Nightwing It quickly grew to become an essential part of the DC Universe. From his humble beginnings as the comics' first sidekick to a full-fledged hero, he's practically been elevated to Batman status with your brain, your skills and your fighting style thanks to your acrobatic training. However, there are some major flaws in his superhero career that reveal he may not be the idol hero all fans assume he is.
Every hero has a weakness, and the weaknesses of characters like Nightwing and Batman are more complicated than just kryptonite, precisely because they don't have superpowers. Rather, your flaws are your inherent human nature. While Nightwing is still one of the best out there, here are The 10 Biggest Fails That Prove Nightwing Isn't Really The Perfect Superhero.
10
Nightwing's love life keeps him from being a true hero
Dick Grayson Often Chooses Romance Over Being a Vigilante
It's no secret that Dick Grayson is something of a womanizer, and like his father Batman, he might make a dumb decision if he involves a pretty girl. From Starfire to Barbara Gordon, Nightwing is no stranger to love triangles and is known for choosing his love life over his vigilantism, such as when he dated Defacer, a criminal from Blüdhaven. Just like Batman and Catwoman, sometimes their romance transcends their morals.
One of the most surprising examples of Nightwing thinking outside of his head comes Nightwing Annual #1 (1997), by Devin Grayson and Greg Land. In this story arc, Nightwing is investigating a series of murders and decides to marry his suspect to deduce whether he will be his next victim. It doesn't hurt that he's attracted to his new wife and suspicious.
9
Nightwing is very selfless
Sometimes Nightwing chooses tragedy over happiness
In the race of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo Nightwing, Dick Grayson's iconic relationship with Batgirl almost ends, precisely because Nightwing is so selfless. Even though sometimes he chooses romance instead of being a hero, other times he is very idealistic and Batman chooses the path of suffering instead of being happy, thinking it will make him a better hero. Like any overly honorable hero, Nightwing would rather end things with Barbara Gordon than see her in danger.
Node Nightwing run, Nightwing tries to sacrifice a piece of his happiness to fully become Nightwing, and so he tries to break up with Batgirl for her own good. Fortunately, she is not so easily brushed aside and dismisses the idea as completely unnecessary. It's a moment like this, of sacrificing one's happiness to be a hero, that stops Nightwing from becoming the perfect DC superhero.
8
Nightwing isn't very good at fighting alone
Dick Grayson often calls a friend in battle
In what is typically seen as a healthy response to Batman's loneliness, Nightwing is also an important player on the team. From the Teen Titans to the Titans, Nightwing has even led the entire Justice League during events like Dark Crisis and Absolute Power. But while Batman's self-sufficiency is definitely a flaw, Nightwing's dependence on other heroes means he doesn't tend to fight many battles alone.
Batman, on the other hand, was able to take down the entire Justice League in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. Batman: Endgame when the Joker mind controlled them - and alone too. It's hard to imagine Nightwing being able to do this, specifically because, in his case, he wouldn't have any friends to turn to to fight his friends. Nightwing isn't very good at fighting alone, but he needs to be.
7
Nightwing is extremely optimistic
Robin reveals Nightwing's only blind spot
Other times, Nightwing is nothing like Batman. Most of the time, he acts as a foil to his own father and mentor and is light and funny, while Batman is dark and brooding. However, Robin sees this as Nightwing's biggest flaw. In Batman and Robin 2024 Annual #1, by Joshua Williamson and Howard Porter, Damian Wayne reveals that he thinks Nightwing is often too optimistic, thus losing the sense of urgency and realism necessary for the life of a vigilante.
While Nightwing's lightheartedness is what makes him Nightwing, it can certainly be seen as a major flaw. Unable to recognize the darker aspects of life, his optimism makes him very trusting in both heroes and villains, believing in redemption for everyone, even those like the Joker. This own optimism may be what irrevocably hurts Dick Grayson in the end, who won't see the other shoe drop like a pessimist would.
6
Nightwing also has a secret rage
Dick Grayson is fueled by the death of his parents
Nightwing acts like a loquacious superhero without a care in the world, but his horrific trauma runs deep within him and affects everything he does.
But your optimism is not always your behavior. In fact, Nightwing has an intense anger that also fuels him. In Nightwing #112, by Tom Taylor and Sami Basri, fans get a glimpse of Dick Grayson's rage as he trains with Batman as a boy, and his rage begins to control him. Just like Batman, Dick had to watch his parents die as a child and was unable to stop it. Nightwing acts like a loquacious superhero without a care in the world, but his horrific trauma runs deep within him and affects everything he does.
