Summary
One of the most important relationships in the entirety of the DC Universe is that betweenBatmanandNightwing. As a reader, one of the most rewarding experiences is to watch a character slowly evolve into something greater over time. The same can be said for this Dynamic Duo.
Dating back to Dick Grayson’s debut as Robin in 1940, readers have watched as he grew up from Batman’s sidekick to Batman’s equal as Nightwing. Most importantly, at the same time, readers watched this relationship get rocky, watched as that relationship was repaired, and watched the dynamic shift and improve over time.These are the most significant moments that would help shape that bond into what it is today.
10Dick Grayson Officially Becomes Bruce Wayne’s Ward
Batman#439 by Marv Wolfman, Pat Broderick, Michael Bair, John Costansa, and Adrienne Roy
While Bruce Wayne wouldn’tofficially adopt his first Robinuntil Dick was older, this was the first time that Bruce officially brought Master Grayson into Wayne Manor. Not wanting to see another child left alone as an orphan following the murder of his parents, Bruce took initiative not just as a superhero, but as a billionaire with resources.He didn’t want to adopt Dick (yet) as he had no intentions of replacing his late father, but he did have intentions of housing the boyand giving him the opportunities he otherwise wouldn’t have.
The circumstances of this flashback itself are significant: a case revolving around the murder of Anthony Zucco (the man who killed Dick’s parents) drives a wedge between Batman and Nightwing, but it’s Alfred who reminds Dick of the past, and how much Bruce cares.
9Dick Grayson’s ‘Oath’ is Taken
Batman: Dark Victory#13 by Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, Gregory Wright, and Richard Starkings
The Oath that would come to define Dick Grayson’s integration into the Bat Family has been duplicated several times in DC’s history, but it’s the one depicted inDark Victory#13 that can be consideredthe definitive version of that oath depiction. A sequel toThe Long Halloween,the series remakes Dick’s entrance into the Bat-Family as Robin in what has since becomeessentialBatmanreading.
In whatever form it takes, The Oath not only starts Dick’s superhero career, butit forever binds him to the war on crime started by Batman. This Oath changes Dick Grayson’s life more than just morphing him into Robin, as the moment shapes his crime fighting career to this day as Nightwing.
8Nightwing Joins/Forms the Teen Titans
Brave and the Bold#54 by Bob Haney, Bruno Premiani, Charles Paris
A major turning point in Dick Grayson’s life wasBrave and the Bold#54, where he teamed up for the first time with Kid Flash and Aqualad, three men who would become pillars of the Titans for years to come.A few issues later forBrave and the Bold#60, that trio alongside Donna Troy, would debut the name Teen Titans, making DC’s newest super-team official.
This would mark the first time that Robin would grow a circle of allies outside of Batman, forming friendships that have nothing to do with his relationship to Batman. One of Nightwing’s most celebrated traits is the fact thathe can form a bond with just about anyone in the DC Universe, and forming such bonds with fellow youths to create a team and lifelong friendships helped start that narrative.
7Nightwing Gets Shot by The Joker
Batman#408 by Max Allan Collins, Chris Warner, Mike DeCarlo, Todd Klein, Adrienne Roy, and Denny O’Neil
On a rooftop, Batman and Robin take on The Joker in what usually would be a standard case against the Clown Prince of Crime, until Joker pulls out a gun. In the scuffle, Dick is shot and falls off the edge of the building onto another ledge. Scouting news reporters presume that Robin had fallen to his death, reporting it as such. Batman takes the opportunity to decide that maybe Robin should stay dead. Concerned for his well-being, Batman fires Dick Grayson.
As evident in the panels above, this moment would be significant in foreshadowing Dick’s transition into Nightwing, but it also marksthe first significant strain in what would become an estranged relationship for the former Dynamic Duo. Although Dick takes the release in stride, this moment would be recontextualized in later years as a moment thatbroke Dick Graysonand, for a time, how he felt about his mentor.
Batman’s Ultimate Insult to Nightwing Redefines How Fans See Their History
Batman has had many Robins over the years, and it’s often assumed that Dick Grayson is his favorite sidekick. But it turns out that’s not the case.
6The Official Debut of Dick Grayson as Nightwing
Tales of the Titans#44 by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
Alas, Dick Grayson’s departure from Batman’s side would prove to be fruitful as it gave him the space and the time to reach his true destiny: becoming Nightwing. He does so here, but what shocks even Dick is that this isn’t a persona or codename he adopts based solely on his time with Batman. As he monologues to himself in the issue, the Nightwing name and costume is an amalgamation of teachings he garnered from a plethora of people who changed his life: his mother, father, Batman,Superman, and even Starfire.
