DC Comics Reinvents its Original Nightwing with the Perfect New Role

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As a longtime comics fan, it’s always fascinating to learn about the origins of these characters. With the recent end of the Nightwing run, I was reminded of how the name actually started at DC. A lot of people assume Nightwing began with Dick Grayson, Batman’s former Robin, but believe it or not, Superman was the first to use the identity – briefly, while exploring the bottle city of Kandor! But before even that, it was Superman’s cousin, Van-Zee, who really established the name as a heroic alias. It turns out Dick Grayson was inspired by the legends of this Kryptonian hero when he decided to become Nightwing, which I always thought was a cool bit of history.

Van-Zee has been missing for a while, but DC Comics recently reintroduced a Kryptonian Nightwing during the DC All In event, with a unique spin. A young man named Bryce Morgan was changed by powerful magical forces and became a Kryptonian adult based on stories of the original Dick Grayson. Taking the name Nightwing-Prime, Bryce tried to save the world as the dangerous being called the Zanni launched a devastating attack on Blüdhaven. Fortunately, Nightwing-Prime has defeated the Zanni with a heroic sacrifice.

Nightwing-Prime is Now the Protector of Children’s Imagination

Blüdhaven is in chaos in Nightwing #135, written by Dan Watters with art by Dexter Soy and Veronica Gandini, and edited by Wes Abbott. The Zanni’s dangerous game with Nightwing has caused widespread damage, and Titans Tower is collapsing. Inside, Nightwing-Prime is unconscious and defenseless, but Bryce quickly recovers and prevents the tower from falling on Barbara Gordon. Realizing the Zanni has kidnapped the city’s children to bait Nightwing into a showdown, Bryce resolves to go to the Zanni’s territory and assist Grayson in any way he can.

Within the bizarre world of Zanni’s Cirque du Sin, Nightwing finds the lost children and searches for an escape. This strange place runs on imagination, so Dick Grayson creates a ladder to lead the kids out. However, as they climb to safety, Zanni appears, determined to drag them back to his circus. Luckily, Nightwing-Prime arrives and takes control of Zanni from within. Once everyone is safe, Nightwing-Prime destroys the ladder, preventing Zanni from escaping into the real world.

Unfortunately, Nightwing couldn’t reopen the portal to the Cirque du Sin, leaving Bryce stranded inside with no way home. Luckily, a few days later, Nightwing learns that Nightwing-Prime is safe and sound. Children have been experiencing unsettling dreams featuring the Zanni, but whenever the Zanni tries to frighten them, Nightwing-Prime intervenes and wins. With Nightwing-Prime protecting them, the Zanni can’t harm any children and his plan to grow his circus fails. Bryce is just glad he could help and be the hero this time.

Nightwing-Prime Balances Out the Zanni

Bryce isn’t the first Nightwing, but he’s stepped up well after Van-Zee left. I was uncertain about the direction of the story, but the ending brought everything together nicely. For the past year, Nightwing’s been dealing with the Zanni, a villain representing old-fashioned and outdated entertainment – think circuses and clowns, things that used to delight kids but aren’t popular anymore. The Zanni embodies a harmful longing for the past, an idea that just won’t disappear. It makes you wonder, how do you defeat a harmful concept?

Absolutely! Just as the Zanni embodies the very beginning of fun and creativity, Nightwing-Prime shows how entertainment has grown and changed. He truly loves superheroes and what it means to be one. Nightwing-Prime realizes staying put means missing out on life, but he also understands that being a hero isn’t just about flashy displays. It’s about making tough choices and doing what’s necessary, like Nightwing-Prime using all his resources to prevent the Zanni from escaping.

While it would have been great to see Nightwing-Prime remain a main character, the story’s ending feels right. His presence keeps the balance between the past and the future, and between the circus world and the superhero world – a balance that was crucial because, without it, Zanni became too strong. Now, Nightwing-Prime can control Zanni, letting Nightwing, who represents both worlds, live freely. It’s sad to see Nightwing-Prime go, but his sacrifice will be remembered.

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2026-02-22 05:10