Nightwing FAQ

[pennywisdom]

WHO IS NIGHTWING?

Nightwing is a costumed crime-fighter appearing in DC comics. He possesses no super-powers, yet has amazing detective, athletic, and martial arts abilities. His alter ego is Dick Grayson.

WHAT WAS DICK GRAYSON’S FIRST APPEARANCE?

Dick Grayson has a long and storied history in the DC Universe. His first appearance in any capacity was as Robin in Batman #1, published in 1940. Dick grew up in a circus family, but was orphaned at a young age. Millionaire Bruce Wayne took him in as his ward (and eventually, adopted son). Dick became Robin, Batman’s young sidekick. At the time, teenage sidekicks were becoming popular and were thought of as a way to encourage new and younger readership. Over the decades, Dick became one of the most popular and arguably the greatest Robin.

HOW LONG WAS HIS CAREER AS ROBIN?

Dick’s career as Robin lasted several decades. During this time, many writers and artists would put their own spin on the character and take him on legendary adventures. Of course, it was also obvious that the character was growing up and couldn’t stay a sidekick forever. Throughout the Golden and Silver Ages of comics, Robin was a brave and loyal secondary character, but a secondary character nonetheless. In more modern times, he felt his relationship with Bruce change. Like all sons, he needed to leave the nest.

WHAT WAS HIS FINAL MOMENT AS ROBIN?

Finally, Dick gave up the mantle of Robin for good. One of the catalysts was an incident that involved Two-Face. Dick was forced to make a decision that resulted in the death of the District Attorney, as well as the near-death of Batman himself. Dick calls it his greatest failure and it is part of the reason he left the Batcave. He went on to form the new Teen Titans.

WHEN WAS NIGHTWING'S DEBUT?

Tales of the Teen Titans #44. Making his debut in 1984, Nightwing premiered in an issue featuring Jericho and Deathstroke. Nightwing would become one of the most popular Titans of all time, as well as their leader.

WHERE WAS DICK DURING THE EVENTS OF "KNIGHTFALL"?

As many Batman readers know, Bruce Wayne gave the mantle of Batman to a young upstart named Jean Paul Valley in a storyline known as "Knightfall" in 1993 and '94. Bruce had been defeated by a villain known as Bane who shattered his back, crippling him indefinitely. Bruce had met Valley during a previous adventure (see: Sword of Azrael). Jean Paul was subconsciously controlled by an ancient religious sect known as the Order of St. Dumas. He was trained since his infancy to be the ultimate warrior, Azrael, the Angel of Vengeance. During that time, Bruce had lost contact with Dick, and was extremely desparate for a replacement Batman. Bane was still on the loose, as were many of the Arkham inmates. Jean Paul got the job done, but he transformed the Batman personae into a violent creature full of malice and spite. Bruce came back and reclaimed the title of the Batman in 1994.

DID DICK EVER THINK ABOUT REPLACING BRUCE AS BATMAN?

He did. In a storyline known as "Prodigal", Dick became Batman at Bruce's behest. Although it was only temporary, it was a significant storyline in that it forced Dick to come to terms with his past failures in life (both personal and as a crime-fighter) and take on Two-Face by himself once and for all. It showed that Dick was still growing up and learning about his own identity as a man. It also helped cement Dick's relationship with the current Robin, Tim Drake.

DOES NIGHTWING STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE BATCAVE?

Yes, especially before moving to Bludhaven. After "Prodigal", Bruce became Batman again permanently. During this time (the mid 90's) there were several crossover storylines, many of which featured Nightwing as a pivotal character. Even after his move to Bludhaven, Nightwing is still a central character in the Batman mythos. Today, he appears frequently in the pages of Batman comic books.

WHEN DID NIGHTWING GET HIS OWN SERIES?

In 1996, writer Chuck Dixon, penciller Scott McDaniel, and inker Karl Story created the first issue of Nightwing. This was actually a long time coming. Nightwing had been a favorite character of readers and critics alike for many years. Although he had his own mini-series (not to mention frequent appearances in the Batman comics), he had never starred solo in an ongoing series. So, naturally, his having his own book was very exciting. In the opening story, Dick relocates to Bludhaven, a city not far from Gotham. This city, however, is even more corrupt than Gotham. Unlike Gotham's reliable James Gordon, Bludhaven's PD is crooked and untrustworthy. The crime lords run the streets, and a hero like Nightwing is needed here more than anywhere else.

During his stint on Nightwing, Chuck crafted what is considered by many to be the definitive version of the character. Dick has grown up a lot since his days as Robin, and is now a hero in his own right, still living under the influence of his mentor, but no longer controlled by him. His adventures during this time are full of action, intrigue, and basically, the stuff every Nightwing fan loves. Chuck and Scott's run on the series is collected in TPB format. A Knight in Bludhaven, Rough Justice, Love and Bullets, Big Guns, On the Razor's Edge and A Darker Shade of Justice are all valuable must-reads for any Nightwing fan.

