10 Best Nightwing Storylines in DC Comics, Ranked by Impact

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Nightwing first appeared in Detective Comics #38 back in 1940, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. He started as Robin, Batman’s first teenage partner, and a groundbreaking sidekick in the world of comics. Later, he stepped out of Batman’s shadow and helped form the Teen Titans with friends like Kid Flash and Wonder Girl. In Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (1984), by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Dick Grayson officially became Nightwing, establishing himself as a hero separate from his days as Robin, Batman’s famous sidekick.

Dick Grayson truly came into his own as Nightwing, frequently demonstrating he’s a more effective hero than even Batman. Here’s a ranking of his most impactful comic book storylines.

10) “Get Grayson”

The “Get Grayson” story arc, appearing in Nightwing issues #87-91 (2016) and Superman: Son of Kal-El #9 (2022), was created by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, and Geraldo Borges. It highlights the contrast between Nightwing and Batman: where Batman relied on wealth to create gadgets, Nightwing used his inheritance from Alfred Pennyworth to build housing for people in need in Blüdhaven. This act makes him a target for Blockbuster, a crime boss who wants to stop Nightwing from helping others. Nightwing then teams up with Jon Kent’s Superman and the Titans. The story demonstrates Nightwing’s growth into a hero focused on community support, rather than intimidation.

9) “Nightwing Must Die!”

The storyline “Nightwing Must Die!” ran from issues #16-21 of the 2016 Nightwing series, part of the DC Rebirth era, and was created by Tim Seeley and Javier Fernandez. The story features Professor Pyg, a villain from Dick Grayson’s past as Batman, who joins forces with Dr. Hurt and a character resembling Deathwing. They kidnap Dick’s girlfriend, Shawn Tsang, leading Nightwing on an international chase to France. To combat these villains, Nightwing teams up with Damian Wayne’s Robin. This arc revisits villains originally created by Grant Morrison in Batman Incorporated, forcing Dick to confront difficult memories from his time as Batman.

8) “Night of the Owls“

“Night of the Owls” is a key part of the larger “Court of Owls” Batman story, revealing Dick Grayson’s link to Gotham City’s powerful secret society. This story arc, collected in Nightwing issues #8-12 and #0 (2011), written by Kyle Higgins with art by Eddy Barrows, sees the Court of Owls unleashing its assassins, the Talons, across the city. Nightwing finds himself hunted by one of these assassins, named Saiko, and discovers a shocking truth: he was originally intended to become a Talon himself. Adding a personal layer to the major New 52 Batman event, the story also revisits Dick’s past with Haly’s Circus, revealing a hidden and unsettling connection to the Court.

7) Nightwing: “Traps and Trapezes”

The story arc “Traps and Trapezes,” written by Kyle Higgins and illustrated by Eddy Barrows in Nightwing issues #1-7 (2011), marked Dick Grayson’s first appearance as Nightwing in the New 52 continuity. It featured Dick returning to his Nightwing identity after Bruce Wayne resumed the role of Batman, as well as his reconnection with Haly’s Circus. During this storyline, Dick was targeted by a dangerous assassin named Saiko. This arc immediately preceded the “Night of the Owls” event and firmly re-established Nightwing as a prominent solo character in DC Comics after a period of working alongside Damian Wayne as Batman and Robin.

6) Batman & Robin (Grant Morrison)

“Batman Reborn” was a six-issue story arc in Batman and Robin (2009), created by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. It began after Bruce Wayne appeared to die in Final Crisis, leading Dick Grayson to take on the mantle of Batman and team up with Damian Wayne as Robin. Their partnership was stronger than the one Bruce Wayne had with his son. During this storyline, Batman and Robin faced off against villains like Professor Pyg and his Dollotrons, and the assassin Flamingo. Many fans felt this era proved Dick Grayson was a more effective Batman than Bruce Wayne, and it also marked a significant period of growth for Damian Wayne.

5) “The Lost Year”

The Nightwing comic book issues #133-137 and the 2007-2008 annual edition, created by Marv Wolfman, Marc Andreyko, Joe Bennett, and Jamal Igle, mark Wolfman’s return to writing about Nightwing after his famous work on the New Teen Titans. This year-long story arc centers on Dick Grayson as he investigates former ninja gang members named Liu and Metal Eddie. It also explores Dick’s growing independence from Batman and his relationships with Barbara Gordon and Starfire. This storyline fills in the gap between Dick leaving his role as Robin and becoming a founding member of the New Teen Titans, detailing his transition from Robin to Nightwing.

4) “Brothers in Blood”

The Nightwing comic series, issues #118-124 (2006), written by Bruce Jones and Joe Dodd, was part of the DC Comics ‘One Year Later’ storyline following the Infinite Crisis event. It featured Nightwing (Dick Grayson) relocating to New York City and discovering that Jason Todd, the former Robin, had returned – and was also operating as Nightwing, but with a much more violent approach. The story focused on Dick confronting this darker version of Nightwing, while also fighting the powerful criminals known as the Pierce Brothers. This arc was significant for Dick, as he had to protect his heroic identity and demonstrate his stronger moral code compared to Jason. It also played a crucial role in establishing Jason Todd’s path as a complex, antiheroic character.

3) “A Knight in Blüdhaven”

The first ongoing solo series for Nightwing (formerly Robin) began with issues #1-8 in 1996, written by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by Scott McDaniel. This series established Blüdhaven as Nightwing’s primary city, as Batman dispatched him there to investigate 21 gang-related murders. During his investigation, Nightwing battled widespread corruption, the powerful crime boss Blockbuster, and the corrupt police officer Dudley Soames. This run cemented Nightwing’s independence from both Batman and Gotham, as well as the Teen Titans. It also marked the beginning of Dixon’s impressive 70-issue run on Nightwing, which helped establish the character as a major solo hero.

2) “Leaping Into the Light”

The story arc “Leaping Into the Light,” featured in Nightwing issues #78-83 (2021) by Tom Taylor and artist Bruno Redondo, was a key part of DC’s relaunch during the Infinite Frontier era. It begins with the death of Alfred Pennyworth, who surprisingly leaves his entire fortune to Dick Grayson. Dick uses this inheritance to aid the homeless people of Blüdhaven, all while investigating a serial killer known as Heartless. He teams up with Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) and Tim Drake, as a new mayor, Melinda Zucco, takes office. This storyline won the 2023 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series, and Bruno Redondo was recognized as Best Cover Artist, solidifying Nightwing’s place as a prominent hero within the DC Universe.

1) “Nightwing: Year One”

Many fans consider “Nightwing: Year One” (issues #101-106 from 2005, by Chuck Dixon, Scott Beatty, and Scott McDaniel) to be the best Nightwing story in DC Comics. It details what happened after Batman told Dick Grayson he was no longer Robin. Dick moves to Metropolis, tries to forge his own path, and meets the hero Deadman. Ultimately, a story shared by Superman inspires Dick to embrace the identity of Nightwing. While another story, “The Lost Year,” covered similar ground, “Year One” is considered the definitive modern origin of Nightwing, showcasing Dick Grayson’s growth beyond being just Batman’s sidekick.

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2026-06-07 19:47