The true identity of Burnback is finally revealed in Nightwing No. 61

Team Nightwing was wrong about the identity of Burnback, the fiery villain terrorizing Blüdhaven and, in the conclusion of the arc, the truth is revealed. Spoilers for the issue.

The town of Blüdhaven has been besieged by fierce arson attacks. Burnback, an unknown villain, has been decimating its police and security buildings. Team Nightwing, as they were christened in Nightwing No. 61, believed they knew who was controlling this monster, but they were so wrong.

Nightwing No. 61 cover (Credit: DC Comics)

Under suspicion for the attacks was Melissa Stapleton, daughter of Hutch/ Nightwing Red’s former partner. The team was certain that she was taking her anger for Hutch’s negligence out on the rest of Blüdhaven Police Department. When Colleen and Zak Edwards (Nightwing Gold and Blue, respectively) interrogated her, Burnback attacked them and protected Melissa. In this issue, we find out why. Burnback is none other than Melissa’s father, Walter. He was an undiagnosed metahuman and, despite being comatose, Walter was able to conjure this monster in an effort to escape his trapped body.

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With his identity revealed, Walter shares his final wishes with Melissa – he no longer wants to be kept alive by machines. It’s time she let her father go. And with that, this arc ends, and the chapter on Hutch’s troublesome past is closed.

No explanation is given as to what exactly Walter’s meta power was, nor why he chose to summon Burnback at this juncture – if it was only to bid farewell to his daughter, then why did Walter attack the police and fire departments, nearly killing everyone in them? And if vengeance was always Walter’s motive, then why wait this long? And why not attack Hutch directly? The conclusion is so rushed that it leaves readers with far too many questions.

What was the point of this arc? The entire story is wrapped up with the intent to help Ric accept his new life as a part-time superhero. But for a premise that begun with so much emotional heft (for Hutch and the Stapletons), the conclusion fizzles out with a whimper. It’s all too convenient, too neat and unfortunately, too forgettable.