The Boy Wonder No Longer

A new project I’m doing on my blog will be a character profile ection. I have gotten some great feedback as to who the character should be. I wanted to start this section with a character that is currently very popular and has history behind him. So the first character I have chosen is none other than Dick Grayson a.k.a Nightwing!!!

History: Dick Grayson was a character that DC Comics created in 1940 (Detective Comics #38). This was a concept DC used to bring on board young readers and give a breath of fresh air to a darker book. The great thing about this concept was that readers got their first glimpse of The Boy Wonder!!! Dick’s history is one of loss and redemption similar to that of Bruce Wayne. As a child, Dick lost his parents to an act of violence inflicted by Boss Zucco. It was through this act that he was introduced to Bruce Wayne. So as we later learn, Dick becomes his ward and his partner. For so many years afterwards, we as fans were treated to high flying action from the dynamic duo. This partnership was a long and fruitful one but like any other teen, Dick had to grow up and carve his own path. Hence, Nightwing was born and the Batman universe never looked so good. The great thing about this character is from 1940 till now, we see the growth of a young sidekick to an established hero who in his own right has made a name for himself in the DC universe.

In the New 52, Dick gave up being Batman (yes Batman) to return to his role as Nightwing. A few notable changes to Nightwing was his suit and more specifically the color of the symbol from blue to red. Another aspect of the New 52 Nightwing is that DC Comics made him a bit younger than before. By making him younger and changing his outfit, DC Comics are attempting to give the new and old readers a fresh new look at an already cool character.

 Nightwing Key Episodes:

1. Robin's Reckoning (Batman Animated Series V.2)
2. Sins of the Father (Batman Animated Series V.4)
3. Old Wounds (Batman Animated Series V.4)
4. You Scratch My Back (Batman Animated Series V.4)
5. Young Justice (Complete Season 2)

This week On My Shelf item is "Tales of the Teen Titans" Issue # 44 from 1984, the first appearance of Nightwing. This special book also has the origin of Deathstroke through flashbacks.