Literally Graphic reviewed Nightwing volume 1 by Kyle Higgins
Review of 'Nightwing volume 1' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
So, doing so many reviews about women in the new 52 I picked up this volume mostly because it had Nightwing's crotch plastered all over it. That's one of my biggest issues with how batgirl has been artistically treated in volumes 1 & 2 of the new 52, so why not do a contrast.
Well, to make a long story short, it's kind of a completely different thing. For me at least it really boils down to the power structure behind traditional P in V. Seeing a guy with his thighs spread is still a completely different experience (even as a girl who's attracted to some guys ) then what DC seems to be catering to in their treatment of women in the initial launch of the new 52.
Maybe if Grayson was wearing a sock and was perpetually "excited" that would be more equal, but even writing that sounds …
So, doing so many reviews about women in the new 52 I picked up this volume mostly because it had Nightwing's crotch plastered all over it. That's one of my biggest issues with how batgirl has been artistically treated in volumes 1 & 2 of the new 52, so why not do a contrast.
Well, to make a long story short, it's kind of a completely different thing. For me at least it really boils down to the power structure behind traditional P in V. Seeing a guy with his thighs spread is still a completely different experience (even as a girl who's attracted to some guys ) then what DC seems to be catering to in their treatment of women in the initial launch of the new 52.
Maybe if Grayson was wearing a sock and was perpetually "excited" that would be more equal, but even writing that sounds kind of horrible. But that's the same kind of horrible I feel about the painted on F*** me camel toe that goes on in the firt two volumes of Batgirl so maybe I am getting at something here. How about we not do either unless we're trying to actually say something? Preferably positive, but I'm not going to be holding my breath for that one.
There is also a decided lack of ass shots. Again, not to say I'm dyeing to see it, but if we were to really want to treat a guy just as over the top sexually as DC was treating so many women at the time. That would definitely be much more analogous to their treatment of Catwoman and Batgirl etc.
I will admit it was nice to at least get to see more guy skin then girl skin in this comic. The only time that Grayson has the kind of ashy skin-tone that Batman had in Catwoman V1 Barbara had the same tone and wasn't magically still pink and succulent looking like they did to Catwoman.
But that's where all of my interest pretty much died. For all the interesting comparisons I just made about the art, the story was incredibly underwhelming. Bordering on Arrow levels of soap opera drama, this volume was melodramatic to the MAX. Grayson reminisces about the past, bad guys beat up stereotypical black gangstas, other people die, some people come back to life, women use their sexuality for evil, there's girl on girl jealousy over a guy, and Grayson is suddenly a CHOSEN ONE!
Not the most progressive, mature or interesting plot in the world, but I'll probably pick up the next volume to see if it gets any better.