Issue #851 Fri 16 Jan
Strands hints — January 16, 2026
A steady hand and a sharp eye are the best tools for today's grid. We have laid out a path that rewards patience and a willingness to look at the board from a different angle.
Theme 3 reveals
Today's theme
You take the same route home and a single door is open that's never open.
Popular comic book culture
FAMOUS NIGHTTIME VIGILANTE
Spangram 4 nudges · 6 letters
The connector word
A single six-letter noun.
6 letters.
Starts with B, ends with N.
BATMAN
Group hint 1 reveal
Show all starting letters
Starting letters
- 1 C (4 letters)
- 2 J (5 letters)
- 3 J (7 letters)
- 4 M (5 letters)
- 5 P (7 letters)
- 6 R (5 letters)
- 7 V (9 letters)
Group hint 1 reveal
Show the first two letters of each
First two letters
- 1 CA (4 letters)
- 2 JO (5 letters)
- 3 JU (7 letters)
- 4 MA (5 letters)
- 5 PE (7 letters)
- 6 RO (5 letters)
- 7 VE (9 letters)
Theme word 1 of 7 5 nudges · 4 letters
A theme word
Heavy fabric that catches the wind as you leap from a rooftop.
4 letters.
Starts with C.
Starts with CA.
CAPE
Theme word 2 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
A wide, painted grin that hides a much darker intent.
5 letters.
Starts with J.
Starts with JO.
JOKER
Theme word 3 of 7 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
The scales held by a blindfolded figure in the courthouse.
7 letters.
Starts with J.
Starts with JU.
JUSTICE
Theme word 4 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
Where the lawnmower lives, where the mail piles up, where the kids hide.
5 letters.
Starts with M.
Starts with MA.
MANOR
Theme word 5 of 7 5 nudges · 7 letters
A theme word
A flightless bird dressed for a formal dinner party.
7 letters.
Starts with P.
Starts with PE.
PENGUIN
Theme word 6 of 7 5 nudges · 5 letters
A theme word
The small red-breasted bird that signals the arrival of spring.
5 letters.
Starts with R.
Starts with RO.
ROBIN
Theme word 7 of 7 5 nudges · 9 letters
A theme word
An old score that needs settling once and for all.
9 letters.
Starts with V.
Starts with VE.
VENGEANCE