Nightwing #133 Review

 

Writer: Dan Watters

Artist: V Ken Marion

Colorist: Veronica Gandini

Letterer: Wes Abbott

Cover Artists: Dexter Soy; Dustin Nguyen; Elizabeth Torque & Sabine Rich

Editors: Jessica Berbey & Rob Levin

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Release Date: December 17, 2025

 

Nightwing-Prime believed he was invincible. So, when he saw an opportunity to take Killer Moth down, he took it. Unfortunately, one of Spheric Solutions' wanderer robots shot the former 11-year-old street kid. After being transformed into a Kryptonian superhero by a fifth-dimensional imp, Bryce Moran can tackle almost anything Blüdhaven or Dick Grayson can throw at him. Sadly, a Kryptonite death ray isn't one of them.

 

With Bryce on life support in Titans Tower, Dick Grayson wasn't content to wait for Commissioner Sawyer to build her legal case against Spheric Solutions. But when he tackled Olivia Pearce, Nightwing got more than he bargained for. How will Nightwing emerge from their horrifying encounter? And can he rescue the children from Olivia and the Zanni's Cirque du Sin? Let's leap into Nightwing #133 and see!

 

Story

Dick sits vigil by Nightwing-Prime’s still body in Titans Tower. Bryce Moran was his protégé. Yet Dick couldn’t protect him. He’d been so sure he could tackle Olivia Pearce. Instead, using a suit Dick helped program, Olivia battled him across the skyline. Then, she made Nightwing look like a murderer on live TV. When Commissioner Sawyer visits, she turns off the TV news that reminds Dick of his failure. Then she clarifies what he should concentrate on.

 

In Nightwing #133, parents find their children's bedrooms empty. Their missing sons and daughters leave drawings behind to tell their parents where they have gone. Commissioner Sawyer knows she shouldn't be in Titans Tower. But she's less concerned about what has happened than about allowing this abduction of the next generation to continue.

 

Dan Watters shows that Dick Grayson has no shortage of supporters. Yet while the people in his life surround him, Dick waits for the person he most needs to confer with. Nightwing #133 invests in Dick Grayson's history, reminding us of his youth and the man he has become. He was Batman's first protégé. Dick Grayson has become Blüdhaven’s protector. But he grew up in a circus.

 

Even though he left after his parents died, Dick Grayson remembers what it felt like to entertain the crowds. He knows the magic the performers weave. It's not hard to remember the sense that anything can happen. But Dick Grayson walks a tightrope in Dan Watters' story. While embracing the abducted children's awe of the circus, Dick must steel himself against this Cirque du Sin, lest he also fall beneath its spell.

 

Art

A beam of light spears Nightwing and Olivia Pearce as they stand atop a building. When the camera nears, and Nightwing reaches out, Olivia’s head drops from her shoulders. Then Nightwing sits beside the technological womb sustaining Nightwing-Prime. Commissioner Sawyer can switch off the TV. Yet the towers rising beyond the wall window evoke Nightwing's rooftop battle with Olivia. Sawyer's long, dark coat emphasizes her history as a detective. The determination in her eyes reinforces her insistence that she was building a case against Olivia.

 

After V Ken Marion focuses on Nightwing’s mask, red eyes gaze upon a green-tinged city. Another person wearing a brown jacket disturbs his vigil as Nightwing sits on one of two brown boxes. Framed by the yellow strips of wall lighting, Nightwing rises to hand the visitor a brown file. But as a maze of snaking conduits seems to separate them, a girl clad in pink approaches a circus, while a young superhero clings to life in a magenta biobed. Yet red refuses to release its hold on Nightwing #133. From the red eyes that beheld the city, to the glowing circus, and Olivia’s red-and-black suit, Veronica Gandini ties the power of life to a realm that nestles uneasily against our own.

