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Nightwing (2016)
Nightwing, Vol. 3: Nightwing Must Die
Dick Grayson’s DC Universe Rebirth adventure from fan-favorite creators Tim Seeley (BATMAN ETERNAL, GRAYSON) and Javier Fernandez (RED HOOD/ARSENAL) continues in NIGHTWING VOL. 3: NIGHTWING MUST DIE!
As the original Robin, Dick Grayson has long lived in the shadow of Batman. But now, as Nightwing, he’s finally his own man. He has a new city to protect in Blüdhaven, and a new love in his life—former villain Shawn Tsang.
But someone doesn’t think that Nightwing is quite the hero he could be. They’ve sent a twisted doppelgänger, Deathwing, to Blüdhaven to kidnap Shawn...sending Dick on a globe-spanning chase to get her back before something terrible happens.
Together with current Robin Damian Wayne, his partner from his brief stint as Batman, Dick must stay one step ahead of an enemy who seems to have all of his skills and memories. But when Nightwing finds out who’s pulling Deathwing’s strings, he’ll realize the shadow of his time as Batman might be too long to ever truly escape.
Collects issues #16-21.
As the original Robin, Dick Grayson has long lived in the shadow of Batman. But now, as Nightwing, he’s finally his own man. He has a new city to protect in Blüdhaven, and a new love in his life—former villain Shawn Tsang.
But someone doesn’t think that Nightwing is quite the hero he could be. They’ve sent a twisted doppelgänger, Deathwing, to Blüdhaven to kidnap Shawn...sending Dick on a globe-spanning chase to get her back before something terrible happens.
Together with current Robin Damian Wayne, his partner from his brief stint as Batman, Dick must stay one step ahead of an enemy who seems to have all of his skills and memories. But when Nightwing finds out who’s pulling Deathwing’s strings, he’ll realize the shadow of his time as Batman might be too long to ever truly escape.
Collects issues #16-21.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2017
78 people are currently reading
1023 people want to read
About the author
Tim Seeley
1,651 books609 followersTim Seeley is a comic book artist and writer known for his work on books such as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, The Dark Elf Trilogy, Batman Eternal and Grayson. He is also the co-creator of the Image Comics titles Hack/Slash[1] and Revival, as well as the Dark Horse titles, ExSanguine and Sundowners. He lives in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
December 13, 2017
This is by far the best Nightwing book in the series so far. Tim Seeley hooks you in with the best pairing in the world. Damien and Richard for LIFE!
So this starts off picking up the end of volume 2. Our girl Tsang is kidnapped but not before letting know Dick she might be Prego. So on his way home he is ambushed by Damien. The son of Batman is mad people are claiming that Richard will become Batman once more. However, once Nightwing finds out that his girlfriend is missing Damien joins him on a quest to get her back. This leads to some old villains, big showdowns, and big revelations by the end. We also get a one shot of Wally Flash and Nightwing on their night out as bros.
Good: The dialog is very throwback to the days of Batman and Robin when Damien and Dick teamed up. It's perfect balance of chemistry and jealously but you can always feel the brother relationship. The villain is actually pretty scary as he was before. Then we also have a nice little one shot with Wally and Dick just chilling and having fun.
Bad: The art sometimes can be iffy, especially in that one shot. Also, the final villain doing the whole "Look into your deepest fears" feels played out.
Overall this was great. Damien and Dick together is magic. The last few pages with them bring back SO many great memories. I wish they'd have a book of these two badass characters teaming up more. A 4 out of 5.
So this starts off picking up the end of volume 2. Our girl Tsang is kidnapped but not before letting know Dick she might be Prego. So on his way home he is ambushed by Damien. The son of Batman is mad people are claiming that Richard will become Batman once more. However, once Nightwing finds out that his girlfriend is missing Damien joins him on a quest to get her back. This leads to some old villains, big showdowns, and big revelations by the end. We also get a one shot of Wally Flash and Nightwing on their night out as bros.
Good: The dialog is very throwback to the days of Batman and Robin when Damien and Dick teamed up. It's perfect balance of chemistry and jealously but you can always feel the brother relationship. The villain is actually pretty scary as he was before. Then we also have a nice little one shot with Wally and Dick just chilling and having fun.
Bad: The art sometimes can be iffy, especially in that one shot. Also, the final villain doing the whole "Look into your deepest fears" feels played out.
Overall this was great. Damien and Dick together is magic. The last few pages with them bring back SO many great memories. I wish they'd have a book of these two badass characters teaming up more. A 4 out of 5.
May 16, 2022
This was really good!
I loved this one and here we have Damian acting as a child and confronting Dick about some bat legacy and throwing some tantrum but when Shawn gets kidnapped and all then they team up to find her and going against a dollotron Deathwing who has a tragic back story then vs Professor Pyg only to find the master planner behind it all aka Dr Simon hurt and we learn his plans and especially with Damian and what happens when everything is on the line! Its an epic story with alternate realities or versions hints, tragic characters and showing the brother bonds between Damian and Dick and bringing the Morrison era villains back with a clever twist and showing the challenges for Dick in this era agin!
And a fun ending with team up with Wally and I love that one, its so campy and fun, just perfect and introduces a new villain in Timebomb and yeah I like his power and also carries the continuity of Titans perfectly! With amazng art in here, I just love it!
I loved this one and here we have Damian acting as a child and confronting Dick about some bat legacy and throwing some tantrum but when Shawn gets kidnapped and all then they team up to find her and going against a dollotron Deathwing who has a tragic back story then vs Professor Pyg only to find the master planner behind it all aka Dr Simon hurt and we learn his plans and especially with Damian and what happens when everything is on the line! Its an epic story with alternate realities or versions hints, tragic characters and showing the brother bonds between Damian and Dick and bringing the Morrison era villains back with a clever twist and showing the challenges for Dick in this era agin!
And a fun ending with team up with Wally and I love that one, its so campy and fun, just perfect and introduces a new villain in Timebomb and yeah I like his power and also carries the continuity of Titans perfectly! With amazng art in here, I just love it!
