Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
    Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 2 But Why Tho 10

    Spider-Man Is Coming To Magic And It’s Just Like The Comics

    08/29/2025
    Star Wars Visions Volume 3 Black

    ‘Black’ Sets The Tone For A Bold New Mixtape In ‘Star Wars Visions: Volume 3’

    08/28/2025
    Olivia Colman in The Roses

    ‘The Roses’ Is A Reimagining, Not A Remake, And That’s Why It Works So Well

    08/27/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » DC Comics » REVIEW: ‘Nightwing,’ 2021 Annual #1

REVIEW: ‘Nightwing,’ 2021 Annual #1

William J. JacksonBy William J. Jackson11/30/20214 Mins Read
Nightwing 2021 Annual #1
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Nightwing 2021 Annual #1

Nightwing 2021 Annual #1 pairs the title hero with Red Hood for a wild night in Gotham City. DC Comics did right getting Tom Taylor in as the writer for the title character. Cian Tormey and Daniel HDR deliver on the pencils. Tormey, HDR, and Raul Fernandez handle inks while Rain Beredo and John Kalisz commit to colors and Wes Abbott lays down the letters. At first, I thought this was going to be some Fear State tie-in. But thankfully, it isn’t. This issue features Nightwing’s team-up with the controversial yet fan-favorite Red Hood. I at first felt his presence would dampen this annual. I’m happy to say I was very wrong. 

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Nightwing 2021 Annual #1 gets right to the plot. A caravan of seemingly suspicious persons is gunned down by the Red Hood. Captured video of this massacre is watched by Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, and Dick’s three-legged dog, Haley. There’s a lot wrong with the video. The victims weren’t criminals. Mostly. And recently, Red Hood turned in his guns and swore off killing. Our man Grayson has an idea what might be going on, but first, he has to find JasonTodd and sort this mess out. 

This brilliant story comes with a flashback detailing the time a recently fired by Batman Dick Grayson met Jason Todd, who had also been sidelined from being Robin. The story showcased three significant points that not only come up later in the annual but also nail characterizations specific to the two vigilantes. First off, Nightwing’s easy-going nature, his compassion, shines through. Knowing Jason’s delinquent behavior doesn’t stop him from treating the new sidekick with equal respect. Second, we get to clearly see how different both characters are as people and as Robin. Third, and perhaps most important to me as a Robin fan, it is clearly marked out what Robin’s purpose in the war on crime is: empathy. Being a face people can relate to, plus a snarky distraction. Robin has merit and is a vital character in the DC mythos that was the foundation for Dick, Jason, and later on more great characters such as Tim, Stephanie, and Damian.

What follows through the rest of the story are some compelling action sequences, a personal motivating plot for Red Hood that made me feel for this character for once, and a solid comparison and contrast between these two Brothers of the Bat. Taylor has gotten nothing but praise from me since he jumped on Nightwing, and he continues to show his in-depth knowledge of the character and Gotham. He has made me have a passing like of the Red Hood, which is a feat. More importantly, he puts to the fore that Nightwing is a more capable and empathic leader of the Bat-Family than Bruce could ever be and deserves to run it. He can not only fight crime but is caring enough to want to heal traumas from friends and for alike.

Tormey and HDR have distinct art styles, with Tormey relying heavily on added lines for texture and HDR offering fewer lines and a fluid pen. Tormey has a certain darker edge, and they excel at action-packed, explosive panels. HDR has that ease of strokes that reminds me of Alan Davis back when he drew Excalibur for Marvel. Both visions made the annual a feast in two completely separate ways. Add in the use of thick ink by them and Fernandez, the fiery oranges and more brilliant colorations in the flashback by Beredo and Kalisz, and some fun SFX by Abbott, and we have a very adventurous comic in terms of words and visuals.

Nightwing 2021 Annual #1 is definitely worth the money and time. Nightwing is in top form; Red Hood is grim yet on the move forward. It feels like there’s no stopping at this point like we’re headed for a better set of Bat heroes and perhaps a better Gotham. Get this one for your Bat collection. Heck, get it even if you’re not a DC fan. It’s just plain great reading.

Nightwing 2021 Annual #1 is available wherever comics are sold

Nightwing 2021 Annual #1
5

TL;DR

Nightwing 2021 Annual #1 is definitely worth the money and time. Nightwing is in top form; Red Hood is grim yet on the move forward. It feels like there’s no stopping at this point like we’re headed for a better set of Bat heroes and perhaps a better Gotham. Get this one for your Bat collection. Heck, get it even if you’re not a DC fan. It’s just plain great reading.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘The Rez Detectives’
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Detective Comics,’ 2021 Annual #1
William J. Jackson
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

William J. Jackson is a small town laddie who self publishes books of punk genres, Victorian Age superheroes, rocket ships and human turmoil. He loves him some comic books, Nature, Star Trek and the fine art of the introvert.

Related Posts

Cover of Absolute Green Lantern Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Green Lantern’ Issue 6

09/03/2025
Cover of Absolute Superman Issue 11 that features an image of Brainiac

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Superman’ Issue 11

09/03/2025
Absolute Wonder Woman Issue 11

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ Issue 11

08/27/2025
Justice League Unlimited Issue 10

REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 10

08/27/2025
Superman Issue 29

REVIEW: ‘Superman’ Issue 29

08/27/2025
Absolute Martian Manhunter Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘Absolute Martian Manhunter’ Issue 6

08/27/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Cosmic Spider-Man card details Features

[EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

By Kate Sánchez09/02/2025Updated:09/02/2025

An exclusive look at a new 5-Color Spider entering Magic: The Gathering’s Spider-Man set, and Cosmic Spider-Man is going to be a tough one to take on.

Hololive EN at Radio City Music Hall Events

Hololive EN At Radio City Music Hall Was A Pure Expression Of Fandom

By Adrian Ruiz08/31/2025Updated:09/03/2025

Hololive EN turned Radio City in New York City into the pure expression of fandom: chants, penlights, and community in perfect sync.

Karl Anthony Towns in NBA 2k26 But Why Tho
8.5
PS5

REVIEW: ‘NBA 2K26’ Brings Basketball To Life

By Kyle Foley09/03/2025

NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh in the latest yearly release.

Cronos: The New Dawn Nest
8.0
PC

REVIEW: ‘Cronos: The New Dawn’ Does Post-Apocalyptic Psychological Horror Right

By Mick Abrahamson09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

While not particularly sacry, Cronos: The New Dawn is a lot of fun as a survival horror that puts you in the futuristic armor of the Traveler.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here