Nightwing has grow to be part of the “Joker Household”, as one more twist that Joker has pulled out as DC’s “Joker Warfare” occasion kicks off. (Spoilers) In Nightwing #72, Barbara Gordon/Batgirl solutions an impromptu fiery Bat-signal from Ric’s girlfriend Bea. Barbara is available in her civilian guise, however Bea has a narrative to inform that requires some Bat-style assist. Joker ambushed Nightwing and tried to make use of the identical mind-altering crystal the Court docket of Owls used whereas attempting to show Dick/Ric right into a Talon. In response to Nightwing’s story, he defeated Joker and smashed the crystal – however when Ric begins appearing bizarre, Bea fears one thing up.
Barbara fits up and goes in search of Dick, Rick, Nightwing, or no matter he is grow to be in his new red-and-blue go well with. She finally ends up discovering him on a rooftop, although Ric has a little bit of multiple-personality enjoyable at Batgirl’s expense. Nevertheless, the reunion is short-lived: Ric and Barbara are ambushed by Joker’s new sidekick Punchline, who goes a spherical with Batgirl within the battle followers need to see (proper after Punchline’s latest scrap with Harley Quinn, after all…).
In a remaining twist of the problem, Ric intervenes within the battle between Batgirl and Punchline, solely to disclose that he in actual fact received brainwashed by the crystal, and is now Joker’s “son.” As Joker emerges from the shadows, Joker-Ric reveals that he has been given the glory of slaughtering Batgirl himself. Joker simply provides his “youngsters” a hug, wishing that Bruce Wayne/Batman might be there to see.
(Picture: DC Comics)
Assuming that Barbara survives this assault by Joker-Ric, that is nonetheless a fairly tragic flip for Dick Grayson’s character. The years since DC’s “Rebirth” occasion have not been sort to Dick Grayson. He was shot within the head by KGBeast and misplaced his reminiscence, growing the questionable “Ric” persona; the courtroom of owls scrambled his recollections/brains attempting to program him right into a Talon; it is all given Dick an existential breakdown about being influenced by Batman, The Court docket of Owls, or anybody else; and now his thoughts is enslaved to Joker. Even when Nightwing comes out of “Joker Warfare” alive and again in command of his personal thoughts, the trauma that Joker may have precipitated him will most likely reverberate by way of DC Comics for years.
Thus far, “Joker Warfare” is kicking off with Joker having stolen Bruce Wayne’s complete fortune and belongings; Catwoman and Harley Quinn are gravely injured and off the board; all the opposite villains are in hiding, and now Dick Grayson is Joker’s right-hand man. The stakes for this occasion could not be greater.
“Joker Warfare” is now kicking off in Batman comics.