Batman has achieved many issues in his lengthy profession. He’s surfed alongside the Joker, sang in a musical and ice skated with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nonetheless, there are some issues Batman hasn’t achieved. Actually, the Darkish Knight’s former protégé Nightwing has fairly a number of issues on his resume that his mentor doesn’t. As we have a good time the discharge of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s Nightwing #100, let’s check out ten issues Nightwing has achieved that Batman by no means has.
Appeared in Extra Golden Age Comics
That’s proper, Dick Grayson has appeared in additional Golden Age comedian books than Batman. It might appear onerous to consider, however be at liberty to run the numbers for your self. Robin confirmed up one yr into Batman’s solo profession, and barely left his mentor’s facet throughout their Golden Age adventures. Nonetheless, when Robin was given his personal solo characteristic in Star Spangled Comics #65-130, there have been many occasions when the Darkish Knight didn’t make an look. This meant that Dick Grayson shortly leapfrogged Batman when it got here to Golden Age appearances.
Had His Personal Island, Which He Additionally Nuked
Talking of Robin’s solo characteristic from Star Spangled Comics, there’s a variety of fascinating items of Dick Grayson trivia in these tales. For instance, in Star Spangled Comics #69, the Boy Marvel has the respect of getting an island named after him. Nonetheless, the circumstances are a bit unsettling. Some crooks had stolen an atomic bomb, and Robin fought them on a airplane. In the course of the scuffle, Robin unintentionally launched the atomic bomb, which exploded on (WHAT I HOPE WAS) an uninhabited island. Oddly, the U.S. authorities is so happy with Robin that they title the undiscovered island after him. Sure, you learn that appropriately.
Performed Die Arduous on an Island Stuffed with Nazis
Since we’re speaking about Dick Grayson’s island adventures, we’ve got to say Star Spangled Comics #72, because it’s quite a bit like what would have occurred in case you blended the flicks Castaway, Residence Alone and Die Arduous and threw in a superhero sidekick for good measure. Robin turns into stranded on a abandoned island, and it isn’t lengthy earlier than the situation is found by a gaggle of Nazis. Dick then units a bunch of Macaulay Culkin type traps across the island, trapping the Nazis one after the other. Dumb bunch, these Nazis.
Labored as a Disc Jockey
Right here’s one other factor Batman has by no means achieved. Dick Grayson briefly grew to become a DJ in Star Spangled Comics #80. Batman might by no means pull this off due to his gravelly voice. To make issues crazier, Dick was a kind of DJs who had a gimmick. He would sing commercials and bulletins as he performed the accordion. It’s bizarre, however at the least he’s not dropping atomic bombs on islands anymore.
Ran His Personal Summer season Camp
In Star Spangled Comics #82, Robin began his personal summer season camp. He gave it the relatively uninspired title of Camp Robin, and the ability included a giant flag along with his face on it. Robin and the campers loved a wide range of actions from mountaineering, canoeing and boxing classes. Throughout his stint as a camp counselor, Robin slept within the cabins with the opposite campers however continued carrying his domino masks (together with particular Robin pajamas) to guard his secret identification.
Survived Trigon’s World Domination
One of the vital terrifying issues concerning the “Terror of Trigon” storyline (from 1984’s The New Teen Titans #1-5) is that the demonic Trigon really succeeded in taking on the world. Raven’s father takes management of the planet, turning your complete inhabitants into stone. This contains Batman, who’s pictured as a hardened rock statue. However you recognize who wasn’t turned to stone? Nightwing and his Titans. Actually, they have been the one ones on the planet who survived Trigon’s assault. Below Nightwing’s management, the Titans have been capable of beat Trigon, releasing the planet from his evil reign.
Served as a Actual Police Officer
Dick as soon as served as an actual police officer. (I say “actual” as a result of Bruce had that complete stint with the Glory Badge, nevertheless it doesn’t rely.) In 1999’s Nightwing #31, Dick joined the Blüdhaven Police Academy, reasoning that there was a couple of approach to assist the town. As a police officer, he loved fixing the town’s corruption from inside and enacting the legislation in methods he couldn’t as Nightwing. Dick’s profession as a policeman resulted in 2003’s Nightwing #83, when one in every of his superiors realized about his double identification and compelled him to resign.
Killed the Joker
I’ll admit this one is somewhat iffy since Batman has killed the Joker in alternate universe tales. Nonetheless, if we’re sticking to mainstream comics continuity, Nightwing has achieved what Batman by no means might—kill the Joker. No, he didn’t drop an atomic bomb on him. In Joker: Final Chortle #6, Nightwing is tricked into believing that the Joker fed Tim Drake to Killer Croc. Enraged on the (supposed) demise of his surrogate brother, Nightwing beats the Joker to demise. Batman is ablet to resuscitate the Clown Prince, however for a couple of minutes, the Joker was clinically useless.
Curated a Museum
Throughout Nightwing #140-153, Dick Grayson labored as a museum curator. It’s simply the type of job you’ll anticipate from a former disc jockey/camp director/police officer. The museum made an incredible lair for his Nightwing gear, and I suppose all these years within the Batcave gave him expertise in dealing with trophies and artifacts. Dick ultimately left the New York museum when he was compelled to maneuver again to Gotham throughout one in every of Bruce’s extended disappearances.
Mastered the Entire Billionaire Factor
Each Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson have been billionaires, however in case you’re studying Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s Nightwing run, then you recognize that Dick is infinitely higher at it. For starters, Dick just isn’t preserving his fortune. As detailed in 2021’s Nightwing #83, he’s utilizing his fortune to finish homelessness and cut back poverty all through the town. Sure, Bruce Wayne additionally used his cash for charitable causes, however he by no means took the step in giving all of it away. Actually, if it wasn’t for the occasions of “Joker Battle,” Batman would nonetheless be a billionaire.
That’s fairly a listing of accomplishments, and Nightwing is simply getting began. Actually, Batman has a variety of work to do if he’s ever going to catch as much as his former Robin. Though, to be truthful, he got here fairly near the atom bomb factor on the finish of The Darkish Knight Rises. Both approach, in terms of DJing, curating museums and killing clowns, no person does it fairly like Dick Grayson!
Nightwing #100 by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Scott McDaniel, Rick Leonardi, Eddy Barrows, Javier Fernandez, Mikel Janin and extra is now obtainable in print and as a digital comedian e-book.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, films and comics for DC.com, is an everyday contributor to the Sofa Membership and writes our month-to-month Batman column, “Gotham Gazette.” Observe him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this characteristic are solely these of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and don’t essentially replicate these of DC Leisure or Warner Bros.
