Warning: contains spoilers for The Flash #10!

Nightwing is quickly becoming one of DC’s most influential heroes–and the Flash’s son has just proved it. Nightwing, over time, has emerged as a leader in the DC Universe, and he commands the respect of not only his former mentor Batman, but many others as well. Nightwing’s example is having life-saving ripples across the DC Universe, even if he does not know it as seen in The Flash #10.

The Flash #10 is written by Simon Spurrier and drawn by Ramon Perez and Vasco Georgiev. At the headquarters of the Linear Men, the Pied Piper and Wally’s son Jai are struggling to discern the Arc Angels’ plans. As they bang their heads up against the metaphorical wall, Jai has a spark of inspiration, based on a conversation his dad had with Nightwing. The Titans’ leader tells Wally to “change the way you look at things–and the things you look at will change.”

Using this maxim, Jai is able to help the Linear Men in their mission.

Nightwing is a Natural Leader in the DC Universe

Dick Grayson Becoming Nightwing Was a Historic Moment in the DC Universe

Nightwing is the perfect example of a former teen sidekick made good. The first Robin, Dick Grayson, felt he had outgrown the identity. He turned the mantle of Robin over to Jason Todd, and adopted the alias Nightwing. Dick Grayson shedding the alias he had used for over 40 years was a historic moment in the DC Universe. It demonstrated that even the “stalest” of characters can grow and progress, and helped ensure Dick Grayson remained relevant. A generation of comic readers knows Dick Grayson only as Nightwing, and not Robin.

Dick Grayson’s transformation from Robin to Nightwing was more than about simply wanting a new costume: it helped him grow as a leader as well. Dick had already established his leadership credentials by heading up the Teen Titans, but embracing the Nightwing persona helped him develop these skills even further. In the years since becoming Nightwing, Dick has secured the respect of his teammates on the Titans as well as the rest of the DC Universe. With the Titans currently DC’s premiere superhero team, it is not a stretch to see Nightwing as the de facto leader of the entire universe.

Nightwing May Have Saved the DC Universe–And He Does Not Know It

It Proves How Influential Nightwing Has Become

Now, the Flash’s son is proving just how influential Nightwing has become to the rest of the DC Universe, even if he is not aware of this fact. An off the cuff comment from Nightwing led Jai to see the Arc Angels problem from a different perspective. Thanks to Nightwing’s “advice,” the speedsters of the DC Universe might live to fight another day. Furthermore, Nightwing may have inadvertently given Jai and the Linear Men the tools they need to save reality from the Arc Angels as well.

The Flash #10 is on sale now from DC Comics!