IS NIGHTWING STILL BEING PUBLISHED?

Yes. Chuck is no longer writing Nightwing on a permanent basis. Devin Grayson is currently writing and the new art team of Phil Hester and Ande Parks will be coming onboard with issue #107.

WHERE CAN I READ NIGHTWING'S ORIGIN STORY/LEARN WHERE THE NAME CAME FROM?

Check out Nightwing #101-106. The original creative team tells the tale of Nightwing's "Year One".

WHO ARE SOME OF NIGHTWING'S VILLAINS?

Nightwing does not have as many as Batman, but definitely some deadly characters. In the early days, Dudley Soames, aka Torque was one of Nightwing's greatest adversaries. Blockbuster is Bludhaven's answer to Marvel's Kingpin character. Stallion, Brutale, the Electrocutioner, Double Dare, Chief Redhorn, Lady Vic, the False Facers and our old friend, Deathstroke, all show up and do plenty of damage. Even would-be vigilantes give Nightwing some trouble. The Huntress, the Tarantula, and a young imposter known as Nite-Wing are all characters to look for.

IS NIGHTWING STILL A TITAN?

No. Today's Teen Titans has returned to its roots and features a group of kids formerly known as Young Justice. They represent the youngest characters is the DCU. Dick is a member of the Outsiders, a group of twenty-something super-heroes whose adventures are on the cutting edge of DC. Think of them as the "Not Ready for JLA Players". Dick's friendship with Roy Harper (Arsenal, formerly Speedy) is just one of the relationships that makes this book so interesting. This book is very "cast-oriented" and showcases Dick as a team member better than any title outside the Titans. Incidentally, Dick has not been a member of the Justice League.

[pennywisdom]

HOW MANY COSTUMES HAS NIGHTWING HAD?

Three. His original costume was a strange outfit that had a large collar and open chest. It resembles something a Las Vegas Elvis impersonator might have worn if he were a Teen Titan (just joking).

Nightwing's next outfit retained elements of the original, but seemed slightly more bird-like.

His most recent costume (he's had the new costume since the mid-90's) is more sleek and simplitic. It's my favorite and will probably be the Nightwing costume everyone remembers. He typically uses batons, as well as many other weapons. Instead of a Batman-style utility belt, he has functional gauntlet pouches.

HAS NIGHTWING EVER APPEARED IN THE BATMAN ANIMATED SERIES?

Yes. Dick Grayson was Robin in the earliest days of Bruce Timm's animated series. Mirroring comic book continuity, he grew up and became Nightwing in the later days of the show. The Animated Series is considered by many to be the truest Batman adaptation in any medium, and is wholeheartedly recommended.

WHO WERE NIGHTWING'S LOVE INTERESTS?

During his stint with the Titans, Dick's greatest love was Kori, also known as Starfire. He had a one-night stand (as well as a lot of tension) with the Huntress. And, of course, Barara Gordon, the original Batgirl, now Oracle, is considered by many to be his one true love of all time. For a time, Dick dated Clancy, an Irish girl who lived in his new neighborhood in Bludhaven. I've seen his name also linked to Jade, as well as several other DCU ladies.

WHAT IS DICK'S DAY JOB?

Dick quit college early. After moving to Bludhaven, he became a cop. This helped him gather info. on the BPD power structure and gave him an inside edge on the comings and goings of one of DC's most corrupt cities.

WHAT'S DICK'S RELATIONSHIP WITH BRUCE?

As all fathers and sons know, relationships go through their ups and downs. Despite conflicts in the past, Bruce and Dick have patched things up. Today, Dick is offically Bruce's adopted son.

WHO ARE SOME INFLUENTIAL NIGHTWING CREATORS?

Chuck Dixon, Scott McDaniel, and Karl Story, Devin Grayson, Greg Land, Drew Garaci, Rick Leonardi, Mike Lilly, and Patrick Zircher are just some of the many notable and talented contributors to Nightwing's solo title. Of course, Perez and Wolfman are the classic Titans team. And if I were to name all the talented and influential creators who have worked on the Batman books, we would be here all night.

WHERE CAN I READ ABOUT NIGHTWING NOW?

Check out Nightwing's solo title, both current and back issues. The back issues have been conveniently collected (see above) in TPB format. Be sure to read Outsiders by Judd Winick, Tom Raney, and Scott Hanna (a new art team will be coming on soon). Also, Dick has a very influential place in the DC Universe. As such, he has many friends, associates, and enemies. Look for him to pop in and out of various titles all the time.

