Warning: Spoilers for Nightwing #89!
When it comes to Batman films, a consistent point of contention for DC Comics fans is the way that The Dark Knight’s “Batman voice” is used by whatever actor is currently taking on the role, and now in comics, Nightwing has just admitted that altering one’s voice while in costume is something that’s far more important — and far more comic accurate — than most fans want to admit. Now that doesn’t mean that every superhero needs to use a gravelly, deep bat-voice while kicking criminals in their teeth, but using a slightly different voice out on the streets is still an essential part of being in the superhero business.
Briefly touched on in Nightwing #89, by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo, this issue sees Nightwing get a house call from Superman’s trusty robot buddy, Kelex, in an attempt to have Dick help the new Superman, Jonathan Kent, navigate some rough waters as his dad, the original Superman, has recently left Earth for parts unknown. Part one of a two-part crossover with Jon’s Superman: Son of Kal-El series, Nightwing’s relationship with Jon is explored in this issue in a way that allows Dick to give Jon a few pointers on how to continue being an effective hero.
Recently deciding to help his boyfriend, Jay Nakamura, with his indie news outlet called The Truth, Jon has taken it upon himself to wear a mask while on call with the organization for an added layer of security and also on the off chance that someone might notice who Jon really is under the disguise. Meeting with Dick who’s been funding The Truth ever since he inherited Alfred’s immense wealth, Dick gets Jon to meet him at a local crime scene where the idea of a “Batman voice” immediately comes to the forefront of their conversation.
Arriving decked out in his Superman attire, Jon asks Nightwing how he knew it was him under the domino mask earlier, to which Dick replies how he’s “a pretty good detective,” giving Jon an answer that’s an obvious one. Going on to say, “Masks are effective, but you can’t rely on them alone to hide your identity. You need another voice when you’re wearing one,” Nightwing succinctly tells Jon that by using a bat-voice — like how each actor portraying Batman in the movies has done over the decades — he can more effectively keep his secret identity hidden from those that would do him harm.
Often mocked (Christian Bale’s “Swear to me!” scene from Batman Begins is a good example of this) or even celebrated depending on the bat-voice portrayal in question, Batman’s voice change in films is a silly detail that’s now officially a comic accurate one as well. Furthermore, Nightwing channels film fans’ thoughts by explaining that while he understands it might feel “ridiculous” to change one’s voice from what’s normal, doing so is still an integral piece of the job that Jon will no doubt need to consider as he continues his role as a masked teller of truth.
So while audibly hearing a Batman voice on film and imagining one while reading is basically one and the same, having to alter one’s voice while fighting crime is extremely important regardless of the medium, especially if the hero in question wants to further hide their civilian identity effectively. Nightwing might not start yelling at criminals in a weird voice anytime soon, but he still admits that changing his voice much like Batman does in film isn’t just a comic accurate movie detail, but an essential part of doing what DC’s heroes do best too!
