DCAUResource.com

Menu:

Nightwing

Batman

Robin

Back to Heroes Main > Nightwing

Real Identity: Dick Grayson
Affiliations: Teen Titans
Appearances (Movies): Son of Batman, Batman vs Robin, Batman: Bad Blood, Justice League vs. Teen Titans, and Teen Titans: The Judas Contract
Appearances (Shorts): Nightwing and Robin
Powers/Skills: Martial Arts, Above Average Agility, Above Average Physical Attributes, Armed Combat, and Piloting
Voiced By: Sean Maher

Dick Grayson was the first Robin, partner of Batman, from when he was a boy. Grayson was the member of a circus that loved him like a family but he was orphaned. Bruce Wayne took him in and eventually made him his partner, Robin. The two became so in tune, they fought crime in near perfect tandem. In way, he brought affirmation into Wayne's life. Grayson idolized him and wanted to be him. The older Grayson got, the more he realized he didn't truly know Wayne at all and how lonely growing up with him was. Robin came to lead the Teen Titans, a team of teenage superheroes, in a new city. Kid Flash became impatient with Robin's driving. Robin insisted he was moving with the flow of traffic. Speedy asked when he would get to drive. Robin stated it was his car, so never. The Titans happened upon a portal in the sky and a battle between aliens. Robin was speechless at the sight of a lone alien girl. After she was knocked down into street then beaten, Robin ordered the team to action.

Speedy fired several explosives at the Gordanians. Robin ran into the smoke screen and attacked with his escrima sticks then jump kicked the two holding the girl. She looked up and spoke in her native language. Robin looked up at the portal. He hailed Speedy on the comm line and requested something to close the portal. Speedy fired a high explosive and caused the portal's flow to reverse. Robin grabbed the girl's left arm and fired a grapnel line. A Gordanian grabbed Starfire's leg and he lost his grip on her. He let go of the grapnel, turned, and threw a Birdarang into the Gordanian. It was knocked into the portal. Robin grabbed her by the wrist and she reciprocated. After the portal closed, they fell to the streets. She said something then kissed him. She suddenly began speaking in English and introduced herself as Koriand'r of the planet Tamaran then explained her people learned languages through the act of kissing. Robin asked if she was okay. Koriand'r revealed her sister Komand'r staged a coup and took the throne, forcing her to flee.

Robin offered her sanctuary until she figured out what to do next. Koriand'r accepted and asked for two or three days, a week at the longest. Robin introduced her to the other Titans. After leaving the team, he continued to study H.I.V.E., a criminal organization. In his adult years, Grayson took on a new costumed identity - Nightwing. He went through two suits over the years. Aside from his trademark acrobatic prowess, Nightwing is also armed with a pair of Escrima sticks. Compared to his mentor, Nightwing was more well adjusted and lived both a normal life and the superhero one. However, Nightwing struggled for years to get out of Batman's shadow and build a life for himself as far away from his world. He had no desire to succeed Bruce Wayne as Batman.

While on patrol, Nightwing encountered a boy ninja trying to kill Ubu. With some effort, Nightwing defeated the boy and was not pleased to learn he was Damian, son of Batman. Nightwing informed Batman of the incident. Back at the Batcave, Nightwing was tended to by Alfred Pennyworth. Grayson and Damian quickly developed a sibling rivalry. He saw through Damian and forbade him from taking on the Robin mantle. However, Batman decided it was the most pragmatic choice. While Batman and Robin flew to Interlaken, Nightwing remained at the Batcave and supervised Dr. Langstrom's efforts to create an antidote to his new Man-Bat Serum. He also looked over some intelligence and noticed a dormant oil rig near the Outer Hebrides went active a few weeks back and it was owned by Ra's Al Ghul through a shell company. He informed Batman of the connection and updated him of Langstrom's progress.

