This was a very enjoyable Nightwing story-- I really enjoy the idea of seeing former villains trying to reform themselves. The characters were largely enjoyable, the mystery fun (though not overly surprising). All and all one of the better DC Rebirth books I've read.

I didn't think I'd say it, but yeah, I loved this volume. It was fun! There's mystery, self-discovery, character growth, diversity and some splendid drawings of Nightwing. This was action-packed and incredible. Love the humour and Nightwing's internal monologue.

The trouble with reading a volume is that the start of most of the chapters includes a recap of the previous one - and this feels repetitive. I also felt Nightwing was being a little too harsh on himself - but that's me. Him being back in Blüdhaven (though this is a first for the Rebirth Nightwing) gives him an individual identity away from Batman's shadow. Blüdhaven itself is a new and refreshing setting from Gotham - one we're getting to know better through Nightwing's adventures.

One thing I can't understand is Wally West - he appears in his original ginger-haired version here, but in the Teen Titans Rebirth he is black, and a lot younger. Either I'm confused, or DC's continuity is more complex than I realised. I'm just... not going to worry about that.

I love that Nightwing is drawn to be statuesque and pleasing to the eye. I know Nightwing has historically been the only male DC hero to be drawn for the non-straight male, but Volume 1 of the Rebirth series didn't feature that many... attractive shots of him. This volume does - it could do with more, but I'm glad we got some. After aeons of skimming over panels where female heroes have been shown getting in and out of their costumes, it's nice to have one panel with Nightwing changing. Never thought that would be a plus point for me, but so many sexist comics later, it is.

I don't like the romantic subplot. Nightwing does not need to have a love interest every moment of his life. He can do without it. He seems to never not have a girlfriend - in this Volume we meet three of them! Three! That's three too many. He hardly knows this person before they're shacking up - and then he's wondering why the people he trusts turn out to be bad! Because you didn't give yourself enough time to get to know them, you idiot!

Honestly, a character like Nightwing is screaming to get out of the box that the writers insist on placing him in. He's meant to be pansexual, with a plus size woman of colour or a transgender boyfriend or someone from the LGBTQIA+ spectrum on his arm. He needs someone ridiculously secure in themselves to maintain the balance he craves. If only the writers had the courage to do that. It's evident the writers/artists want to try something different - there's no dearth of flirtatious hints thrown at him from a couple of the male characters (or was that me reading too much into it?). I think it would be outstanding if one day one of the Nightwing writers just broke free of DC's homophobic/sizest restraints and went all out in giving Nightwing a truly diverse love interest.

Instead, the final issue of this volume reads like a superhero rom-com with the tropiest tropes thrown in - all Nightwing's male friends want the details of his relationship, as does his girlfriends' GBF (roll eyes); and she's a super-skinny painter who doesn't work (how do these people afford rent and daily meals?) and whose life revolves around him, So pathetic.

Despite this annoying romance, reading Nightwing is amazing! I really want to know what happens next and will definitely be digging into future issues.