WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for ABSOLUTE POWER #3!In a recentAbsolute Powerrelease, oneJustice Leaguehero made it clear thatNightwinghas fallen short of the mission that’s driven him for the past 40 years of comic history. But die-hard Dick Grayson fans are sure to jump to the defense of the Original Boy Wonder—and the best part? They’ve got the stats to back it up.
Mark Waid and Dan Mora’sAbsolute Power#3 continues Amanda Waller’s relentless assault on Earth’s heroes, using the brainwashedJon Kent as her personal weapon. With DC’s heroes forced to confront Superman’s son, tensions escalate, especially when Big Barda insists they must kill Jon before he kills them. Nightwing quickly shuts her down, reminding the team that Jon is a casualty of war, not their enemy. While Barda relents, her disregard for Dick’s leadership becomes clear whenshe later ignores his orders and dismissively refers to him as"Batman’s child,“underscoring Nightwing’s ongoing struggle to step out of Batman’s shadow.
Dick Grayson Originally Became Nightwing to Leave the Shadow of Batman
Dick Grayson Debuted as Nightwing inTales of the Teen Titans#44 (1984)
Forty years ago, inTales of the Teen Titans#44 (1984), Dick Grayson shed his Robin persona and became Nightwing, swapping his iconic traffic light outfit for the bold blue and gold of his disco suit. Butthis wasn’t just a costume change—it marked Dick’s deliberate attempt to establish himself as a hero in his own right, separate from Batman. So when Big Barda dismissively calls him"Batman’s child"after decades of him leading teams like the Titans, it’s not just an insult—it reveals that, despite his efforts, some heroes still view him as an extension of Batman, undermining the very goal of redefining his identity.
Some fans might argue that Dick’s original motivation for becoming Nightwing is outdated, as it was rooted in his Pre-Crisis story. However, even in his Post-Crisis origin, where Bruce fired him after the Joker shot him, the core motivation remains: Dick became Nightwing to forge his own path. Robin was a mantle he shared with Batman, but Nightwing was something Dick created for himself, symbolizing his independence from Bruce. Regardless of which Nightwing origin you follow,Barda’s remark ultimately shows that, in the eyes of some heroes, Dick is still defined by his relationship with Batman.
Big Barta Referring to Nightwing as“Batman’s Child”Just Undermined Dick Grayson’s Character Growth
Whether Barda Likes It or Not, Nightwing Is IN CHARGE
Big Barda’s dismissal of Nightwing’s command and her decision to refer to Dick Grayson as“Batman’s child”is a significant blow to the character growth fans have witnessed for decades. DC has spent years elevating Dick to one of its top-tier heroes, most notably with him taking charge of the Titans, DC’s leading superhero team, after the Justice League’s departure during Dawn of DC. Characters like Batman and Superman have come to see Dick as an equal, even deferring tohis leadership throughoutAbsolute Power.Barda’s remark cuts deep, undermining the years of development that positioned Dick as a hero in his own right.
Despite Barda’s jab inAbsolute Power#3, Nightwing swiftly reasserts his authority. After stopping Barda from taking a kill shot at Jon, she questions why he intervened, to which Nightwing coolly replies,“Because (A) I’m in charge, and (B) I know something you don’t.”This moment is equal parts badass and petty, solidifying that Dick no longer seeks validation. Confident in his leadership and accomplishments—achievements earned on his own, not in Batman’s shadow—Nightwing proves he has nothing to prove to anyone, even if they don’t recognize his well-deserved merits.
Nightwing Proves He’s Become the New Batman by Shutting Down a Literal God
Batman is known for being able to take down anyone with his contingency plans, and it seems that Nightwing has truly learned to do the same.
Dick Grayson Has More Than Succeeded At Becoming His Own Hero In the Eyes of Fans
Nightwing Is Currently the Fifth Most Popular DC Hero (According to RANKER)
Even though some heroes and readers may still see Nightwing as merely an extension of Batman, many are more than confident that Dick Grayson has succeeded in the goal he set for himself forty years ago—leaving Batman’s shadow behind. While characters occasionally take jabs at his independence, Dick Grayson’s fans know he has achieved something remarkable: rising to unprecedented popularity for a character who began as a sidekick. This sentiment is supported by Ranker, whereNightwingranks as the fifth most popular DC hero, outranking iconic figures likeGreen Lantern,Green Arrow, andMartian Manhunter.
Absolute Power #3is available now from DC Comics.
Nightwing
Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.
