WARNING: Comprises potential spoilers for Nightwing #122!
DC has virtually confirmed that one factor stays Nightwing of changing into a Batman clone, and all of it comes down to at least one phrase – or extra exactly, one individual: Batgirl. Barbara Gordon has at all times been a big a part of Dick Grayson's life, however now she has formally confirmed how important she is to Dick remaining the hero we all know and love as we speak.
Dan Watters and Dexter Soy's Nightwing #122 continues to observe Dick Grayson as he wages a three-front struggle in Blüdhaven, a battle that spirals additional uncontrolled with every subject. Gang wars are breaking out, a newly militarized police power is wreaking havoc, and Nightwing's newest adversary, Spheric Options, is fueling the chaos by arming the police and destabilizing the gangs.
After yet one more setback in his efforts to quell the unrest, Dick retreats to the now deserted Titans Tower, the place he meditates in the dead of night, questioning whether or not it's potential to save lots of a metropolis as corrupt as Blüdhaven - a second that feels prefer it was lifted straight from Batman's playbook.
Nightwing focuses on Batman's trademark (and is giving copycat)
The comedian web page comes from Batman: Darkish Patterns #1 (2024) – Artwork by Hayden Sherman
On the floor, Batman and Nightwing appear as completely different as two heroes may be, with Dick embodying an extroverted, talkative nature in distinction to Bruce's quiet introvert. Nonetheless, because the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall removed from the tree – one thing that turns into more and more evident in Nightwing #122. After yet one more failed try and unravel the chaos orchestrated by Spheric Options CEO Olivia Pearce, Dick enters utterly “Stunning Bat” mode. Alone in the dead of night and deserted Titans Towerhe displays on his and the Titans' efforts in Blüdhaven, even musing, “Perhaps this metropolis doesn’t wish to be saved.”
Dick's second of solitary introspection, sulking in the dead of night as he questions the opportunity of saving Blüdhaven, mirrors lots of Bruce's brooding classes as Batman. Bruce typically questions the viability of his mission to save lots of Gotham, one other metropolis immune to redemption. The scene in Nightwing #122 echoes a current second in Dan Watters' work Batman: Darkish Patterns #1, the place the Darkish Knight laments, “...there are heinous issues in Gotham that I can do nothing about. I can’t save individuals from themselves.” Clearly, Nightwing shares Batman's susceptibility to brooding when heroism begins to appear futile.
This similarity shouldn't come as a shock, given the numerous similarities between Nightwing and Batman. Their shared origins, formed by tragedy and a deep sense of justice, considerably influenced their life decisions and strategy to heroism. Moreover, Bruce raised Dick as a son and companion, making it pure for Nightwing to undertake a few of Batman's habits. In spite of everything, Dick and Bruce are the unique bats of the bat household. With the truth that Nightwing follows Batman in some ways - evident in Dick's brooding classes and heroic methodology - the true query turns into: What stops Nightwing from being a Batman clone? A query that Nightwing #122 solutions.
Batgirl proves she's the one factor stopping Nightwing from changing into a Batman clone
Comedian panel comes from Nightwing #122 (2025) – Artwork by Dexter Soy
Nightwing alone in the dead of night, sulking as he watches the town he swore to guard, is a really Batman-like scene. Nonetheless, a basic distinction between the 2 heroes' typical brooding classes quickly emerges: Batgirl arrives to actually and metaphorically activate the sunshine for Nightwing. With out hesitation, she calls him out in a foul temper, saying bluntly: “Okay, okay. No extra pondering in the dead of night, Surprise Boy. At this level, the basic distinction between Nightwing and Batman turns into clear – Dick has somebody regular in his life (who he's prepared to take heed to) to tug him out of his moments of self-pity, whereas Bruce doesn't.
If the roles have been reversed, with Bruce meditating in the dead of night, nobody would probably step in to supply bodily or emotional help. With Alfred Pennyworth - Bruce's steadfast pillar of stability - now gone, Batman is left with out the grounding presence that Dick has. This distinction highlights a vital distinction between Batman and Nightwing: the presence of a help system. Whereas Batman bears the burden of his mission alone, Nightwing has others to depend on, together with the Titans and, most notably, Barbara Gordon. Batgirl is Dick's strongest anchor, guaranteeing he stays balanced and distinguishing him from his mentor, stopping him from falling into the Darkish Knight's lackluster coping mechanisms.
Barbara Gordon is one among Dick Grayson's biggest strengths (significantly)
Comedian panel comes from Nightwing #122 (2025) – Artwork by Dexter Soy
To be clear, this text doesn't counsel that Barbara Gordon and her relationship with Nightwing are the one elements that distinguish Dick Grayson from Bruce Wayne. Nonetheless, it emphasizes that Barbara's presence in Dick's life is, undoubtedly, a key component that differentiates him from Batman. It's additionally vital to acknowledge that Barbara performs a big position within the Batman narrative and shares a singular relationship with Bruce. Nonetheless, what Bruce and Barbara share is basically completely different from her relationship with Dickwhich is deeper and has a extra profound affect on Nightwing as a person.
Though Batgirl and Nightwing's relationship has skilled its justifiable share of on-and-off moments, Barbara stays one among Dick's biggest strengths. As demonstrated in Nightwing #122, she redirects your reflections, listens to your issues, and affords her personal perspective whereas encouraging you not to surrender in your mission. With out Barbara, Dick can be extra more likely to fall right into a pessimistic mindset and keep that method. Their help strengthens him as each a hero and an individual, enjoying a vital position in stopping Nightwing from changing into a whole Batman clone - particularly given Bruce's tendency to succumb and stay pessimistic.
Batman could have Catwoman, however can they really rival Nightwing and Batgirl's partnership?
Card variant of canopy B by Dan Panosian for Nightwing #123 (2025)
Some would possibly argue that Catwoman performs the identical position for Batman that Batgirl performs for Nightwing, however the comparability falls quick. Though Selina Kyle has sometimes supported Bruce and helped him by way of darkish instances, her unreliable nature and conflicting priorities undermine her as a dependable associate. Selina's morals and objectives typically battle with Bruce's, leaving their relationship unstable and infrequently at odds. In distinction, Nightwing and Batgirl share a agency partnership based mostly on mutual respect, aligned values, and a standard mission. From Batgirl paper in Nightwing life far surpasses something Catwoman affords Batmanparticularly with regards to offering a secure base in instances of want.
Nightwing #122 is now out there from DC Comics!