Hey, Nightwing’s back! When we last left off, the gangs of Blüdhaven go into hiding as law enforcement fully embraces Spheric and Helios. Consequently, Nightwing begins this next phase at odds with the status quo. Unfortunately, when an interdimensional crisis hits the Titans Tower, the adversaries must team up. Of course, amid another devious plot happening elsewhere. That isn’t even including Nightwing’s child stalker and his pet rabbit. Let’s break it all down below!
An Empty Nest
Dick Grayson has a stalker. After pulling a gun to save Nightwing, Bryce Moran has made it clear he wants to follow the hero. This includes following Nightwing to the Titans Tower and watching his every move. Meanwhile, Nightwing holes up in the Tower like an apartment despite partially abandoning it. Inside, Grayson depressingly curls up next to Babs unable to unpack. Weirdly, the expensive tower lies more vandalized and severely unkempt as if the Titans actually disbanded. Anyway, Barbara seems to think Bryce would benefit from Dick’s guidance. Then again, whenever little black haired children come around a Bat-Family member, they end up somebody’s sidekick.
Since the other disturbing cliffhanger at the end of Nightwing #124, Mayor Grayson-Lin returns to the public eye. Albeit, the Mayor is undergoing undeniable trauma, evidenced by a bloody nose, erratic behavior, and a surprising cardiac arrest. Likely, this is due to the reveal of Olivia “Colombina” Pearce’s true face. Whether the sight of it is behind it like Johnny Sorrows or something else is unknown. Still, whatever’s responsible seems like plot device to usher the character out of the book, possibly fridging her. Speculation aside, Melina does deliver one last tearful warning about the simplicity of right and wrong. Parts of which, aligns with my theories about the overarching thesis of the run.
A Stronger Stalker
Similarly, another unlikely voyeur narrates this issue. For most of the issue, the narrator remains an anonymous, but extremely meta commentator. Throughout the story, the narrator’s remarks hint at the scope of their 5th dimensional powers. Then, Watters surprisingly puts the impish narrator in conflict with the Zanni. As a reminder, Zanni is the extra dimensional clown whom partially narrates the “On With The Show” arc. Now, in another display of power, Zanni is able to warp reality around the other being playing in the 4th dimension. For the sake of putting over this new villain, Watters horribly disfigures the narrator and bonds them to the Titans Tower. Coincidentally, Bryce and Babs find themselves trapped within.
Considering the level of the threat at hand, it isn’t unreasonable to expect Titans or JL involvement. Yet, Nightwing approaches the issue solo, angrily trying to shoo away the Helios response team. Curiously, it’s Pearce and Helios who have a strangely appropriate solution. Somehow, they got their hands on a ray gun from Wonder Woman rogue Baroness Von Gunther capable of hurting 5th dimensional beings. Besides, the incredibly suspicious padded Nightwing uniform made with those same Nazi Kappa Rays. Even though Grayson is skeptical about working with Helios, he can’t overlook the personally imperative nature of the rescue. Therefore, Nightwing reluctantly puts on the Spheric uniform over his, and heads inside the mutated Titan’s Tower.
Recommended If…
- You’ve grown comfortable with 5th Dimensional imp stories.
- You’ve found investment in the Helios/Spheric storyline.
- Seeking more Zanni content.
Overall
Dexter Soy is back on the art, with the usual glitches in light, shadow relationships, big empty rooms, simplified background characters, and poor scaling. However, the purple blob monster is a freaky illustration, and features another cool Zanni illustration. In terms of story, this issue does a decent job setting the stage for the next arc, albeit with a few all too familiar tropes. Namely, fridging a character before they reveal a big secret. Building suspense for Olivia’s eventual face reveal is fine, but these things rarely live up to the hype. Especially when her character didn’t need another twist, unless she actually turns out to be Paula Von Gunther! All in all, #127 is perfectly fine to read, and could lead to some improvements in the story.
Score: 6.5/10
DC Comics have provided advance copies of books for review.
English (US) · 