DC Teases How Nightwing Almost Became Red Hood Instead

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Batman: Detective Comics #1037!

In Batman: Detective Comics #1037, it’s revealed that Nightwing almost became a version of Red Hood. Dick Grayson hasn’t always been the more easy-going Robin that he’s usually depicted as. Like Jason Todd, Dick had an extremely trouble past and was taken in by Bruce Wayne. There’s more to the ex-Robin’s backstory than what readers have been told. Nightwing and Red Hood share many similarities, although a few major events separated them from going down the same path.

The Robin portion of the issue kicks off as a young Dick Grayson and Batman evade the gunfire of their enemies. Calling for Alfred and Lucius Fox’s assistance, the two heroes are stuck in a tight spot. Fox is able to overcharge the Batmobile to create an E.M.P. blast that gives Batman and Robin three minutes to take down their assailants. At this point, their communications are cut off due to the E.M.P. shockwave. Both the characters and readers alike are left in the dark about the duo’s status, and it’s at this point that Lucius Fox voices his worries about Robin.

In ‘3 Minutes’ by John Ridley, Dustin Nguyen, and John Kalisz, Nightwing’s past is revealed in greater detail. As mentioned, Fox has serious doubts about Bruce’s choice to bring a child into the field. Alfred assures him that he has “Master Grayson’s best interests at heart” and that Bruce is just redirecting Robin’s rage into another avenue. Through flashbacks, Robin’s violent past is showcased as he tries to grapple with his parents’ murder. Before Bruce took him in, Dick spent his nights searching for anyone he felt deserved to be punished, whether they were the same as his parents’ killers or not.

Dick Grayson has always been treated as the so-called lighter version of Robin. Although he has a tragic past, his time with Batman moulded him into something good. Batman’s choice to anoint Dick as Robin is justified in this issue as a way to control the darker ruthless vigilante inside him. Now, as Nightwing, he works to protect his own city and is a great Bat-family hero. On the other hand, Red Hood has always been depicted as pulling the short straw, in terms of Robin’s. But when looking at Nightwing’s past, it shows that Red Hood isn’t inherently bad.

Dick Grayson could have easily become a vigilante like Red Hood, as he was on that path after his parents’ death. But the major difference is that Nightwing stayed with Bruce for longer and was able to contain his rage. Whereas, Jason Todd kept his rage and utilized it in a brutal manner, reminiscent of Robin’s actions in this issue. If this development proves anything it’s that Red Hood could’ve developed into a hero like Nightwing. But Joker’s deadly actions against him twisted his perspective and all he could see was his rage.

About The Author

Ben Rolph
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Ben Rolph is a Comics features writer for Screen Rant. Based out of London, United Kingdom, Ben owns and runs an Arrowverse YouTube channel called ‘TheDCTVshow’, as well as being a film critic at DiscussingFilm. He is also a Tomatometer-approved critic and studies film at the University of Westminster.

Ben has a passion for the Arrowverse shows, especially The Flash and Supergirl, which he has watched and analysed for years.

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