Once Langstrom finishing making hundreds of doses of the antidote, they were loaded into the Batplane's arsenal. They flew to London and picked up Batman then proceeded to the oil rig. After dropping off Batman, Nightwing circled until Man-Bat Ninjas began surfacing from the ocean and rig. Dr. Langstrom blasted the ninjas with his antidote. With the rig collapsing, Nightwing kept circling and towed an escape pod containing Batman, Robin and Talia to safety just in time. During the Atlantean incident, Batman called in Nightwing and Robin to finish the Scarecrow case interrupted by Green Lantern. In short order, they found the Scarecrow and the rest of his henchmen but were surrounded. After taking out the henchmen, Nightwing and Robin jammed Scarecrow's two guns in unison. Robin took the lead and defeated the psychopath out with a flying kick. Both were unaware they were being watched the whole time by Talon from the building's skylight.

Several months later, Batman had Nightwing babysit Robin at Wayne Manor while he investigated a stolen owl feather on his own. Nightwing and Robin sparred in the Batcave. The former used his Escrima sticks while the latter used a katana. As the match went on, Nightwing observed Robin was sloppy but he insisted he was uninterested in his opponent. Robin resented being trained by a "circus clown" and boasted of the training he received from his grandfather. Nightwing quipped he was trained by Bruce Wayne, the person who defeated Ra's al Ghul everytime they met. Nightwing then smashed Robin against a case. He was infuriated to see it was the case holding Nightwing's old Robin costume. The first Robin. Nightwing boldly surmised he was the only one based on the current fight. Robin declared Nightwing was just an orphan Batman took pity on and he was Batman's son. Robin broke free, used a low blow and knocked Nightwing over the railings down onto the chair facing the Batcomputer.

Dick Grayson went to check on Damian Wayne in his bedroom but received a call from Koriand'r. Grayson was aghast to learn she was dressed in a red outfit with lace and the thong. He pleaded with her not to tell him anything else and promised he would see her the next night. As he entered the bedroom, Grayson realized young Wayne had sneaked out again. Musing over how angry Bruce Wayne was going to be, Grayson got a message from Alfred Pennyworth. He suited up and extracted a badly beaten Batman from the Gotham Museum of Natural History, where he was ambushed by three Talons. They returned home and waited in Damian Wayne's bedroom, in the dark, while Grayson tended to Wayne's wounds and bandaged him. After Wayne read the riot act to his son, he and Grayson conferred in the hallway outside. Grayson reminded Wayne he did his share of sneaking out in his youth but Wayne reiterated the threat posed by the Talons. Grayson implored him to talk to his son but he found it futile. Wayne told Grayson he wasn't like Damian, he had loving parents and a heart. Grayson quickly questioned if Damian had a heart or not. Wayne became frustrated and wondered if he and Damian were meant to be a father and a son.

Robin heard the conversation and sneaked out again. Pennyworth admitted he turned off the outgoing security system as a gesture of good faith to Robin. Batman was not pleased. Nightwing assured Pennyworth he did the right thing and Robin would be back but reminded him Batman didn't get over anything. While he investigated the Court of Owls, Batman was drugged and experienced a nightmarish hallucination detailing an apocalyptic future caused by an angry adult Damian Wayne. Even Nightwing was among the dead surrounding him. Luckily, Nightwing followed Batman's last known tranmission, found him, and brought him back to Wayne Manor. In the meantime, Nightwing went back out to search for Robin but was unable to find him. Seven hours later, Batman awoke but still in a stir. Nightwing and Pennyworth tried to keep him calm and tried in vain to get him to continue recuperating. In the invasion of Wayne Manor, Nightwing helped battle the army of undead Talons. In the course of battle, Nightwing was impaled in six places through his shoulders and legs.

Batman came to Nightwing's rescue and destroyed a Talon about to swing its axe then severed the ropes being used to drag him. However, Batman tricked Nightwing and put him through the passage to the Batcave then continued fighting. Nightwing quickly removed the blades and bandaged himself as best he could. Batman soon arrived and the battle continued. As Batman made his way to Sub-Level 3, Nightwing fought off Talons on the main level. He encountered the main Talon who remarked he could have been a Talon as well. Talon easily defeated the wounded Nightwing and pinned him to a costume case. After Talon killed himself and the army was frozen in place, Grayson helped with clean up. While he, Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth boxed up books, he struggled to speak up about Damian, who left. Wayne stated he needed his own place in the world. Grayson stammered Damian was just a 10 year old boy. Wayne disagreed and remarked Damian wasn't like any other child on Earth.

