Comic Review – Nightwing Annual 2025 #1

 

It’s rare for an annual issue of a comic book to be more than just a curiosity, a filler, or a disposable side story. In the case of Nightwing Annual 2025, however, Dan Watters proves that this type of book can be an integral and valuable part of the main narrative. What’s more – it’s probably the best issue of his run so far, and that’s without Nightwing himself appearing even once.

The dark heart of the circus

Watters, together with artist Francesco Francavilla, expands the mythology of the Cirque De Sin and the villain Zanni – characters who were intriguing in the opening issues but quickly faded into the background of larger conflicts. Here we get a full-bodied, metaphor-rich story: a recontextualization of the circus, theater, and performance as ancient, forgotten sources of myth whose place was taken over by superheroes in capes. This shift left the “god of the carnival” betrayed and dormant. Watters gives Zanni and Olivia Pierce not only motivation but also tragedy – their battle is not just with heroes, but with the loss of cultural identity.

Maggie Sawyer and the investigation

The main character here is Maggie Sawyer, whose investigation into Olivia Pierce allows us to peel back the layers of lies, falsified identities, and erased histories. Some readers may still find Maggie a bit flat, but in this issue she works perfectly as the audience’s eyes. Through her, we learn that Olivia is actually Olivia Hillman, daughter of the lawyer who once championed the creation of the Comics Code Authority. This bold twist ties the story to real comics history, showing how censorship and moral panic can literally create monsters.

Trauma, comics, and the birth of Zanni

One of the strongest moments is Olivia’s childhood flashback. Abused and locked in the basement by her father, she escapes into comic books – her only safe haven. It’s here, within the pages of her beloved Gray Ghost comics, that she first encounters Zanni, who promises to save her from herself. It’s both terrifying and tragic: an innocent need for escapism twisted into the seed of future madness.

Olivia and Zanni’s shared motivation is both personal and universal – they believe superheroes stole the magic of the circus, making wonder commonplace and stripping fear from art. Their mission is to bring back awe and terror, turning Blüdhaven into one massive death trap.

Meta-commentary on comics

Watters weaves in a sharp critique of the cyclical nature of superhero storytelling. In comics, heroes always escape the death trap eventually. Zanni and Olivia reject that status quo, insisting that true art lies in shock, trauma, and catharsis. It’s a daring take on a medium that for decades was accused of “corrupting youth.”

Adding to the metafictional flavor is the inclusion of the Gray Ghost – the cult figure from Batman: The Animated Series, here reimagined as a pulp comic book hero. It’s a clever nod to history and a commentary on how villains often misinterpret cultural texts, bending them to fit their worldview.

Francavilla’s artwork

Francavilla once again proves his art is more than just nostalgic flair. His bold colors, sharp contrasts, and seamless transitions between present-day and flashbacks give the issue a haunting, dreamlike quality. The Gray Ghost sequences, drawn to resemble vintage comics with muted palettes and heavier lines, are particularly striking. Francavilla elevates the script to another level and makes a strong case for being the main artist of Watters’ run.

Final thoughts

Nightwing Annual 2025 #1 is a model annual – a side story that both enriches the central plot and deepens the lore. Watters crafts a tale about trauma, censorship, the power of comics, and the lost meaning of spectacle, while Francavilla delivers visuals that amplify every theme. Some flaws remain, like Maggie Sawyer’s underdeveloped role, but overall this is Watters’ strongest work on the title to date and one of DC’s best annuals in years.

Score: 8.5/10

Pros:

+Excellent expansion of Cirque De Sin and Zanni’s mythology

+Dark, tragic origin for Olivia Pierce

+Strong meta-commentary on comics and censorship (Comics Code Authority)

+Francavilla’s brilliant art, especially the vintage-style sequences

+Seamless link between side story and main narrative

+Ambitious exploration of fear and spectacle

Cons:

-Maggie Sawyer still feels like an underdeveloped character

-Some may find the meta-commentary heavy-handed

-The layered narrative structure requires close attention and patience