Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s current run on Nightwing is one of the most well-received titles on the market, bringing together a creative storyline with some exceptionally visually pleasing art. While comics may not be a mainstream concern, this particular run is one I’d argue should be on every artist and designer’s bookshelf. Comics are a long-standing form of sequential art and storytelling, so it’s easy for them to fall into a rut, delivering lackluster stories with little to no consequence for the world of fine art or design. Taylor and Redondo take this medium and turn it on its head, adapting their storytelling framework for modern audiences, including both the avid comic enthusiast and the everyday reader who may have little to no knowledge of the characters or visual format. Panels are often simplified to almost a set of instructions that you might find on the side of a box of mac and cheese, but somehow are tastefully placed so as to explain the sequencing without losing the reader in the pacing. Redondo’s less detailed inking style allows the gravity of the images to speak for themselves, and the use of colors is both invigorating and challenging. Experimenting with visual narratives is often a hit or miss; however, the creative team takes risks and brings an element of self-awareness to the medium that’s often lacking in comics (unless you want some sort of nihilistic hell-fest that potentially comes with the fourth-wall breaking Deadpool).
TLDR – All graphic designers and artists can draw inspiration from the current Nightwing run, from big-time comic enthusiasts to those who can’t tell the difference between Captain Marvel and Captain Marvel (yes, sadly there is a difference).
