Nightwing (2016-) #130

by Dan Watters, Dexter Soy (Artist)

Nightwing finds himself thrust into the unlikely role of mentor to an aspiring hero with incredible power. But is the city of Blüdhaven big enough for the both of them?

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics

Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2025

About the author

Dan Watters is a UK based comic book writer. His first book, LIMBO, was released through Image Comics in 2016. He has since written THE SHADOW at Dynamite Comics, and ASSASSIN’S CREED and WOLFENSTEIN for Titan Comics.

Currently he is writing the relaunch of LUCIFER for Vertigo’s Sandman Universe, as well as DEEP ROOTS for Vault Comics. Deeply rooted in London Town, and firmly of the Devil's party.

Reviews

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beat Watters run.

[Abel Allwein · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5
I don’t know how I’ve managed it but I have found another pretty decent entry point into a already long continuous comic series!

Nightwing (aka Dick Grayson) is my favorite robin (followed closely by Jason Todd) and I absolutely needed the pumpkin spice variant cover of this installment. I understood enough of what was going on to follow it through. Everything about it from the sass I’ve fallen for to the different cameos/easter eggs makes me intrigued to read more.

I also can’t wait to read Leap into the Light.

[Madison Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is classic Nightwing. JL comes,

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Watters just writes a excellent Dick and Bruce, but also really like Bryce a lot too. All of this is building up to a new villain for Nightwing and I'm ready for it.

[Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

peak aura farming

[☆]

dick is going to sign adoption papers in 3 chapters trust me

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s very fitting the title of this chapter being “what I was afraid of,” as every turn of the page has some new issue dragging Nightwing in a new direction that he has to try and wrestle with, all while the overall issue of Olivia and the Cirque Du Sin looms just out of reach. But the issue starts with no truer words about people these days: “the city acting against its own interest.” Bisogni has been elected mayor and in one swoop the corruption Nightwing tried so hard to rip out of the city has come back. But as the new mayor is meeting in the shadows with his connections to the blockbuster gang, Nightwing decides to mark a token act by shattering the window near them into the shape of his symbol to let them know he is watching.

But that’s only the start, as the super cold still to around the city and the gangs are attempting to upgrade themselves. Like the clean-cut crew, and their man-bat venom combined serums that turn them into such large muscle heads they can’t even fly. Nightwing is continually facing situations where he has to fight off the gangs, cops, and whatever random spheric drones are roaming the streets and still be expected to dodge every bullet. But at times it seems he gets a helping hand from Nightwing-prime, who swiftly flies in and disables whatever weapons are about to kill him…before flying off without saying a word.

Nightwing is desperately trying to have a conversation with the boy, but this big of an issue even attracted the attention of the Justice league to have a talk with Dick. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Martian Manhunter all came to him on a roof top to talk. They fully trust him with his city and he was able to explain the situation and how he isn’t a Kryptonian but a boy affected by the 5th dimension. Superman knows what the boy is going through will all that power, suddenly feeling like the world is styrofoam, he felt it and he watched his son go through it. So even though they trust Nightwing to work through it, they are there for him in case he needs it. But as the Justice league prepares to leave, J’onn seems to see something out of the corner of his eye, before realizing it must have been nothing.

Nightwing knew exactly where Nightwing-prime would be tomorrow anyway, at the grave of Marcus Moran, the brother Bryce saw die right in front of him. For the first time Nightwing was able to approach Bryce in his super firm and actually have a conversation with him, and once again this scene and how calm Nightwing acts in explaining and talking is another reason to love him so much. It seems that Bryce is back to himself mentally, although parts of Van-Zee still exist in his head. And to help calm Bryce down a bit, Dick even brought a friend…night-hare! But Bryce can’t help but admit he is afraid to touch his friend in fear of crushing him as he doesn’t know his own strength, which is when Nightwing introduces the bit of nite-mite that can return him to normal. Nightwing can’t force Bryce to do anything and Bryce wants to do so much good, but he doesn’t have any control of his powers and is afraid just sneezing could kill someone. He also fears that something is wrong with the city, a feeling in his gut just lurking out of the corner of his eye, and all he wants to do is make the city better, but the last thing he wants to be is another problem. But before he can take the antidote Nightwing stops him, and decides that it’s going to take a lot of training they can do it, because Nightwing feels the same sense of dread. As the issue comes to an end we check in on the home of two children who appear to be Nightwing fans, and they’ve noticed something strange. They’ve seen it needed just out of the corner of their eye, but now it looks solid. One of the kids is too scared but the other one goads him with the question, what would Nightwing do? What is it they see out slide their house, calling to them? None other than the circus of course.

[ari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nightwing really is Batman’s son :,) taking on human strays 🥹 I was so happy to see Batman + the Justice League! Damian mentioned as well, I just keep winning. Once again I have to express how much I love Dan Watters run!! Dexter Soy outdid himself with these panels. This Cirque du Sin plot has me wanting moree, can’t wait to read what’s next

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uffff... A ver cómo se desarrolla esto del Nightwing Prime, pero la verdad es que puede hacer muy interesante el retomar la trama más "común" del conflicto en Blüdhaven del crimen mejor organizado por Spheric y el nuevo alcalde azuzando las bandas criminales.

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that through this arc with Bryce we are seeing once again how good of a mentor Dick can be. He’s good at saving the day in action fight scenes, but he’s even better with people.

[AJ Easterday · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way I lose it every time Nightwing calls Batman "Dad" instead of "Bruce"...

It's so cute how much they miss each other.

[Ryan MacLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great issue!

[Craig Schorling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to a new arc. I enjoyed the JL apperance and the talk with Batman was sweet. I am glad I decided to give Nightwing a try as I am really enjoying this character.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good.

One of the better titles at DC right now. This is a must read series. Can't wait to see where all these storylines go. The art is just beautiful as well. Lots to love here.

[Bryan Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally got caught up on the current run and man it’s great

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75