Nightwing is a superhero alias used by multiple characters in American comic books published by DC Comics. The most prominent bearer is Dick Grayson, the original Robin, who adopts the Nightwing identity to assert his independence from Batman. The name has its origins in Superman comics, where it is used by Superman in the bottled city of Kandor, a nightwing being a Kryptonian bird analogous to a bat.

Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths and Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! continuity reboots in 1985 and 1994, respectively, Nightwing was reimagined as a legendary vigilante from Superman's home planet of Krypton whose story inspires Dick Grayson's choice of name when he leaves behind his Robin identity.

Jason Todd, a former Robin, briefly impersonated Nightwing in one storyline. Chris Kent, Superman's adopted son, and Power Girl also briefly took on the Nightwing name in Kandor-based stories. Other versions of Nightwing have also appeared in non-canonical and alternate universe stories, including in other media.

In 2013, Nightwing placed 5th on IGN's Top 25 Heroes of DC Comics and Grayson as Nightwing was ranked the #1 Sexiest Male Character in Comics by ComicsAlliance in 2013.

Fictional character biography

Pre-Crisis Era

Superman

thumb|Superman as Nightwing. From Superman #158 (1963). Art by [[Curt Swan.]]

The Nightwing identity first appeared in <nowiki></nowiki>Superman<nowiki></nowiki> #158 (1963), in which Superman assumes the name while operating as a vigilante in Kandor. Dick Grayson first adopts the Nightwing identity in <nowiki></nowiki>Tales of the Teen Titans<nowiki></nowiki> #44 (1984), following his decision to retire as Robin. The new persona allows him to continue crimefighting while establishing a distinct heroic identity.

In Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #69 (June 1963), "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor" introduces Nightwing's dog Nighthound. In "The Feud Between Batman and Superman" in World's Finest #143 (August 1964), Batman and Robin themselves visit Kandor with Superman and Olsen and the two Dynamic Duos team up.

Van-Zee

In pre-Crisis continuity, Van-Zee and Ak-Var assumed the Nightwing and Flamebird identities to fight crime in Kandor.

Post-Crisis

Kryptonian mythological figure

Post-Crisis, there is a different originator of the Nightwing identity. Several hundred years before the birth of Kal-El, there was a Kryptonian man who was cast out from his family and decided to take on crime as the vigilante Nightwing, whose crimefighting tactics were similar to Batman's. When Superman tells Dick Grayson of this story, Dick takes the name for himself.

Dick Grayson

After retiring as Robin, Dick Grayson continues his superhero career under the Nightwing identity. He frequently collaborates with other heroes and eventually receives his own solo series in 1995. Following Bruce Wayne's apparent death, Grayson temporarily assumes the role of Batman before returning to his Nightwing persona.

Nightwing's costume is designed for agility and stealth, incorporating lightweight armor and a utility belt with essential gadgets. His primary weapons are twin escrima sticks made of a high-durability polymer, which can be used for both offense and defense. In some versions, these sticks can link to form a staff or function as grappling tools. His suit often includes smoke pellets, throwing discs, tracking devices, and other tools tailored to infiltration and acrobatic combat.

Superman

In 2001's Superman: The Man of Steel #111, Superman and Lois Lane travel to a version of Krypton later revealed to have been created by the villainous Brainiac 13 and based on Jor-El's favorite period in Kryptonian history. Labeled as criminals, Superman and Lois become fugitives, adopting the Nightwing and Flamebird identities to survive, just as had Superman and Olsen in Superman (vol. 2) #158.

Tad Ryerstad

Tad Ryerstad appeared in a storyline where he took on a parody version of the name, "Nite-Wing."

Jason Todd

Nightwing (vol. 2) #118-122 run features Jason Todd wearing Dick's costume and killing in New York City which led to a police manhunt against Nightwing.

Cheyenne Freemont

Cheyenne Freemont briefly wore a modified Nightwing costume in an alternate storyline.

Power Girl

Power Girl used the Nightwing identity in a Kandor-based storyline.

Chris Kent

Chris Kent used the Nightwing name during the “New Krypton” storyline.

