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Nightwing Reading Order (Dick Grayson, Titan member, Outsiders leader, hero of Bludhaven and Gotham)

Nightwing Reading Order

Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, Dick Grayson is one of the most compelling characters from DC. From The Flying Graysons to being Robin (aka Batman’s sidekick), then to becoming Nightwing and finding his own way in life, he’s the friend you need, the leader who listens, the guy who wants to help and does good because it’s the right thing to do. And he’s always working to become a better version of himself and to make the world a better place. What’s not to love here?

Dick Grayson made his first appearance as Robin in Detective Comics #38 (April 1940), but today we are more interested in his history after he became Nightwing, in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (July 1984).

What to read before Dick became Nightwing?

As said above, we’re focused on this reading order in stories taking place after Dick became Nightwing, meaning stories where he is not Robin anymore. Before diving in, you can check out a few stories to know more about the time Dick Grayson was Robin:

  • Batman Dark Victory – A sequel to The Long Halloween, this story by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale takes place three or four years into Batman’s career as a crime fighter. It’s a Batman story that doubles as an origin story for Robin.
  • Robin: Year One – Written by Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty and illustrated by Javier Pulido and Marcos Martin, it takes place after Dark Victory and tells of Dick Grayson’s first year as Batman’s sidekick, Robin.
  • Teen Titans: Year One – A light miniseries that retraces the early days of the Teen Titans, by Amy Wolfram and Karl Kerschl.
  • And of course, if you want more stories, check out our reading order dedicated to Dick Grayson as Robin!

Nightwing Reading Order

Nightwing, Titan member (1984-1994)

Dick Grayson became Nightwing for the first time in the Teen Titans story, The Judas Contract. He was already a member of the team and will continue to be during the next years, as well as appearing in The New Teen Titans, which will change its title to The New Titans in 1988. Put it simply, Nightwing is a Titans member during that period, with very few interactions with the Batfamily.

Also, Nightwing and Speedy team up as they hunt the villain Cheshire and Roy’s daughter in those tales written by Marv Wolfman and Cherie Wilkerson:

With issue #50 and the temporary return of Pérez on the title, the series took the name The New Titans without the “Teen” prefix, as the characters were no longer teenagers.

  • The New Titans (1984-1996) #50-114

Those issues are not yet collected in an omnibus or, for a number of them, not in trade paperbacks either. Following is just a highlight of three story arcs of this period available in trade paperbacks (but maybe not easy to find for two of them?):

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

Nightwing (1996-2009)

After being a team leader/member for more than ten years, it’s time for some solo adventures. Following his departure from The New Titans after the Zero Hour event (not collected), Nightwing is reintegrated into the Batfamily following the Knightfall crossover (reading order).

Prodigal is a Batman crossover written by Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, and Doug Moench in which Dick Grayson becomes Batman for the first time. You’ll find this story in the omnibus, with also Nightwing: Alfred’s Return #1 that set up Nightwing Vol. 1.

  • Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 3: KnightsEnd
    Collects Batman #509-510 & #512-515, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #29-30 & #32-35, Detective Comics #676-677 & #679-682, Robin #8-9 & #11-14, Catwoman #12-13, Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #62-63, Showcase ’94 #10, Nightwing: Alfred’s Return #1, Batman: Vengeance Of Bane #2.

After his first stint as Batman, Nightwing decides to be his own man with his own first solo series and a new costume. We have first the miniseries Nightwing written by Dennis O’Neil with Greg Land as the artist, followed by the famous Chuck Dixon’s run (illustrated by Scott McDaniel), all collected in trade paperbacks.

NEW! You will soon find the previous issues all collected in one big Nightwing Compendium (1040 pages).

  • Nightwing: A Knight in Bludhaven Compendium Book One
    Collects Nightwing (vol. 1) #1-4; Nightwing (vol. 2) #1-25, #1,000,000; Nightwing Annual #1; Wizard Presents:Nightwing #1/2; Nightwing and Huntress #1-4; Green Arrow (vol. 2) #134-135; Robin (vol. 2) #55; and Detective Comics #723-725 and #1,000,000.

