Warning: Spoilers for Blood Hunt: Dracula #2!Marvel may finally be ready to crown its next Nightwing, thanks to a blossoming friendship one hero has with Daredevil. After spending years as Batman’s sidekick, Nightwing has not only become the face of DC Comics in its new era, but has surpassed Batman as the most beloved hero under the brand. He became more than just his association to Batman.

After meeting Daredevil in Blood Hunt: Dracula #2 – written by Danny Lore, with art by Vincenzo Carratu – Blade’s daughter, Bloodline, inches closer to her destiny. When forced with the reality that Blade has become a monster that only she can stop, Brielle Brooks flees. A chance encounter with Daredevil is what brings her closer to being the hero that she’s meant to be.

Building a network of superheroes she’s meeting outside of her association with her father is exactly how Nightwing became the household name he is today.

Daredevil’s Mentorship Of Bloodline Suggests She Has A Bright Future In The Marvel Universe

Blood Hunt: Dracula #2 – Written By Danny Lore; Art By Vincenzo Carratu, David Curiel, & VC’s Joe Sabino

Previously in the Blood Hunt series, Dracula drops the bombshell to Bloodline that not only is her father evil, but she’s the only hero capable of killing him, all in the same breath. Needless to say, she’s overwhelmed enough to wander off into the street. While fighting off vampires, she’s joined by Daredevil, who at the time has no idea who Bloodline is nor that Blade had a daughter. When he does find out, he offers her a ear to listen to her gripes and she returns the favor by saving him from Dracula.

Because Daredevil doesn’t know who Bloodline is, and because Blade doesn’t serve as the bridge connecting them, this allows their friendship to blossom naturally. It also marks the first time that Brielle has met another hero without Blade being such a bridge. Her team-up with Spider-Man took place because Blade let her tag along on a mission, and even her new union with the Avengers exists because Blade’s shenanigans brought them all together. This is the first step in Bloodline building her own network of superhero allies outside of Blade, and such a network was essential for Nightwing’s success.

How Bloodline Can Be Marvel’s Version Of Nightwing

Network With Other Heroes

Nightwing’s ascent up the DC ladder became significant as soon as he started building relationships with heroes outside of Batman introducing them. People like Superman and the Titans gravitated naturally toward the former Boy Wonder, affording him a network (or family that rivals the Bat-Family) of fellow heroes that exists independently from his relationship with Batman. From there, both in-universe and with fans, Dick Grayson built a reputation as being more than just Batman’s sidekick. That’s how Nightwing truly started breaking out as a hero.

Bloodline is on the hinge of a similar breakout on the same trajectory. She found a new ally off the strength of herself when he had no idea who she was, just like how DC heroes were quick to recognize Nightwing’s gift for rallying others when he broke away from Batman. If she keeps it up, the Marvel Universe, and fans, will start seeing and treating her as more than just Blade’s daughter. She might not be building her own family anytime soon, like Nightwing, but befriending Daredevil puts Bloodline on course to be more than just Blade’s daughter.