WARNING: Contains potential spoilers for NIGHTWING #118!
The award-winning film by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo Nightwing The race has officially concluded, ending an 84-year chapter in Dick Grayson’s story with a devastating death. This profound loss obliterates one of the hero’s deepest desires, the very motivation that led him to become Robin. While fans may find some solace in the fact that Original Boy Wonder has achieved some closure, the lingering question remains: is it really enough?
…this villain will always be remembered for taking away one of Dick’s greatest driving forces…
Nightwing #118 marks the bittersweet conclusion of Taylor and Redondo’s acclaimed three-year run, which resonated deeply with fans and critics alike through its emotional exploration of Dick Grayson’s most meaningful relationships.
Much of this run delved into Dick’s past, revisiting the tragic deaths of his parents while reintroducing Tony Zucco – the man responsible for their murders – into the Nightwing storyline. In a shocking turn of events, issue #118 culminates in the death of Tony Zucco, leaving Dick struggling with an unexpected and disturbing sense of loss.
Tony Zucco dies in Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo Grayson fallen End
Tony Zucco first appeared in Detective comics #38 (1940)
Tony Zucco is a long-standing villain in Batman lore who first appeared in Detective comics #38 (1940). He is famous for murdering eight-year-old Dick Grayson’s parents by severing their trapeze lines, causing them to plummet to their deaths. Driven by grief and anger, Dick sought revenge and planned to kill Zucco himself. However, after Bruce Wayne took Dick in as his pupil and later as his partner, Robin, he guided Dick to redirect his anger toward seeking justice rather than revenge. Since then, One of Dick’s greatest wishes was to see Zucco face justice. Still, in Nightwing #118, Tom Taylor officially closes the door on Dick witnessing Zucco being tried.
Readers who follow the run will remember several revelations about Dick’s origin story and his connection to the villainous Heartless. Heartless, also known as Shelton Lyle, was present at the circus the night Dick’s parents were murdered. Inspired by Zucco’s heinous act, Shelton chose to become a villain, creating a trick that involved stealing from their children’s parents by killing them. In issue #118, Shelton discovers that Tony intended to kill Dick that night, not his parents. Realizing that his idolization of Zucco was unfounded, Shelton turns on his partner in crime and kills him.ultimately robbing Dick of the justice he sought for his parents.
“I can do your justice.”: Heartless steals justice from Dick Grayson for the murder of his parents
Tony Zucco’s death marks the closing of an important chapter for Dick Grayson
Before using his heart ripper gun to shoot Zucco in the head, Shelton turns to Dick and says: “At least I can get something else out of you, Dick. I can do your justice. Cradling Haley, Dick’s recently shot beloved dog, Nightwing can only watch in horror as Heartless kills Zucco. While one might expect Dick to feel relief or even happiness at seeing his parents’ killer dead, he is anything but. His internal narration reveals that this is a particularly painful moment for him, as Zucco will never have to pay for the crimes he committed against Dick’s parents.
Zucco’s death marks the end of an 84-year chapter in Dick’s story. However, it is clear that despite his long struggle to bring closure to this part of his life, this was not how he wanted it to end. He hoped that Zucco would stand trial and find justice through Blüdhaven’s legal system. Although Nightwing eventually defeats Heartless, this villain will always be remembered for taking away one of Dick’s greatest driving forcesa motivation that defined his character for decades. Consequently, the trajectory of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo will forever be remembered for putting aside this significant part of Nightwing tradition.
Dan Watters will explore the emotional aftermath of Tony Zucco’s death in his Nightwing Run?
C card stock variant of Gleb Melnikov’s cover for Nightwing #119
With Nightwing #118 marking the end of Taylor and Redondo’s run, raises the question of whether the new creative team of Dan Watters and Dexter Soy will further explore the implications of Zucco’s death for Dick. It would make sense for this undesirable outcome to follow Nightwing into his new story arc and haunt him, whether it’s the regret of never seeing Zucco face justice or the potential relief Dick might feel over Zucco’s death, followed by guilt over that relief. . However, with the prior Nightwing #119 already focusing on a new meta-clown villain, Tony Zucco’s role in Dick’s narrative may have come to a permanent end.
Nightwing #118 is now available from DC Comics!
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NIGHTWING #118 (2024) |
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