WARNING: The next comprises spoilers for Detective Comics #1050 by Mariko Tamaki, Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, Brad Anderson, and VC’s Ariana Maher, on sale now from DC Comics.
Nightwing has among the most well-known romances in comics. The love lifetime of the unique Boy Wonder has been a sizzling matter for many years, with the character switching quite a lot of occasions between a number of will-they-won’t-they relationships. The 2 greatest romances of those should be these with Batgirl Barbara Gordon and fellow Titans Teammate Starfire, having simply gotten again along with the previous within the present Nightwing collection. Nevertheless, the Detective Comics “Shadows of the Bat” occasion has simply thrown a spanner within the works by suggesting that, despite the fact that he is again with Babs, he nonetheless has emotions for an previous ex.
Earlier points confirmed that Dick was anxious about somebody the Bat-Household positioned undercover within the new Arkham Tower facility. Because it turned out, that somebody was Helena Bertinelli a.ok.a. Huntress. Detective Comics #1050 explored Nightwing’s fears over Helena’s present mission and why he thinks they need to get her out of Arkham. Though it might simply be Dick Grayson being the type caring soul he normally is, there may be one other clarification.
Helena and Dick used to this point. Within the 90s “No Man’s Land” occasion, the 2 had a one-night stand within the pages of their very personal comedian, Nightwing/Huntress (by Devin Grayson and Greg Land). It began out as Huntress making an attempt to get near Batman’s associate within the hopes of discovering a manner into the Bat-Household. She manipulated Dick’s actual romantic emotions for her to try to get what she wished. Nevertheless, within the course of, she began growing emotions for him too. In the long run, she broke it off and advised him she did not want him, a lot to the dismay of Nightwing.
The connection was briefly revisited in Nightwing #28 (by Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel). Though it seemed like Helena actually did take into account their relationship greater than only a means to an finish, Dick shut down any hopes of rekindling the romance, after that they had shared a passionate kiss after all. It looks as if neither celebration received any actual closure when it got here to this relationship and a number of emotions appear to have been left unresolved, particularly for Dick.
That is why his overzealous concern for Huntress on this story appeared like extra than simply concern for the mission, or a member of the Bat-Household. He advocated for Huntress each time he can, regardless of Oracle and Batwoman telling him to concentrate on the mission as a substitute. They insisted that she’s totally able to caring for herself in there. They know that, the reader is aware of that, and extra importantly, he is aware of that. So it must be one thing extra. The truth that Detective Comics #1050 additionally revisited a key Nightwing/Huntress second from “No Man’s Land”, the occasion that gave start to this romance, appears to verify that there are deeper emotions at play right here.
It is made clear that Nightwing has been anxious about Huntress for some time, even earlier than the Arkham Tower mission. So what does Barbara consider it? She and Dick simply received again collectively and Helena is a long-time buddy and teammate. She hasn’t advised that any lingering romantic emotions are clouding Nightwing’s judgment, not up to now anyway, however she has purpose to assume so. Dick Grayson hasn’t been solely sure about his love life currently. Within the opening problems with Teen Titans Academy (by Tim Sheridan and Rafa Sandoval), he very briefly received again collectively together with his different ex, Starfire. A significant a part of why they broke issues off was as a result of he was working with Babs in Blüdhaven.
Dick and Babs could also be doing properly within the pages of Nightwing however with first his Starfire fling and now this, perhaps they will not be for too lengthy. If Nightwing cannot recover from his previous romances, then he is doomed to repeat the errors of the previous. He is proper to be involved about Helena, one thing is incorrect in Arkham Tower, however he wants to verify these emotions are coming from the proper place. In any other case, his love life would possibly get difficult.