 

Wes Abbott fills white dialogue balloons with black uppercase letters, and green and black narrative boxes with white letters. The letters grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices, while Dick Grayson sits in readiness, awaiting the moment to act. Still, giant white letters in a red banner question whether any action he performs can salvage the trust of the city Nightwing loves. Thanks to DC Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Dick Grayson has paid a heavy price to become Blüdhaven’s protector. He continues to pay it every day for his adoptive city. People may accept their vigilante hero. But they're never quite sure how much darkness hides behind the mask. In Nightwing #133, Dick Grayson is angry. Still, he refuses to let the Zanni steal his love of life.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Nightwing #133. 

Catwoman #82 Preview

 

 

A baroque masquerade, open exclusively to society's elite. No one gets in with a cellphone. Nobody leaves without a mark on their soul. But Selena Kyle's soul is already scarred by her childhood, and what happened to her mother. She knows how she got there. Selena knows why she came. But will capturing her prize bring Selena any peace? And what does Carmine Falcone hope to secure?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Catwoman #82

Writer: Torunn Grønbekk

Artist: Danilo Beyruth

Cover Artists: Seba Fiumara, Frank Cho, Derrick Chew & Sarah Baslaim

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99/$4.99 Card Stock

Release Date: December 17, 2025

 

In the crosshairs of Carmine Falcone!

 

With the ball drawing to a close, it’s now or never for Catwoman! Will she secure her prey at long last, or will it be snatched from her hands by one of the man enemies in her midst? And what exactly does Carmine Falcone have hidden up his sleeve for the grand finale of the ball? Whatever it is… it doesn’t seem very good!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

 

DC K.O.: Zatanna Vs Harley Quinn #1: All Fight Month Round Five Preview

 

 

Each bout of this battle for life, the universe, and everything has contained elements of magic and chaos. But now, the mistress of magic takes on the embodiment of unpredictability. Who will win? And who will fall in love with their competitor? One thing is for sure. While all this is going on, you can count on Darkseid doing his level best to ensure he remains King Omega of Earth!

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

DC K.O.: Zatanna Vs Harley Quinn #1: All Fight Month Round Five

Writer: Leah Williams

Artist: Mirka Andolfo

Cover Artists: Jorge Corona, Frank Cho, Jamal Campbell, Mirka Andolfo & David Nakayama

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 48 Pages

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Release Date: December 17, 2025

 

DC K.O. All Fight Month, round 5 of 8!

 

It’s all-out chaos as Harley Quinn faces off against a surprise opponent!

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5 Preview

 

 

Jonathan and Martha Kent gave Kal-El the best home Earth could provide. Still, Superman felt incomplete. So when an asteroid embedded with different types of Kryptonite seemed too good to be true. He couldn't wait to experiment with it and see if some form of Kryptonite could bring him closer to his heritage. Then Batman discovered that Rainbow K was actually a plea for help from the fifth dimension. What discoveries will this final issue bring? And can Kal-El find a way to more fully embrace his adoptive planet?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

 

Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #5

Writer: W Maxwell Prince

Artist: Martín Morazzo

Cover Artists: Martín Morazzo, Juan Ferreyra & Alex Eckman-Lawn

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Series Length: 5 Issues

Price: $5.99/$5.99 All Covers Card Stock

Release Date: December 17, 2025

 

What’s truly at the end of the rainbow? We can’t be certain, but we’re pretty sure it ain’t a pot of gold!

 

Up to now it’s been a peculiar, polychromatic pilgrimage for Superman: he’s lost track of time under the influence of Purple Kryptonite, grown to skyscraper size via Cobalt K, revisited his adolescence by way of Speckled K, and traveled to the fifth dimension using a “key” carved of Rainbow Rock. Now, in this final issue, the chickens have come home to roost—and so, too, has Kal-El. Back in Metropolis, the Man of Tomorrow must stand face-to-face with the Man of Today…and decide for himself, finally, whether Lex is right: Does home hurt too much?

 

Don’t miss the mind-bending conclusion!