October 16, 2017
A return to Grant Morrison's run on Batman and Robin. Damian shows up in Bludhaven because he thinks Nightwing is trying to usurp him as the heir to Batman. Then Professor Pyg kidnaps Dick's girlfriend and the two head to Paris to get her back. Contains all of that great interaction between Dick and Damian while they fight some Morrison era villains. Then there's a fill in issue where Wally West and Dick have a guys night out. Probably the best volume of Seeley's run.
July 28, 2018
Not great.
The only reason this is 2 stars is because there was a small moment between Dick and Damian that I appreciated and because the guest Nightwing & the Flash issue written by Michael McMillan was actually swell.
This read like every issue I have with B-action movies. A poorly characterized, Gary Stu like male lead? Check. A poorly developed relationship with manufactured dramatic tension? Check. Women being used as the "arbiters of morality"? Check.
I don't know anything about Shawn and I really don't care? There wasn't enough of her for me to form an opinion in the last volume and the way Dick talks about his attachment to her in this volume, you'd think this was volume 9 of them being in a relationship and not just the 6th or so issue of them being a couple. With what happens to Shawn in this book, I wouldn't say "why not just have him get back together with Babs or Kory" but if it had been one of them, I would've understood a little better.
This is the cheapest of plots: my pregnant girlfriend has been kidnapped. I've talked about why this pisses me off before during injustice: why is the woman not enough of a reason to react irrationally? Aside from how annoying it is to read the 5 millionth story where a woman is kidnapped for man angst, when you add an unborn baby, it always feels like the kid is more important than the woman. Suddenly, it's not just the love of his life that's being threatened, it's his progeny and his chance at fatherhood. It's just so stupid and you'd never see something like this with a female superhero for several reasons. Anyway, it's tired, it's overdone and, even worse, this is all a possibility because Dick isn't even sure if Shawn's pregnant.
So, we get the ridiculousness of him running around in France fretting about his unborn baby. Everything he does is about this kid because he went from 0 to 100 on the panic scale in about two seconds. It's just annoying, to be honest. Even worse, there's a point when Robin goes missing and Dick thinks "I have to save him, because if I can't save Robin, what kind of father would I be?" How about you care about saving Damian because he's your brother? How about the hero of this story acts like a hero because it's the right thing to do and not because he's worried about fatherhood?
Anyway, Pyg is back. I didn't really like that guy in Morrison's run either but at least he was formidable there. Damian was at least in character there. Dick was at least in character there. The plots made sense there. You see where I'm going with this?
There is one moment where Damian admits to missing Dick and Dick wonders about what Damian would be like if he'd stuck around as his partner. Everyone like me, who loved Dick as Batsy and Damian as his Robin, waxes poetic about what a cool partnership that was and kind of wants it back for a moment.
Can we talk about how ridiculous it is that Damian (who's on Twitter apparently) reads several strangers on the internet speculate that Dick would be the next Batman and decides that's enough to fight Dick irl? (We find out another reason why he visits but still). This was so out of character because yes, Damian is prone to tantrums and acting irrationally but I just can't see him being this level of extra. It's pointless. Also, Dick went to buy a pregnancy test in full Nightwing garb? Seriously?
I won't dignify Deathwing with a response because it was stupid and if I read that much poorly written angst, I zone out complete. I just... got nothing from that "secret insight into Dick's insecurities". This plot did nothing for me and it was rushed.
The guest issue with the Flash was the best issue in the book. I'm not entire sure what's going on with Wally at the moment but I really enjoyed that issue. It was a simple case and Dick actually showed some intelligence in it. Much appreciated.
So, I don't know if I can continue just to get to Sam Humphries writing for this series. I'm annoyed, I don't understand why they took all the charm out of this character and I don't understand the need to manufacture this romance and make it this "meaningful" with so few issues? Perhaps because, unlike with Babs and Kory, Seeley doesn't have the guarantee that DC will let him write 40 or so issues of them developing their relationship the way Wolfman and previous writers would have been allowed in the 80s and 90s. Perhaps he's trying to tell the story as best he can before another universe wide reboot or something? I'm not sure but this series just bums me out and the cameos aren't quite enough of a draw for me.
But I know Damian crops up in later issues again so... I'm here for the long haul I guess.
The only reason this is 2 stars is because there was a small moment between Dick and Damian that I appreciated and because the guest Nightwing & the Flash issue written by Michael McMillan was actually swell.
This read like every issue I have with B-action movies. A poorly characterized, Gary Stu like male lead? Check. A poorly developed relationship with manufactured dramatic tension? Check. Women being used as the "arbiters of morality"? Check.
I don't know anything about Shawn and I really don't care? There wasn't enough of her for me to form an opinion in the last volume and the way Dick talks about his attachment to her in this volume, you'd think this was volume 9 of them being in a relationship and not just the 6th or so issue of them being a couple. With what happens to Shawn in this book, I wouldn't say "why not just have him get back together with Babs or Kory" but if it had been one of them, I would've understood a little better.
This is the cheapest of plots: my pregnant girlfriend has been kidnapped. I've talked about why this pisses me off before during injustice: why is the woman not enough of a reason to react irrationally? Aside from how annoying it is to read the 5 millionth story where a woman is kidnapped for man angst, when you add an unborn baby, it always feels like the kid is more important than the woman. Suddenly, it's not just the love of his life that's being threatened, it's his progeny and his chance at fatherhood. It's just so stupid and you'd never see something like this with a female superhero for several reasons. Anyway, it's tired, it's overdone and, even worse, this is all a possibility because Dick isn't even sure if Shawn's pregnant.
So, we get the ridiculousness of him running around in France fretting about his unborn baby. Everything he does is about this kid because he went from 0 to 100 on the panic scale in about two seconds. It's just annoying, to be honest. Even worse, there's a point when Robin goes missing and Dick thinks "I have to save him, because if I can't save Robin, what kind of father would I be?" How about you care about saving Damian because he's your brother? How about the hero of this story acts like a hero because it's the right thing to do and not because he's worried about fatherhood?
Anyway, Pyg is back. I didn't really like that guy in Morrison's run either but at least he was formidable there. Damian was at least in character there. Dick was at least in character there. The plots made sense there. You see where I'm going with this?
