The fourth and penultimate part of Tom Taylor's finale of Nightwing is here. Ironically, before the Fallen Grayson can return home, the hero must once again learn to climb. To this end, Nightwing travels to the temples of Nanda Parbat to train under the high-flying Deadman! There's even a goofy cover of Batman dressed as "Nightwing 2" to boot. Lets see what Tom Taylor has in store below!

I Can't

Typically, Tom Taylor characterizes Nightwing as an upbeat beacon of hope, but now his confidence wavers at his lowest moment. Luckily, because Deadman has already trained Grayson as a child, he has a few ideas how to fix him. For one, Deadman suggests meditative relaxation. Of course, this takes the form of elaborate, yet atmospheric, healing spa baths. Due to the goofy power of well drawn bath water, Nightwing emerges with newfound revelations about his crippling fears. For instance, after running down the villainous Double Dare in the infamous POV issue, Shelton Lyle gave Nightwing a laced beverage with fear toxin. In retrospect, Nightwing should have absolutely known better.

In any case, the revelation helps allows Grayson to finally pursue Shelton Lyle as a suspect. More importantly, the Bat-family investigates Lyle's businesses in hopes of uncovering the location of his henchmen's kidnapped families. Additionally, Deadman insists on trying several forms of exposure therapy. Which to Deadman, translates into abandoning Grayson in incrementally higher and higher locations. Shockingly, height doesn't seem to be the problem and Dick has a major breakdown and continuously gives up. As a result, Deadman concludes that Grayson is withholding a specific memory. So, with enough time to think, Dick becomes aware of another simple but detailed retcon to his parent's death that allows him to rise again.

Into The Nightwing-Verse

Meanwhile, Bruce has hilariously taken over Grayson's mantle! Unexpectedly, not only does he look damn good in the tights, but he puts forth the effort to "quip" a few times as well. Well, off panel. Considering all the times Nightwing has kept Bruce's costume warm, Nightwing ends up genuinely appreciative of the gesture. Although "Nightwing 2" is mostly a gag, this further emboldens their often rocky relationship with pure love. This positive attitude keeps the run tonally consistent, even joking about monks of Nanda Parbat using the internet to "work remotely." However, the book upholds its tonal duality when Zucco darkly hunts down Meili and his daughter in a brutal raid.

I have no complaints with Redondo's artwork. At this point, the usual time-lapse gimmicks and panel compositions have become staples of the run. Partly, the atmospheric use of solid blacks and flat colors highly reminds me of Bunraku puppet theater. Each panel seemingly bathes in a neo-noir aesthetic, with the best bits calling on trippy detailed illustrations as a calling card. Every color purposely evokes a mood and the arrangement carefully plays with momentum. Although, some readers may find the square jawed faces to lack variation like a line of action figures. Otherwise, the undisputable highlight of this issue is the eye-catching rendering of the panels.

Recommended If...

• You freak out every time Redondo drops new work.
• Collecting every part of Nightwing's "Fallen Grayson" storyline.
• You can't picture Batman squeezing into Nightwing's spandex.

Overall

Tom Taylor and team did their big one. While this feels like they wanted to force a training arc into the penultimate issue, it is still an endearing read. Despite all the way our fictional heroes rise above, sometimes it is rewarding to see them struggle with themselves. Unfortunately, the worst part of that struggle is how superficial cramming it into a single issue feels. Worst of all, it only means that the finale will end up just as short-lived. Regardless, this is still an outstanding issue of comic book humor, action, and appropriate menace that I can't find a way to complain about. I won't waste my time hoping that they stick the landing, but I hope they know how to take it a notch!

Score: 8/10