Nightwing was en route to "the Tower" and visit Starfire after weeks of not seeing each other. He was delayed by the appearance of Blockbuster in a red light district. Blockbuster threw vehicles at Nightwing but missed. Nightwing made his way to Blockbuster and hit him in the chin with a knee and assaulted him with his staves. Starfire distracted Nightwing by saying she almost forgot what he feels like. He took a kick from Blockbuster and was propelled into a construction site. Nightwing threw out a throwing star at a crane and severed the wrecking ball. It landed right on top of Blockbuster. Nightwing was about to resume his trip to "the Tower" but Alfred Pennyworth sent him an emergency call. Nightwing begrudgingly cancelled on Starfire and drove to the Batcave instead. He eavesdropped on Pennyworth posing as Bruce Wayne at a Wayne Enterprises board meeting. Once the feed was cut, Nightwing teased Pennyworth to watch the "bloody hells" and give himself away. Pennyworth was not amused.

Nightwing asked how long Batman was gone. Pennyworth replied two weeks, one day, and 15 hours. Nightwing remarked it wouldn't be the first time. Pennyworth agreed but Batman should have contacted him already. He worried the surge in criminal activity would only increase in Batman's absence. Nightwing made the hard call and donned one of the older Batman suits. He drove to the docks and interrupted Black Mask's operation unloading a weapons shipment. More of Mask's men converged on the site but Robin suddenly appeared and jammed Mask's own weapon causing it to blow back in his face. Batman was not pleased. Modest as ever, Robin criticized Grayson's impression of Batman and insisted he needed his help. Batwoman continued following the Batmobile but Batman and Robin confronted her in an alley. Batwoman deduced he was really Nightwing then admitted she witnessed the real Batman's death. She showed them the ruins of the warehouse where she and Batman fought a gang of supervillains.

Grayson proposed they should all work together but Batwoman declined to join the "cult" and glided back to the city. On the drive back, Robin insinuated Grayson wanted to Batman to be dead so he could keep the suit on. Grayson braked and gave him an earful about how he wanted nothing to do with it. Pennyworth made contact and played Batman's file on Batwoman. But he and Grayson were surprised to learn she was Katherine Kane. The next night, he and Robin responded to Lucius Fox's security breach alert at Wayne Tech. They entered the sub-level 3 vault and battled Heretic's gang. However, Batman could not pursue with Robin electrocuted into submission and Fox bleeding out. Grayson later visited Fox in the hospital. Luke Fox, his son, demanded to join the war against Heretic but Grayson turned him down and said it wasn't his call. That night, as Batman he found Kane in a bar and sent her an anonymous text to meet him on the rooftop. He revealed his secret identity to Batwoman and admitted he had a childhood crush on her. Batwoman remarked she thought he was annoying.

Batwoman told Grayson about the night Batman saved her life and how she vowed she would never need someone to save her again. Grayson understood but believed she didn't have to be alone as a result. Pennyworth alerted Grayson of Robin's sudden disappearance. Batman and Batwoman followed Robin's tracker to the Sisters of Perpetual Grace convent outside the city. They were met by nuns armed with M-60s and katana blades. Somehow, Grayson convinced Batwoman to use rubber bullets. As the battle continued, Batwing came to their aid. Tusk informed Talia of three intruders. Talia ordered a retreat but left Bruce and Damian Wayne behind. Batman had Batwing blast the front doors in. He made his way through the compound and encountered Hellhound. Hellhound did a series of stances but debris rained down on him. He encountered Bruce and Damian Wayne and helped them outside. However, the convent began to collapse. Batman struggled to hold onto the grapnel line Damian and Bruce clung to but he soon fell as well. Batwing saved them and flew them back to stable ground.