During that period, Dick Grayson also appears in The Titans (1999), and some stories from the anthology in Batman: Gotham Knights (2000).

Chuck Dixon leaves Nightwing after 70 issues, but Dick’s adventures in Bludhaven continue under Devin Grayson.

  • Nightwing #71-97
    To my knowledge, those issues are not collected yet.
  • Batman: War Games Omnibus
    Collects Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #182-184; Batman #631-634, #642-644; Detective Comics #790-800, #809-810; Robin #126-131; Nightwing #96-98; Batman: Gotham Knights #56-58; Batgirl #53, #55-57; Catwoman #34-36; Solo #10; Batman Allies Secret Files 2005 #1; Batman: The 12 Cent Adventure #1; Batman Villains Secret Files 2005 #1. More information in our Batman: War Games Guide.
  • Nightwing #99-100
    To my knowledge, those issues are not collected yet.
  • Nightwing: Year One 
    Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #101-106. Origin story written by Chuck Dixon.
  • Nightwing: Mobbed Up
    Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #107-111
  • Nightwing: Renegade
    Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #112-117

During that time, Dick Grayson is also the leader of The Outsiders written by Judd Winick. This new Outsiders team forms in the wake of the break-up of the Titans after Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day. Former Titan Arsenal forms a team to be led by his longtime Titans teammate, Nightwing.

This is mostly where Infinite Crisis takes place, though Nightwing is not a character really affected by this event. The next storyline written by Bruce Jones takes place one year after, where Dick moves to New York to find Jason Todd has been impersonating him. It is considered one of the worst Nightwing stories ever.

Nightwing continues with a rotating cast of writers including Marv Wolfman and Peter Tomasi. This is where begins Grant Morrisson’s run on Batman (reading order) which will have major consequences for Dick (see below!)

During that time, Judd Winick follows up his run The Outsiders with a relaunched Titans, starring Nightwing, Starfire, Donna Troy, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven and more.

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

From Nightwing to Batman (2009-2011)

It’s not a secret anymore, Bruce Wayne “died” during Morrisson’s run. But who will be the new Batman? Tony Daniel wrote the event leading us to the new Batman and Robin title, where you guessed it, Nightwing takes the mantle of Batman, with Damian Wayne as his Robin. During this period, several writers will write Dick Grayson as Batman, including Paul Dini in Streets of Gotham, and Scott Snyder in the now-classic story The Black Mirror.

  • Batman: Battle for the Cowl
    Collects Batman: Battle For The Cowl #1-3, Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead? #1 And Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive?

Batman and Robin (2009)

Dick Grayson, the original Robin, has taken up the cape and cowl of his former partner, and Damian Wayne has become a deadly new Robin. Together, this masked Odd Couple must stop a rising tide of villainy whose savagery and brutality are unlike anything Gotham City has ever seen.

Batman: Streets Of Gotham (2009)

How will the police feel about this new Batman — and can he control the crime in Gotham the way the old Batman did? Commissioner Gordon’s about to find out as teams with the new Batman to combat some threats across Gotham City. (Beware, a little context is needed as it’s a follow-up to Paul Dini’s Heart of Hush).

The history of Gotham by Scott Snyder.

An exploration of Gotham’s history and a great way to finish this era, as The Black Mirror leads us into Batman New 52 (reading order).

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

Nightwing is back in New 52 (2011-2014)

A new era has begun in the DC Universe (and we have a full reading order of this era) in which Dick Grayson is back as Nightwing with a new (red) costume. He also has his own title written by Kyle Higgins, while making some appearances in Batman (helped by a few Bat events).

Grant Morrisson run’s on Batman concludes here with the end of Batman Incorporated. It is advised to read it (but it’s generally advised to read the whole run!)