Becoming Nightwing proves to be a major leap for Dick to become his own individual outside the Bat-Family. He may be molded by other heroes in his life, but the sum of all parts is enough to combine into something unique - something uniquely Dick Grayson.
5Batman Punches Nightwing in the Face
New Teen Titans #55by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
When Nightwing finds out that the new Robin, Jason Todd, diedunder Batman’s watch, he sets out to confront The Dark Knight head on. Unfortunately for Dick, the interaction ends disastrously as a disheveled Batman punches his former sidekick in the face. Clearly broken and grieving from losing an adopted son, being called out by his first ward didn’t sit right with the Caped Crusader, but getting punched in the face while trying to hold his mentor accountable didn’t feel too great either.
Even if Bruce didn’t bring Dick into his life to replace his father, he still cared after him as one and Dick looked up to him as such.This is the equivalent of a dedicated son being punched by his father, which is understandably a grueling experience for anyone to go through. This ends up fracturing their relationship for a significant period in ways that still echo today.
4Nightwing Inherits the Cowl to Become Batman
Batman R.I.P.-Return of Bruce Wayneby Grant Morrison & Tony S. Daniel
Following the presumed death of Bruce Wayne (he was actually launched through time and turned into a bomb rather than killed) Dick Grayson knew that to keep Gotham at its safest before his mentor’s inevitable return, the Batman needed to remain present as a symbol. Otherwise, anarchy would ensue. AsNightwing famously saidinBatman#687,“Batman lives. Always.”
Thus, he temporarily took on the role of Batman, but some would say he did an even better job in the role than the original. His ability to keep the Batman name alive while Bruce is gone and establishing a unique relationship with his son (one that truly makes Damian Wayne into Dick’s Robin) was enough to impress Bruce upon his return.Seeing how well Dick honored the Bat symbol was enough to strengthen their relationship.
3Batman Watches Nightwing Get Shot
Batman#55 by Tom King, Tony S. Daniel, Danny Miki, Tomeu Morey, and Clayton Cowles
It’s easy to forget this moment because it leads to one of themost hated story arcsin comics history, the birth of ‘Ric Grayson,’ but the general public’s perception on Dick’s amnesiac persona aside, this is still a brutal moment for both Dick and Bruce. From the perspective of an adopted father,Batman watched face-to-face as his son took a bullet to his head by the KGBeast. That by itself is traumatic enough, hence whyBatman hates KGBeast more than even The Joker, nearly breaking his no-kill rule in the name of avenging his son.
On top of that, it led to Nightwing’s temporary exit from the Bat Family. Becoming Ric Grayson made him feel completely detached from his life as Dick for some time. The father who cared for him for so long would be forced to see a son he no longer recognized walk out of his life for two years.
Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths#7 by by Joshua Williamson, Daniel Sampere, Jack Herbert, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, Rafa Sandoval, Alejandro Sanchez, Alex Guimaraes, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Matt Herms, and Tom Napolitano
By the time theDark Crisisevent began, Batman and Nightwing had long considered each other to be on equal footing to each other, but at this particular time, Batman and the rest of the Justice League were all presumed dead. With Nightwing adopting an elder role for the newer generation of superheroes, the world is on his shoulders like never before. However, especially with Deathstroke and other threats on the horizon, Nightwing passes the test with flying colors.
When Batman returns, not only is he impressed, but upondeclaring that the Justice League will remain inactive, he says Nightwing is ready to lead a new version of the Justice League. Nightwing opts to rein in his Titans as DC’s newest leading team instead, but the fact that Batman even makes such a request is a massive moment.It shows how much Batman views and treats Nightwing as an equal, if not in a league above him since he’d be willing to take orders from his former pupil in a proposed League.
1Batman and Nightwing Reconcile
Nightwing#100 by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Scott McDaniel, Rick Leonardi, Eddy Barrows, Javier Fernandez, and Mikel Janín
In Nightwing’s milestone issue of his self-titled series, a moment to pay respects to the late Alfred Pennyworth gives he and Batman the opportunity to hash out everything between them. They have an open, honest discussion in which Bruce Wayne removes his cowl to express his feelings to Dick Grayson. He tells him how proud he is of the growth he since becoming a hero, especially afterDark Crisis, and most importantly, he apologizes for pushing Dick harder than he had to at times.
Anyone who followed their journey together up to this point knows how overdue sucha heartwarming momentwas for both of them. Batman loves Dick unconditionally, that’s always been clear, but readers know hehasn’t been the easiest father figure. This loving embrace provided closure forNightwing, Batman, and readers who watched their relationship from the best of times and the worst of times.
Nightwing
Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.
