Nightwing & Starfire are Officially a Couple Again in DC Comics

Warning: contains spoilers for Teen Titans Academy #1

After almost the two Teen Titans spent decades apart, Nightwing and Starfire are finally a couple again in DC Comics. Though the relationship has been teased and seen in various alternate universes, the newly released Teen Titans Academy #1 is the first time the two have been romantically linked in the main DC Universe since the New 52 erased the famous couple’s history together.

Coming from writer Tim Sheridan and artist Rafa Sandoval, Teen Titans Academy #1 returns the Teen Titans to their roots while also establishing an entirely new status quo for the team. After the previous Teen Titans disbanded on Damian Wayne’s insistence, the most famous incarnation of the team started an academy to mentor the DC Universe’s next generation of heroes. After a birthday party for Nightwing, Starfire corners the hero and asks him if he’s ready for their date. Nightwing recalls that Starfire has yet to give him his present, which prompts the two to sneak away together.

One debate that sharply divides fans of Nightwing is whether he belongs with Starfire or Batgirl. While the overt flirting and familiar tone between Nightwing and Starfire in this issue seems to put the issue to rest, for the time being, it’s not so clear cut for DC’s most eligible bachelor. While nothing has happened between Dick and Barbara over in Nightwing’s solo series, their intimacy and the lack of references to Starfire suggest that Dick is currently keeping his options open. Far from a cameo though, Barbara appears to play a major role in Nightwing’s series, implying their relationship will be a major focus. There is also the fact that Nightwing and Batgirl were recently married over in the pages of Dark Knights: Death Metal, complicating the issue even further.

Unfortunately for fans of the Teen Titan’s best couple, all of this leaves Nightwing and Starfire’s relationship in an awkward space. While big shared universes undoubtedly have their strength, they often lead to problems like these. Between Nightwing’s solo series and his appearance in Teen Titans Academy, it feels like there are two different Nightwings. Neither series references the other, and it’s difficult to see where Nightwing finds the time to teach classes while also protecting Blüdhaven. Much like Nightwing’s love life, none of it adds up.

While there are reasons to be skeptical about Nightwing’s future with Starfire, there are at least a few glimmer’s of hope. Teen Titans Academy is one of DC’s first titles that fully embraces the 2003 animated series which defined the team for an entire generation. Red X’s migration to main continuity and the teacher lineup are obvious appeals to fans of that show. Robin and Starfire’s relationship was a key element of both characters in that continuity, so it makes sense to translate that here. Regardless of what happens in future Teen Titans stories though, fans of Nightwing and Starfire should enjoy the return of DC’s greatest romance while it lasts.

About The Author

Evan Mullicane
(362 Articles Published)

Evan D. Mullicane is an editor, critic, and author based out of California’s Bay Area. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from San Francisco State University in 2016. In his free time, he enjoys reading graphic novels and writing fantasy.

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