Kyle Higgins run on Nightwing is also collected in an omnibus

  • Nightwing: The Prince of Gotham Omnibus 2025 New Printing
    Collects Nightwing Vol. 3 #0-30, Batman #17, Young Romance: A New 52 St. Valentine’s Day Special #1, Nightwing Annual #1, Secret Origins #1

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

Dick Grayson, Agent 37 (2014-2016)

Dick Grayson is part of the event Forever Evil (reading order), and the story will actually lead to his change of status-quo, from superhero to super spy.

What follows is Dick Grayson moonlighting as the super spy Agent 37, member of Spyral, in the title Grayson written by Tim Seeley and Tom King (through #17), and then by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. During that time, Dick will reconnect with the Titans, but also take charge of the Batfamily in Batman and Robin Eternal.

This run has also been collected in omnibus.

  • Grayson: The Superspy Omnibus (out of print)
    Grayson #1-20, Grayson: Futures End #1, Secret Origins #8, Grayson Annual #1-3, Robin War #1-2 And Nightwing: Rebirth #1.

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

Nightwing Rebirth (2016-2021)

He’s been Robin, Batman, a spy, a ghost. We’re talking about Dick Grayson, back to more classic stories with Rebirth under writer Tim Seeley and illustrator Javi Fernandez. The duo will work on the title until issue #34. after that, with a story arc from Sam Humphries and a few authors before the arrival of Benjamin Percy, doomed by events under his control and I suppose, doing the best he can under bad circumstances for our poor Dick. Let’s say that the new relaunch was eagerly awaited.

DC had previously collected the first era of Nightwing Rebirth in Deluxe Edition. Soon, those issues will be available in Omnibus!

Also collected in trade paperbacks, with a listing detailing his appearances in other titles:

Nightwing #29 is collected in Dark Nights: Metal: The Resistance, as a part of the recently launched Dark Nights: Metal (reading order). It is quite optional for Dick.

As alluded above, Nightwing will endure a traumatic and transformative event in Batman #54-55 that will change the course of his own title. This phase is known as the ‘Ric Grayson’ period and it is not recommended.

The Rebirth era comes to end with Future State (listing), a two-month event spinning out of the finale of Dark Nights: Death Metal (Reading Order) that takes us on a journey from the near future to the end of time to witness the destinies of DC’s heroes. It’s a collection of miniseries, and you can find Dick Grayson in Future State: Nightwing and Future State: Teen Titans.

 

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

Nightwing by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo Reading Order (2021-2024)

After the Future State Event came the new relaunch named Infinite Frontier and a new creative team for Nightwing, with Tom Taylor on writing duties and Bruno Redondo as an illustrator. At the same time, Nightwing and his Titans teammates form the Titans Academy, a title in which our hero is recurring – though the reading is completely optional as he doesn’t really do much and the portrayal clashes with his own series.

DC Comics has announced an Omnibus for the first part of Tom Taylor’s run:

Explore Nightwing’s adventures, whether solo or with the Titans, through a more detailed listing of trade collections:

Following the conclusion of Infinite Frontier, the duo Taylor/Redondo continues to write Nightwing to lead him in this Dawn of DC ere, where the character also leads the Titans, now the prime superhero team in the DC Universe.

Absolute Power! Amanda Waller has won! With Failsafe and the Brainiac Queen on her side, she has stolen the powers of every metahuman on Earth, heroes and villains alike. But not is all lost, as the few standing are determined to fight back in this event concluding the Dawn of DC era! For the complete event, check out our Absolute Power Reading Guide!

  • Absolute Power 2025
    Collects Absolute Power #1-4 and Absolute: Ground Zero #1.

Nightwing All-In With Dan Watters Reading Order (2024-)

New! Nightwing is all in! A new DC era starts now with Dan Watters as the new main writer for Nightwing, and Dexter Soy as the artist. Naturally, Dick Grayson is still part of the Titans, with the creative team of John Layman and Pete Woods

 

Check out our our Bat-family Comics Reading Guide!

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