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Nightwing #125 dives headfirst into the growing tension between Commissioner Maggie Sawyer and Dick Grayson. Blüdhaven has never been a city of clean hands, but when a cop in Maggie’s unit turns up dead, the already fragile relationship between law enforcement and vigilante justice begins to crack under the weight of secrets and suspicion. What begins as a standoff becomes something far more dangerous—a murder mystery that threatens to pull Maggie and Nightwing into a deeper conspiracy, and force both to question who they can truly trust.
Nightwing #125 – DC Comics
Creative Team:  Dan Watters (Writer), Francesco Francavilla, (Art and Colors), Wes Abbott (Letters)
The Writing:
Dan Watters brings a refreshing energy to Nightwing #125, channeling the vibe of a slow-burning crime drama with a modern twist. From the very first page, there’s a distinct old-school cop show feel—gritty, procedural, and filled with the kind of brooding tension that makes every panel buzz with unspoken conflict. The looming clash between Maggie and Dick that’s been teased in past issues is finally confronted—but not in the way readers might expect. Instead, Watters turns the focus to the unexpected murder of one of Maggie’s own officers, throwing a wrench into the building narrative and adding a layer of mystery that propels the story into new territory.
The dialogue is sharp and pointed, and Watters does an excellent job letting the tension simmer rather than explode. There’s a lot of subtext in how Maggie and Nightwing interact—two people with the same goal but vastly different methods. The issue raises timely questions about the abuse of authority, institutional rot, and the moral ambiguity of justice in a broken system. It’s not preachy, but it’s pointed, and it makes you think about where lines are drawn—and who gets to draw them.
The world-building in this issue is especially strong. Watters continues to flesh out the dark corners of Blüdhaven, expanding the city’s moral complexity while keeping the focus tight on the central characters. Every conversation, every beat of the investigation, builds toward something bigger. You can feel the tension tightening like a noose around both Maggie and Dick as the mystery unfolds.
Check Out Nightwing #124 Review Here
Art, Colors, Letters and Layouts:
Francesco Francavilla’s art is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here—and it’s stunning. His noir sensibilities are perfectly suited for a detective-driven issue like this one. Using a limited color palette—deep blues, stark oranges, and harsh reds—Francavilla builds an atmosphere dripping with suspense and unease. The shadows feel alive, curling around characters like secrets waiting to be uncovered. The city feels oppressive, not just in its architecture but in how it’s lit—or not lit.
Each page is meticulously designed to feel like a frame from a crime thriller. Francavilla strategically uses pops of color to draw the eye and emphasize key moments, emotions, or actions, making those beats hit harder. Whether it’s a character’s eyes glinting in surprise or blood stark against the night, every color choice enhances the storytelling. You don’t just read this book—you feel it creeping into your bones.
Wes Abbott’s lettering seals the deal. His clean font choices keep the dialogue readable but never distracting, while subtle changes in placement and balloon shape add nuance to the pacing. The real standout is the killer’s dialogue, delivered in black speech balloons with white text—a simple but highly effective technique that gives their voice a sinister, almost otherworldly presence. It’s eerie, memorable, and elevates the menace of each appearance.
Final Thoughts
Nightwing #125 isn’t just another superhero comic—it’s a moody, mature crime story dressed in spandex. Watters, Francavilla, and Abbott deliver an issue that challenges our perceptions of justice, loyalty, and power, all while keeping us hooked with a well-paced mystery and dynamic character drama. Maggie Sawyer continues to be one of the most compelling supporting characters in the DCU right now, and her arc in this storyline could be a game-changer for how readers view the Blüdhaven police force.
This arc has serious potential to become a standout moment in the Nightwing series. If the creative team keeps this pace, tone, and thematic depth, we’re in for another great ride!
Overall Grade: 8.75/10
Thanks for checking out my review for the NI Comics Bullpen. Let me know what you thought of this latest issue in the comments below and hit me up on any social media platform here! Till next time…
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