There is one moment where Damian admits to missing Dick and Dick wonders about what Damian would be like if he'd stuck around as his partner. Everyone like me, who loved Dick as Batsy and Damian as his Robin, waxes poetic about what a cool partnership that was and kind of wants it back for a moment.
Can we talk about how ridiculous it is that Damian (who's on Twitter apparently) reads several strangers on the internet speculate that Dick would be the next Batman and decides that's enough to fight Dick irl? (We find out another reason why he visits but still). This was so out of character because yes, Damian is prone to tantrums and acting irrationally but I just can't see him being this level of extra. It's pointless. Also, Dick went to buy a pregnancy test in full Nightwing garb? Seriously?
I won't dignify Deathwing with a response because it was stupid and if I read that much poorly written angst, I zone out complete. I just... got nothing from that "secret insight into Dick's insecurities". This plot did nothing for me and it was rushed.
The guest issue with the Flash was the best issue in the book. I'm not entire sure what's going on with Wally at the moment but I really enjoyed that issue. It was a simple case and Dick actually showed some intelligence in it. Much appreciated.
So, I don't know if I can continue just to get to Sam Humphries writing for this series. I'm annoyed, I don't understand why they took all the charm out of this character and I don't understand the need to manufacture this romance and make it this "meaningful" with so few issues? Perhaps because, unlike with Babs and Kory, Seeley doesn't have the guarantee that DC will let him write 40 or so issues of them developing their relationship the way Wolfman and previous writers would have been allowed in the 80s and 90s. Perhaps he's trying to tell the story as best he can before another universe wide reboot or something? I'm not sure but this series just bums me out and the cameos aren't quite enough of a draw for me.
But I know Damian crops up in later issues again so... I'm here for the long haul I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2025
Robin needs to chill!
October 17, 2017
Well that's a step back...
World: The world building is fine on paper, you have Pyg and Hurt and Damian which reminds us of the time they were together as Batman and Robin. Then there's the building further of the world that Seeley did with Blüdhaven last arc. There's also the globe hopping. It's all good but honestly not all are things I wanted (more below).
Story: Why the hell are we leaving Blüdhaven? Why does this book need to keep jumping around like a spider on a hot plate? Can we not just stay in Blüdhaven and further develop the world and a place for Nightwing to play in instead of globe trotting and losing focus. There are parts of this story that I really enjoy here, some of the emotions, some of the villains, some of the team ups. But taking this story away and already doing that stuff with Shawn was just rushed and not needed. The rushed nature makes the emotions to hit. I'm not invested enough in Shawn to care. I don't understand this, Seeley's own Revival was all about characters and relationships that feel and matter. As an arc it's fine, it really is, if this was arc 8 than yes it would have been earned but now it's hollow.
Characters: Dick is fine, his internal monologue is great and his emotions are strong. Shawn is aight too and her empathy is good, it's just done rather jankily. The stuff with Deathwing was inconsistent and half baked so that's why the emotions never rang true. Pyg was just an obstacle and Hurt was zzz. Yeah...
A step back. Keep Dick in Blüdhaven please!!!
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
World: The world building is fine on paper, you have Pyg and Hurt and Damian which reminds us of the time they were together as Batman and Robin. Then there's the building further of the world that Seeley did with Blüdhaven last arc. There's also the globe hopping. It's all good but honestly not all are things I wanted (more below).
Story: Why the hell are we leaving Blüdhaven? Why does this book need to keep jumping around like a spider on a hot plate? Can we not just stay in Blüdhaven and further develop the world and a place for Nightwing to play in instead of globe trotting and losing focus. There are parts of this story that I really enjoy here, some of the emotions, some of the villains, some of the team ups. But taking this story away and already doing that stuff with Shawn was just rushed and not needed. The rushed nature makes the emotions to hit. I'm not invested enough in Shawn to care. I don't understand this, Seeley's own Revival was all about characters and relationships that feel and matter. As an arc it's fine, it really is, if this was arc 8 than yes it would have been earned but now it's hollow.
Characters: Dick is fine, his internal monologue is great and his emotions are strong. Shawn is aight too and her empathy is good, it's just done rather jankily. The stuff with Deathwing was inconsistent and half baked so that's why the emotions never rang true. Pyg was just an obstacle and Hurt was zzz. Yeah...
A step back. Keep Dick in Blüdhaven please!!!
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
September 29, 2024
Dick and Damian are back again with brilliant banter, but are confined within a story that just doesn't particularly stand out. Memorable moments are far and few between, even with the decebt dynamics that serve as the main draw. However, despite its flaws, this is probably the strongest Seeley has put out so far, and if he can just perfect the narrative, he will have a pretty good formula to draw on going forward.
actual rating 3.5 stars
actual rating 3.5 stars
July 25, 2023
*3.5/5
September 8, 2017
[read as single issues]
Poor Nightwing gets put through the wringer in this third Rebirth volume as not only does Professor Pyg return to menace both him and Robin, but also the despicable villain of Batman RIP and beyond, Doctor Hurt!
After paying homage to previous Nightwing stories in volume 2, and tying up loose ends from pre-Rebirth in volume 1, volume 3 is the Batman & Robin era's time to be referenced heavily. Bringing Robin back into the fray and revisiting his and Dick's dynamic is great fun, and still just as fresh and exciting as before. They're both in very different places in their lives now though, which makes for very different, more mature conversations too. The drama surrounding Dick and his new girlfriend is also well-realised, if a little obviously concluded, but it's all good in the long-run.
Also included is a fill-in issue that has Wally West pop over from Titans for a guys night out, which is a nice palette cleanser between longer arcs, and also gives Dick a friend his own age that he can relate to after spending five issues talking to a thirteen year old. This one seems throwaway at first glance, but the technology introduced here becomes very important in the next arc.
Javier Fernandez returns to this volume, bringing some more gritty realism to the art after Marcus To's very bright and clean look in volume 2 - also along for the ride is Minkyu Jung, who steps up for a few fill-in pages in the latter issues.
The actual story itself can meander a little, and relies on the same 'Actually, it was THIS person in charge!' type of cliffhanger a bit heavily, but Nightwing's still going strong here.
