Title: Nightwing: The New Order
Stand-Alone: Yes
Universe: Elseworlds
Writer(s): Kyle Higgins
Illustrator(s): Trevor McCarthy and Dean White
Publisher: DC Comics
Format: Paperback
Release Date: May 8th 2018
Pages: 152
Genre(s): Comics, Science Fiction
ISBN13: 9781401274993
Author who kicked things off for the New 52 Nightwing comic book run, Kyle Higgins, returns to write an Elseworlds story featuring Dick Grayson himself at the heart of a brand new world. In this brilliantly plotted story, thanks to artist Trevor McCarthy and colorist Dean White, the family theme is explored within an authoritarian setting with unprecedented ingenuity. In under six chapters, Nightwing’s character is put under a whole new spotlight that sheds light on a much more darker and morally-complex character than what fans are used to from him.
The story takes place in 2040 where Dick Grayson is the commander of the federal paramilitary organization known as the Crusaders. Branded as the hero of the world after an unimaginable crisis event, he no longer wears his costume and actively hunts down any individual with powers in order to medically inhibit, incarcerate and cure them of their abilities. The world in which they now live in is hence stripped of a huge majority of metahumans and is now under this new order that is being enforced from here on out. However, the once-known-as Boy Wonder is about to face the biggest obstacle in his life that will slam him against a wall in agony as he’s forced to reflect on the decisions that were once made and the ones he now needs to make.
Throughout the story, countless different heroes appear and make a memorable entrance that will inevitably trigger a smile on you. What the years within this new world have done to them is fascinating and where they position themselves on Dick Grayson’s perception of the world bolsters this story’s ideas in epic ways. How Kyle Higgins uses these characters to further explore themes of family and free will is phenomenal. With constant throwbacks to past events to help readers further comprehend the history of this reality and to further see what happened to some of their favourite heroes turns this story into a very immersive and addictive read.
The artwork is really well-done and detailed, especially with the meticulous focus on the emotions. There isn’t a moment where you don’t pick up on the atmosphere and spot all the tension between certain characters. While some are driven by their vision of the world, others are blinded by theirs, and the artwork helps spot the characters who fit in each category. It was also really nice to see the flashback sequences being draw differently, with horizontally-long panels being put one under the other. It was definitely a nice story-telling structure that gave more room to portray the bigger events of the past.
Nightwing: The New Order turned out to be one of the better Elseworlds story imagined and drawn up today. The dystopia in which it is set in is cleverly conceived and everything in it helped give a hand in portraying a future with scary implications for both the heroes with no powers, but also for those who do or once did.
THANK YOU TO PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE CANADA FOR SENDING ME A COPY FOR REVIEW!
MY OVERALL RATING: ★★★★☆
Have you read it yet?
Do you plan to?
What do you think about Nightwing: The New Order?
Share your thoughts with me!
Till next time,
Roars and Echoes 
So Nightwing turns into Batman, all dark and angsty? 😀
In some ways it feels like story tellers don’t know how to tell a story with any other kind of character. I don’t know if that is because of the audience or the writers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He isn’t exactly dark and angsty. Think of it like someone who did something that others don’t see as good but he sees as good and necessary. He’s still seen as a hero, bright smile, cool guy, etc. to some people. He’s also between a rock and a hard place often throughout the story, stirring up some of the more anger-like emotions.
But I do understand what you mean about darker stories/characters, and I think writers know that a lot of fans nowadays are into darker stuff. The interest of fans in villains has definitely grown far bigger than that for heroes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Angst or no angst, sounds like a cool story – though the cover art is too reminiscent of social realism for my liking 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was indeed a cool story, sort of had a good laugh at your social realism comment though hahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review for this graphic novel Lashaan, and it seems like you really enjoyed it too. I imagine it must have been interesting to have this new spotlight on Dick Grayson, if he’s a character that’s slightly darker than you’re used to him being. Also the artwork looks incredible in the pictures you’ve included, I can only imagine what the rest of the book looked like. 🙂
Again great review. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Beth! It’s always nice when these kinds of stories are done properly and play on all these heroes’ lore. Definitely great artwork, even if it sometimes, unfortunately, looks odd. In general, it’s really amazing and captures the dystopian vibe. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s all right, and yeah I can imagine that made for a satisfying reading experience. Shame about that, but seems like a great story overall which is the main thing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one has my interest piqued! And the artwork looks incredible. Also digging the quote you chose. Stellar review Lashaan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bet it’s the whole dystopian setting that hooked you in the first place hahaha Thanks Danielle! 😀 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe, you speak like someone who knows me too well Lashaan 😉 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Top review as always my good man (wow, have I ever sounded so British in a comment?)! It’s odd, whilst I love stories like Superman: Red Son and Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (have you read that one?) I tend to be hesitant about the numerous other Elseworld titles – maybe because I’m generally an in-continuity purist? Or maybe I just don’t like taking risks haha.
