The DC Universe has quite the variety of different heroes, each of them with their own unique skillset of powers and abilities. However, some may think that a hero with a name like “Nightwing” would have some sort of powers involving wings and/or flight, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case for Dick Grayson, Nightwing. Until now. In the pages of Nightwing Annual #3, Dick Grayson actually takes flight with a pair of his own wings. Read on to learn more.
Instead of metahuman powers, Grayson has a strong physical skillset, proficient in martial arts and acrobatics courtesy of his mentor Batman and his late trapeze artist parents. When he and his parents were part of the circus in his youth, they were known as the Flying Graysons. After his parents’ murders, Dick was taken in by billionaire Bruce Wayne. Over time, Dick discovered Bruce’s alter ego as Batman, and the Dark Knight took Dick on as his sidekick Robin. As the years went on and he got older, Dick decided to forge his own path, becoming a new hero in Gotham’s sister city, taking on a new costume and name: Nightwing. It’s possible that “Night” and “Wing” can be attributed respectively to both Bruce and his Flying Grayson parents. Either way, it’s a pretty fitting name for him. However, no actual wings are actually involved…until this latest annual issue.
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In Nightwing Annual #3 from writer Dan Jurgens with artwork by Inaki Miranda, Nightwing is taking on the Blood Knights of Blüdhaven who are working for crime boss Blockbuster. When they hit him with a toxic gas, they almost take him out. Fortunately, Nightwing is saved by Condor Red, an agent of the Condors. Condor Red takes him back to his headquarters to heal up and recuperate, where Dick meets Jacqueline Hale, the owner and founder of the Condors. While he does reject her offer to join her team, she does offer him a suit of winged armor that her agents use to take on the Blüdknights.
With his new armor and Condor Red’s help, Nightwing is not only able to take down the Blüdknights, but also Blockbuster himself. While he does mention that he finds some enjoyment in being bulletproof, he’s not a fan of the heavy armor. He also counters that experience, ingenuity, and resourcefulness are better tools than anything the high-tech armor can provide. Despite Hale’s offer, Nightwing still prefers to do things his own way.
The implication is clear that the new look and wings for Nightwing are only temporary for this issue only, as cool as the new suit is. However, it’s even cooler that Grayson sticks to his guns, relying on the skills and abilities that he knows have always worked well for him. In any case, fans should enjoy the issue all the same, getting to see Nightwing actually have wings, if only for a little bit.