Poor Nightwing gets put through the wringer in this third Rebirth volume as not only does Professor Pyg return to menace both him and Robin, but also the despicable villain of Batman RIP and beyond, Doctor Hurt!
After paying homage to previous Nightwing stories in volume 2, and tying up loose ends from pre-Rebirth in volume 1, volume 3 is the Batman & Robin era's time to be referenced heavily. Bringing Robin back into the fray and revisiting his and Dick's dynamic is great fun, and still just as fresh and exciting as before. They're both in very different places in their lives now though, which makes for very different, more mature conversations too. The drama surrounding Dick and his new girlfriend is also well-realised, if a little obviously concluded, but it's all good in the long-run.
Also included is a fill-in issue that has Wally West pop over from Titans for a guys night out, which is a nice palette cleanser between longer arcs, and also gives Dick a friend his own age that he can relate to after spending five issues talking to a thirteen year old. This one seems throwaway at first glance, but the technology introduced here becomes very important in the next arc.
Javier Fernandez returns to this volume, bringing some more gritty realism to the art after Marcus To's very bright and clean look in volume 2 - also along for the ride is Minkyu Jung, who steps up for a few fill-in pages in the latter issues.
The actual story itself can meander a little, and relies on the same 'Actually, it was THIS person in charge!' type of cliffhanger a bit heavily, but Nightwing's still going strong here.
January 11, 2023
3.5 rounded up! i absolutely loved damian and all the insight into dick’s character
November 23, 2024
A family affair, in every sense of the word.
Without being revolutionary, the main story can be read without displeasure, but it's the subplots and the characters that shine. The relationship between Nightwing, Damian and Shawn is particularly well written and arguably the main interest of the book.
Seeley really writes Nightwing as I imagined him: serious but with a sense of humour, an iron-clad moral compass, a huge sense of responsibilty and commendable empathy. He's definitely his own man, fully armed to face the future, whether in civilian clothes or in Spandex. I really discovered the character with this series and I love what Seeley does with him.
Confession: I even liked Damian in this episode. No small feat, believe me.
Without being revolutionary, the main story can be read without displeasure, but it's the subplots and the characters that shine. The relationship between Nightwing, Damian and Shawn is particularly well written and arguably the main interest of the book.
Seeley really writes Nightwing as I imagined him: serious but with a sense of humour, an iron-clad moral compass, a huge sense of responsibilty and commendable empathy. He's definitely his own man, fully armed to face the future, whether in civilian clothes or in Spandex. I really discovered the character with this series and I love what Seeley does with him.
Confession: I even liked Damian in this episode. No small feat, believe me.
August 12, 2022
Oh i really loved this one, it's bringing back old memories of the days Dick and Damian were fighting crimes together.
May 25, 2018
After being so unimpressed with the previous volume of this series, I wasn't sure I wanted to keep going with it, but I'm glad I did. Richard is much more enjoyable when partnered with Damien.
I thought for a few minutes that they were going to really draw on the multiversal fallout thing as the source of a new villain who calls himself Deathwing, but that was a red herring. Instead, we get a well-written clash with Professor Pyg and some of his "creations." I'm so glad Grant Morrison created that character ... okay, I had to check to confirm that I remembered that correctly, and in so doing I found out his first appearance was in Batman #666! If that isn't a strong omen for his lingering potency as a villain, I don't know what is!
I'm less excited for the villain they reveal at the end of this volume - Tiger Shark - if only because Tim Seeley has already pitted Greyson against several other characters with similar animal names. I'm also a tad confused about his current love's backstory - they describe her as a reformed supervillain, but all they showed us of that was more like a 15-year-old graffiti artist who was taken in by an iconoclast. Tagging shit in public =/= "supervillainy," but in the world of Batman, I suppose even jaywalkers are considered "criminals." Ugh.
I thought for a few minutes that they were going to really draw on the multiversal fallout thing as the source of a new villain who calls himself Deathwing, but that was a red herring. Instead, we get a well-written clash with Professor Pyg and some of his "creations." I'm so glad Grant Morrison created that character ... okay, I had to check to confirm that I remembered that correctly, and in so doing I found out his first appearance was in Batman #666! If that isn't a strong omen for his lingering potency as a villain, I don't know what is!
I'm less excited for the villain they reveal at the end of this volume - Tiger Shark - if only because Tim Seeley has already pitted Greyson against several other characters with similar animal names. I'm also a tad confused about his current love's backstory - they describe her as a reformed supervillain, but all they showed us of that was more like a 15-year-old graffiti artist who was taken in by an iconoclast. Tagging shit in public =/= "supervillainy," but in the world of Batman, I suppose even jaywalkers are considered "criminals." Ugh.
August 9, 2021
For every good idea or moment in this book there's an equally bad one or one that's just half-baked.
Having Dick and Damian reunite and talk about how Dick *almost* decided to raise Damian as his own kid is a wonderful topic for a story. Writing Damian like an obnoxious and pathetic 10 year old throwing a tantrum is not (Admittedly, writers like Peter Tomasi, Tom Taylor and, and Joshua Williamson have spoiled me with their takes on the character, but I could not STAND Seeley's voice for Damian).
Having Dick and Shawn have a pregnancy scare is nice way to hear Dick think his way through his feelings about being a father, but we never get to hear Shawn's feelings on the matter. If she's interested in raising a kid, if at all. Instead, she's the damsel in distress for over half the book and its a HUGE mistep.
The Batman nerd in me also really liked Seeley dragging out the obscure character, Deathwing, back into the limelight, but his origin felt unsatisfactory, and made me wish he had a more direct connection to the events of Dark Nights: Metal.
I recently remembered that, at the time this book was written, DC went from publishing their books once a month to bi-weekly. That little bit of context explains a lot about the zig-zagging quality of this series, but I was still frustrated and disappointed re-reading this years later.
Having Dick and Damian reunite and talk about how Dick *almost* decided to raise Damian as his own kid is a wonderful topic for a story. Writing Damian like an obnoxious and pathetic 10 year old throwing a tantrum is not (Admittedly, writers like Peter Tomasi, Tom Taylor and, and Joshua Williamson have spoiled me with their takes on the character, but I could not STAND Seeley's voice for Damian).
