Summary

• Bruce Wayne credits Nightwing with saving him from losing himself to his Batman persona.
• Nightwing's insistence on finding the good in everyone and helping others before seeking to punish is what made Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman see him as the ideal leader for Earth's heroes.
• Batman openly its his pride in Nightwing, declaring him the best hero in the DC Universe and entrusting him with Earth's safety and his son's life.

While Nightwing as his ultimate source of inspiration. Batman also declares the black-and-blue-clad vigilante the "best" among all heroes in the DC Universe, and these accolades aren't just empty words of praise. Bruce Wayne backs up his iration and faith in the first Robin through two HUGE displays of trust.

Bruce reveals the profound impact Dick has had on his life, why he views Nightwing as the ideal candidate to lead Earth's heroes, and how his son is his ultimate source of inspiration.

Nightwing #100–by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, and Adriano Lucas–saw Bruce and Dick Grayson engage in one of their most heartfelt conversations to date, marking a significant moment in their shared comic history. This profound interaction revealed key aspects of Batman's character related to his relationship with Nightwing.

Among these revelations, Bruce expresses the profound impact Dick has had on his life, why he views Nightwing as the ideal candidate to lead Earth's heroes, and how his son is his ultimate source of inspiration. Despite spanning just a few pages, this interaction reshaped the dynamic between Batman and Nightwing in the eyes of fans.

Dick Grayson played an indispensable role in Bruce Wayne's survival amid his transformation into Batman.

Bruce Wayne its That Without Dick Grayson In His Life, Batman Would Have Consumed Him

The character-defining conversation in Nightwing #100 begins with a significant revelation: Bruce its that Dick had "saved" him. He elaborates, indicating that Dick rescued him from the perilous brink of losing himself to the Batman persona. Bruce reflects on a time before Dick's arrival, acknowledging that every blow he delivered was inflicted with excessive force. This implies that without Dick's influence, Bruce would have succumbed entirely to the identity of Batman, leaving behind an unrecognizable shell of his former self. Thus, it becomes clear that Dick Grayson played an indispensable role in Bruce Wayne's survival amid his transformation into Batman.

This confession gains significance when considering that fans actually know what Batman would have become without Dick's influence – Zur-En-Arrh. Zur-En-Arrh is Batman's backup persona, emerging when Bruce needs to embody the Dark Knight fully. In other words, Zur-En-Arrh is Batman without any trace of Bruce Wayne. Throughout Chip Zdarsky's ongoing Batman run, fans have witnessed the danger and brutality of Zur, providing a glimpse into the potential fate of Bruce Wayne if he had completely surrendered to his vigilante persona. Thus, it becomes evident that Dick truly saved Bruce from descending into the worst version of himself.

Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman Chose Dick to Lead Earth’s Heroes For 1 Important Reason

Following Bruce’s confession about what he would have become without his first Robin in his life, Dick swiftly refutes the notion that Bruce would have deteriorated into his worst self. Nightwing emphatically asserts his belief that Batman would have remained true to his core goodness even without his influence, emphasizing Bruce's innate decency. Batman points out that Dick's insistence that Bruce is a "good man" is a prime example of Dick's ability to see the best in everyone and is one of the key reasons why he, along with Wonder Woman and Superman, believe Nightwing should lead Earth's heroes.

Bruce then highlights another reason why the Trinity sees Nightwing as a fitting leader for Earth's heroes: Dick's inclination to prioritize helping others before resorting to punishment. This trait has been a recurring theme throughout Tom Taylor's Nightwing run. However, fans are beginning to observe this "help first, punish last" portrayal of the character appearing in other interpretations as well. One notable instance of this trait transcending different series is seen in Juni Ba's The Boy Wonder #1, where Nightwing imparts the following advice to Robin: "...our job isn't just to punch criminals. It's also to help..."

“My Son Has Grown To Be The Best Of Us”: Batman its the 1 Hero That Inspires Him Is Nightwing

Batman's unprecedented display of vulnerability also leads to the revelation that he is "inspired" by Nightwing. He goes on to elaborate that, "I am so proud my son has grown to be the best of us." This particularly moving moment no doubt brought more than a few tears to fans' eyes. It also serves as the ultimate compliment to Dick, as Bruce has essentially declared his son the best hero in the DC Universe, suring even himself. It's a beautiful father and son moment, and has been one of the highlights of Taylor's run for obvious reasons.

This declaration not only highlights Batman's profound iration for Dick but also signifies a remarkable moment of personal growth for Bruce. Batman is renowned among his fanbase for his stoicism and difficulty in expressing emotions. Hence, Bruce openly itting his pride in his son and acknowledging Nightwing as the premier hero in the DC Universe represents a significant leap in his character development. It demonstrates Batman's willingness to make himself vulnerable, confront his emotions, and articulate them. This growth is further underscored by a flashback in one of Taylor's previous issues, where Batman demands Dick avoid vulnerability at all costs.

Batman Proves His Faith In Nightwing By Entrusting Him With Earth’s Safety and His Son’s Life

Batman’s expressed pride and faith in Nightwing begins to carry even more meaning when considering how the Dark Knight backs up his words with action. While it's one thing to call Dick the best of DC’s heroes, Bruce proves his conviction by entrusting Nightwing with the leadership of Earth’s protectors. Batman, known for his trust issues, showcases an immense display of trust by appointing Nightwing to this significant role, underscoring Bruce's genuine belief in Dick's exceptional abilities. Furthermore, instances outside of Taylor’s run also reinforce Batman's unwavering faith in his first Robin.

One of Bruce’s most profound displays of faith in Dick is evident in his decision to entrust his son, Damian Wayne, to Nightwing’s care. Nightwing has assumed a quasi-paternal role to the fifth Robin, guiding him and serving as both mentor and partner. When Bruce was lost in time, Dick took on the responsibility of raising Damian, and even upon Bruce's return, Damian continued to reside under Dick’s guardianship for a significant period before reing his father. In essence, Batman has unequivocally affirmed that Nightwing is not only the most inspiring hero in the DCU but also someone he trusts implicitly.

Nightwing #100 is available now from DC Comics!