Nightwing

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Nightwing is a name used by a number of fictional superheroes in the DC Comics Universe. Although originating with the Superman mythos, Dick Grayson is the character most associated with the name "Nightwing". The name "Nightwing" is frequently paired with "Flamebird", another title taken by DC Comics several characters.

The name is originally used Pre-Crisis by Superman when he and Jimmy Olsen act as vigilantes during trips to the bottle city of Kandor. Later, Superman's cousin Van-Zee uses the name. Post-Crisis, the Superman attributes the name to a historic Kryptonian crimefighter. The Superman-related heroes serve as an inspiration for Dick Grayson when he sheds his Robin identity.

In the Nightwing comic book series, Grayson trains a killer who goes by the name of Nite-Wing but later must capture him when he realizes Nite-Wing's nature. "One Year Later" storylines in Nightwing and Supergirl feature characters Jason Todd, Cheyenne Freemont, and Power Girl using the name "Nightwing".

Publication history

File:S158s2.png
Superman and Jimmy as Nightwing and Flamebird. From Superman #158 (1963). Art by Curt Swan.

As first depicted in the story "Superman in Kandor" in Superman vol.1 #158 (January 1963), Nightwing is an alias used by Superman in Edmond Hamilton-penned pre-Crisis adventures in the city of Kandor, a Kryptonian city that was shrunken and preserved in a bottle.

In Kandor, Superman has no superpowers and, in the story, is branded an outlaw there due to a misunderstanding. To disguise themselves, Superman and Jimmy Olsen create vigilante identities inspired by Batman and Robin. Because neither bats nor robins lived on Krypton, Superman chooses the names of two birds owned by Superman's Kandorian friend Nor-Kan: Nightwing, for himself, and Flamebird, for Olsen. The Dynamic Duo of Kandor create costumes evocative of the birds' plumage. Nightwing and Flamebird re-name Nor-Kan's underground laboratory the "Nightcave" and use it as their secret headquarters. They also convert Nor-Kan's automobile into their "Nightmobile." Nightwing and Firebird als use "jet-belts" to fly into battle.

In Jimmy Olsen #69 (June 1963), "The Dynamic Duo of Kandor" introduces Nightwing's dog Nighthound. In "The Feud Between Batman and Superman" in World's Finest #143(August 1964), Batman and Robin themselves visit Kandor with Superman and Olsen and the two Dynamic Duos team up.

In Superman Family #183 (May-June 1977), Superman's look-alike second cousin Van-Zee and his nephew Ak-Var take up the Nightwing and Flamebird identities. The vigilantes take on crime in their city as had Superman and Olsen before them. In one story,Template:Issue the two Nightwing and Flamebird teams join forces and end all major crimes in Kandor. Template:-

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Dick Grayson and Jason Todd fight, both dressed as Nightwing. Nightwing #119 (2000). Art by Jock.

Both Nightwing and Flamebird teams meet with their inspirations, Batman and Robin, for an adventure in KandorTemplate:Issue that proves important to the young Dick Grayson. When Dick later gives up his role as Robin, he recalls the Kanodrian adventure and renames himself Nightwing in homage to both Batman and Superman. After the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths re-boot DC continuity, Superman no longer has knowledge of Kandor; instead, he remembers Nightwing as an urban legend of Krypton, which he shares with a young Dick Grayson. Grayson, who considers Superman his favorite superhero, takes the identity in his honor.

A sociopath named Tad Ryerstad, inspired by the retired hero Tarantula, decides to become a superhero. He takes his name, Nite-Wing, from an all-night deli specializing in chicken wings. Unstable, Nite-Wing beats people for minor offenses. On Nite-Wing's first night out, he runs into a gang that shoots him repeatedly. He is rushed to an emergency room, and Nightwing spends the entire night defending him from Blockbuster’s gang, who think it is Nightwing who has been injured. After Nite-Wing is released from the hospital, kills the gang who put him there.

Not realizing how violent Ryerstad is, Grayson agrees to train him. The two attack Blockbuster’s organization but are captured and separated. When an undercover FBI agent frees Ryerstad, Ryerstad beats him to death. When he realizes that he has killed a federal agent, Ryerstad flees. Nightwing tracks him down, and he is imprisoned in Lockhaven Penitentiary.

In 2001's Superman: The Man of Steel #111, Superman and Lois Lane travel to Krypton. Labeled as criminals, Suoperman and lane become fugitives, adopting the Nightwing and Flamebird identities to survive, just as had Superman and Olsen in Superman #158.

File:NightwingKandor.jpg
Power Girl as Nightwing. Art by Ed Benes.

In the 2006 "One Year Later" storylines, multiple characters join Dick Grayson in using the name "Nightwing":

Bruce Jones' Nightwing run features Jason Todd prowling the streets of New York City under the guise of Nightwing, copying Grayson's costume. Additionally, a metahuman fashion designer named Cheyenne Freemont dons a modified Nightwing costume to help Grayson.

In Greg Rucka's Supergirl vol. 3 #6, Power Girl and Supergirl assume the identities of Nightwing and Flamebird in a story set in Kandor, just as the original stories are.

Other Media

Nightwing appears exclusively as the Dick Grayson version of the character in media other than comic books.

Grayson appears as Nightwing in The New Batman Adventures, voiced by actor Loren Lester, the actor who had voiced Grayson as Robin in Batman: The Animated Series. The episode "Old Wounds" explains that Grayson as Robin came fought with Batman over the latter's controlling nature and that Grayson left Gotham as a result. He returned years later as Nightwing, although he works with Batman several times during the course of the series, he never fully reconciles with his former mentor. Nightwing has a cameo as a silhouette in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Grudge Match". As Black Canary enters Blüdhaven, Nightwing can be seen on a rooftop next to two two gargoyles.

Nightwing also appears in the Teen Titans animated series in the episode "How Long is Forever?" as the future identity of Robin.

Just as Superman uses Batman for inspiration as a masked vigilante in the original Nightwing story, in the Superman: The Animated Series episode "Knight Time" has the character actually dressing as Batman and teaming with Robin to keep Gotham safe after Batman mysteriously disappears. He is uncomfortable with the role, but Robin coaches him in Batman's threatening tactics.

See also