We are in a new era for Nightwing fans! Dear readers, lock in for world famous artist Denys Cowan to join the fray. When Dan Watters said that the series would take a turn and become more focused on things like crime and mystery, I was curious whether that meant grounded or more sci-fi. Turns out, I was semi-wrong. Nightwing #136 kicks things off with a psychological mystery that will perplex readers. Did Dick Grayson kill someone? Huh?!
DC
Within the first couple of pages, learn some important changes have come to Blüdhaven. There’s a new mayor in town, and he’s planning to change the city for the better, starting with the world’s most dangerous superhighway. This infrastructure shift in the city has caused Nightwing to take the roads rather than the rooftops to scout things out. Let’s just say things turn south pretty quick for Nightwing. Throughout the story, Watters slowly plants the seeds for the reader to question whether things are not as they seem. The tone of the supernatural all but resonates off of this mysterious passenger in Nightwing’s car, and it felt clear from the get-go that nothing good was going to come from them getting in his car.
By the time you turn to the final page, Watters will leave you wondering about the same questions as Nightwing. This is done by doing something completely unexpected: it makes us question Dick Grayson. Placing a superhero’s judgment into question may feel outdone at this point, but I think Watters took an interesting twist on the concept in this issue that feels just as impactful as the same big splash Chip Zdarsky once made on Daredevil.
DC
Denys Cowan… wow. I was not too familiar with your game, but I am so glad you are on Nightwing! While some may be familiar with Cowan’s art, this is my first exposure to him, and I could not be more excited for the gritty direction the title will be going with his art style. Cowan brings an intensity that perfectly matches the eerie direction that this arc is going in. This intensity is only further elevated by the inkwork by Norm Rapund. Rapund’s shadows add more darkness to Cowan’s linework that really drive home how dreary Blüdhaven is becoming. And this all goes without saying, but Francesco Segala’s colors are what turn the city into a modern dystopia. Without these faded colors, the city could look futuristic. Instead, it looks ruined and worn. This issue was one of my favorite issues of Nightwing so far given how beautifully it was drawn.
Nightwing #136 is a very strong start for the next era of the series. Things are taking a turn for the worse for Nightwing, both considering the plans from Blüdhaven’s new mayor and the cursed highway that is sure to haunt him. With an exciting new art team collaborating with Dan Watters, this marks a great jumping point for readers who are looking to get into the series.
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