That Which Was Meant To Stay Buried — Reviewing ‘Nightwing’ #139

Carrying massive burdens that would lead many to cave in rather than keep going is nothing new for Dick Grayson. Yet, the tragic burdens that now weigh upon the vigilante’s shoulders might be the ones that break someone that has stood strong for years.

The mayor’s diabolical new superhighway continues to dredge up the sins of Blüdhaven’s past, sending Grayson on another dire path with Nightwing #139. The latest chapter in this ongoing saga is shepherded by Dan Watters, Denys Cowan, Norm Rapmund, Francesco Segala, and Wes Abbott.

While the various investigation and crime aspects of this new story line are interesting, it is the character beats which hold the attention.

Watters is putting Grayson through the proverbial wringer with this one. He takes a character that is the heart of the DC Universe and pits him against emotions, circumstances, and mindsets that can’t just be washed away with positive though, hope, or perseverance. Right now Grayson is on his last gasps of energy, pushing his body beyond what anyone should be doing, especially when they are trying to continue to be a source of heroic resolution and justice.

We feel every bit of the grim dire circumstances that plague our hero thanks to the moody artwork. Cowan is a legend, and for good reason. There is just such depth and emotional range to the artwork that is wrapped up in very rough and firm attributes. There are no smooth or soft textures to what Cowan creates and right now that’s what this series needs most.

With Rapmund’s inks, the tougher heaviness is expanded. There is a dark ever present cloud hovering over Nightwing in a metaphorical way, which is captured in the way the artwork is presented. This includes a color palette which rests easily in a realm of natural toned down elements for a baseline. It also allows the darker tones to punch harder and bring the moodiness to a whole other level.

Nightwing is plagued by the incident that kicked off this story line. The Witch that caused him to crash, and led to the loss of nine people on the superhighway. While we and Nightwing know the truth, there is no reason for others to believe this. Watters incorporates this into the story with the way that prosecutor Eastbourne is gunning for the vigilante. We don’t know her overall motivations. This is Blüdhaven after all, but it’s currently not hard to understand the point of view that she, the loved ones of those lost, and Blüdhaven residents as a whole could feel right now.

The anguish of these moments is reflected so well through the story. We feel and see it in every panel. Within the mind and words that come from Nightwing and others, we pick up the emotion and tenseness even more. That’s because Abbott is so good with the lettering, having been the holder of Nightwing’s voice for years now. He lets each caption, bubble, and other lettering aspect stand tall with power and authority from start to finish.

There are pages where numerous caption boxes wash over the page like waves, but never in an overbearing or oppressive way. It allows us to be awash with Grayson’s feelings, exhaustion, and feeling of being completely overwhelmed. We too are now in that head space and it enriches the story for that reason and so many others.

Nightwing #139 is now available from DC Comics.