DC Comics has just revealed the artwork for an incredible new variant cover for Nightwing's 80th issue releasing this May. Not only that, but the new creative team for the series will also unveil a brand new villain in this same issue, ready to plague Blüdhaven and provide Dick Grayson with all kinds of new challenges in DC's Infinite Frontier. While the former Robin has been out of the game for a while, a new era is coming for Nightwing, one that promises to be pretty entertaining and perilous.
In the last few years, Dick Grayson has been suffering from a severe case of amnesia due to a bullet wound he received from the Russian assassin known as KGBeast. Unable to recollect his past, Grayson decided to leave the life he no longer recognized behind, choosing instead to become Ric Grayson. However, Nightwing has since come back thanks to the return of his memories in last summer's Joker War. Once the Clown Prince of Crime's reign of terror ended in Gotham, Grayson got to work trying to find his new normal, while also getting an unexpected rematch with the KGBeast, whose reputation had been tarnished due to Grayson's survival. Once Grayson took care of KGBeast, it seemed clear that Dick would once again return to his role as Nighwing in Blüdhaven.
While January and February have deviated from the present by showing readers what lies ahead for the DC Universe in Future State, Grayson's heroic return will resume with Nightwing #78, seeing Grayson getting back into the swing of things, while also looking into a new mayoral candidate for Blüdhaven who carries the same last name as the man who killed Dick's parents when he was a child. This new arc will be coming from the brand new creative team of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo, who just wrapped up a wild run on DC's Suicide Squad. Likewise, Nightwing #80 promises to be a big issue that will see Nightwing dealing with the all-new foe known as the Heartless. Here's the cover art along with the incredible variant from Jamal Campbell, as well as the synopsis from DC Comics:
- NIGHTWING #80
- Written by TOM TAYLOR
- Art and cover by BRUNO REDONDO
- Card stock variant cover by JAMAL CAMPBELL
- Dick Grayson’s always had a big heart. From protecting those persecuted by bullies in his youth, to combating evil alongside Batman as Robin, to pledging his newly inherited wealth to enriching Blüdhaven as Nightwing—his kindness and generosity have always guided his life. But now a new villain stalks the back alleys of Blüdhaven, removing the hearts of the city’s most vulnerable. Who is this terrifying new menace named Heartless, and will he be able to resist plucking out the biggest heart in all of Blüdhaven? Read this (literally) heart-wrenching issue to find out!
While the synopsis certainly holds some interesting info and teases about Nightwing's new villain (as well as an inheritance?), the variant from Jamal Campbell is incredible. Not only is it bright and colorful with the sun shining in the background, but seeing Nightwing using the trapeze skills he learned from his parents to create his own symbol with the clothes lines is as fun as it is dynamic. There's also some great details, such as the Superman shirt, Batman boxers, and Wonder Woman tank top hanging on the lines as well. All things considered, this is definitely going to be a variant Nightwing fans are going to want to get their hands on when the issue releases this May from DC Comics. What better way to celebrate the Dick Grayson's return as a full-fledged hero?