Dick Grayson is the former Robin, and the first ward of Bruce Wayne, Batman. Dick is a unique, beloved, and important character in the DC mythos.Gotham Knightsprovide fans with a new look at Nightwing, an integral character in the Batman family.
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After many years of training and differences, Dick Grayson left the shadow of Batman, and the mantle of Robin behind to become Nightwing. An incredible acrobat, more hopeful than his adoptive father. Dick Grayson has been in comics since the 40s, and there’s an endless supply of great stories that would help fans better understand his purpose in the upcoming video gameGotham Knights.
Updated June 14, 2025, by Jake Fillery:Now thatGotham Knightshas released, audiences may be craving more stories from Nightwing. Dick Grayson is the perfect proof that a hero is not defined by their tragedy, nor by their superpowers. Dick Grayson was just an ordinary kid. As far as ordinary kids go they are in a trapeze act. Sadly, Dick’s parents were killed when the Flying Grayson’s act went wrong. Bruce Wayne took in the boy and adopted him as a ward. However, Bruce gained so much more than a ward, he gained a son and the shining example of a superhero. Thebest Nightwing graphic novelsalways involve the character shining through. Dick Grayson has since been on many adventures and evolutions. Even Gotham Knights Nightwing has something to prove. From losing his identity and going by the name ‘Ric’ to even have his identity exposed and forced to work as a secret agent. There are plenty of great Nightwing comics and thebest Nightwing comics.
13Battle For The Cowl
Battle for the Cowl is perhaps the best build-up toward what a Gotham Knights sequel could look like when it comes to having the heroes of Gotham City battle it out to be the one and only Batman. It’s a mesh of Batman lore, and brings together characters like Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Damian Wayne, as they all try and turn Gotham into what they believe it should be.
Only Dick Grayson truly knows how to handle the burden and mantle of being Batman, yet, he finds himself struggling to accept that responsibility. It’s a great look into not only the mindset of Dick Grayson in the events of Bruce’s death but how he presents leadership among companions gone array.
12Grayson Issue 12
Dick Grayson has been on quite the journey through the DC Universe. Yet, perhaps none are more emotional than whenGraysontook the character home. This specific issue of Grayson seeks to return Dick Grayson to his family after they discover that Dick faked his death a year prior. Something that Bat Family tends to do a little too often.
This emotional reunion provides fans of Nightwing a plethora of content for the character, celebrating his past with plenty of speech bubbles from previous comics, with past interactions from Dick Grayson and other favorite characters like Damian Wayne. It solidifies the relationship that Dick Grayson has, and how important he is to the Bat Family.
11Robin: Year One
Year One titles in DC Comics can always be hit or miss, butRobin: Year Oneis certainly a hit. This comic has an interesting and dark cynicism on Dick Grayson, and what forged him as not only Robin but into the Nightwing that audiences know and love. The character goes through much in this origin story, as it brings so many fresh ideas to the table.
When it comes to Robin: Year One, it’s a comic fan of Nightwing should check out, as they should see his beginnings as not just a hero, but as a human being. It’s a rather optimistic story about a child growing up into something greater, even with the lingering darkness around him.
10Nightwing: Night Of The Owls
As part ofDC’s reboot,The New 52, this comic is perfect as an entry point for players that are curious to learn more about both Dick Grayson, andone of the five enemy factions inGotham Knights, The Court of Owls. The comic has Nightwing facing undead assassins of the court, and discovering his connection to them.
Although it does not offer much in service of Dick Grayson’s character development, it is a great look into his relationship with Gotham City, the Batfamily, how he can handle himself in a fight, and perhaps how he will play inGotham Knights.
9Batman: Prodigal
Taking place after the infamous events ofBatman: Knightfall, Bruce Wayne is still recovering from having his back broken by Bane. He approaches his first ward, Dick Grayson, and asks him to don the mantle of the Batman.
It’s interesting to see one of the earliest depictions of Dick Grayson taking up his father’s legacy. It’s a personal story of how Dick feels about taking on the challenge, of becoming The Batman. Yet in classic Dick Grayson fashion, he gives it his all.
8Nightwing: Leaping Into The Light
This comic is a continuation ofThe New 52line, and DC’s rebrandedRebirthseries is a great way for new fans of Nightwing to drop in and check the character out. This volume serves as a great story, with lots of well-thought set-ups for later down the line.
It features Dick Grayson back in his adoptive city, Blüdhaven. It’s great to see Dick Grayson working with members of the Batfamily, like Batgirl, another playable character inGotham Knights. This comic is great for understanding certain relationships these characters have with one another, andhow co-op might work.
7Batman: Hush
Regarded by some fans as one of the most essential Batman comics,Batman: Hushfeatures a new villain, wrapped in a bandage of mystery. The comic can serve as a great entry point for new readers, as it establishes a lot of Batman characters and lore, includingthe city itself, something Gotham Knights should explore.
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This comic delves into Bruce’s caped relationship with Dick and features them working together. It shows how much Bruce cared for his ward, and how he was one person of a minor few that he could entirely trust with everything.
6Nightwing: Freefall
The bodies of fallen and defeated villains begin to strangely disappear, luring Nightwing into an unraveling mystery that features Talia Al Ghul, and the ghastly Dr. Creighton Kendall. The eerie undertones and use of teamwork with his family make for a great read.
This comic prominently features Tim Drake as Robin, pairing up with Nightwing. It’s always a great dynamic to see the sons of Batman together. These two characters are the protagonists inGotham Knights, so seeing their relationship as older and younger brothers is a dynamic that the game will capitalize on.
5Nightwing: Year One
Taking place at a point in Dick Grayson’s life when Batman fired him as Robin, this coming-of-age comic has Dick Grayson finding his place in the superhero world as his own person with his own identity. He seeks guidance and advice from heroes like Superman and Deadman, and it helps him to become the hero he is today, with hiscombat style unique to his gameplay inGotham Knights.
It’s great to look at this comic from the outlook of Gotham Knights, where we see Dick Grayson return to Gotham City after the death of Batman. Will he remain as Nightwing, or take up Batman’s mantle?
4Nightwing: The Great Leap
Nightwing enters NYC, the big apple, in an attempt to stop one of Batman’s most infamous adversaries, Two-Face. It’s up to Nightwing to keep the city from falling into the two hands of this number-crazed madman and former district attorney.
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This comic lines up well with Gotham Knights, as it is set after the events ofBatman’s supposed death. Nightwing battles with the loss of his father and mentor, as well as the inner turmoil about himself dealing with Batman’s rogues. There is a lot of heart in this comic about Dick Grayson.
