Nightwing: Leaping into the Light

DC Compact Comics

by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo (Illustrator), Neil Edwards (Illustrator)

Dick Grayson is back in Blüdhaven—and this time, he’s not just fighting crime, he’s changing the city. With a new mission, a loyal dog, and a mysterious villain stealing hearts—literally—Nightwing leaps into the light to become the hero his city needs. But when the world learns “Get Grayson,” the stakes rise higher than ever.

Nightwing: Leaping into the Light – DC Compact Comics Edition collects Nightwing Vol. 1: Leaping into the Light (issues #78–83) and Nightwing Vol. 2: Get Grayson (issues #84–88). Written by Tom Taylor and illustrated by Bruno Redondo, this critically acclaimed run redefines Dick Grayson’s role in the DC Universe. As he inherits a fortune and a new purpose, Nightwing must face a terrifying new villain named Heartless and navigate a conspiracy that puts a target on his back. With vibrant storytelling, heartfelt moments, and stunning visuals, this edition is perfect for new readers and longtime fans alike.

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book

296 pages, Paperback

Published March 3, 2026

About the author

Once a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.

Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.

He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.

He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.

Reviews

[dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

no cause he’s fine asf!! now i understand why everyone is stressing about his casting in the movie😭😭😭😭 but aside from that this was crazy interesting and hes such a funny and great character

[Amber Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading Nightwing comics - I’m obsessed!!

[Nicholas Dehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to finally get a chance to read this- it is awesome. Artistically it really differentiates itself with a recognizable style and color palette in addition to some of the coolest visual storytelling I’ve seen. I love how Bruno Redondo draws sequence of events within the same panel- like showing the different moves that Nightwing does between seeing a thug and knocking him out, for instance. Rather than showing him noticing them boom he knocks the guy out, Redondo frequently adds after-images to show how he runs up the stairs, dodges a bullet, leaps into the air, then lands a blow, all within the same panel. It allows him to really illustrate great action without dragging the book out by making every sequence like this 5+ panels. This style has created some really iconic panels as well. I also like how Redondo illustrates Nightwing’s eskrima sticks every time he uses them in a new way, going close up to show what Nightwing does and illustrate how the weapon works. It’s really cool and I appreciate it. Another visual element I love is how the characters are wearing DC heroes merch when in casual clothes, eg Barbara wearing a teen titans go shirt, Dick wearing a black canary shirt, etc. It’s a lot of fun. So artistically, this series is excellent. Narratively? It is also excellent, lol. I really admire what Tom Taylor has done with this run, which is essentially to create a really positive comic book even when it deals with a lot of really dark stuff. Like, Heartless is a villain who literally rips people’s hearts out. All is not well in this world by any means. But Dick Grayson is someone who has been through it in crazy ways and is still able to smile, crack a joke, and always do the right thing. The writing in this book really leans into the human side of superhero’s. Some highlights include Alfred’s letter to Dick, Dick being there for Jon Kent and giving him a hug when he’s hurting, how much Wally West cares about his best friend and watches over Dick- this story has none of the dark, gritty, going-it-aloneness of say a Batman story. Instead, it shows that what makes Dick a great superhero more than anything is that he is such a great person and a great friend. The bright colors complement this very well. Also, I love Bitewing (nightwings adopted 3 legged dog). Definitely will have to continue this run!

[Emmy Matson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better compact comics I've read. Lots of great cameos and beautiful art that is consistent and vibrant.

[Sam G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the DC Compact books! They're a nice collection of good new stuff as well as the classics. Nightwing: Leaping into the Light was a great choice. It's not a complete story, but it's a great jumping on point for new readers. Tom Taylor balances his history with Batman and the Titans quite well, explaining some of his past but without bogging it all down in exposition.

I loved the sprawling action pages in "Get Grayson" #1. The sequential layouts showcase Nightwing's flashy acrobatics really well and it's pure comic book fun. I also loved the emotional heart in this book, as you get a genuine sense of Nightwing picking up the pieces of his life while helping others that need it. This book is a great example of why he's one of DC's best characters.

Overall, I would recommend this book, especially for new DC readers. DC has done a great job so far of making a line of accessible and affordable comics to pull in new fans.

[Mayssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Pretty much the strongest run Nightwing has ever had in his publication history. It has some of the best art and color work I’ve seen in a while. Tom Taylor just gets Dick on a fundamental level, there’s no other way to describe it. The detail that always bugs me when I read it though is the camera in the mask thing from Barbara. It simply makes no sense to me that Nightwing, a character whose entire evolution since the 90s was centered around independence and finding his own identity, would let his girlfriend put cameras in his mask for surveillance. It feels incredibly invasive and out of character for the two of them. I really wish the run would not focus so much on their couple because it really is the weakest part of it lmao

[Ioannis Vasilakoglou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I love the get Grayson thing it’s amazing and honestly very fun and this book in general was really funny some of the best moments where when nightwing was wearing Batman pijamas that was so funny and the whole thing about the bat family group chat was so funny but besides that the worlds finest sons was also very good I like how superman’s son sees dick as a role model and last but not least the wally west x dick Grayson was unmatched such a funny and peak duo and also amazing artwork for how cheap the book is the artwork is almost better than expensive ones because the ink gives it an og feeling and it’s honestly amazing will buy more compact comics

[Addison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just recently started to get into comics and I have to say this was so fireeeee. I found it at indigo and thought it could be a good read and it so was. The drawing are amazing and the plot actually kept me interested. I liked it so much that I'm looking for the other volumes!!! Plus its I love how I can finish these types of books in a day, I find it so satisfying

[nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

first DC comic i’ve ever read and i have to say, im super impressed! i heard some people say that Tom Taylor’s run on Nightwing isn’t that good, but as a newbie, i’m very satisfied! and lemme say, dick grayson is FINEEEE

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Roni llaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

was a nice and fun read love how vibrant the art is in this comic is

[Zachary Hatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Nightwing, but I like Bitewing even more

[Alexander Sewilam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sets up a lot of stuff that it doesn't finish, but other than that the art and characters and story is amazing

[Michael Wormsbecher · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun to read!

[ThatBookishGal · Rating 4 out of 5]

my first Nightwing comic and I will be back for more!!

[melynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars

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