyone wants to know…especially the Penguin, whose job as Gotham’s mayor could depend on it! Plus, in the backup, discover the origins of Batman's trophy room! |
Review
If there’s any question DCAU fans
are used to asking, it’s “where’s Nightwing?”
We asked it when Batman Beyond premiered, we
asked it when Justice League and Justice
League Unlimited premiered, and we asked it when
Batman Adventures debuted. Fortunately, for at least
one of those, we got an answer.
This issue contains the best opening since #1. Former
Gotham City mayor Hamilton Hill, now retired and living
in nearby Bludhaven, opens his door late one night. In
comes the Riddler, who immediately collapses, with a
knife in his back. It’s a shocking shot, primarily
because it implies a level of graphic violence not
traditionally associated with the animated Batman
titles.
The surprises keep coming, as the case is taken up by
Batman’s former protégé Nightwing, now operating solo in
Bludhaven. Right off the bat, Ty Templeton deserves
special recognition for doing something very different
with Nightwing than what’s been done in the main DC
titles. In the mainline continuity, Nightwing has become
little more than a sub-Batman, a similar dark-themed
vigilante with few substantial differences in
methodology from his mentor. Bludhaven, too, is a
strikingly unoriginal setting, coming across as little
more than a moderately-worse Gotham City. But that’s not
the approach here: Bludhaven and Nightwing are both
sunnier, and where Batman’s career is one defined by
intimidation and hiding in the shadows, Nightwing works
openly with the police and enjoys a certain level of
celebrity. It’s a development which makes perfect sense
when one considers Dick Grayson’s history. He was, after
all, a former circus performer, and split with Batman
mainly over concerns with Batman’s violent and shadowy
methods. So his distinct style of crimefighting is 100%
in-character, and it’s an intriguing take on an
alternate way to do the superhero thing. The dynamic
works very well, and deserves special mention.
Inevitably, Batman shows up, as the Riddler was working
for him, and that’s where the mystery kicks off proper.
It’s become quite clear that the Riddler discovered
something bit, but what? That’s the question that drives
the remainder of the issue, giving us plenty of strong
Batman/Nightwing character interaction in the process.
Their relationship is not one of complete antagonism, as
a lazier writer would likely have it be, but grudging
respect, which works well and makes both characters
sympathetic despite their fundamentally opposing
viewpoints. The mystery they unravel is well-crafted and
surprising, and the eventual antagonist is revealed to
be a former Batman villain, in a clever nod to
continuity and characterization which long-time fans
will appreciate. By the end, Nightwing and Batman
amicably part ways, bringing their relationship to a
quiet but satisfactory close, wherein both men have
learned to accept one another on their own terms. It’s a
simple, yet adult, conclusion to the former partnership.
One wishes that the same level of maturity could be
brought to the mainline continuity’s versions of Batman
and Nightwing.
The backup, on that note, is a somewhat touching tale
that takes us back to the early days of the Bruce
Wayne/Dick Grayson pairing, establishing the rapport
they built early on. It shows a pleasantly softer side
of Batman, and represents a nice rite of passage for
Nightwing. It’s a very well-done five pages.
The ongoing Penguin-as-mayor subplot is heavily teased
to have a resolution coming soon, and indeed, that
plotline is tied up next issue… in a sense.
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