Best Nightwing Comics (August 2025)

As a devoted fan, I’ve always been captivated by Dick Grayson, even though he hasn’t graced the live-action stage in a full-length movie or even made brief appearances in the deluge of superhero flicks. He’s made strides in animated adaptations and the four-season run of Titans on DC, but it’s not enough! The anticipation for his grand entrance onto the silver screen remains palpable. Until that day arrives, let me share some exceptional Nightwing comics to keep you engrossed in the meantime.

Best Nightwing comics as of 2025

Nightwing made his debut in Detective Comics #38 way back in 1940, and he’s certainly come a long way since then! Originally serving as Batman’s sidekick, he eventually carved out a successful career as a superhero in his own right. With numerous captivating tales to explore, we’ve curated a list of recommendations for those new to the series that also appeals to longtime fans who cherish their favorites.

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract

Dick Grayson, known later as Nightwing, is one of the exceptional superheroes who transition from childhood to adulthood before our eyes in comic books. While there are other characters who age, Nightwing stands out due to his distinct growth trajectory. His debut in Detective Comics #38 depicts him as a ten-year-old boy, and throughout the years, he has experienced a genuine development process that unfolds on the pages of the comic books.

First released as a four-part storyline in The New Teen Titans comic series in 1984 by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, “The Judas Contract” is one of the most well-known Teen Titans storylines and holds significant importance for the character of Grayson (who was previously known as Batman’s sidekick, Robin). In this tale, a betrayal sets the stage for Dick Grayson to fully break free from Batman’s influence and assume leadership roles. This transition of a sidekick into a leader is an essential development that deserves recognition in our list.

The Black Mirror

The Black Mirror narrative not only demonstrates Dick Grayson leaving behind his days as Robin, but also delves into an intriguing segment where he assumes the mantle of Batman, a role that sets him apart from Bruce Wayne. While I won’t spoil the reasons for Dick’s transformation into Batman, you can discover them by reading the comics (do resist looking it up online – it’s worth it!). What’s captivating about this storyline penned by Scott Snyder is his unique portrayal of Gotham City through Dick Grayson’s perspective, spanning three interconnected arcs. The story is particularly engaging due to the fresh take on Batman that Scott Snyder brings to the table.

In this version of Batman, the character’s differences are strikingly evident, making it intriguing to explore how a distinct personality and psyche can influence someone wearing the same cape and cowl. Many spectators believe that Snyder’s creation, The Black Mirror, is his finest work yet, and it certainly strengthens the argument that Dick could be our most compelling Batman ever. Alas, my apologies to Bruce Wayne!

Nightwing: Year One

Year One” was first published as a six-part story (issues #101106) back in 2005 within the Nightwing series. This popular collaboration between Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty, beautifully illustrated by Scott McDaniel, follows Dick Grayson’s journey after being dismissed by Batman. This event forces him to explore life beyond his role as Robin, which he’s held since childhood. However, Dick isn’t one to shy away from crime-fighting for long, and this leads to an engaging tale that charts his transformation from Robin to Nightwing. While it may not rank as high as its counterparts “Robin: Year One” and “Batgirl: Year One”, it stands on its own merit and is definitely worth reading as part of the trilogy.

The narrative offers some captivating encounters between Dick and iconic figures like Superman, the Teen Titans, and Barbara Gordon – characters that I particularly enjoy. Moreover, Dick finds himself in a situation where he must discover his true identity independent of a particular persona. Essentially, this tale combines elements of self-discovery, personal growth journey, and, naturally, superhero action.

Leaping into the Light

Introduced in 2021, “Nightwing: Leaping into the Light” (issues #78-83) marks a fresh start for the character, penned by Tom Taylor and illustrated by Bruno Redondo. Often recognized as one of the top Nightwing story arcs, this series is frequently featured on must-read lists about Nightwing’s essential comics. And if you’re new to the comic book world, don’t worry – this run is a great entry point for you too!

Dick Grayson, also known as Nightwing, has returned to Blüdhaven – a city he frequently visits, which is located a few hours from Gotham. After the events of Joker War, Dick inherited a substantial fortune from Alfred Pennyworth. This comic book series, in which the Joker manipulates an amnesic Nightwing, is highly recommended for readers. With his newfound wealth, Dick Grayson, who is still young, contemplates what to do with it. While buying pizza for the homeless may seem like a kind gesture, it likely wouldn’t save the city. However, his actions do reveal his compassionate nature and youthful innocence.

In simpler terms, Nightwing is re-establishing connections with Barbara Gordon, who has been struggling lately in the stories written by the authors. The authors have been quite tough on her character, particularly between Joker War and Killing Joke. However, Leaping into the Light offers a delightful portrayal of one of the strongest friendships (and potentially blossoming romance) between these two characters. A new villain named Heartless also makes an ominous appearance in their story.

The Boys

In October 1998, DC Comics published Nightwing issue #25, the standout comic from renowned writer Chuck Dixon (who penned many Batman comics in the ’90s). This particular issue, known as “The Boys,” is notable for its focus on character development rather than action, exploring the strong bond between Nightwing and Robin (Tim Drake), creating a heartwarming narrative reminiscent of a cinematic sequence. The captivating artwork by Scott McDaniel further enhances the reading experience.

A long time ago, Dick and Batman practiced a challenging exercise on top of a moving train. In a modern comic book called ‘The Boys’, Dick takes Tim Drake (the present Robin) to do the same blindfolded exercise. During this training, they discuss their personal lives and worries. Although it might not seem very exciting, this issue was ranked 67th in Wizard Magazine’s list of the top 100 single comics issues since you were born during the height of the 90s comic boom. Even though that magazine no longer exists, its ranking suggests that it could be worth checking out if you don’t believe our recommendation alone.

How we chose the best Nightwing comics

To ensure diversity and appeal to both beginners and seasoned fans, our lists often feature a balance of outstanding writing, artwork, well-developed characters, origin stories, relaunches, or reboots. We prioritize comics that offer value to newcomers while providing something enjoyable for long-time enthusiasts. Additionally, we reward selections that are worth revisiting multiple times.

2025-08-19 00:30