Without so much as a thank you or acknowledgement of Batwing and Batwoman, Bruce Wayne ordered Robin and Nightwing back to Gotham. A week later, Wayne informed Damian, Pennyworth, and Grayson they would pursue Talia after he finished hosting the World Tech Summit. Grayson felt they shouldn't wait and instead call in Kane and Fox to help. The conversation became heated between Wayne and Grayson about including them and telling Kane their secret. Pennyworth commented he was gone and Grayson had to make a judgment call and thought it was the right one. Wayne conceded but wanted it be family only going forward. Grayson revealed Kane was working the the hard drive they confiscated from the convent. Wayne wanted her out after she was done and declared he called the shots. After Wayne left the cave, Pennyworth noted he went through an extraordinary ordeal. Grayson stated they all did, too. He started a work out and called Kane to inform her of Wayne's decision. He tried to apologize but Kane told there was nothing to be sorry about.

A short time later, Nightwing and Robin met with Batwoman on a rooftop. She told them about how her brainwashed father tried to kill her. Nightwing suspected Wayne told Talia about the hard drive and the secret Wayne Tech vault earlier. Batwing arrived with the data he extracted from the hard drive. Nightwing noticed a list contained names of vice-presidents, military officials, and corporate leaders and realized Talia planned to brainwash them all at the summit. They infiltrated the Watchtower Initiative above the city. Nightwing declared first priority was evacuating the attendees but Talia cut them off with her team. Nightwing was forced to battle a brainwashed Batman. Batman eventually broke Nightwing's left shoulder and soundly bested him. Talia tossed him a gun and ordered him to execute Nightwing. Robin appeared and deduced Talia was all about control. Talia ordered Batman to kill Robin first instead. Nightwing pleaded with Wayne not to kill because he never killed. Not to let her win or take his soul.

Talia retorted she cleansed his soul and took away his trauma. Nightwing declared Batman brought them all together because he understood their pain and lonliness better than anyone could. They needed a family. They needed him. Batman struggled with the gun. Nightwing continued and admitted he wasn't just a mask, he was a man and the best man he ever knew. Batman held the gun to himself and stammered he couldn't fight the programming. Nightwing implored him to fight it for the boy who lost his world in that alley. Talia drew her sword and was about to kill Nightwing herself but Batman shot it out of her hands then fell over. Nightwing and Robin tended to him as Batwoman decked Talia. Batwing arrived. Talia was surrounded. She pulled a grenade and declared she would have Wayne in death. It was just a ploy and Talia got away in her transport but to crash into the ocean when Onyx attacked her for putting the Heretic down. A short time later, back at Wayne Manor, Grayson thanked Pennyworth for lunch and was about to depart for the Tower. He noticed Pennyworth was observing Bruce and Damian Wayne having a heart-to-heart outside over Talia's death.

Grayson made a full recovery. Batwoman caught up with Nightwing on her motorcycle as they made their way to the Gotham City Police Department headquarters to meet up with Batman and Robin. Batwing soared over them. They all noticed a police chase down below involving the Penguin and joined in the pursuit. The day after the public unveiling of the Hall of Justice, Nightwing drove Robin to the Titans Tower in the Batmobile. Nightwing tried to explain the arrangement wasn't punishment and he'd hopefully learn how to be part of a team. Robin remarked teammates were a liability. Nightwing inquired what he was to Robin. Robin replied he was an unavoidable irritation. Upon arriving, Nightwing asked Robin not to behead anyone. Nightwing and Starfire shared a rather long handshake. Starfire noted it was awhile since they last saw each other. Nightwing replied she was looking good then introduced Robin to her. Starfire soon became frustrated with Robin. She started a video chat with Grayson after she took a shower and vented.

Grayson reminded her he warned her Robin was tough and he never had a childhood because he was trained to kill. He pretended not to check out Starfire then continued noting moving in with Batman wasn't anymore fun. Grayson looked around and admired her room then was about to propose something. Starfire realized she could get the Titans to bond over a night a fun. Grayson was confused. Starfire thanked him and signed off before he could ask for her to explain. At some point after, Nightwing updated his suit to bear red instead of blue. He also rejoined the Teen Titans. The team began conducting raids on H.I.V.E. and their bases for months. On the night of a full moon, they made their move on a third base, which was situated atop a steep, isolated hill in the desert. Starfire and Nightwing took out the sentries while the others lay in wait. Starfire stomped a sentry then Nightwing threw their hover board into the other. Nightwing admitted the hill would be a tough climb, especially in moonlight, and they were bound to be spotted but he thought of waiting for cloud cover.