Having Dick and Shawn have a pregnancy scare is nice way to hear Dick think his way through his feelings about being a father, but we never get to hear Shawn's feelings on the matter. If she's interested in raising a kid, if at all. Instead, she's the damsel in distress for over half the book and its a HUGE mistep.
The Batman nerd in me also really liked Seeley dragging out the obscure character, Deathwing, back into the limelight, but his origin felt unsatisfactory, and made me wish he had a more direct connection to the events of Dark Nights: Metal.
I recently remembered that, at the time this book was written, DC went from publishing their books once a month to bi-weekly. That little bit of context explains a lot about the zig-zagging quality of this series, but I was still frustrated and disappointed re-reading this years later.
February 4, 2018
This was ...OK. Vol. 2 was really fun for me, so this feels like the series took a step back again. I mean, Nightwing just got to Blüdhaven, so why can't he stay there for more than one volume and plant some roots? Put up his stockinged feet, and stay for a bit?
Anyway, this volume kicks off with Damian, who's getting trolled on Twitter.
#BestRobin
So, of course, Damian has to be his most annoying self and go to Blüdhaven to confront Dick ASAP. Unfortunately, Dick finds himself dealing with some Momma Drama when Damian arrives, and they both take a Batmobile (their old Batmobile) to Paris.
Now, it's almost as if DC heard me say I liked the art better in Nightwing, Volume 2: Back to Blüdhaven, so they had to bring back Javier Fernández, whose art I hate (sorry).
Example:
Terrible.
Back to the story, generally I like Damian. Or rather, I like how Damian interacts with Batman + the other batkids in the batfamily. I really enjoyed reading the Batman and Robin series by Peter J. Tomasi, but I refuse to read anything else by Grant Morrison, so I feel like I'm missing out a little bit on the head nod that this volume is to when Dick was Batman & Damian was his Robin. Dick and Damian obviously have a good report, but other Batman readers may have gotten more out of this than I did at times.
I thought the whole Momma Drama came a little too soon for us readers. Yes, we all know Dick is having sex, but to see the word in print was weird, and to hear him worry about being a good father was even weirder.
I'm not a fan of Professor Pyg. He's max creepy, and a little lame (though he somehow manages to be a formidable foe with his dollotrons).
And I'm not sure I followed the logic, but I believe Dr. Hurt wanted Nightwing to lose everything, in order to be strong enough to face what's to come? Something bad is coming... But Dr. Hurt wants Nightwing to succeed to "survive the dawn to come"?
That seems like a great intention with bad followthrough. Which begs the question, why does Dr. Hurt care about Nightwing?
The makeup between Dick and Damian was adorable & very bromantic.
And two thumbs up for when Dick cries "I've never let myself be defined by tragedy."! And that's what makes him Nightwing, not Batman.
Anyway, this volume kicks off with Damian, who's getting trolled on Twitter.
#BestRobin
So, of course, Damian has to be his most annoying self and go to Blüdhaven to confront Dick ASAP. Unfortunately, Dick finds himself dealing with some Momma Drama when Damian arrives, and they both take a Batmobile (their old Batmobile) to Paris.
Now, it's almost as if DC heard me say I liked the art better in Nightwing, Volume 2: Back to Blüdhaven, so they had to bring back Javier Fernández, whose art I hate (sorry).
Example:
Terrible.
Back to the story, generally I like Damian. Or rather, I like how Damian interacts with Batman + the other batkids in the batfamily. I really enjoyed reading the Batman and Robin series by Peter J. Tomasi, but I refuse to read anything else by Grant Morrison, so I feel like I'm missing out a little bit on the head nod that this volume is to when Dick was Batman & Damian was his Robin. Dick and Damian obviously have a good report, but other Batman readers may have gotten more out of this than I did at times.
I thought the whole Momma Drama came a little too soon for us readers. Yes, we all know Dick is having sex, but to see the word in print was weird, and to hear him worry about being a good father was even weirder.
I'm not a fan of Professor Pyg. He's max creepy, and a little lame (though he somehow manages to be a formidable foe with his dollotrons).
And I'm not sure I followed the logic, but I believe Dr. Hurt wanted Nightwing to lose everything, in order to be strong enough to face what's to come? Something bad is coming... But Dr. Hurt wants Nightwing to succeed to "survive the dawn to come"?
That seems like a great intention with bad followthrough. Which begs the question, why does Dr. Hurt care about Nightwing?
The makeup between Dick and Damian was adorable & very bromantic.
And two thumbs up for when Dick cries "I've never let myself be defined by tragedy."! And that's what makes him Nightwing, not Batman.
October 30, 2017
Big thumbs up to Tim Seeley and the artist team for created a a great psychological adventure. It is really hard to describe what happens in Nightwing vol. 3 without confusing newcomers and this particular volume actually plants the seeds for the upcoming DC comics event Dark Nights: Metal. I have to admit I only really got joy out of this book because I am currently collecting the Dark Nights Metal event and the Gotham Resistance Metal tie-in books particularly reference the events in this book. If you haven't been paying attention while reading the current DC comics series other dimensions and the DC Multiverse play a big role in all the series. This volume is the first time that if you really pay attention Seeley reminds readers that Damian Wayne and Dick Grayson' s whole adventures as Batman & Robin during the Grant Morrison era are canon. But the real twist is that Dick Grayson finds himself after his run in with Professor Pyg's dollotrons having visions of other versions of himself and Damian. I really recommend fans who are having trouble following what happens plot wise in this book to wait for the Metal event to be collected and go back to read this volume. I thought that the return of Deathwing was interesting and done in a good way. I was not surprise by what happens to Dick & his current love interest relationship since a new writer and artist team will be taking over the series soon. In short I enjoyed the book and the art was okay. The Wally West (Flash ) team up story at the back of this volume felt more like a one-shot or annual story. The artwork could have been better but it was a fun read.
February 28, 2018
5 🌟
Nice to see Dick back for another adventure. Cool that he got a girlfriend, Shawn. Happy that he got a visit from Damian. Professor Pyg seems to need a psychiatrist/psychologist. Dr. Hurt also seems nuts. RIP Deathwing and the other Robin. Nice to see Wally too.