Sometimes Nightwing breaks and hits too hard. Then the “perfect superhero” façade shatters, and Nightwing is just another superhero trying to heal his own past wounded by his current vigilantism. Until he heals from this trauma, Nightwing will not be able to evolve into DC's central superhero.
5
Nightwing cares a lot about what other people think
Superman highlights this Nightwing flaw
Sometimes Nightwing's classic glibness isn't just a reaction to growing up with someone like Batman — it's a defense mechanism so he can be loved by everyone. Of all people, Superman is the one to point out this flaw. In Nightwing #104, by Tom Taylor and Travis Moore, Superman tells Nightwing that he can't be friends with everyone. Being a hero means being able to stand up to those who make mistakes, and sometimes jokes just don't cut it.
Coming from Superman, this advice is not only ironic but applicable to Dick's life. In battle, Nightwing often chooses the path of peace and lightness, when sometimes a fist is needed to deal with those who do not respond to lightness. As long as Nightwing continues to need to be loved by everyone in the world, he won't be able to be the superhero the world needs in these difficult times.
4
Nightwing breaks the Bat-family's no-killing rule
Dick Grayson Crosses the Line Batman Won't Cross
Every fan knows Batman's famous no-kill rule, and it has been established throughout the Bat-Family. Even though members like Red Hood often break this, no one expects the pure Nightwing to follow suit. But it breaks – twice. In Joker: Last laugh, by Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty, Nightwing does what Batman couldn't do and kills the Joker to get revenge for the death of his brother Jason Todd.
In a much more subtle way, Nightwing doesn't necessarily kill with his own hands, but he allows a death to happen. On Devin Grayson and Patrick Zircher Nightwing #93, Nightwing looks away as the villainous Tarantula shoots and kills the villainous Blockbuster. His obedience is as much an act of murder as if he had committed it himself. If pushed too far, Nightwing will break and break the kill rule at the same time.
3
Nightwing looks before he leaps
Dick Grayson is often very impulsive
Although Nightwing's fantastic acrobats are what make him a good fighter, Batman has some judgment in regards to what he considers his once ward and now ally's weaknesses. According to Bruce Wayne's alternate personality, the name Nightwing is synonymous with jumping before looking. As an acrobat, he's used to jumping into situations, but the world isn't like the circus – there isn't always a safety net to catch him.
Batman is the master planner, so it's no small feat that any version of him considers Nightwing impulsive. Dick Grayson is continually growing in power as he takes command in DC, but if he keeps jumping before he looks, he'll not only put himself in danger, but his entire team as well. Nightwing still has the patience to learn before he becomes the perfect hero.
2
Nightwing isn't even the best fighter in Gotham
As good as she is, Batgirl is better and proves it
Nightwing's acrobatic skills also make him one of Gotham's best fighters - but even Nightwing admits he's not the best there is. Nightwing #86by Tom Taylor and Robbi Rodriguez, shows Nightwing admitting that Cassandra Cain's Batgirl is a better fighter than him. He knows she is stronger, faster and more lethal, considering she was raised by a killer while he was raised by circus performers.
When they fought in the past, Batgirl came out on top. As strong and capable as Nightwing is, there's no denying that He can't be a perfect superhero if he isn't the best fighter in his hometown. He shines in battles that involve acrobatics, but when facing some of his own friends and allies, he is a second-rate fighter. At least he's not proud to admit when someone is better than him.
1
Nightwing is the ideal sleeper agent
The DC Universe places a lot of trust in Dick Grayson
In the main continuity, Nightwing has led all of DC's heroes to victory, whether in Dark Crisis or Absolute Power. But in alternate timelines, that same leadership ability and worldwide likability could be a serious problem. Just like in D.C. vs. Vampires, by James Tynion IV, Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt, A vampiric Nightwing leads DC's secret takeover of the world because no one expects him to be evil - not even Batman.
As long as Nightwing has so much dominance over DC, he will always be a threat in times of mind control or special curses. In that sense, he has a lot of work to do to become that version of the perfect superhero that is often praised. As Nightwing enters his new era, he will continue to grow in strength and intellect, and it may not be long before he Nightwing becomes that hero he was destined to be.