Broken Frontier

Jamal Igle stepped aboard DC’s Nightwing as regular series artist with this week’s issue #129. Alongside writer Marv Wolfman, he’s set to take Dick Grayson to new heights, starting with the introduction of a new murderous duo, Bride and Groom.

BROKEN FRONTIER: Readers are very fond of the ‘back to basics’ approach Marv Wolfman has brought to the title since he took over with issue #125 back in October. What are your thoughts on his take on Nightwing?

JAMAL IGLE: I like it, but I have the advantage of knowing what’s coming up. In his first four issues, Marv really made Dick into a much more emotionally strong character than he has been in his own title in a long time.

BF: Dan DiDio once said that he voted to kill off Nighwing during Infinite Crisis. Luckily for Dick’s fans, and you, that didn’t happen. How do you see Dick’s place within the DC Universe?

JI: For me, Dick is DC’s heir apparent. Even more so than any other former kid sidekick, Dick is the leader of an entire generation of heroes. If Superman is the general of the DCU army, then Nightwing, more than Batman, is the field marshal. Dick is the connection between the gods of the DCU and the common man. He’s s hero who everyone identifies with and admires because he’s just a good person.

BF: The most obvious change for Nightwing since Infinite Crisis has been his move from Blüdhaven to New York. Are you fond of this change of scenery?

JI: Well, being a New York City boy, it saves me a lot of time when drawing scenery! [Laughs] New York is a great backdrop and Dick has a lot of ties to the city from his Titans days.

BF: Prior to pencilling Nightwing, you worked on Firestorm for 23 issues. Do you miss working on that series?

JI: I do, but after two years of flying characters, it’s nice to draw a dude on a tricked out motorcycle kicking ass.

BF: If there’s one thing that Dick and Jason have in common, it’s the fact that they’re both young characters who carry a lot of history on their shoulders, Dick as being the first Robin and Jason as the torch-bearer of the Firestorm legacy. What is it you like so much about both characters?       

JI: Jason for all of his faults and problems is a really strong character. He always reminds me of how I was at that age and I really connect to him because of that. With Dick, it’s a character that I grew up with, a character that I really dig and am looking forward to drawing.

BF: Speaking of legacies, several great artists have made their mark on this series, from Scott McDaniel and Greg Land to Patrick Zircher, Phil Hester, and most recently Dan Jurgens. What kind of vision will you bring to the book?

JI: I don’t know yet, to be honest. I think that what I bring to it is a slightly different type of storytelling, a different type of energy. More of a real feel of New York City. Only time will tell what I actually bring to the table.

BF: How did you land the job, by the way?

JI: I had decided to leave Firestorm, and was going to do four issues of 52 but then DC called and offered me Nightwing instead. I was flabbergasted, I wasn’t even aware I was in the running. I took the job on the spot though, I’m not stupid.

BF: What are some of your favorite Nightwing or Dick Grayson stories to date?

JI: The Target one-shot is a great story, The Judas Contract. I miss certain characters like Clancy and Dudley (Deadly) Soames also. The issue where Blockbuster was revealed as the crime lord behind Blüdhaven was great, too.

BF: Your opening arc will introduce two new characters, Bride and Groom. Who are they, and how do they get Dick’s attention?

JI: Bride and Groom are a pair of metahuman killers who have been leaving a trail of bodies for a long time. You get an idea just how long in our first issue.

BF: Is there anything else you can share about the first arc, or future plans for the title in general?

JI: I don’t want to spoil too much but Marv and I have already started discussing our second arc. We’ll be exploring a part of Dick’s past that has never been explored. We’re also going to be introducing some new villains and hopefully a new ongoing villain.

BF: If DC lets you, how long do you foresee yourself staying on as the regular Nightwing artist?

JI: We’ll see, right now I’m slated for at least a year, so you never know what will happen.