NIGHTWING #81 Cover by Bruno Redondo - 1st Cover App: Heartless

NIGHTWING #81 Cover
Art by Bruno Redondo
Written by Tom Taylor
First Cover Appearance of Heartless
Digital Screen Print, edition of 1
Signed verso and includes C.O.A.
Not For Sale

After his introduction in the previous issue, Heartless got the cover of this one. Bruno Redondo opts for a movie poster layout in which the unfettered evil of the villain appears to dwarf our hero. The dynamism of the layout showcases one of the reasons that the team of Taylor & Redondo caught the zeitgeist and won multiple Eisner Awards. 

Heartless isn't merely Bludhaven's version of the Joker. Heartless is a humorless, coldblooded serial killer who preys upon street kids, runaways, and orphans - which particularly hits home for Dick Grayson. Dick's origin retcon develops alongside Hearltess' rise in the organized ranks and the balance between the two epitomizes Taylor's respect for readers and his mastery of the 22 page format. 

Bruno Redondo had transitioned from analog to digital illustration back on his fan-favorite Suicide Squad run, and so this unique digital proof was created with a digital silk screen process that still very much bears the creative control of the artist, preserving archival inks on high quality art board that has the texture and depth of a handmade drawing. It's signed verso and on the C.o.A. from Black Diamond Comic Art.

The way this paper preserves the integrity of the color hues is beyond impressive, and this shade of red is perfect for the emotions it provokes.