Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Convergence: Nightwing and Oracle #2 of 2
DC Comics
Simone, Duursema, Parson & Dzioba
Convergence is not an event aimed at readers that aren't deep into DC continuity. However, that doesn't mean some gems don't exist connected to this event. Nightwing and Oracle is one of those special books. If you are reader of DC comics some time between 1985 and 2011 then you will identify with the relationship and the lead characters in this comic book. Most fans of these versions of the characters wanted to see them continue on as-is in the New 52, but just about everyone wanted them to have a happy ending. This is the happy ending. This is a fantastic book.
Nightwing and Oracle are forced to defend Gotham from Hawkman and Hawkgirl from some other version of Gotham (I'm not sure of the details of what Universe). Two non-super powered characters (one in a wheelchair) don't stand a chance against two jacked, flying barbarian-like characters. Or do they?
Nightwing and Oracle share characteristics such as resourcefulness, intelligence and the ability to come up with battle tactics. That, and the Hawks completely underestimate them. When you draw it all out the outcome was never in doubt (the title of the comic doesn't hurt) and the means to get to the end is quite a ride.
Barbara and Dick also come to a common ground with regards to their relationship. Babs turned down the marriage proposal in the previous issue. How can that possibly be topped? Is there a way these two characters can be happy together? The final two pages tell you everything you need to know about the characters and the result takes the characters to a spot that a lot of fans have been waiting to see for years.
The artwork is great. Dick and Babs never looked more determined. The juxtaposition against the Hawks show them as over-matched and dwarfed in size. The book has a lot of action and a lot of quiet moments and both are depicted to perfection. The artwork takes the reader back to a time when the DC characters had personalities and weren't always grim and gritty. This was a great visual story.
Nightwing and Oracle is a great comic book. Forget Convergence. Forgot the New 52. If you know Barbara Gordon as Batgirl or Oracle and you know Dick Grayson as Robin or Nightwing then you will find as solid as a comic book relationship as you'll find. Simone's command of these characters endures after all of these years. This is a great comic book that looks at what makes characters tick as they interact with each other. This is a great read.
4.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
