**Release: December 2025 | Writer: Dan Watters | Pencilers: V. Ken Marion | Colorists: Veronica Gandini | Letterer: Wes Abbott**

PAIN. SUFFERING. CIRCUSES.

We're back with Nightwing #133! If you're curious about the core characters from this series, and how we ended up in this morbid situation of Nightwing being accused of decapitating a woman (huh?!), then read my review of Nightwing #132 right HERE!

The city of Blüdhaven is on edge. Their hero Nightwing has been shown on TV murdering Olivia Pearce. Debates have been running rampant across town about if this was an accident or something Nightwing has done on purpose. While the city has been swirling with questions, Nightwing has been in one location.

He continues to sit at the bedside of Nightwing Prime, who has not healed from his Kryptonite blast. Nightwing tunes out the world, waiting patiently and quietly, mentally trying to make heads (no pun intended) or tails of the situation. His entire world has been turned upside down in the matter of a single night. Detective Maggie Sawyer sits with him, seeking answers as well.

Her entire game plan was to take down Olivia Pearce; she had built an extensive case against Pearce that was seemingly tossed away in an instant. Throughout their conversation, Maggie tells Nightwing that he exists somewhere between Batman and Superman: a man of hope for Blüdhaven, yet also the city's scapegoat—an idol to vilify when necessary. She thanks him for his service before delivering a grim reminder: nine children are still missing.

Nightwing remains by the bedside of Nightwing Prime. His sister, Melinda, arrives to try and ease his mind, even making light of Olivia Pearce literally losing her head just to break the tension in the room.

"We get to laugh in the face of evil. We at least get to do that."

Nightwing does the unthinkable, granting his sister access to the entirety of the Pennyworth Foundation funds—a contingency plan he only enacts when he feels there is no coming back from a mission. Melinda pleads with him as more children are lost to Zanni’s Cirque Du Sin.

Finally, Barbara Gordon arrives. She reminds Nightwing of the many times Batman has faced this exact situation—where the city turns on him—and how he remains Gotham’s ultimate beacon of trust. She reassures him that the outcome will be the same for him in Blüdhaven. She leaves him with a kiss, and only then does Nightwing stand up to acknowledge someone who has been discreetly waiting in the room with him the entire time.

Nightwing asks Martian Manhunter for a hand. He needs help getting to Zanni's Cirque Du Sin, but the fact that it's in the Fifth Dimension makes this mission very dangerous. Once in this dimension Nightwing is at the whim of Zanni, and J'onn tries to tell him that. But Nightwing is headstrong, he NEEDS to save the children of Blüdhaven and he doesn't care if doing so will kill him.

Martian Manhunter is reluctant but obliges, telling Nightwing that he can transport him there—but once he arrives, he is on his own. J'onn cannot risk Zanni gaining control of his powers within the Fifth Dimension, as it would only escalate the catastrophe.

Nightwing accepts the terms and is brought to the Cirque Du Sin. Even Zanni notices that Nightwing is in his element, smiling as the hero drops into the middle of the evil carnival without any idea of the horrors to come. This includes a confrontation with demonic girls—possessing faces made entirely of teeth—who look like they were pulled straight out of a Spawn comic as they attack him.

But of course, this is only a taste of what's to come. Nightwing is haunted by Olivia Pearce—or rather, Columbina—who walks around with her own head in her hands, guiding him deeper into this sick and twisted dimension.

Just as Nightwing is led further into this pit of potential torture, movement is finally seen back in the hospital room where he had waited all night before he left.

Nightwing Prime is becoming mobile again.

Writing and Art

WOW.

Dan Watters has been a near-perfect writer for Nightwing. From capturing Dick’s raw emotion and disregard for his own safety to his willingness to dive headfirst into a situation he knows nothing about just to save the children of Blüdhaven—THAT is why I fell in love with the character growing up. It’s exactly these kinds of moments and stories that define who he is.

The art by V. Ken Marion is absolutely gorgeous and dynamic, as always. It’s par for the course for this series; every time Marion steps in for Dexter Soy, it is a total treat. Even the quieter moments—poses that simply feature two characters talking—look cinematic. Those grounded scenes are then met with a huge, beautifully drawn two-page spread featuring some of the most "Nightwing-esque" dynamic poses you’ll ever see.

As for Dexter Soy, it’s confirmed that he is moving off art duties for this series very soon. I think I speak for everyone reading this book when I say he is going to be missed greatly. I am excited to see what is in store for the future, however, as the legendary Denys Cowan will be taking over in Issue #136.

But in the meantime, let’s enjoy and finish the ride that Soy and Marion have set up for us.

Conclusion

What a way to set up what is to come as this story approaches its eventual end.

I am genuinely going to miss this arc when it concludes. I know it is bound to be followed by something just as great, which is why I’ll always preach that you should go out of your way to pick up this series. This is especially true now, as it looks like we are getting Nightwing’s version of the Court of Owls' mental torture very soon. If you have read Batman: The Court of Owls, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Overall: 7/10