Comic Review: Nightwing #126 – Blüdhaven in a Haze of Yellow and Doubt

After the intense events of the last few issues and the atmospheric arrival of Francesco Francavilla as the artist, Nightwing #126 gives us an unusual, temporary break from the main plot. It's a story that balances between the noir feel of Gotham Central and a police thriller laced with horror. Unfortunately, despite some great moments and solid ideas, the whole thing feels a bit… empty. And completely drenched in yellow – literally.

Francavilla and the Obsession With Yellow

First thing that jumps out? The colors. And that’s not a metaphor. Yellow dominates everything – from street lights to neon signs, to the skin tones of the characters. The effect is at times hypnotic, enhancing the feeling of unease, but also becomes exhausting. It's hard not to feel the colorist was desperately going for a horror-noir aesthetic, but forgot about subtlety.

Francavilla is a master of mood, but here he goes overboard. The style can still be effective, but the contrast with previous, more colorful issues is so stark that it might be jarring to many readers.

Investigation, Relationships, and Domestic Drama

This time, the main focus isn't Nightwing, but Maggie Sawyer, who seems more and more lost – as a commissioner, a partner, and a person. She's trying to balance personal life and duty, but the past, remnants of the old corrupt system, and a creeping distrust in law enforcement won’t let her breathe.

Meeting her girlfriend’s daughter, Claire, becomes surprisingly pivotal. The girl questions Maggie’s dangerous job, especially in a world filled with drone cops. It’s a simple but powerful scene that hits the core of institutional criticism and shakes Maggie more than a bullet ever could.

Captain Hollow: Great Design, Weak Motivation

The main threat this issue is the mysterious Captain Hollow, a legend or ghost within the Blüdhaven police. Sadly, his unmasking is underwhelming. Instead of deepening the threat, the story turns into something straight out of Scooby-Doo: a masked villain who turns out to be just a disgruntled ex-cop.

It’s disappointing, especially since the design – plague doctor-style mask and badge-shaped weapons – had so much potential. Ultimately, the Hollow was just a conspiracy among ex-cops seeking revenge for being fired. It's a twist, sure, but it undermines the myth that had been so carefully built.

Nightwing and Oracle: Detective Duo

Thankfully, Nightwing gets some great scenes. Especially notable is his detective work with Oracle analyzing Hollow’s coat, breaking into a beach house, confronting dying ex-cops. It reminds us that Dick Grayson is more than just an acrobat; he’s also a former police officer and detective.

These elements classic investigation, clues, fieldwork inject real momentum and make the issue feel grounded. It’s just a shame we didn’t get more of it.

Climactic Chaos and Kitchen Utensils of Justice

The final confrontation takes place in Maggie’s apartment. Hollow attacks and kidnaps Claire. The showdown is brutal, quick, and… a bit chaotic. Katie strikes the attacker with a frying pan, Maggie stabs him in the throat with a kitchen knife, and Claire almost falls off the fire escape – only to be saved by Nightwing at the last second.

While the tension is there, everything happens too fast, and the resolution doesn’t satisfy. The villain turns out to be a nobody, Claire is saved, and Maggie is left more uncertain than ever.

Themes Watters Barely Touches

Dan Watters touches on big themes abuse of power, loss of trust in institutions, moral gray zones in law enforcement. All of this is relevant and impactful, especially in Blüdhaven. But still, one crucial element is missing: Nightwing’s past as a cop.

That past could’ve created emotional resonance between Dick and Maggie. Yet it’s completely ignored. The absence of characters like Amy Rohrbach, or even a passing reference to Grayson’s time in uniform, feels like a missed opportunity.

This is frustrating, especially since Tom Taylor reintroduced Dick’s police background into continuity recently. Fans hoped Watters would explore it further instead, it’s being ignored.

Did This Mini-Arc Have a Purpose?

As a one-off interlude, Nightwing #126 is moderately successful. It adds some world-building, develops Maggie a bit, and gives the setting a noir thriller tone. But it also feels disconnected from the main arc, waters down the tension, and leaves readers wanting more.

Pros:

+Francavilla’s visual style still delivers mood, despite the yellow overload

+Emotional depth in Maggie–Claire’s relationship

+Nightwing's detective skills are well utilized

+Important themes tackled: trust, corruption, loyalty

+Teases future arc with Melinda’s disappearance and a new Hollow emerging

Cons:

– Yellow-heavy color palette becomes tiresome

– Villain reveal is weak and forgettable

– Not enough Nightwing in a Nightwing comic

– Doesn’t move the main story forward

– Completely ignores Nightwing’s police past