Here’s a comic chosen at random from my collection.
Nightwing (1996) #83 by Devin Grayson (script), Rick Leonardi (pencils), Jesse Delperdang & John Lowe (inks), Gregory Wright (colors), Heroic Age (separations), Willie Schubert (letters), Michael Wright (editor), and J.H. Williams & Jose Villarrubia (cover)
This issue features the end of Dick Grayson’s career as a policeman, which while I never particularly liked that path (mostly because it came off like a gimmick and I suspected it would be short-lived), I also found it interesting and would have preferred DC editorial going all in with this idea (and now that I think about it, this was the first time that Dick would have to handle a gun, much like he does now in Grayson). Regardless, Dick seems to be done with being a cop, but he’s still a sleuth, and spends the rest of the issue trying to solve another cop’s murder. I particularly enjoyed the slow movement as Dick is depicted infiltrating his former precinct and the internal monologue as Dick work’s through the mystery. I won’t spoil who he deduces to be the murderer, however. I also need to mention that a new subplot involving Blockbuster begins in this issue as well.
The Leonardi/Delperdang/Lowe art is what I remember as the “signature” Nightwing art, and it’s something that I find familiar (and therefore somewhat comforting, I suppose) while also critical of certain aspects, namely the exaggerated, cartooney quality–just take a look at how Blockbuster is depicted in this issue for an example, and then there’s Nightwing’s oversized and clunky looking boots and gloves, but I’m just being really picky. Notice too the J.H. Williams cover–I was surprised when I saw that credit because of Williams’ current style and how this cover doesn’t quite fit that style. But I do like the Villarrubia colors on the cover.
Longbox Review 