Nightwing is a great character and whilst I’d argue that Tim Drake will always be the best Robin, Dick Grayson really came into his own in his adult life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that certainly forced me into reading it with an accent though hahahah I have yet to find a copy of Gotham by Gaslight but it’s definitely a priority, one that I should pick up sooner rather than later. Did you see the animated movie yet? I’m also extremely cautious about any Elseworlds story… Most of the ones I’ve read with Batman in it have been insanely atrocious. I do prefer canon stuff just so I can tick them off my bucket list of “know-it-all-on-Batman”. I’m just glad there are exceptions to the rule, and this one was a solid Elseworlds story.
😮 😮 😮 Tim Drake over Dick Grayson? That’s the first time I’ve heard anyone say that hahahah
LikeLike
I’ve seen the animated version and it’s pretty good, it diverges a bit from the graphic novel so you can watch it without spoiling it (and vice versa). Tim Drake was my Robin growing up, although Dick Grayson in the animated series was also ace but I definitely prefer Dick as Nightwing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even though I’m not a comics person (I keep meaning to start reading them, but it’s one of those things I’m forever getting around to rather than actually doing. One day! I promise!), I really admire the way they take these familiar characters and place them in new situations in a way that seems to feel fresh, even though there are some similarities. It’s very clever!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You need to write it down on a couple of hundred post-its so that you get yourself to try one. They’re quite quick to read and, if you pick up the right ones, they’re also really satisfying. And yes, these kinds of stories are really wonderful, but in all honesty, they’re rare (the good ones). Some people have wild ideas and when they execute them, they turn into… garbage. It’s why a lot of people fear Elseworlds story. At least there’s still some really good ones, if you look carefully! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup. This sounds like a perfect read for me! First of all, I adore Nightwing. I think he’s one of the more compelling DC characters (though no one can pass up Batman). Second, I am the sort of person who really thrives reading standalone comics. That said, I’ve not heard great things overall about the Elseworld titles. Some of my huge-into-comic-book friends have told me to stay away. Perhaps this is a mistake?
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fan of Nightwing? Then this will be quite a satisfying story to check out. An older Dick Grayson with a lot of his history utilized throughout the story to make it all meaningful and emotional. Your friends are right. Elseworld stories are more often than not horrible. I’ve read a lot of really bad ones, and the ideas some authors have for some heroes are extravagant and the execution is trippy and not fun at all. Then again, there are some REALLY awesome Elseworld stories that shouldn’t be skipped. Like Superman: Red Son was a really nice one that I read and loved. I believe you already saw my review for that one. You just have to be very wise in the Elseworld stories that you decide to pick up (or at least be ready for anything, especially the worse things possible). 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
How about this? I’ll only pick up the Elseworld stories which you have reviewed highly. I have found your comic reviews consistently resonate well with me! There seems to be no better way to select which comics to read. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaah that would be pretty awesome. It would guarantee me that I’ll have someone to talk to about it afterwards too! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes this even more important, then. I’m on board!
LikeLiked by 1 person
2040! That is really out there in the future for our Boy Wonder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. Yet he still shows signs of his younger self under his tough adult shell. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like the look of the artwork in this one! It certainly looks like it portrays the emotions well, just from what I can see. awesome review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. The artwork works wonderfully with the story and makes this such a fun and quick read! Thank you!! ❤
LikeLike