Starfire finally got his attention by yelling his name. She revealed Terra would take them up to the base. She used her earth manipulating powers to move them up in the interior of the hill like an elevator. Nightwing advised everyone to channel all their thoughts to the enemy. He stopped himself and deferred to Starfire, but she implored him to continue. Nightwing stated H.I.V.E. was comprised of zealots and extremists who would sacrifice themselves without hesitation and the quicker they took them down, the better. The Titans began their assault. Nightwing scolded Robin for complimenting H.I.V.E. for improving their reaction time then advised everyone to be prepared for anything. Soldiers in exo suits attacked them. Nightwing suggested the move Starfire taught him last weekend. She teased him for his boldness. Nightwing clarified he meant the training move. She lifted him up and flew him over the exo suits. Nightwing landed on one, punched the pilot then used the suit to shoot another. The other exo suit opened fire, forcing him to jump.

Nightwing made his way to the command room and tried to override the locked door. He elbowed a soldier just as Starfire joined him. They took turns taking down soldiers. Nightwing began talking about taking the next step in their relationship. Six soldiers opened fire on them. The other Titans caught up and dispatched them. Nightwing began a data transfer then revealed to Starfire he got an apartment in the city. He then proposed sharing it with her and presented a duplicate key for her. She was elated and hugged him. The next day, at the Tower, Grayson settled in the terminal room and started transferring the confiscated files to the damaged files from the previous raids in the hope that the computer would find something they missed. The computer accessed and played a recent interview of Brother Blood. Robin noted Ra's al Ghul would have been impressed with Blood running both H.I.V.E. and the Church of Blood. Grayson corrected him and revealed they were the same organization but Blood publicly presented them as two.

Grayson asked Robin how often he got out of his suit. Robin revealed he only did to take a bath. Grayson hinted it was time. Robin didn't think so and announced he was heading out. Grayson asked where. Robin countered he wasn't a child who needed permission to go out. Grayson told him he was just taking an interest. Robin revealed he was going out on patrol and congratulated Grayson on his co-habitation with Starfire. He admitted she proved herself as a decent leader and approved of them. Starfire and Terra checked in. Grayson admitted he didn't find much in the files yet but stated the program would take one to two days to finish. Grayson continued helping Starfire pack well into the night. She found a gem, the one thing she had time to take before she fled Tamaran. Grayson consoled her but the Tower started to shake. Terra had another one of her super powered nightmares. Grayson asked how often that happened. Starfire only replied it happened enough. Robin voiced his concern.

The next day, Starfire presided over training session outside the Tower. Starfire and Nightwing went first. She quickly swept him off his feet with her staff. Raven joked they knew who was taking out the garbage. Starfire complimented him and noted he lasted longer than last time. Terra snickered. Starfire clarified she meant in training but added he was very proficient in sex. He got embarrassed and stopped her from finishing her sentence. The session came to an end when Terra snapped and lost control. Nightwing gathered up Beast Boy and ran. He tried to calm Terra down by telling her to take a breath. That night, Robin confronted Grayson. Grayson assumed Robin was going to say Terra needed more training. Robin stated she needed to be watched. Grayson countered she needed understanding and agreed with Starfire's assessment. Robin warned him decisions made with his heart would get people killed. Koriand'r and Grayson starting unpacking her boxes in the apartment. He was surprised by how many weapons she brought with her and hung up a sai and a battleaxe.

