Warning! Contains Spoilers For Nightwing #116!The last time that Nightwing had his secret identity revealed (in 2013’s Forever Evil), it destroyed his civilian life and led him to fake his death, joining the superspy organization Spyral. However, this time things are even darker, because Dick Grayson hasn’t been uncovered as the Bludhaven vigilante he actually is, but has instead been accused of being the city’s horrific villain, Heartless. The worst part is, Dick’s activities as Nightwing have essentially framed him for Heartless’ crimes.

Nightwing was recently unmasked and now readers will see the consequences of that in Nightwing #116 by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo. In this story, Dick Grayson has been arrested, and his identity has been exposed, but not as Nightwing. As part of an elaborate plan, Dick Grayson has been framed as the serial killer Heartless who has been haunting Bludhaven.

Despite Nightwing’s best attempts to improve the lives of everyone in Bludhaven, the citizens now believe him to be a horrific serial killer. Now he’s going to have to prove that he isn’t Heartless, all while keeping his true identity as Nightwing a secret and overcoming a new phobia that stops him fully utilizing his acrobatic skill.

Nightwing Was Unmasked While Dressed As Heartless

Nightwing #116 by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott

The past year, the serial killer Heartless has been killing people in Bludhaven, including the mob boss Blockbuster. This has kept the city in a state of fear, with no one knowing who Heartless is or when he’s going to strike next. The only solace the people of Bludhaven have had is Dick Grayson, who has spent his vast new fortune on helping the city. Now, after Heartless learned Dick’s secret identity, he’s framed Dick to take the fall for his crimes and, as the police look closer at Dick Grayson, it seems to be the perfect frame job.

Dick has been giving everything to protect Bludhaven, both as Nightwing and Dick Grayson. But due to Heartless’ manipulations, all of his charity and philanthropy hasn’t built a better city, instead it’s just built a cage for him. With the belief that Dick Grayson is the serial killer Heartless, the police and citizens have begun taking a closer look at Dick’s activities. This has revealed suspicious times when Dick was gone from the public eye. While readers know it was simply Dick acting as Nightwing, the citizens of Bludhaven now believe they have perfect proof that Dick Grayson truly is the serial killer that’s been plaguing their city.

With Dick having dedicated his rejuvenation of Bludhaven to stamping out corruption in its police force and public officials, not only does all the evidence suggest he’s Heartless, but all the people responsible for investigating his ‘crimes’ have good reason to go along with the framing.

Nightwing Might Have To Give Up His Identity To Stop Heartless Once And For All

Heartless’ plan is so perfect because Nightwing is hiding a secret identity, it’s just not the one the police think. It’ll be extremely difficult for Dick Grayson to account for his bizarre absences, especially with Heartless actively trying to frame him. The easiest solution would be to simply prove that he’s the superhero Nightwing, but that might be too high a price. It seems that the villain Heartless has truly created the perfect trap and has turned Nightwing‘s own secret identity against him, ‘unmasking’ him by turning a heroic secret into a villainous lie.

Nightwing #116 is on sale from DC Comics on July 17!