Comic Review: Nightwing #128

 

Tom Taylor’s Nightwing run has accustomed readers to stories grounded in Blüdhaven close to the people, focused on relationships, community, and Dick Grayson’s everyday struggles. But here, writer Dan Watters steps in and delivers something completely different: 5th-dimensional horror, a wild journey into the memories, traumas, and legacy of Nightwing himself. The result? Issue #128 is a spectacular, surreal ride that constantly surprises, balancing darkness with a love letter to the character’s history.

Horror in the Heart of Titans Tower

From the very first pages, the atmosphere turns thick: Titans Tower is transformed into a grotesque ecosystem created by Nite-Mite, the 5th-dimensional imp whose powers spiral out of control. The Tower becomes a world woven from Nightwing’s memories, fears, and history which means Dick must face not only physical enemies but also twisted reflections of himself.

The strongest moment of the issue is the confrontation with the Deathwings warped versions of Dick acting like corrupted “white blood cells” in this nightmare world. Their origin as distorted memories, and the callback to the time when Nightwing was once a sleeper agent of Extant, is a bold return to a nearly forgotten corner of continuity. Watters clearly knows how to dig into the character’s past and bring out unexpected elements.

Nightwing Prime of Kandor – A Major Surprise

One of the biggest twists is the appearance of a character initially mistaken for Van-Zee. It turns out to be Nightwing Prime of Kandor the inheritor of the mantle originally used by Superman when he went undercover in the Bottle City. This is a fantastic detail, reminding us that Dick owes his Nightwing identity to Clark. Many fans tend to forget this, and this issue brings that history back in a striking way.

Nightwing Prime brings a layer of melancholy: his awareness that he may not even exist is tragic, and his decisions feel painfully logical. He becomes both an ally and a potential threat, enriching the story with an emotional and philosophical dimension.

Melinda and Maggie – Political Drama in the Background

While most of the issue takes place inside the surreal Tower, Watters doesn’t forget about the supporting cast. Melinda and Maggie’s subplot reveals the psychological toll of what’s happening outside. Melinda, shaken and doubtful, begins to believe that only heroes like Nightwing can save humanity. Her unsettling laughter in Sawyer’s face when Sawyer points out that even ordinary people can do good hints at her darker trajectory and raises questions about what horrors she might have endured.

This contrast between faith in superheroes and a loss of faith in ordinary humanity adds weight to the issue and broadens the stakes beyond simple action.

Haley as Nightmare, and the Mythology of Nightwing

We also get a shocking moment with Haley, Dick’s dog, reimagined as a monstrous, almost Cerberus-like creature. It’s a brilliant example of how Nightwing’s closest bonds and memories can be twisted against him in this world ruled by 5th-dimensional chaos. It’s also one of the most emotional scenes, striking at Dick’s very heart.

Equally powerful are the scenes featuring crude sketches of Robin’s costume from Dick’s childhood. These drawings, simple and childish, contrast with the dire situation and remind us just how young he was when he became Robin. It’s not just a fan-service Easter egg but also a strong commentary on the burden he has carried since boyhood.

Watters’ Style – From Blüdhaven Streets to the 5th Dimension

Dan Watters proves he’s not only capable of writing grounded, street-level stories but also horror, madness, and cosmic abstraction. Nightwing #128 is completely different in tone from earlier issues and that’s exactly why it works. It provides a sharp, refreshing change of pace, thrusting Dick into a psychedelic odyssey.

Does it all work? Not entirely. At times, Dick’s banter feels a little too “tell-don’t-show,” weighing down the flow with exposition. A few sequences also stretch on a bit too long, slightly undermining the tension. But overall, this is an issue bursting with ideas, drawing on Nightwing’s full history while injecting new energy into the series.

Conclusion

Nightwing #128 is an issue you won’t mistake for any other in this run. 5th-dimensional horror, the return of Deathwing, Nightwing Prime of Kandor, a terrifying Haley, and the sketches of Robin’s first costumes all combine into a psychedelic, yet deeply emotional love letter to the character and his legacy.

It may not be the single best issue of the run, but it’s certainly one of the most memorable. As a tribute to Nightwing’s history, it succeeds brilliantly, while also setting the stage for bigger events to come. And it leaves you eager for issue #129.

Final Score: 8/10

Pros:

+Fantastic 5th-dimensional horror atmosphere

+Strong callbacks to Nightwing’s history (Deathwing, Van-Zee, Nightwing Prime of Kandor)

+Emotional scenes with Haley and the childlike Robin sketches

+Development of supporting characters (Melinda, Maggie, Sawyer)

+Great balance between action and psychological stakes

+Functions as a heartfelt love letter to Nightwing’s legacy

Cons:

-Dick’s banter occasionally too expository

-Some sequences feel a bit dragged out, affecting pacing

-Deathwing as an antagonist may not resonate with everyone