Although Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo Nightwing The season is over, the new creative team is wasting no time in continuing the epic legacy of updating Dick Grayson’s iconic escrima sticks. This latest improvement isn’t just an update – it’s a game changer. With a level of lethality unmatched by previous designs, it is easily one of the most incredible and unforgettable transformations these weapons have ever undergone.
Nightwing may follow Batman’s code against lethal force, but the deadly potential of this upgrade is impossible to ignore.
The second installment of Dan Watters and Dexter Soy’s Nightwing run, issue #120, is set to hit comic book shelves on November 27, 2024. Until then, fans can dive into a four-page preview that picks up where issue #119 left off – Dick Grayson fighting for his life against Spheric Solutions’ high-tech security system after botched break-in investigation.
While the entire battle is packed with exciting action, one standout moment sees Dick wielding his Escrima sticks, introducing its latest upgrade: a highly concentrated laser capable of cutting steel.
Nightwing’s Escrima Sticks now function as a highly concentrated laser
Cover card variant B by Dan Panosian for Nightwing #120 (2024)
Thanks to Taylor and Redondo, Nightwing’s Escrima sticks have received a series of impressive upgrades. Before they ran, the main characteristic of the batons was to emit an electrical pulse, useful for stunning opponents in combat. While this remains a classic and iconic ability, Taylor and Redondo took the sticks to new heights, adding window-cutting and suction capabilities and even turning them into a fighting weapon. Additionally, they introduced a feature that allows Escrima sticks to combine into a bo team, making them more versatile than ever. In short, Nightwing’s signature weapons have accumulated a plethora of impressive improvements over the past few years.
Now, Watters and Soy have taken these upgrades even further by introducing a revolutionary feature: the Escrima sticks’ ability to produce a laser powerful enough to cut through metal with ease. This new ability is revealed when Dick jokes: “I have a new toy I’d like to try,” before using the laser to dismantle Spheric Solutions’ lethal security defense systems. Although this feature is only briefly shown in action, its potential is undeniable. Fans can already imagine a number of scenarios where this tool could be useful—such as cutting locks or other barriers.
Nightwing’s Laser Escrima Sticks speak to his unrivaled competence
Cover E 1:25 Card Stock Variant by Gleb Melnikov for Nightwing #120 (2024)
Nightwing may follow Batman’s code against lethal force, but the deadly potential of this upgrade is impossible to ignore. The laser’s ability to cut metal with ease makes it clear how catastrophic the damage can be to human skin, muscles and bones. What stands out, however, is how simple it is to activate it – just press a button. While this simplicity would be troubling in anyone else’s hands, it demonstrates Dick’s unparalleled competence and control. Nightwing has repeatedly proven that it can handle even the most dangerous tools with ease and confidence, so the risk of accidental activation is small for it.
Nightwing #120 is available November 27, 2024, from DC Comics!