Whereas Batman is not alone in coaching a teen sidekick to help in his adventures, one achievement he can declare is having educated the very best in his first Robin, now Nightwing, Dick Grayson. Nevertheless, the younger hero who’s continually taking the silver medal to Dick Grayson’s gold identified the darkish implications of his unimaginable ability.
Nightwing is without doubt one of the most expert fighters and detectives within the DC universe and has even led the Justice League, however these abilities did not simply come to him naturally. Nightwing’s needed to be educated by his mentor and father determine, Batman. The issue is these abilities got here at a excessive value – one which fellow superhero Roy Harper is effectively conscious of. Roy was educated by Oliver Queen, the Inexperienced Arrow, and is a formidable vigilante in his personal proper. Nonetheless, even he admits he comes second place to Dick – one thing he is truly okay with since he finds the price of Nightwing’s abilities is not value it.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
In Batman Plus Arsenal #1 by Devin Grayson and Rodolfo Damaggio, Roy explains precisely why he is okay with not being as expert as Nightwing. After taking offense at Batman’s taciturn response to his abilities, Roy says he is aware of Nightwing is healthier however that he is pleased with second place, as he is aware of the value Dick paid was coping with Batman. Roy implies that his much less intense coaching allowed him to have an actual childhood, stating, “Onerous to think about the 2 of you going tenting only for the hell of it. Or spending all day taking part in previous B.B King Albums and making chili.” Roy accuses Batman of seeing Nightwing as a soldier greater than a son, making it clear that he would not contemplate being the very best definitely worth the harm finished to Dick by his harsh coaching.
In Robin and Batman by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen, readers are proven only a little bit of Dick Grayson’s time with Batman, and it would not paint the very best image of Batman’s parenting abilities. Not solely does Bruce learn via Dick’s personal diary in an try to seek out the right reward for the child, he additionally makes use of what was imagined to be a light-hearted day trip for Dick as a coaching mission, to instill in Dick simply how far Nightwing could have to go to finish a mission. Whereas Dick and Bruce have their very own distinctive bond, it is onerous to disclaim that Roy is essentially right about Batman sacrificing Nightwing’s childhood to make him the absolute best sidekick and hero.
The one saving grace is that Nightwing has admitted previously that he was full of rage by his mother and father’ deaths, and believes he’d have spiraled uncontrolled with out Batman to information him. Bruce was coaching Dick Grayson to make use of his ache and rage to assist others, guaranteeing he had all the abilities he’d want to remain alive whereas combating crime. Nevertheless, there is not any query that Batman’s techniques and choices have been motivated by his personal harm, and Nightwing has questioned whether or not being Robin was truly good for him.
Dick Grayson is without doubt one of the most beloved and well-adjusted heroes within the DC Universe, however he had a far harsher childhood than many different former sidekicks who’re nonetheless alive and doing good on this planet. Roy Harper’s criticism of Batman raises the uncommon query not of whether or not he ought to have educated a baby to combat crime, however whether or not he might have given Nightwing a greater life by anticipating lower than the perfect.