Contrary to the title, this is not a Nightwing book. In actuality, Nightwing Annual 2024 surrounds the mysterious life story of Bea Bennett. Unexpectedly, Grayson’s ex-girlfriend and Pirate Queen has a more complex backstory than initially thought. Let’s explore further!
The Streets Need A Body
Like most characters in DC, Bea’s story begins with a life defining tragedy. Twenty years ago, Bea was actually a scrappy nine year old by the name of Destiny Alston. After a tragic boat explosion, she spent three days adrift on boat debris, four years homeless, and five years adopted into the Crew Of The Crossed Keys. True to what she said in Nightwing #109, Quartermaster recruits Destiny following the improbable theft of a yacht at the age of thirteen. Additionally, she also steals a laptop that she doesn’t figure out how to use until she turns eighteen. Convincing herself that investigating the Ascendek company will solve her murder, she literally leaves “Destiny” behind.
Apparently, Bea has always been an exceptionally talented girl. For one, her mother almost let her drive the boat when she was a toddler. Not to mention, she commits the boat theft at thirteen solo by crawling up the mooring line. In fact, because she is so talented, Quartermaster disowns his biological son in favor of giving her his inheritance. Considering all this talent, Bea felt as if it was time to track down her mother’s killer once and for all. Despite crushing most of her enemies in hand to hand combat, Bea eventually loses to Agent of Spyral, Carmen Navarro. Generously, Carmen redirects Bea’s hatred to the assassin hired by Checkmate, “The Revenant,” and pledges to help train her to find them.
Contradictions
Firstly, Nightwing Annual 2024 has an unhealthy obsession with twists. Instead of the already far fetched retcon of community activist Bea Bennett being a secret Pirate Queen, she is also a super spy. Imperceptibly, this includes connecting her with Spyral at the time “Agent 47” was among their ranks. Not only was she fully aware of Nightwing’s secret identity, but it retcons the mind wipe in the Grayson run! For the sake of mystery, Bea’s mother’s backstory changes several times in the span of one issue. Subsequently, Nicole Alston’s motivations become increasingly inconsistent just to influence Bea’s decisions in modern day.
While at Saint Hadrian’s, Bea becomes a top agent known as “Siren.” As Siren, she goes under cover to get close to Grayson to protect Spyral’s secrets after his headshot in Batman #55. Throughout the entirety of the “Ric amnesia” era of Nightwing, her bartender persona and their relationship was a front. This includes being responsible for calling her old partner Condor Red for help. By the time, Event Leviathan happens and Shaw absorbs Spyral into the organization, Bea abandons Siren for a real relationship. Yet, seemingly never ending double-crosses and revenge keeps her away from a happy ending.
No More Love On The Run
Readers already know how Bea and Grayson broke up, but Travis Moore explores her actions behind the scenes. In truth, there is something wrong about her slowly prioritizing Grayson over her own driving motivations. In fact, this story dilutes and exposes her Pirate Queen persona as being something fairly new that she inherits. Moreover, when she finally does confront the people responsible for the life she has led, she chooses to follow a heart that no longer belongs to her. Sadly, because it is a Nightwing book, her entire life falls into his orbit and never leaves.
Outside of following random advice her mother gives her, there isn’t really a moral of the story. The picture of Bea Bennett is of a woman volunteering her identity to other people. As a result, the character feels oddly soulless. Art wise, there is nothing to complain about. Each illustration is vibrant and expressive, while Bea notably changes her hair to showcase the passing of time. The mystery relies too heavily on uncomfortable twists, although the real villain is devastatingly obvious. Anyway, regardless of the nonstop spy games, everyone conveniently knows each other’s secrets already.
Recommended If…
- You’re curious about Bea Bennett’s origin story.
- Keeping up with Tom Taylor’s Nightwing.
- You are a fan of the ‘Ric’ or ‘Agent 47’ eras of Nightwing.
Overall
Overall, this annual could either improve or ruin the reader’s feelings about Nightwing lore. While the story promises to shed light on a mysterious supporting character, personally, it complicates things for no reason. Turning a bartender into a swashbuckling avenger is one thing, but implying she is in the shadows manipulating things is a bridge too far. Some readers won’t mind, but I believe these new retcons do both Bea and Dick a disservice. Yet, I don’t believe this is a particularly bad comic, just disappointing and annoying. I appreciate exploring these old stories again, but not the expense of these characters.
Score: 4.5/10
DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.
