Future State: Nightwing #1-2: Remember the Alamo

Andrew Constant manages to achieve in just two issues something we saw completely flop for about two years, changing Nightwing’s personality ever so slightly while keeping the traits we love about the Man wonder. When we’re first introduced to this mini Dick Grayson is stern and grim in demeanor more akin to a Drill Sergeant than his typical self. Weirdly fitting as it’s the “fate” he’s worked so hard to avoid in this future dystopia.

While short and sweet seeing how despite being a more intense Nightwing we still see glimpses of the lighthearted fun one we all love. Seeing him team up with this new Batman, evaluating him while we’re also getting to know him as the reader is a fun experience. More so seeing how Nightwing interacts with him was also really fun as well, part of gamble of future stories is rehashing old themes. Here they take a fresh look at just how important the other heroes see Nightwing not by long winded speeches or after school special moments but by showing him ready to fall on the sword for the benefit of them all however slightly misguided. To see the wake up call come from “rookie” Batman rather than one of the usual suspects really nails it home.

Nicola Scott art as you’d expect does not disappoint either. Truth be told I wasn’t a big fan of the chinstrap look by the fluidity of action and spectacular palette choice of Palscencia works together to lose you in the story. So much so I’d genuinely forgotten I had any misgivings about the new look a couple pages into the first issue. Both issues maintain a high quality of art any Nightwing fan will readily eat up and be ready for more.