Can't wait to read Nightwing, volume 4: Blockbuster!!!!
Nice to see Dick back for another adventure. Cool that he got a girlfriend, Shawn. Happy that he got a visit from Damian. Professor Pyg seems to need a psychiatrist/psychologist. Dr. Hurt also seems nuts. RIP Deathwing and the other Robin. Nice to see Wally too.
Can't wait to read Nightwing, volume 4: Blockbuster!!!!
November 30, 2017
How do you balance your life of a superhero and of an everyday guy? Dick Grayson might find out very soon, as his girlfriend, Shawn Tsang, is "late". While he questions whether or not he should be a father, someone else is questioning his ability to be Nightwing. Enter Deathwing, who turns out to be a pawn of Professor Pyg, but causes quite a bit of damage. Battle, both physical and psychological, is waged, and with the help of Robin, all works out in the end.
The last issue in this Volume is the most entertaining, as it features a team up between Nightwing and Flash (Wally West). Much enjoyed banter back and forth, and they make a good team fighting together.
My main concern with this Volume was "Dr. Hurt". As I read through this, I kept wondering if this was just some obscure villain that I had forgotten over the years. I looked him up on the DC Wiki, and found that he is a time-displaced ancestor of Bruce by the name of Thomas Wayne (not Bruce's dad). You would think that they would have brought that up at some point, but because they didn't I was left wondering why this villain was given so much consideration. This, unfortunately for me, keeps Nightwing from becoming the next book it can be in this Rebirth Era.
Recommend, but with slight hesitation.
The last issue in this Volume is the most entertaining, as it features a team up between Nightwing and Flash (Wally West). Much enjoyed banter back and forth, and they make a good team fighting together.
My main concern with this Volume was "Dr. Hurt". As I read through this, I kept wondering if this was just some obscure villain that I had forgotten over the years. I looked him up on the DC Wiki, and found that he is a time-displaced ancestor of Bruce by the name of Thomas Wayne (not Bruce's dad). You would think that they would have brought that up at some point, but because they didn't I was left wondering why this villain was given so much consideration. This, unfortunately for me, keeps Nightwing from becoming the next book it can be in this Rebirth Era.
Recommend, but with slight hesitation.
July 8, 2018
One of my favourite things to have come out of Batman comics this century was the Damian Wayne/Dick Grayson team of Batman and Robin. Their dynamic was fresh and funny and it took the mantle in a completely new direction. So, I was quite pleased when I saw that this volume of Nightwing was a throwback to those days..... I just love to read these two heroes picking at each other!
Unfortunately, the story wasn’t the greatest. The plot felt like a revolving door for forgotten villains and the artwork, especially the storyboarding, gets really sloppy around the halfway point never to improve.
Even though it had me smiling at the start, this was not a great collection for Nightwing.
3/5
Unfortunately, the story wasn’t the greatest. The plot felt like a revolving door for forgotten villains and the artwork, especially the storyboarding, gets really sloppy around the halfway point never to improve.
Even though it had me smiling at the start, this was not a great collection for Nightwing.
3/5
September 30, 2018
Some decently fun stuff here. Glad I restarted this series.
March 20, 2025
This whole series is kind of just a fundamentally bad Nightwing series because it takes away all of these things that are very important for Nightwing as a character:
- His complicated relationship with Batman
- His complicated reasons for moving to Bludhaven -
- His complicated relationship with murder, what drives him to kill, and why he doesn't want to
If you are not already a fan of Nightwing as a character, I think this story is pretty good! It is such a let down as a Nightwing fan.
My main issue with this particular volume:
Edit for clarity: I don't necessarily think it is OOC for Nightwing to threaten to kill someone. I do think that because they neglected to explore this in more depth and give more of an explanation here, it is OOC. (OOC in this case meaning going against some of the most commonly restated and restated values that Dick has that make him an interesting character to read about, without showing development as to why he has changed.) I would be more willing to give this comic the benefit of the doubt and make up my own headcanons about Dick's motivations in that moment if the story wasn't an overall 2-3 star comic with barely anything else to latch onto.
- His complicated relationship with Batman
- His complicated reasons for moving to Bludhaven -
- His complicated relationship with murder, what drives him to kill, and why he doesn't want to
If you are not already a fan of Nightwing as a character, I think this story is pretty good! It is such a let down as a Nightwing fan.
My main issue with this particular volume:
Edit for clarity: I don't necessarily think it is OOC for Nightwing to threaten to kill someone. I do think that because they neglected to explore this in more depth and give more of an explanation here, it is OOC. (OOC in this case meaning going against some of the most commonly restated and restated values that Dick has that make him an interesting character to read about, without showing development as to why he has changed.) I would be more willing to give this comic the benefit of the doubt and make up my own headcanons about Dick's motivations in that moment if the story wasn't an overall 2-3 star comic with barely anything else to latch onto.
July 30, 2022
English/Spanish review:
After the huge cliffhanger of the last volume. A guy kidnaps Nightwing's girlfriend (who I'm sure,won't last so idgaf) and oh,boy even worse,kidnapped and might be pregnant (probably,nope). Then Damian gets jealous for his turn getting the mantle and it's time for a team-up. The relationship between these two is great,like them being pretty much opposites but bros at the end. I might be getting to like that little motherfucker a bit.
Oh,I'm glad the didn't make Deathwing a thing. I mean,if well done,might have been good but eeeh. Instead we get him as an introduction of Professor Pyg on this run AND some Morrison's era villains. I hope they since it'd be nice for Dick to have an interesting Rogue list.
Best volume yet,still not as good as I want this to be but I see the potential here.
Español:
Después del gran suspenso del último volumen. Un tipo secuestra a la novia de Nightwing (que estoy seguro, no durará tanto) y, oh, peor aún, secuestrada y podría estar embarazada (probablemente, no). Luego, Damian se pone celoso por su turno de obtener el manto y es hora de formar un equipo. La relación entre estos dos es genial, como si fueran bastante opuestos pero hermanos al final. Podría estar empezando a gustarme un poco ese pequeño hijo de puta.
