WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for NIGHTWING #118!

Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s award-winning Nightwing run has officially concluded, bringing an end to an 84-year-long 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 drove him to become Robin in the first place. While fans may find some solace in the fact that the Original Boy Wonder has achieved a measure of closure, the lingering question remains:is it truly enough?

...this villain will always be ed 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 has resonated deeply with fans and critics alike through its emotional exploration of Dick Grayson’s most significant relationships.

A large portion 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 Nightwing’s storyline. In a shocking twist, issue #118 culminates in Tony Zucco's death, leaving Dick grappling with an unexpected and unsettling sense of loss.

Tony Zucco Dies in Tom Taylor & Bruno Redondo's Fallen Grayson Finale

Tony Zucco First Appeared in Detective Comics #38 (1940)

Tony Zucco is a long-established villain in Batman lore who first appeared in Detective Comics #38 (1940). He is infamous for murdering eight-year-old Dick Grayson’s parents by cutting their trapeze lines, causing them to plummet to their deaths. Driven by grief and rage, Dick sought vengeance and planned to kill Zucco himself. However, after Bruce Wayne took Dick in as his ward and later as his partner, Robin, he guided Dick in redirecting his anger toward seeking justice rather than vengeance. Since then, one of Dick’s greatest desires has been to see Zucco face justice. Yet, in Nightwing #118, Tom Taylor officially closes the door on Dick ever witnessing Zucco face trial.

Readers following the run will recall several revelations regarding Dick’s origin story and his connection to the villain 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 himself, crafting a gimmick that involved robbing children of their parents by killing them. In issue #118, Shelton learns that Tony intended to kill Dick that night, not his parents. Realizing 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 Get to Take Your Justice.”: Heartless Steals Dick Grayson’s Justice For His Parents’ Murder

Tony Zucco’s Death Marks the Close of a Major Chapter for Dick Grayson

Before using his heart-removing gun to blast Zucco in the head, Shelton turns to Dick and says, “At least I get to take something else from you, Dick. I get to take your justice.” Cradling the recently shot Haley—Dick’s beloved dog—Nightwing can only watch in horror as Heartless kills Zucco. While one might expect Dick to feel relief or even happiness at the sight of his parents’ murderer dead, he is anything but. His internal narration reveals that this is a particularly heartbreaking 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. Yet, it is clear that despite his long fight for closure regarding this part of his life, this is not how he wanted it to end. He had hoped for Zucco to face trial and meet justice through Blüdhaven’s legal system. Although Nightwing does eventually defeat Heartless, this villain will always be ed for taking away one of Dick’s greatest driving forces, a motivation that has defined his character for decades. Consequently, Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s run will forever be ed for putting this significant part of Nightwing lore to rest.

Will Dan Watters Explore the Emotional Fallout of Tony Zucco’s Death in His Nightwing Run?

Cover C Card Stock Variant by Gleb Melnikov for Nightwing #119

With Nightwing #118 marking the end of Taylor and Redondo’s run, it raises the question of whether the new creative team of Dan Watters and Dexter Soy will further explore the implications of Zucco’s death on Dick. It would make sense for this unwanted outcome to follow Nightwing into his new story arc and haunt him, whether through the regret of never seeing Zucco face justice or the potential relief Dick might feel over Zucco’s death, followed by guilt for that relief. However, with the preview of 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 available now from DC Comics!