 

Now, let's take a look inside: 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

Crownsville #2 Review

 

Writer: Rodney Barnes

Artist & Colorist: Elia Bonetti

Letterer: Marshall Dillon

Cover Artists: Jason Shawn Alexander & Elia Bonetti

Publisher: Oni Press

Price: $4.99

Release Date: December 10, 2025

 

Paul Blair's mother told him about an incident that weighed down her soul. As he mourns her passing, the journalist wants to tell a story that matters before he retires. Todd Hicks' decisions prevented him from entering the Police Academy. Becoming a security guard gives him another chance to shine. He hopes it will give his family the life they deserve.

 

Mike Simms dreamed of one day leaving to pursue life as a screenwriter in Hollywood. Instead, the Homicide Detective watches as gang violence and drugs devour his hometown. How will a shuttered mental institution unite all three guardians of their community? And can they do right by the patients once interred within its walls? Let’s leap into Crownsville #2 and see!

 

Story

The Crownsville State Hospital may have closed its doors. Yet it still claims victims. The latest is Dennis Thompson, a retired police officer who hanged himself while guarding the premises. Todd Hicks had just embarked on his new career when he found the decorated cop’s body. Now, Todd’s wife wonders why she hasn’t seen him in days.

 

Crownsville #2 begins with a dream. Homicide Detective Michael Simms relives happy times from his youth. Yet as those memories play out as recurring dreams, they remind him of his tragic past. Like journalist Paul Blair, Michael's mother had a link to Crownsville. While Paul seeks a story to help him look back on his career with pride, Mike wants to know why a respected brother in blue hanged himself in an empty building.

 

As Rodney Barnes sends these men on an extraordinary journey, he also transports them into their pasts. Entering this world of unhappy memories will force both men to confront long-buried truths. But there is a price to pay for gaining dark knowledge. And if Mike and Paul are not careful, it could be their sanity that's at risk.

 

Art

Elia Bonetti opens Crownsville #2 with a celebration. The distant Ferris Wheel, roller coaster, and amusement park rides glow. Their light infuses the night with energy. As in Jaws, a darkened figure eschews a beach party for the ocean. Moonlight illuminates the waves, evoking the rich tapestry of life below the surface.

 

Elia Bonetti paints scenes with a limited palette. Colors contrast, while light and dark battle. Silhouettes surrounded by light give way to glowing people shining like beacons in darkened rooms. In Crownsville #2, lines scratch panels, black revealing depth and shadows, and white suggesting characters’ auras.

 

Marshall Dillon shares memories with black, uppercase letters in lavender narrative boxes, and present-day dialogue in white balloons. When the past comes alive, the spirits of the departed speak into gray-white balloons, while laughter and screams echo through dark halls of the Crownsville State Hospital. Thanks to Oni Press and Superfan Promotions for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

While addressing how traumatic events affect us in unexpected ways and leave their mark where they occurred, Crownsville #2 reminds us that decision-makers, workers, and observers have a responsibility to report wrongdoing.

 

Rating 9.8/10 

 

For more see my cover preview of Crownsville #2. 

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #46

 

The Joker had a super idea. He wanted infinite knowledge, and an alien device could provide it. Lex Luthor had the skillset to get him inside the Midway City Museum and nab the Absorbascon. Now, the two supervillains are bound together more tightly than Supergirl and Robin could ever hope to be, assuming they are willing to give dating another chance. 

Sadly, Batman and Superman can't dig their hands into the popcorn bucket, let alone get a grip on the combined criminals. Can Hawkman help out his ghostly superfriends? And will the Metropolis Meteors overcome the Gotham Goliaths to reach the playoffs?

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #46

Writer: Mark Waid

Artist: Adrián Gutiérrez

Cover Artists: Dan Mora, Chuma Hill, Adrián Gutiérrez & Sean Izaakse

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $3.99/$4.99 Card Stock

Release Date: December 17, 2025

 

Luthor and Joker’s Team-Up kicks it up a notch!

 

In order to defeat the Joker/Luthor team, Batman and Superman may have to ask for a little help from their friends—if they still have any after the shocking events of last issue! Don’t miss part two of “The Merger.”

