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Nightwing has officially entered a new era in DC Comics, adopting crime-fighting tactics that are sure to earn Batman’s disapproval while making the Bat-Family’s resident anti-hero, Red Hood, pump his fist in solidarity. For the first time, Dick Grayson is walking the fine line between heroism and moral compromise, leaving fans to wonder: just how far will Nightwing go with his bold ‘the ends justify the means’ approach to protecting Blüdhaven?
Dick would essentially be using the inheritance from Alfred to fund the creation of weapons aimed at the very superhero community he and his allies are a part of.
Writer Dan Watters and artist Dexter Soy have launched a bold new era for Nightwing, thrusting the original Boy Wonder into a three-front war in Blüdhaven. Dick Grayson now finds himself battling gang wars, a militarized police force, and his latest adversary, Olivia Pearce, the CEO of Spheric Solutions—a company he described in Nightwing #119 as a manufacturer of “weapons designed to kill superheroes.”
Dick’s impression of the company was already abysmal, and Nightwing #120 only made matters worse when his investigation of their building nearly got him killed. So, it comes as a shocking twist that the preview for Nightwing #121, set to release on December 18, hints at Dick considering investing in the very company he opposes.
“You Make Weapons. Weapons Designed to Kill Superheroes.” – Dick Grayson in Nightwing #119 (2024)
After Nightwing’s investigation of Spheric Solutions in issue #120 doesn’t go as planned, the preview for issue #121 hints at a surprising shift in strategy. This time, Dick Grayson, in his civilian identity, accepts CEO Olivia Pearce’s previous offer for a guided tour of the company’s facilities. What initially appears to be a straightforward reconnaissance mission takes an unexpected turn when Dick not only expresses interest in investing in the company but also requests a seat on their board. Olivia—and likely readers—are surprised by this move, especially considering Dick’s recent condemnation of the company.
With this offer, Dick would essentially be using the inheritance from Alfred to fund the creation of weapons aimed at the very superhero community he and his allies are a part of. However, there’s clearly more to this move than meets the eye, as it’s highly unlikely that Dick has turned to the dark side. Instead, his offer to invest and join the board appears to be a calculated ploy to infiltrate Spheric Solutions, gather insider information, and uncover key details about their operations. While this strategy makes sense, it’s undeniably risky—by aligning himself with Spheric Solutions, even disingenuously, Dick risks inadvertently funding weapons that could be used against him and the superhero community he’s sworn to defend.
Dick Strikes a Deal With Bludhaven’s Gangs: Panel Comes From Nightwing #119 (2024)
Investing in Spheric Solutions isn’t the first time Dick has adopted a “the ends justify the means” approach in Watters and Soy’s run. In issue #119, Nightwing offered temporary protection to Bludhaven’s gangs, granting them immunity from prosecution in exchange for a promise not to act against each other. This method of controlling crime, rather than stopping it outright, is controversial and pushes Dick further into anti-hero territory, similar to Red Hood in Judd Winick’s run. By making deals with criminals and possibly investing in a shady company to gather intel, Nightwing’s new tactics are clearly moving him closer to the anti-hero line.
Nightwing #121 is available December 18, 2024, from DC Comics!
Nightwing
Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.
“}]] Nightwing is entering his best era yet. Read More