OMG! Nightwing #118 Almost Made Me Riot (But It Had a Happy Ending!)
Nightwing #118: A Near-Perfect Finale…Almost Ruined!
Let me tell you something. I almost lost it halfway through Nightwing #118. This final issue by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo (the amazing conclusion to their run that began back in 2021 with Nightwing #78) is mostly brilliant. It brings some epic developments to the storyline; making for that truly amazing concluding installment which features this final showdown. There's so much emotion. This article will not hesitate to call this final issue truly unforgettable.
Dick Grayson returns to Blüdhaven after conquering his fear of heights; it adds to his growing capabilities. His enemy Heartless has been impersonating him, sabotaging everything Nightwing has done; making this battle a significant development not simply about defeating this particularly tough adversary. It ends up affecting the way Blüdhaven operates moving forward and creates a truly touching final climax, but only after some intense scenes had transpired beforehand!
But then… this truly near-disastrous development that involved his adorable pit bull Haley (also known as Bitewing). And Bitewing ends up taking a bullet meant for Dick (THIS is where I nearly exploded). This incredible loyalty; and near-death experience is completely impactful; adding to that deeply sentimental bond; a significant thematic development from many standpoints.
Bitewing: A DC Super-Pet For the Ages!
Haley/Bitewing? Totally adorable! Dick rescued her as a pup and she quickly becomes fiercely loyal and a complete sweetheart! And let's not forget the amazing name! Fans picked that name! And Nite-Mite (that fifth-dimensional imp) gives her a super-suit and even the power of speech at some points! Seriously; who needs a better dog than her?
Her heroic moment really impacted readers like myself. Her sacrifice would seem logical given that immense loyalty, however, having this as her ending would seem quite cruel! That thought nearly broke me!
The Happy Ending: Bitewing Lives!
Luckily! Taylor and Redondo have some awesomely sweet mercy on their characters, because this epic run continues! That beautiful final page? Haley’s alive and well; happily beside Dick and Barbara! That perfect conclusion not only makes a memorable and fun ending, it prevents outrage that any author and creator should not make; and shows the sheer impact of this endearing dog.
That relief remains immense, especially in the context and tone established throughout the article. Tom Taylor remains truly masterful in creating stories that aren’t just emotionally impactful, but deeply sentimental and memorable in multiple levels, including making an important emotional hook involving this particular companion!
Conclusion: Nightwing #118: An Epic, Emotional Triumph!
Nightwing #118 is absolutely a triumph. That moment involving Bitewing threatens to ruin everything, but that ending moment saves it, creating that final emotional climax; not through just simply intense combat scenes alone; this ending demonstrates several elements which would be missed otherwise, especially those important elements of humanity which made that story arc completely engrossing and heartwarming.