Grayson noticed she was troubled by something. She told about how they met with him after the incident at the training field with Terra. Grayson insisted they were just talking and would never undermine her. Koriand'r got to the core of the issue, that they went to him instinctively because he was a great leader. Grayson reminded her they chose her to lead them and he was glad she chose to move in with him. Koriand'r retorted at least she was his first choice for that. Grayson joked Beast Boy had a house already and Jaime Reyes couldn't afford the rent. She called him a brat and pushed him onto the couch. They were about to kiss but got a text from Robin sent by Deathstroke. Grayson mentioned Robin approved of them. They kissed. The Titans threw Terra a party to celebrate her one year anniversary of joining the team. While Grayson and Koriand'r slow danced, the computer alerted him it was done with Blood's files. They went to the terminal room and found a lead on a molecular biologist. The Titans deployed to his personal lab.

The biologist was killed by one of his own drones before they could question him. Instead, they discovered photos and research about the Titans in his briefcase. Grayson was concerned they as far as write-ups on genetic make up and theories on their powers. Starfire wanted to recall Robin from his solo mission but Grayson pointed out he was stubborn. Starfire ordered everyone to be extra vigilant as they went about their lives. Koriand'r attempted to cook a meal but only made a mess and dirty dishes. She advised Grayson to pick something up on the way back. She put out the fire with an extinguisher. After Grayson hung up, the door bell rang. She peeked through the keyhole and saw no one. She creaked the door open and saw a present with a note from Grayson. She opened it and was knocked out. Deathstroke retrieved her. Grayson arrived at Gabrielle's Horn. A crowd waited outside. Traci, a volunteer, mentioned it should have been opened. Grayson went to the back door and picked the lock.

Grayson discovered Jaime Reyes was electrocuted and taken from the kitchen. He tried to send out a warning to the other Titans then called the apartment but he got the answering machine. He stated he was going to get Beast Boy and told Koriand'r to go to the Tower. After discovering Beast Boy was darted and kidnapped at Metro-Con, he returned to the apartment and burst in. He saw a card written out to her and picked up her keepsake from Tamaran. Deathstroke suddenly swung in from outside and crashed through the glass then kicked Grayson. He threw daggers then punches while he promised to take Grayson to the other Titans. He drew a sword while Grayson grabbed a pair of sai from the wall. Grayson was tossed over the counter. Deathstroke drew his other sword. Grayson grabbed two pans and attacked. Deathstroke slammed him on the coffee table and opened fire with his Energy Lance. Grayson jumped outside and fired a grapnel line but Deathstroke sliced it.

Grayson dislocated his left shoulder after dropping down too fast and grabbing a ledge. He dropped onto a pile of trash bags, dodged Deathstroke and ran to an open market nearby. Grayson shielded himself from Deathstroke's dagger with a wooden cutting board then reached the docks. Deathstroke had enough and shot Grayson in the chest. Grayson fell into the waters below. Deathstroke stated he could have died with honor by the blade then called Grayson a loser and left. Grayson waited and surfaced. He tossed the cutting board then reset his shoulder against a pier column. Grayson returned to the Tower around dusk and saw the remains of Terra's battle with Raven. He told the computer to run a trace on Terra's cell phone. He suited up and stowed away on the underside of a H.I.V.E. transport on its way to the Church of Blood headquarters. He donned a robe worn by the congregation and blended in. While Blood used his Enervator machine to take on the Titans' powers, Nightwing revealed himself and dropped down into the arena.

Nightwing made his move and threw exploding Birdarangs at the Enervator's console and at Blood. He was blown away and the Titans were released. The followers tried to flee the hall. Deathstroke opened fire and tried to clear a path but Robin and Nightwing took him on while the rest of the Titans fought Blood. Robin and Nightwing attacked in tandem and slowly wore him down. Terra regained consciousness and went into a rage about Deathstroke betraying her. Nightwing tried to get her to stop but she raised barriers to keep Deathstroke to herself. Raven used her soul self to drain away the effects of the Enervator and reduced Blood to an emaciated old man. Blood pleaded with them but he was shot three times in the chest by Mayhem to prevent his arrest. Terra's instability triggered the destruction of the Church of Blood. The Titans retreated but Blue Beetle and Nightwing had to pull Beast Boy away. Some time after Brother Blood was defeated, Grayson and Kori settled down in their apartment to watch an episode of Looney Tunes with Daffy Duck.