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol 2 Preview

 

When Shoichiro leaps overboard to save Yoruhime and Maomao, he feels the power of a Wyvern inside him. He awakens a year later in Elysium, a realm of the gods. But Elysium is fading. All the specters that Hades brought to Elysium when Athena attacked the Underworld are living on borrowed time. So, along with Yoruhime, Shoichiro must return to Earth to kill Athena before she awakens to her celestial power. Unfortunately, Shoichiro's memory is foggy, a sign that Hades' power is also on the wane. Can Shoichiro kill Athena? And what important facts about his past has he forgotten?

Here's all the info from Titan Manga:

 

SAINT SEIYA: DARK WING VOL. 2

Author: Masami Kurumada and Kenji Saito

Artist: Shinshu Ueda

Publisher: Titan Manga

SC, 192pp, B&W, $12.99

ISBN: 9781787747197

On sale: December 16, 2025

 

Expanding the Saint Seiya universe with epic battles and hidden conspiracies, streaming on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Funimation.

 

Join the clash of gods and warriors in this thrilling spin-off, continuing the legendary Knights of the Zodiac saga.

 

The war between gods escalates in this Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol. 2, as Shōichirō, now Wyvern, continues his fight in the land of the dead. As a Judge of the Underworld, he faces not only the warriors of Athena but a growing web of treachery that threatens the very balance between life and death.

 

With the mysterious forces of Hades growing stronger, Shōichirō must navigate new alliances and deadly enemies, all while uncovering shocking truths that could change the course of the battle. Cattleya, the reincarnation of Athena, prepares for an even darker conflict, but secrets lurking behind the scenes may reveal far more than they ever expected.

 

Packed with high-octane action, deepening character arcs, and jaw-dropping revelations, this second volume pushes the epic saga of gods and warriors to new heights. With stunning artwork by Nobuyuki Ueda and a gripping story by Kenji Saito, this second volume expands the rich universe created by Masami Kurumada, offering a fresh and thrilling chapter for fans old and new.

 

Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol. 2 is a must-read for fans of the Saint Seiya universe, including the original manga Knights of the Zodiac and its iconic anime adaptations. Whether you’ve watched the classic Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac or its recent Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya movie on Netflix, or enjoyed spin-offs like Saint Seiya: Soul of Gold (available on Crunchyroll) or Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas (streaming on Funimation), you’ll find yourself drawn into a new chapter of this legendary saga.

 

 

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-order now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and Forbidden Planet for the UK & Europe. 

 

 

Thanks to Titan Manga for sharing this preview with us. 

 

 

 

 

Nightwing #133 Preview

 

Nightwing-Prime believed he was invincible. So when he saw saw an opportunity to take Killer Moth down, he took it. Unfortunately, one of Spheric Solutions' wanderer robots shot the former street 11 year-old street kid. After being transformed into a Kryptonian superhero by a 5th Dimensional imp, Bryce Moran can tackle almost anything Blüdhaven or Dick Grayson can throw at him. But a Kryptonite death ray isn't one of them.

With Bryce on life support in the Titans Tower infirmary, Dick Grayson wasn't content to wait for Commissioner Sawyer to build her case to take Spheric Solutions down. But when he tackled Olivia Pearce, Nightwing got more than he bargained for. How will Nightwing emerge from their horrifying encounter? And can he rescue the children Olivia and the Zanni abducted for their Cirque du Sin? 

Here's all the info from DC Connect:

Nightwing #133

Writer: Dan Watters

Artist: V Ken Marion

Cover Artists: Dexter Soy, Dustin Nguyen & Elizabeth Torque

Publisher: DC Comics

Issue Length: 32 Pages

Price: $4.99/$5.99 Card Stock

Release Date: December 17, 2025

 

Blüdhaven is turning on its head. Nightwing doesn’t have time to care.

 

As strange disappearances grip the city, the mysterious Cirque du Sin seems to be gaining power. Now, to save the city’s children, Nightwing must follow the circus music where no one else dares.

