Comic Review: Nightwing #120 – Blüdhaven Is Burning and Dick Grayson Shines

 

After the disappointment of the previous arc, which felt too "clean" and sanitized for a Nightwing story, issue #120 delivers the long-awaited return to a darker tone and emotional depth. Dan Watters, Dexter Soy, and the rest of the creative team pull no punches—this is the Nightwing we’ve been waiting for. Gritty, emotional, investigative, and helpless in the face of the growing chaos. All wrapped in excellent narration and stunning, dynamic artwork.

Spheric Solutions and the Gang War – Blüdhaven in Flames

The plot revolves around the mysterious corporation Spheric Solutions, which is slowly taking control of the city by manipulating public opinion and igniting a gang war. The conflict between the Teddies, Flyboiz, Clean-Cut Crew, and others isn’t just an excuse for flashy brawls—it’s a carefully orchestrated plan to destabilize the city from within. And most importantly, it’s working. Chaos builds in a logical, believable way, and Nightwing—rather than "magically" solving everything—is struggling to keep up with all the leads, misinformation, and moral dilemmas. Sounds familiar? That’s because this version of Nightwing finally treats him as a detective and a person, not just a guy in a blue suit doing flips.

Olivia Pearce and the Politics of Evil

The biggest surprise is Olivia Pearce, aka Spheric. Just two issues in, and she already stands out as one of the most compelling antagonists in recent memory. She’s clever, cold, and ruthless—but works behind the scenes, using media, politics, and tech to sow chaos. Watters has created a villain who not only physically threatens Nightwing but also undermines his standing in the city, questions his values, and forces him into hard choices.

Olivia never outright says she wants to destroy Nightwing—which makes her even scarier. She casually mentions experimenting on animals, manipulates the public into supporting the Helios Project, and fuels gang conflicts without getting her hands dirty. It’s political, it’s brutal, and it’s impossible to look away.

Puppeteer, “Circus Boy,” and Identity Threats

Another major piece is Puppeteer, a shadowy character whose narration adds a thriller vibe to the story. They have a distinct voice and a disturbing focus on Dick Grayson as a person—not the mask. The recurring use of the nickname "Circus Boy" raises serious red flags about Dick’s secret identity being compromised. This ups the stakes—not just for the city, but for Dick’s private life and safety.

Art and Color – Dexter Soy at His Best

Dexter Soy absolutely shines in this issue. The art is dynamic, expressive, and perfectly captures the emotional weight and chaos of Blüdhaven. The first page—a classic spl-ass panel (yes, the fanservice is intentional)—is both funny and perfectly composed. The action scenes, chases, and emotional beats are all right on point.

The coloring? It’s a bit mixed. Some calmer scenes feel flat, but during night sequences and action moments, the blues, reds, and shadows hit hard. If it weren’t for a few proportion and facial expression issues in some panels, this would be near perfect.

Oracle, Melinda, and Political Subtext

One frustrating point is Oracle’s portrayal, which feels chaotic and inconsistent at times—odd, considering how central she usually is to Dick’s life. On the other hand, Melinda (Dick’s sister and Blüdhaven’s mayor) finally feels like she serves a real purpose in the story. Her position—torn between loyalty to her brother and her political past—puts her on a collision course with real consequences. Her storyline might just turn out to be one of the most compelling, if the team sees it through.

Pros:

+ Complex, well-built gang war and corporate intrigue.

+ Olivia Pearce/Spheric is a compelling, calculating villain.

+ Puppeteer’s narration from the shadows adds a creepy, personal touch.

+ Dan Watters’ writing is sharp, layered, and emotionally engaging.

+ Dexter Soy’s art is excellent—fluid, expressive, and intense.

+ The return of Blüdhaven police corruption and a smart political angle with the Helios Project.

Cons:

- Oracle’s role feels inconsistent and underwritten.

- Some flat coloring and minor visual mistakes in calmer panels.

- Melinda still teeters between “relevant” and “excess baggage”—though there's progress.

My Score: 8/10

Nightwing #120 is a story that finally gives Dick Grayson the depth he deserves—not just as a hero with a circus past and acrobatic flair, but as a man fighting a losing battle against systems, media, corruption, and personal shadows. If the next few issues maintain this level of tension, atmosphere, and emotional weight, we may be witnessing one of the best Nightwing runs in years.