Nightwing Vol. 3: The Cirque du Sin (Nightwing

Nightwing by Dan Watters

by Dan Watters, Dexter Soy (Artist)

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics

Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2026

About the author

Dan Watters is a UK based comic book writer. His first book, LIMBO, was released through Image Comics in 2016. He has since written THE SHADOW at Dynamite Comics, and ASSASSIN’S CREED and WOLFENSTEIN for Titan Comics.

Currently he is writing the relaunch of LUCIFER for Vertigo’s Sandman Universe, as well as DEEP ROOTS for Vault Comics. Deeply rooted in London Town, and firmly of the Devil's party.

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending to Dan Watters’ first Nightwing arc is… fine. There’s nothing too spectacular or special about it, there are some cool ideas that come about from Nightwing being in the fifth dimension, and I liked Martian Manhunter’s appearance in the book - but it all felt a bit rushed, a bit quick. The real challenge was told to us and not shown. An arc that’s taken 12 issues to build was finished in essentially two, and although I have no doubt further repercussions to the future of Blüdhaven and Nightwing’# status in the city are being felt in the ongoing series it felt that the menace that was building in the last two volumes fell flat. And maybe there is something in avoiding some sort of deus ex machina Nightwing to (despite being for all intents and purposes, just a guy) defeat a literal god (or maybe not literal?) as that would have been a tad trite - and instead use a deus ex machina faux Kryptonian. It’s better.
As usual, Dan Watters still writes a compelling and tonally strong narrative that keeps me interested. The whole run felt rooted in the style of Doctor Who sci-fi fantasy I loved growing up (did I mention in a previous review the Cirque du Sin are giving Night Travellers vibes from Torchwood?) which is a style I think works wonderfully with the grounded character of Nightwing who accepts all kinds of weirdness and quirk into his life.
And you did get a satisfying payoff to understanding the characters introduced way back in Volume 1, such as Olivia Pearce. It felt thought through and logically structured which is important if you want to add a new arm to the lore of a character.
Ahh, I enjoyed it so what if it didn’t blow my socks off? At least my feet are still warm.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Watters' first big Nightwing arc comes to a conclusion as Dick takes the fight to the Zanni and the Cirque Du Sin at last.

Nightwing's not usually one for punching ghosts and monsters, nor is he one for the big superhero moments that Nightwing Prime brings to the proceedings, and yet somehow, Watters has made it work really well over the past two volumes, and brings it home for these last six issues as well.

Even when Dick's winning, he's losing, but he never gives up hope - because that's just who he is, and Watters understands that to a tee. The villains are awesome, the supporting cast continue to fit in nicely (who doesn't love Bitewing, honestly?), and the conclusion is bittersweet, but a nice springboard for what comes next.

[Nick Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfactory conclusion to the cirque de sin arc. I thought Nightwing prime was an excellent addition, not only to the story and the Nightwing mythos, but the DC universe as a hole, so I was downright shocked when they took him off the chessboard as quickly as they put him on there. Seems shortsighted, but I suppose they could retcon parts of this if they wanna bring him back.

[Brittany Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as individual issues.

I don’t seem to care for Watters’ Nightwing as much as others do. And frankly, I really don’t enjoy Soy’s art here either. The backgrounds are nice, but the way he draws characters I’m not a fan of.

[Daniela Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as single issues

[tee (rin's version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

read as individual issues. dexter soy, my man.

[Diego Barahona · Rating 5 out of 5]

"and if you ask me... superheroes are way cooler idea than a circus".

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Keegan Schueler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wraps up Watters first big story arc and it definitely could’ve been better with the setup they did. Art is incredible by Dexter Soy.

[Belfry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.75 stars