Nightwing
Agent of Change, Symbol of Hope
by Phil Perich for the Capes and Lunatics Blog
The identity of Nightwing usually is a big symbol of change and rebirth in DC Comics. With the recent announcement of another big change for Nightwing, I thought this would be a good opportunity to review and explore the long journey of the heroes that have used this identity, most notable Richard “Dick” Grayson.
Krypton
Nightwing is first mentioned in DC Comics as an alias used by Superman in Superman #158 (January 1963). During a visit to the Kryptonian bottle city of Kandor, a powerless Superman and Jimmy Olsen create the identities of Nightwing and Flamebird to fight crime inspired by Batman and Robin. In a later adventure depicted in World’s Finest #143 (August 1964), NIghtwing and Flamebird would team up with Batman and Robin where young Dick Grayson would get his first look at Nightwing. In post Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity where Superman had not visited Kandor yet, Nightwing and Flamebird would become ancient Kryptonian heroes whose stories told by Superman would inspire Dick Grayson to use the name later.
Dick Grayson
Even before he took on the identity of NIghtwing, the character of Dick Grayson was always an evolving character. First as probably the world’s most well known kid sidekick to the early dark figure of Batman, he would become more of an equal partner as time went on in the comics and on television in the Batman TV series of the 1960s as the pair took a more humorous bent. But as time went on, Dick would step out of the shadow of his mentor around the time Batman was once again portrayed as the “Dark” Knight Detective. After a few years of solo adventures and team ups with Batgirl and the Teen Titans, Dick would evolve into even more of his own hero when he takes on the identity and new costume of Nightwing, an identity that was inspired by the two biggest heroes in his life, Batman and Superman.
New Look, New Mission
After serving as leader of the Titans for years as first Robin and later Nightwing, Dick would leave after a misunderstanding with Roy Harper and the tragic end to his relationship with Starfire. Returning to Gotham City, Nightwing aided Batman and Robin for a time and also redesigned his outfit before a few weeks filling in for Bruce Wayne as Batman. When a mystery (and Batman) sent Dick to the city of Bludhaven, Nightwing would take on a new life and mission as that city’s defender. Dick also started to rekindle his romance with Barbara Gordon after a brief fling with the Huntress.
Mistaken Identity
As a harbinger of almost constant change, Dick would once again replace Bruce Wayne when Wayne was believed dead by the entire world. At first Dick did not want to take up the mantle of the bat again but when resurrected Robin Jason Todd attempts to become the new Batman, Dick sees he has no other choice. It should be noted that a few years prior to this Jason Todd also attempted to take the identity of Nightwing after Dick was injured and almost killed during Infinite Crisis. But other costumed and metahumans have taken the name NIghtwing from time to time including Power Girl when she and Supergirl patrolled a more modern Kandor as NIghtwing and Flamebird and the adopted Kryptonian son of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, Chris Kent.
Teacher, Guide, Friend
Dick Grayson as Robin and later Nightwing would also befriend a majority of the DC Universe, either through mutual acquaintance Batman, his time with various Titans and Justice League teams, or even working with the former villains trying to redeem themselves known as the Run-Offs. Dick Grayson even had a relationship with Run-Offs “leader” and group counselor Shawn Tsang aka the Defacer.
The Future
SPOILER ALERT!
In just the last few days, news has hit social media that in an upcoming storyline, the villain Bane will put out a kill order on Nightwing which will result in the hero being shot in the head. While Dick will survive this injury (he’s been shot in the head before), he will have some form of memory loss. How will this affect his relationship with the people in his life? Will Nightwing pull away from Batman and act as a much more free agent only working with the Titans? After all there is a Titans TV show coming up with Dick Grayson where we probably won’t see much of Batman. and what about Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl? It seemed as though Dick and Barbara were on the verge of rekindling their romance yet again. Will this push NIghtwing back into the arms of Starfire who also will be featured in the Titans show?
So what are YOUR thoughts? Favorite NIghtwing moments/issues? What direction do you want to see the character take in the future? Are we ever going to get the Nightwing movie? Batgirl or Starfire? Let me know:
nightwingpdp@gmail.com or capesandlunatics@gmail.com
@NIghtwingpdp, @CapesLunatics, @CLSidekicks on Twitter
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