Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Nightwing #15 Review

By J. Skyler
December 27, 2012 - 00:01

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery—the Joker disagrees. In "Cleaning House" by Kyle Higgins, the Joker wreaks havoc on Dick Grayson's life by targeting members of Haley's Circus, leaving not one, but two fatalities in his wake.

The principle theme of Death in the Family is cutting the ties that bind. The Joker, in his perverse enthrall of Batman, believes his greatest adversary has become weak, sluggish and ineffective due to the psychological pressure of training and protecting each of his charges. From the Joker's perspective, every one of Batman's protégés is a cheap imitation of the Dark Knight himself; none can match his genius and none will ever surpass him. Therefore it is his primary responsibility to rid Batman of the rot that corrupts him.

Higgins depicts the Joker as being offended by Dick Grayson's personal growth from Robin to Nightwing. He was a burden as the Boy Wonder and he is a pitiful shadow of the World's Greatest Detective as an adult. Throughout this issue, the Joker continuously drives the point that Nightwing will never be Batman; he is simply incapable of rising to that challenge.

Nightwing's characterization lacks depth in this issue. Granted, he is clearly distraught by the senseless deaths of those close to him, but his dialog is missing the unbridled passion and rage that other tie-ins to Death of the Family have produced. Nonetheless, this is still a top-notch issue for a window into the Joker's twisted mind.

Rating: 7 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12