Nightwing Was Actually Supposed to Be A Member of the Court of Owls

Nightwing was destined to become a Talon for the Court of Owls, Gotham’s secret oligarch society, until Batman intervened. The Court of Owls will be a component of WB Games Montreal’s new game Gotham Knights. Gotham Knights will focus on Bat-Family members Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hood, and Robin, after the death of Bruce Wayne. 

The Court of Owls was teased to be a major part of Gotham Knights the week before the reveal by WB Games Montreal. The Court of Owls, an underground society of Gotham, was created in 2011 during Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s popular Batman run. The Owls are a secret group who pull the strings of Gotham, with their un-dead Talon enforcers. During the Court of Owls storyline, it was shown that Nightwing, Dick Grayson, was supposed to be a Talon. Haly’s Circus, the original home of Grayson, was a selection ground for future Talons. The Court of Owls selected him to be the next Talon. These plans were interrupted after Grayson’s parents were murdered and Bruce Wayne, Batman, adopted Grayson. 

Grayson’s grandfather, William Cobb, was a Talon for the Court of Owls. The two would face off during the Night of Owls, where Grayson would outsmart Cobb. The Talons would not meddle in Grayson’s life until We Are Robin, and more recently, being revealed to be the reason Grayson has not regained his memories after getting shot in the head. The Court of Owls and Nightwing have deep ties and the Court of Owls are very invested in getting their Gray Son of Gotham. Could this be a possible storyline in the upcoming Gotham Knights game?

Having Nightwing struggle with the Court of Owls without the protection of Batman would be an interesting story to have players interact with. WB Games Montreal has hinted that this is a dangerous Gotham without the protection of Batman — Could the Owls be a more personal threat to the ranks of the bats?  There is a lot to work with by using the Nightwing/Court of Owls storyline, and it does deeper roots into the mythology of Gotham. Hopefully, more will be seen soon of Gotham Knights. Gotham Knights will be released in 2021.