Uf,me alegro de que no hayan hecho de Deathwing una cosa. Onda,si bien hecho,podría haber sido bueno,pero eeeh. En cambio,lo tenemos como una introducción del profesor Pyg en esta run Y algunos villanos de la era de Morrison. Espero que ya que sería bueno que Dick tuviera una lista interesante de villanos.
El mejor volumen hasta ahora,todavía no es tan bueno como quiero que sea pero veo el potencial acá.
After the huge cliffhanger of the last volume. A guy kidnaps Nightwing's girlfriend (who I'm sure,won't last so idgaf) and oh,boy even worse,kidnapped and might be pregnant (probably,nope). Then Damian gets jealous for his turn getting the mantle and it's time for a team-up. The relationship between these two is great,like them being pretty much opposites but bros at the end. I might be getting to like that little motherfucker a bit.
Oh,I'm glad the didn't make Deathwing a thing. I mean,if well done,might have been good but eeeh. Instead we get him as an introduction of Professor Pyg on this run AND some Morrison's era villains. I hope they since it'd be nice for Dick to have an interesting Rogue list.
Best volume yet,still not as good as I want this to be but I see the potential here.
Español:
Después del gran suspenso del último volumen. Un tipo secuestra a la novia de Nightwing (que estoy seguro, no durará tanto) y, oh, peor aún, secuestrada y podría estar embarazada (probablemente, no). Luego, Damian se pone celoso por su turno de obtener el manto y es hora de formar un equipo. La relación entre estos dos es genial, como si fueran bastante opuestos pero hermanos al final. Podría estar empezando a gustarme un poco ese pequeño hijo de puta.
Uf,me alegro de que no hayan hecho de Deathwing una cosa. Onda,si bien hecho,podría haber sido bueno,pero eeeh. En cambio,lo tenemos como una introducción del profesor Pyg en esta run Y algunos villanos de la era de Morrison. Espero que ya que sería bueno que Dick tuviera una lista interesante de villanos.
El mejor volumen hasta ahora,todavía no es tan bueno como quiero que sea pero veo el potencial acá.
December 31, 2024
Better. I still don’t care for Dick’s romantic relationship with Shawn because we skipped over the development entirely, but this volume is mostly about Dick’s brotherly relationship with Damian Wayne. And if there’s anything to know about me it’s that I care a lot about Damian Wayne. I think it’s successfully conveyed here that Damian’s bratty egotism is self-defense to mask how much the violence around him, especially to other children (and animals, though that’s not relevant here), affects him. It’s also an act to divert from his vulnerabilities— the insecurity of his future, his place in the family legacy, and beyond that, his place in the lives of the people he cares about. That’s explored pretty beautifully here in his conversations with Dick. This book toys with the idea of Damian as the heir to the Nightwing legacy, not Batman, and I’ve always found that concept really interesting.
After the Nightwing Must Die arc wraps up, there’s a team-up issue with Wally West’s the Flash. This is another one of the best relationships Dick has, and the way they complement each others’ skills and make each other better is on display here.
After the Nightwing Must Die arc wraps up, there’s a team-up issue with Wally West’s the Flash. This is another one of the best relationships Dick has, and the way they complement each others’ skills and make each other better is on display here.
February 9, 2018
Man, I love these two idiots. This was my favorite of the three so far.
The relationship dynamic between Dick and Damien is always wonderful to watch, and I adore how attached Damien is to Dick, even if he's loath to admit it.
I was also really pleased to see Shawn sticking around. I genuinely thought she was just going to get tossed away for Character Development Reasons, (which would have been a shame because she's an interesting character) so I'm very glad I was wrong, and that this book played on that expectation & made a mockery of the whole theme of transformative tragedy. Dick's character is great because he's the light to Batman's darkness, and seeing him remain true to that no matter what's thrown at him always feels good.
The relationship dynamic between Dick and Damien is always wonderful to watch, and I adore how attached Damien is to Dick, even if he's loath to admit it.
I was also really pleased to see Shawn sticking around. I genuinely thought she was just going to get tossed away for Character Development Reasons, (which would have been a shame because she's an interesting character) so I'm very glad I was wrong, and that this book played on that expectation & made a mockery of the whole theme of transformative tragedy. Dick's character is great because he's the light to Batman's darkness, and seeing him remain true to that no matter what's thrown at him always feels good.
Want to read
October 9, 2017i want to read this book because i'm really into comic books and this seems like a book i would really enjoy. i usually like books with batman characters like robin. reviews are mostly positives and say that this is a good read.
November 13, 2017
I couldn't get into this like the other Nightwing issues, the overall story was a little underwhelming. Professor Pym is an odd villain in general but the story was the biggest problem, not too sure Damien (Robin) was necessary. The action is relentless and I Seeley has Nightwings sarcasm right in there but this was a little step down from the last few volumes. I'm not a big fan of the current arc and I think it is only going to get worse for me.
November 19, 2017
The series just keeps getting better.
September 18, 2025
Puntaje: 4.4 Estrellas.
Pronto subiré la reseña
Pronto subiré la reseña
June 3, 2017
I read these is in single issues and I don't know what to think of this volume. I love Nightwing, he's a chipper character with a positive outlook despite his bleak upbringing and his life with Batman, but the writers never seem to do him as much justice.
This series started off well, focusing on Dick's emergence as a person and solo hero, but ever since his move to Blüdhaven, his arc has been stultified by a tacked-on romance. I don't care for romance in the fiction I consume, as it rarely stems from a realistic understanding of chemistry, friendship and love. Romance in popular media is always about putting the two best looking (read: conventionally attractive) people together, irrespective of story arc.
Nightwing gets trapped in the same illogical cycle. Nightwing, Volume 2: Back to Blüdhaven introduced Shawn Tsang (who I originally thought was transgender, but no such luck), and immediately made Nightwing fall in love with her. It gave the impression that looks were more important to Dick than personality - because Shawn isn't written with a personality.
This volume takes off from the previous one where Shawn is kidnapped. But, and I can't believe I read this, it precedes her kidnapping with a message to Dick that implies she may be expecting his child. So, most of the story involves Dick wondering and fretting about what kind of father he'll be. None of it involves the woman who is carrying the child, by the way. Her perspective is never given. She's tied up and off-screen for the most part - which is great, because I don't like the character or her overwrought drama, but just means the writers didn't care enough about her in the first place, other than as the perfect damsel-in-distress plot device. It's super annoying.
