Oh, how things change. In early 2018, the question was posed if Nightwing should be in charge of the Justice League? Right now, the character will be lucky to have his own series by the end of the year.
It’s been a fall from grace almost as dramatic as the tumble that took Dick Grayson’s parents’ lives. He’s gone from being one of the most important heroes in DC Comics to being stuck in a weird amnesia storyline straight out of Days of Our Lives‘ playbook. The most apparent thing is, DC has no clue what to do with him and it’s hurting the character.
From removing him as the leader of Titans to allowing KGBeast to shoot him in the head and set off this whole “I’m Ric Grayson” angle, times have been tough for Grayson. Predictably, the amnesia narrative will end in due course, but the damage has been done. Nightwing is lost in the pack of the DC Universe.
It’s a stark contrast to what DC Comics co-publisher Dan DiDio told CBR in September 2018. “And what we’re doing is examining ‘What don’t we have? What are we missing?’ That was the thought behind the New Age of Heroes books. ‘What types of stories aren’t we telling? What’s happening in the world that we aren’t addressing?’ [Nightwing] is a book that is at the heart of that,” he said.
Unfortunately, the New Age of Heroes line proved to a major misstep, as the titles continue to be cancelled left, right, and centre. In addition, this was the time when Benjamin Percy was still writing the series. While the reason for his departure was never addressed, the buzz is he didn’t agree with the amnesia storyline that was forced upon him and had other plans for the character. It’s a shame, because Percy’s writing has been on fire in recent years and a prolonged run on Nightwing could’ve been exactly what the doctor ordered for Grayson.
Rather than come across as a book that’s at the centre of the DC Universe, though, Nightwing feels like just another title. Gone are the days when it was beating Superman in monthly comics sales (see: August 2016), as it tumbles down Diamond’s Top 100. In February 2019, Nightwing #57 was down at 65, with Titans #34 (a series that just got cancelled) not too far behind in 78. That’s a long way from the top 20 and it looks like it’ll continue to drop.
Judging by how quiet Nightwing has become, it’s possible that Grayson might be the wild card in Heroes in Crisis. That’s only likely to end in tears for fans, however, as he could be one of the bigger names to perish in this event. After all, it’s a DC Crisis, so someone has to die, and Nightwing has long been rumoured to have avoided the axe several times. This time, it’s a mercy kill.
Oh, well, at least there’s an inevitable DC reboot to look forward to in a couple of years. Maybe then Nightwing might receive the treatment he deserves, because, right now, he’s completely pointless.
They are going after the original Titans. Roy, dead. Wally, inadvertent killer and a suicide. Dick, brain damaged. Already took one shot at Donna–is she about to turn back to clay or become Dark Donna? Is Garth going to get eaten by a kraken?
Now they’ve for no reason I can see screwed up Jonathan Kent. Is it to kill him, too, to make room for Connor?
What the heck? Just stop it. This isn’t edgy, or gritty, it is lazy weak bs. Dan DiDio needs to go. He can take Bendis with him. It’s like Jim Shooter is in charge over there.
I know right! This ‘Ric Grayson’ thing is so annoying! Nightwing 2016 was getting pretty good: Grayson was cool- so was the whole Robin Wars storyline.
After getting screwed over by the reboot too (really? you’re just going to erase the titans?! I loved his and Donna’s friendship and him, Wally and Roy, and… that’s a whole other thing)!
What happened to Nightwing being the centre of the dc universe? That was the basis behind Wyrm and even the dream guy (I forgot his name) targeting him!
And here I though Injustice was the most embarrassing thing that could happen (come on, the world’s best aerialist dying ’cause he tripped and broke his neck is ridiculous. I get that he had to die, otherwise he’d probably have gotten Superman and Batman to reconcile, but really? Green Arrow got a way better death)
Come on, the guy stood up to and successfully tricked freaking Superman! Mr. I-have-X-Rays-that-can-see-your-heart-beat-faster superman! He’s the first sidekick, and is technically older than Wonder woman! He even almost fixed Bludhaven- something that Batman’s never managed (or even really tried)to do with Gotham- by tricking supervillains (he blackmailed Deathstroke! Batman himself has a tough time with Deathstroke- remember the whole who’s-Damian’s-dad fiasco?) and convincing government officials to do their jobs. Sure, Bludhaven was destroyed, but I think that was just to make the story angstier- Deathstroke going back on his promise didn’t make sense given how important his family was to him.
The only good thing about Ric is that I almost want Nightwing to be put out of his misery while I still care. I just hope that if they kill him, they’ll do the scene justice- maybe a Mar-vell-esque death (now that Jason and Bucky are back, the famous ‘trio of comic book characters who stay dead’ is down to just poor Uncle Ben).
P.S But I really hope they fix Dick without killing him.
P.S 2. Barbara laughing about the possibility of her and Dick dating was taking it way too far- Oracle and Nightwing were the best!
I know right! This ‘Ric Grayson’ thing is so annoying! Nightwing 2016 was getting so much better till then: Grayson was cool- so was the whole Robin Wars storyline.
After getting screwed over by the reboot too (really? you’re just going to erase the titans?! I loved his and Donna’s friendship and him, Wally and Roy)
What happened to Nightwing being the centre of the dc universe (that was the basis behind Wyrm and even the dream guy (I forgot his name) targeting him.
And here I though Injustice was the most embarrassing thing that could happen (come on, the world’s best aerialist dying ’cause he tripped and broke his neck is ridiculous. I get that he had to die, otherwise he’d probably have gotten Superman and Batman to reconcile, but really? Green Arrow got a way better death)
The only good thing about Ric is that I almost want Nightwing to be put out of his misery (come on, the guy stood up and successfully tricked freaking Superman! X-Ray-can-see-your-heart-beat-faster superman! and this is how you treat him?) while his death can still have some kind of impact.
Absolutely on the spot. Didio has been trying to kill Nightwing for years. The current amnesia storyline is horrible.
Ric Grayson has sucked.
Seriously, if they wanted to get Dick out of the picture in Batman couldn’t we have gotten another run of Grayson with Dick back undercover and missing from the world at large?
Would have been so much better than what we got.
This article hits the nail on the head. I haven’t and won’t pick up a copy of this Ric crap. I haven’t met any other Nightwing fans who thought that the amnesia story line was a good idea.
You damn right. Why are they doing this to him?
He was the first robin, the first leader of the Teen Titans, of the Titans, Nightwing, Batman !! Leader of the Justice League, agent 37, a Talon, descendant of the Court of Owls. And now who is he? Ric Grayson? Pfff No one!
Neither one of the other characters (besides Barbara) remembers him, nor does he care what happened to him, when he was the most beloved character early!
He has a destiny as sad as Tim, completely displaced to one side and forgotten, so fucking sad.
And what happens after 59? It’s over? Because there are no advances, there is no information, what the hell is happening to him? T.T