Bruce Wayne

Following the events of Nightwing (vol.4) #114-116 Bruce adopts the suit and name while Dick Grayson has left Blüdhaven to cure his fear of heights. Bruce does this under the belief that "Blüdhaven has lost too much. It needs a hero. Blüdhaven needs Nightwing."

Alternative versions

  • Terry McGinnis briefly moonlights as Nightwing in Batman Beyond #4, after Detective Ben Singleton claims to know Dick Grayson's past as Nightwing, which turns into a media fiasco.

In other media

Television

  • Nightwing appears in the DC Animated Universe, voiced by Loren Lester.
  • Nightwing appears in The New Batman Adventures. Additionally, a spin-off focused on him and Catwoman was considered at one point before being shelved.
  • Nightwing's costume makes cameo appearances in Batman Beyond, being on display in the Batcave. In the episode "Lost Soul", Terry McGinnis borrows the Nightwing mask to protect his identity after his Batsuit is stolen.
  • Nightwing makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Grudge Match".
  • An alternate timeline version of Nightwing appears in the Teen Titans episode "How Long is Forever?", voiced by Scott Menville.
  • Nightwing appears in The Batman episode "Artifacts", voiced by Jerry O'Connell.
  • Nightwing appears in Harley Quinn, voiced by Harvey Guillén. This version initially struggles to cooperate with the Bat Family, until they are forced to brave the Riddler's escape room alongside Harley Quinn and her crew. In the fourth season, he is killed by a sleep-deprived Harley, with the Joker taking credit. He is resurrected by Talia al Ghul in the season finale "Killer's Block", and swears to get revenge on Harley.
  • Nightwing appears in Batwheels, voiced by Zachary Gordon.
  • Nightwing appears in the Robot Chicken episode "May Cause a Squeakquel", voiced by Will Friedle.
  • Warner Bros. Pictures was developing a Nightwing live-action film centered on the character, set in the DC Extended Universe, with Bill Dubuque writing the script and The Lego Batman Movie director Chris McKay signed on to direct. Discussing why he likes the character and signed on for the project, McKay cited the character's showman personality and background as an entertainer and expressed his excitement for depicting that in the film. He later stated that he wants to introduce a complete adaptation of the character, something that hasn't been done in previous film interpretations of him before. McKay continued to state that the director-driven approach is why he loves Warner Bros., and how the franchise is differentiating itself from other popular shared universes. McKay also confirmed that the film would acknowledge the titular character's past from the source material, including his time as a part of Haly's Circus, and also reaffirmed that the film will be a straightforward action film with minimal use of CGI special effects and grounded realism. Although the script was nearing its final draft, McKay said in 2021 that the project was delayed due to DC having "other priorities", but also reaffirmed his intentions to still make the film. He also said that the film could possibly be reworked to remove its connections to the DCEU continuity. In August 2023, Umberto Gonzalez of TheWrap reported that it had been cancelled.

Animation

  • Nightwing appears in Batman: Under the Red Hood, voiced by Neil Patrick Harris.
  • Nightwing appears as a playable character in Batman: Arkham City, voiced by Quinton Flynn.
  • Nightwing appears as a playable character in Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, voiced by Cam Clarke. Additionally, Damian Wayne as Nightwing appears as a playable character, voiced by Neal McDonough.
  • Nightwing appears as an NPC in Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure.
  • Nightwing appears as a playable character in Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, voiced by Josh Keaton.
  • Nightwing appears as a playable character in Batman: Arkham Knight, voiced by Scott Porter.
  • The Lego Batman Movie version of Nightwing appears as a playable character in Lego Dimensions.
  • Damian Wayne as Nightwing appears in Injustice 2, voiced by Scott Porter.
  • Nightwing appears as a playable character in DC Legends.
  • Nightwing appears as a playable character in Lego DC Super-Villains, voiced by Matthew Mercer.
  • Nightwing appears in DC Battle Arena, voiced by P. M. Seymour. This version is a police officer for the Gotham City Police Department.
  • Nightwing appears in the Injustice: Gods Among Us prequel comic. After being accidentally killed by Damian Wayne, he is given Deadman's powers and takes on his mantle.

Rides

A Nightwing ride is currently in operation at Six Flags New England.

References