Nightwing #121: A Balancing Act

Sometimes doing something new isn’t as effective as doing something well. So far, Dan Watters’ time on Nightwing hasn’t reached new heights with a grand new direction for the character, but it has found success in continuing the status quo established by Tom Taylor, while adding a newfound edge that echoes the character’s early solo adventures.

Nightwing #121 pushes the story forward with plenty of action, which serves as a backdrop to the social issues affecting everyone caught up in Blüdhaven’s growing moral corruption. Watters’ voice for Dick has been the highlight of this run so far, alongside the faster pace at which the story is unfolding. This issue, in particular, intertwines the high-flying and gritty action of the city’s ongoing gang war with Dick’s personal concerns about the concept of child soldiers—especially those manipulated into fighting for the “greater good.” While the comparisons to his past as Robin are implied through thematic similarity, it’s still a powerful concept that clearly challenges the character’s values.

That said, the downside of moving at such a brisk pace is that some character logic feels rushed. While his guilt would certainly make Nightwing question working with the Teddies, it feels a bit strange that he would so quickly team up with them before setting clear boundaries on how they’ll operate together. Yes, most of them are kids trying to help their communities, but their actions also cause significant harm.

With Dick’s own entrepreneurial efforts still central to this run, I hope we eventually see a clash of ideals between him and the Teddies on the best way to help others. The groundwork for this theme has been laid with the new Brother Eye approach to the Blüdhaven Police Department, and its effectiveness will depend on how Watters and the team develop it.

While the personal dilemmas and gang war at the center of this issue are engaging, the villains are starting to feel stale. An evil tech CEO and a mysterious man in a bird mask have been recurring themes for Nightwing villains since 2012. Even though Olivia Pearce gets a few pages here to explore her philosophy, it’s clear that she’s more of a catalyst for the more compelling aspects of the issue. With time, she could become a more substantial antagonist, but for now, the book is driven more by Dick’s internal conflicts and the surface-level threat of mass violence.

Dexter Soy’s art continues to shine, especially in terms of atmosphere and action. His dynamic paneling showcases Nightwing’s acrobatic abilities without exaggerating human flexibility. You can feel the impact of every strike as Soy’s pencil work conveys a cinematic style that isn’t entirely realistic, but still grounded. Veronica Gandini’s coloring complements this beautifully, guiding the tone of the story by adjusting the lighting to reflect the time of day in various scenes.