Spoilers ahead for Nightwing #95
DC Comics' Battle for Blüdhaven is in full swing, and its first casualty is Nightwing's secret identity. While Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon managed to take down the city's corrupt police commissioner, there's still plenty of darkness in Blüdhaven that still needs to be rooted out. The central threat is of course Blüdhaven's kingpin of crime Blockbuster, though Nightwing's war is taking an exciting and dangerous turn now that he's just been unmasked.
In previous issues of Nightwing from Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo, Dick Grayson has been working with and without his mask to elevate Blüdhaven out from its own darkness. Using the billions of dollars Nightwing inherited from the late Alfred Pennyworth, Grayson has been working to create new foundations and infrastructure to help the least fortunate in his city who just need a helping hand. However, these same people are the ones Blüdhaven's criminals like Blockbuster and Salvatore Maroni take advantage of the most. As such, Dick Grayson's life has been in danger just as much as Nightwing's.
Despite the danger, Nightwing refuses to stop fighting for his city with any help he can get, and the same holds true in the new Nightwing #95. Having gained access to Blockbuster's plans and criminal operations, Nightwing calls together the Bat-Family, the Teen Titans, and the Dark Knight himself to help hit Blockbuster's empire simultaneously. While impressive, Blockbuster still manages to get the upper hand using nothing but sheer cruelty, threatening to kill children unless Nightwing surrenders. Having no choice but to comply, Blockbuster brutally beats Nightwing which results in his mask coming off, revealing that the villain's two main rivals are one and the same.
While Nightwing's biggest secret has now been exposed to one of his biggest villains, it did seem as though it would only be a matter of time (and it might even be a blessing in disguise). Nightwing's attempts to keep his identity a secret while still trying to save Blüdhaven as Grayson was creating multiple obstacles and dangers, particularly with Blockbuster ordering hits on Grayson and Dick having to pretend he wasn't as capable as he was until he could mask up. However, this greater freedom might not last for very long.
Knowing what he now knows, it does seem like a strong possibility that Blockbuster will soon die without ever exposing Nightwing's secret identity. After all, the new villain Heartless is still out there and has already revealed his desire to claim Blüdhaven from both the crime boss and vigilante. That being said, perhaps Nightwing will be motivated to do away with a secret identity altogether, following Superman's example and simply being his full self for his city going forward. It would certainly be a very bold move (with all kinds of ramifications both good and bad). Nightwing #95 is on sale now.