Now, let's take a look inside:

 

 

Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us.

 

Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol 1 Review

 

Creator: Masami Kurumada

Writer: Kenji Saito

Artist: Shinshu Ueda

Translator: Motoko Tamamuro & Jonathan Clements

Letterer: Youssef Mohamed

Editor: Louis Yamani

Designer: David Colderley

Publisher: Titan Manga

Price: September 16, 2025

Release Date: $12.99

 

Shoichiro Tokito is a gifted pianist. His brother, Sojiro Tokito, is an expert boxer. Along with their friend, the gifted archer Cattleya Mikagami, the trio attends Graad International High School. They have made it through their first year in the highly competitive school. Now, they’re enjoying a language study tour with their friends.

 

While they cruise the seas, traveling from Santorini to Montenegro, Sojiro pushes Shoichiro toward Yoruhime Tsukishima. When Shoichiro summons the courage to speak with the beautiful girl, a cat scampers toward them. Zhu Chunfeng, the effervescent dancer, explains she found little Maomao aboard.

 

Then, a blast of energy strikes their cruise ship. As Yoruhime tries to recapture the frightened cat, the beautiful singer falls overboard. Shoichiro leaps after her. He hurls Maomao back to Sojiro. But Shoichiro and Yoruhime plunge into the frigid waters. Can the cruise ship workers rescue the students? Or can Shoichiro and Yoruhime swim back to safety? Let's leap into Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol 1 and see!

 

Story

When Shoichiro awakens, he finds Yoruhime awaiting him in the room. She explains that Shoichiro has been asleep for a year. As they walk outside, Shoichiro discovers a scenic paradise filled with happy people and the beauty of nature. As Yoruhime points to a temple on a nearby hill, she explains that they are no longer on Earth. Instead, Lord Hades has transported them to Elysium.

 

In this realm of eternal peace, the recently dead enjoy harmony with the land and forest creatures. But in Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol 1, Yoruhime explains that this tranquility cannot last. When Athena attacked the Underworld, Hades found a new home for the recently departed souls under his care. But they don't belong in Elysium and cannot exist there forever.

 

In Kenji Saito’s story, Shoichiro realizes that he wields the power of the Celestial Fierce Star Wyvern. Yet his memory is foggy. Still, Lord Hades sends him on a rescue mission. If he can travel back to Earth and kill Athena, Hades can prevent the souls under his protection from fading away.

 

While the first portion of Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol 1 follows Shoichiro’s journey of discovery, the rest of the story follows his brother’s journey. Kenji Saito transports readers back in time to reveal how Sojiro Tokito also gained celestial power. He is a Gemini Gold Saint and one of Athena's defenders. Sojiro must defend Earth against the evil hordes of Hades.

 

Art

Shinshu Ueda dresses the students in elegant school uniforms. Their expressions reveal how much they enjoy life. Yet as his blond bangs fall over his eyes, Shoichiro remembers his blood-covered hand and an opponent lying still on the floor. When he awakens, Shoichiro feels the Wyvern symbol on his chest in Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol 1.

 

Compared with their uniforms, Shoichiro and Yoruhime wear cloth garments and slippers or sandals as they leave the stone building. Workers toiling in the field smile as they tip their hats or wave. The temple complex oversees the fields and forests from atop a rocky mountain. Amid the Greek columns, explosive energy summons Shoichiro’s lord. Then a dark being appears. Horns sprout from its helmet, and its cape evokes claws.

 

Youssef Mohamed fills boxes and balloons with fonts of varying sizes. Hades' giant white words appear in black splatters. Sound effects enhance this story about supernatural power and the young people entrusted with protecting their respective realms. Thanks to Titan Manga for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Shoichiro and Sojiro grew up together. Then they spent years apart. Now, these gifted students at an exclusive school wield the power of the heavens but fight for opposing gods. Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol 1 draws on Working for God in a Godless World, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians to unleash an exciting new era of the famous franchise.

 

Rating 9/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Saint Seiya: Dark Wing Vol 1.