Then there's Damian Wayne. Who thought it was a good idea to write such an arrogant, self-entitled jerk as a hero? The entire volume starts with him picking a fight over who could potentially take on the mantle of Batman, once Bruce hangs up his cape. Damian's ready to fight Dick over this! And Nightwing has to put up with it? What were the writers thinking!
I can't stand Damian. They need to reign him in and make the character readable - people aren't always good, but self-entitlement and arrogance are off-putting, doesn't matter what your last name is.
Now, on to the story - Dr. Hurt is making Dollotrons, conveniently resembling Nightwing and Damian. Deathwing, the Nightwing alternative, kidnapped Shawn and keeps trying to beat the crap out of Dick and Damian. They get saved in the nick of time by the Robin dollotron. He's actually a boy named Dinesh, whose vague memories of his past have made him defect from Dr. Hurt's mission.
There's plenty of action, some hairy cliffhangers and all ends well in the end. Trouble with most of the action was that Dick and Damian were saved from particularly impossible situations because the dollotrons turned on their maker. Even after Shawn is rescued she does precious little. Bar one fight scene, she does nothing else. Also, when she's rescued she changes into the outfit worn by the dollotron version of herself. Like... ew. Who does that? Why didn't she just stick to the singlet and denim shorts she was wearing? At least those were her own clothes, and probably more comfortable than the one-piece, pantless swimming costume she steals. And where did she change? How did she have the time? So many questions - this is so needless.
In the end,plot-device Shawn finds out she's not pregnant and Grayson is off the hook. She takes this moment to take a break from their relationship, which is awesome, because I don't want her back in this series at all. Ever. Again. If you have to write women characters, write them as well-rounded individuals with their own storylines and purpose, rather than just as nubile, teenage eye candy love interests for the hero.
I hope the series picks up again, because this went down hill fast. It doesn't even feel like the same person who wrote Nightwing, Volume 1: Better Than Batman created the succeeding two volumes. The writers need to understand that just because you're writing Nightwing - one of the few, if not only, DC characters written for women - you don't need to populate the book with archaic ideas of what a male hero should be. He doesn't need to be balanced out with a hot young woman every panel, he doesn't need a superficial romance to make him seem human and he definitely doesn't need to have women on his mind all the time to be considered male.
Can we just have Nightwing fighting bad guys, doing good deeds, cracking jokes and being gorgeous? Can DC just give their non-straight, non-cis-male readers this one thing?
This series started off well, focusing on Dick's emergence as a person and solo hero, but ever since his move to Blüdhaven, his arc has been stultified by a tacked-on romance. I don't care for romance in the fiction I consume, as it rarely stems from a realistic understanding of chemistry, friendship and love. Romance in popular media is always about putting the two best looking (read: conventionally attractive) people together, irrespective of story arc.
Nightwing gets trapped in the same illogical cycle. Nightwing, Volume 2: Back to Blüdhaven introduced Shawn Tsang (who I originally thought was transgender, but no such luck), and immediately made Nightwing fall in love with her. It gave the impression that looks were more important to Dick than personality - because Shawn isn't written with a personality.
This volume takes off from the previous one where Shawn is kidnapped. But, and I can't believe I read this, it precedes her kidnapping with a message to Dick that implies she may be expecting his child. So, most of the story involves Dick wondering and fretting about what kind of father he'll be. None of it involves the woman who is carrying the child, by the way. Her perspective is never given. She's tied up and off-screen for the most part - which is great, because I don't like the character or her overwrought drama, but just means the writers didn't care enough about her in the first place, other than as the perfect damsel-in-distress plot device. It's super annoying.
Then there's Damian Wayne. Who thought it was a good idea to write such an arrogant, self-entitled jerk as a hero? The entire volume starts with him picking a fight over who could potentially take on the mantle of Batman, once Bruce hangs up his cape. Damian's ready to fight Dick over this! And Nightwing has to put up with it? What were the writers thinking!
I can't stand Damian. They need to reign him in and make the character readable - people aren't always good, but self-entitlement and arrogance are off-putting, doesn't matter what your last name is.
Now, on to the story - Dr. Hurt is making Dollotrons, conveniently resembling Nightwing and Damian. Deathwing, the Nightwing alternative, kidnapped Shawn and keeps trying to beat the crap out of Dick and Damian. They get saved in the nick of time by the Robin dollotron. He's actually a boy named Dinesh, whose vague memories of his past have made him defect from Dr. Hurt's mission.
There's plenty of action, some hairy cliffhangers and all ends well in the end. Trouble with most of the action was that Dick and Damian were saved from particularly impossible situations because the dollotrons turned on their maker. Even after Shawn is rescued she does precious little. Bar one fight scene, she does nothing else. Also, when she's rescued she changes into the outfit worn by the dollotron version of herself. Like... ew. Who does that? Why didn't she just stick to the singlet and denim shorts she was wearing? At least those were her own clothes, and probably more comfortable than the one-piece, pantless swimming costume she steals. And where did she change? How did she have the time? So many questions - this is so needless.
In the end,
I hope the series picks up again, because this went down hill fast. It doesn't even feel like the same person who wrote Nightwing, Volume 1: Better Than Batman created the succeeding two volumes. The writers need to understand that just because you're writing Nightwing - one of the few, if not only, DC characters written for women - you don't need to populate the book with archaic ideas of what a male hero should be. He doesn't need to be balanced out with a hot young woman every panel, he doesn't need a superficial romance to make him seem human and he definitely doesn't need to have women on his mind all the time to be considered male.
Can we just have Nightwing fighting bad guys, doing good deeds, cracking jokes and being gorgeous? Can DC just give their non-straight, non-cis-male readers this one thing?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2025
i am a girl of simple tastes. you show me damian wayne admitting he cares deeply about dick grayson and is terrified of losing him, and you show me dick grayson admitting that one of his more shameful thoughts was that he would make a better father to damian than bruce would, and i order seconds and thirds and they eventually kick me out of the restaurant because they're worried about me.
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