[kash]

WHO IS NIGHTWING?
Incidentally, Dick has not been a member of the Justice League.

but wasn't he a member of the Justice League Task Force as well as the JLA's leader during the Obsidian Age storyline. He is also currently a reserve IIRC

[pennywisdom]

That's true. Although I don't consider him to be permanent member. He has made JLA appearances, but is not, and hasn't been, a member of the "Big Seven". Good observations, though.

[Mia]

He had a one-night stand (as well as a lot of tension) with the Huntress.

Ermmm.....I wouldn't exactly call a one night stand "love", especially when Huntress made it quite clear that she was using him to get into the Bat group.

Also remember that he spent some quality time with Catwoman in Nightwing #52. Great issue.

HOW LONG WAS HIS CAREER AS ROBIN?

Wasn't this really six years? 13-19?



Oh by the way folks I strongly suggest that you check out Robin Year One
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...032592-8173446.


It provides a great background on Dick's first year as Robin. And shows what a fine young man he is. He doesn''t crawl in hole and die when things get rough. Check it out worth every penny.

[pennywisdom]

I think it's pretty obvious that his one-nighter with Helena wasn't love. But it happened, so it might be worth mentioning. I put in proper context when I explained it earlier.

As for his time spent as Robin, you're counting in DCU years and I'm counting in real-time. He debuted as Robin in the early 40's and he became Nightwing in the mid 80's. You're correct in that it only covered a few years of his life.

[BigKenW]

Holy crap. I had no idea he spent the night with Selena. Does Bruce know about that?

Also, Nightwing was the leader of the JLA and headed the lineup for many issues when the JLA was sent back in time during Obsidian age. I also beleive he has a JLA reserve status similar to Wally West when he was in the Titans.

[pennywisdom]

Holy crap. I had no idea he spent the night with Selena. Does Bruce know about that?

Also, Nightwing was the leader of the JLA and headed the lineup for many issues when the JLA was sent back in time during Obsidian age. I also beleive he has a JLA reserve status similar to Wally West when he was in the Titans.

Yes. That's been mentioned. :)

[Mia]

Holy crap. I had no idea he spent the night with Selena. Does Bruce know about that?

They didn't get that far (they were interupted by gun men). I don't know if Bruce knows, but if he does it shouldn't have made any difference. Bruce and Selina aren't a couple.

By the way, apart from history, I just don't get the Dick and Babs relationship. Why is he interested in her?

[pennywisdom]

By the way, apart from history, I just don't get the Dick and Babs relationship. Why is he interested in her?

That depends in small part on who's writing and in large part on who's reading. Different people have different takes on the Dick/Barbara relationship. History actually plays a big part in it. As a pair, they go WAY back. In fact, they are one of the oldest teams in comic book history. When you grow up with someone, you grow attached to them in one way or another.

I also believe that Dick is interested in Babs for the same reason that many readers are. That is to say, he has an immense respect for her as a human being, not just as a crimefighter. She has been forced to overcome odds and she has persevered every step of the way. Unlike other comic book characters who die/disappear/explode, only to be resurrected by magic/super-powers/higher beings, Barbara Gordon has faced a very real problem and managed to overcome that problem in a very real way. She's a genuine hero and that's one of the things that Dick respects, honors, and loves more than anything else. She never caved in to pessimism, so she is a bright spot in Dick's dark world.

Also, she's cute. That never hurts. :)

[Mia]

Thank you Penny. The reason I am asking is that I have no idea why Nightwing would be attracted to Barbara. Until recently, for the most part, she's been portrayed as a 'know-it-all' and a miserable woman. She's been horrible to Dick, always pushing him away. Even under Dixon she's been shrillish. So I just didn't see what he saw in her.

[pennywisdom]

You're welcome. :) I agree with your viewpoint to an extent. She has had some tender moments, in all fairness. Good point, though.

[Asian Knight]

Does Dick still use the whip that looked like a ponytail? Or does he have a different arsenal now.

[pennywisdom]

Does Dick still use the whip that looked like a ponytail? Or does he have a different arsenal now.

To be honest, I'm not 100% sure what you're talking about. Dick has carried and used batons for many years now. He can cast a line, attach himself to a solid object and swing around in this manner, but I don't recall him using a whip. Perhaps I'm just remembering incorrectly?

Also, anyone who might have an interest in the Dick Grayson character should check out the new All Star Batman and Robin comic being published by DC in the very near future. It's written by the legendary Frank Miller, with art by the legendary Jim Lee and it features a legendary sidekick, Dick Grayson. There is a good indication that this title will be fairly Robin-centric, so anyone who enjoys Miller, Lee, or Robin should be into it.

[Fenix]

I would like to hear something about his personality. I alwalys think he´s not as "dark" as Bats. Am I right?