Nightwing #138 Review
Writer: Dan Watters
Penciler: Denys Cowan
Inker: Norm Rapmund
Colorist: Francesco Segala
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Cover Artists: Jorge Fornés, Dani & Philip Tan
Editors: Jessica Berbey & Rob Levin
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock
Release Date: May 20, 2026
When Nightwing ventured into the Cirque Du Sin, the Zanni
forced him to play a game to rescue the abducted children. But his game had
consequences for the outside world. When Nightwing returned to his city, he
found buildings lying in ruins thanks to the Zanni's otherworldly contest.
Now, his sister is gone, and Bernard Bisogni has taken over
the mayor’s office. Like Nero's plan to rebuild Rome, Biscogni's determination
to reshape Blüdhaven unleashes chaos. Traffic jams proliferate. While the
well-to-do relocate, poorer residents linger in the construction zones. And
when the workers find skeletons amid the broken foundations, spirits arise to
haunt the living. Can Dick Grayson sleep without suffering from constant
nightmares amid these occult manifestations? And can he protect the city he
loves amid rising outrage over his actions? Let's leap into Nightwing #135 and
see!
Story
Once again, the media is baying for Nightwing’s blood. But
this time, Ms Eastbourne is rallying public support to indict Nightwing on
eight counts of manslaughter. As she did when the Zanni abducted children,
Barbara Gordon tells him that accidents happen. But Dick Gordon is used to
being a leader, and he has taken Blüdhaven under his protection.
Just like a captain is responsible for everything that
occurs on his vessel, Dick holds himself accountable for the madness afflicting
his city. And then, there is the disturbing symmetry. Dick rescued nine
children from the Cirque Du Sin. Now, Ms Eastbourne has laid nine deaths
(presumably including Olivia Pearce) at Nightwing's door.
Nightwing #138 follows Dick's investigation of cattle
mutilation. When he interviews a farmer, Dick learns of similar attacks on
nearby farms. At first, the farmer blamed troublesome kids from Blüdhaven for
the attacks. Now, like Dick Grayson, Mr Jones suspects a supernatural attack.
In Dan Watters’ story, Dick Grayson is struggling. He can’t
sleep. Dick knows that somewhere out there is the 300-year-old witch who caused
the pileup. But his city is also changing. The new superhighway is a symbol
that the Blüdhaven he knew is transforming. Dick Grayson is no stranger to
death and rebirth. He knows that partnerships and team-ups aren't forever. No
matter how well-intentioned, Dick disliked Batman venturing into his territory
and telling him how to protect his city. But even if it makes him
uncomfortable, Dick Grayson puts Blüdhaven and its surroundings above opening
old wounds to protect others in Nightwing #138.
Art
Holding his rifle before him, a farmer descends a slope
toward his barn. The expression on his face and the size of his barn reinforce
his daily struggle to maintain his farm. Yet when Nightwing visits his stone
house the next day, the muntin separating the window panes evokes the barred
cells that Barbara Gordon now calls home. The farmer’s disfigured face reminds
Dick what, for all her brave talk, might happen to Babs in Vandal Savage's new
Supermax Penitentiary.
As Denys Cowan and Norm Rapmund enlarge the black-and-white
image captured on Dick's phone, Francesco Segala enlivens it with a hint of
Barbara's red hair. Interior lighting tinges the garage blue as Dick works on
his black-and-blue car. When he turns on a monitor, streaks of green, purple,
and orange obscure Ms Eastborne’s natural coloring. Yet, worn over her white
blouse, the prosecutor’s blue vest suggests a potential link with Nightwing. At
the farm, Dick conducts his investigation throughout the day in Nightwing #138.
Then, after the blazing orange sky fades, someone arrives to aid Dick, glowing
with radiant and regal colors.
While characters speak black uppercase letters into white
dialogue balloons, Wes Abbott portrays Dick’s thoughts and off-camera dialogue
with black letters in blue narrative boxes. Barbara’s (or Oracle’s) black
dialogue appears in green boxes. Faces on monitors speak into serrated balloons
with lightning bolt arrows. The letters grow bold for intonation, swell for
raised voices, and shrink for lowered voices. Yet as an enlarged cry provokes
fright, a response in a star suggests the difficulties of overcoming trauma.
Thanks to DC Comics for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
People like Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon keep telling Dick
Grayson that what happens to him isn’t his fault. Yet Batman has lost his
Batcaves, and Barbara Gordon is in Supermax Penitentiary for being Oracle. Still,
something Dick can’t rationally explain has awakened in Blüdhaven. And until he
can put it to rest, Dick Grayson can’t sleep in Nightwing #138.
Rating 9.2/10
To look inside see my preview of Nightwing #138.
For what happened last time, see my preview of Nightwing #137.
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