Summary
Warning: Contains spoilers forNightwing #116!!
Batman frequently claims to work alone, but the Bat-Family is one of the most expansive vigilante groups in the DC Universe – and they just proved willing to show up forNightwinglike never before. Dick Grayson is often the heart of the family, and they’ll do whatever is necessary to protect him: including revealing their own secret identities when his is threatened.
Nightwing#116 follows Heartless' successful framing of Dick Grayson. The villain co-opted his name andleft Nightwing backed into a major corner. His superhero identity is intact, but Heartless has poisoned his civilian life, just as surely as he poisoned Dick’s mind with a renewed fear of heights.
In a surprising reveal, Barbara Gordon tells Dick thatrevealing his vigilante identityis the only way to clear his name.The proposal comes from Batman himself, and everyone from Spoiler to Red Hood is willing to follow suit, proving that they’re willing to put everything on the line for Nightwing.
Nightwing’s Tragic Origin Story Repeats Itself with a Shocking Character
Nightwing has one of the most tragic origins in the DC Universe, & it turns out that one of his former love interests shares a similar traumatic past.
The Bat-Family’s Offer to Reveal Their Identities Proves How Much They Value Nightwing
Nightwing#116 – Written By Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, & Wes Abbott
The risks that come with exposing themselves are incalculably high, and once the deed is done it would be impossible to take it back. Nevertheless, Barbara assures Dick that they’ve all volunteered to take the plunge for him.
Dick Grayson is always poised to help anyone who needs it, and he’s proven time and again that he’s willing to make incredible sacrifices for others. He has stepped in to wear the cowl and ensure that Gotham still has its Batman in Bruce’s absence, helped train andmentor more than one Robinto take on the identity he created and treasured, and lead teams of superheroes on countless dangerous missions. Nightwing’s upbeat presence and relentless drive mean he’s touched more lives than he realizes, and rarely does anyone get such an opportunity to show him how much he matters.
Bruce’s plan to go public is no hollow offer, either;Batman has guarded his own identity incredibly closelyfor decades. If one person’s true name is revealed,it sets off a domino effect that could extend well beyond the Bat-Family.The risks that come with exposing themselves are incalculably high, and once the deed is done it would be impossible to take it back. Nevertheless,Barbara assures Dickthat they’ve all volunteered to take the plunge for him. He has plenty of peoplewilling to help himas he has always helped them.
Batman’s plan isn’t necessary yet, but the Bat-Family’s willingness to sacrifice their identities for Nightwing is undeniable evidence that he’ll never face any fight alone.
The Bat-Family’s Identities Remain Safe – For Now
The Offer Was Enough For Nightwing
Heartless may have the upper hand currently, butunmasking the real villain remains the best way to clear Dick Grayson’s name and get justice for his crimes.For now, Dick isn’t convinced that the situation is dire enough to blow up the everyone’s biggest safety net, though he’s deeply grateful for the offer, and thanks Barbara. If he ever harbored any doubt about the impact he’s had, their offer should put it to rest.Batman’s plan isn’t necessary yet, but the Bat-Family’s willingness to sacrifice their identities forNightwingis undeniable evidence that he’ll never face any fight alone.
NIGHTWING #116 (2016)
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.
