Dick Grayson is the former Robin, and the first ward of Bruce Wayne, Batman. Dick is a unique, beloved, and important character in the DC mythos. Gotham Knights provide fans with a new look at Nightwing, an integral character in the Batman family.

Related: Gotham Knights: Best Red Hood Comics To Read Before The Game Comes Out

After many years of training and differences, Dick Grayson left the shadow of Batman, and the mantle of Robin behind to become Nightwing. An incredible acrobat, more hopeful than his adoptive father. Dick Grayson has been in comics since the 40s, and there’s an endless supply of great stories that would help fans better understand his purpose in the upcoming video game Gotham Knights.

Updated November 18, 2022, by Jake Fillery: Now that Gotham Knights has released, audiences may be craving more stories from Nightwing. Dick Grayson is the perfect proof that a hero is not defined by their tragedy, nor by their superpowers. Dick Grayson was just an ordinary kid. As far as ordinary kids go they are in a trapeze act. Sadly, Dick’s parents were killed when the Flying Grayson’s act went wrong. Bruce Wayne took in the boy and adopted him as a ward. However, Bruce gained so much more than a ward, he gained a son and the shining example of a superhero. The best Nightwing graphic novels always involve the character shining through. Dick Grayson has since been on many adventures and evolutions. Even Gotham Knights Nightwing has something to prove. From losing his identity and going by the name ‘Ric’ to even have his identity exposed and forced to work as a secret agent. There are plenty of great Nightwing comics and the best Nightwing comics.

13 Battle For The Cowl

nightwing on a motorcycle in gotham city

Battle for the Cowl is perhaps the best build-up toward what a Gotham Knights sequel could look like when it comes to having the heroes of Gotham City battle it out to be the one and only Batman. It’s a mesh of Batman lore, and brings together characters like Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Damian Wayne, as they all try and turn Gotham into what they believe it should be.

Only Dick Grayson truly knows how to handle the burden and mantle of being Batman, yet, he finds himself struggling to accept that responsibility. It’s a great look into not only the mindset of Dick Grayson in the events of Bruce’s death but how he presents leadership among companions gone array.

12 Grayson Issue 12

dick grayson getting punched by jason todd

Dick Grayson has been on quite the journey through the DC Universe. Yet, perhaps none are more emotional than when Grayson took the character home. This specific issue of Grayson seeks to return Dick Grayson to his family after they discover that Dick faked his death a year prior. Something that Bat Family tends to do a little too often.

This emotional reunion provides fans of Nightwing a plethora of content for the character, celebrating his past with plenty of speech bubbles from previous comics, with past interactions from Dick Grayson and other favorite characters like Damian Wayne. It solidifies the relationship that Dick Grayson has, and how important he is to the Bat Family.

11 Robin: Year One

robin on a speed boat

Year One titles in DC Comics can always be hit or miss, but Robin: Year One is certainly a hit. This comic has an interesting and dark cynicism on Dick Grayson, and what forged him as not only Robin but into the Nightwing that audiences know and love. The character goes through much in this origin story, as it brings so many fresh ideas to the table.

When it comes to Robin: Year One, it’s a comic fan of Nightwing should check out, as they should see his beginnings as not just a hero, but as a human being. It’s a rather optimistic story about a child growing up into something greater, even with the lingering darkness around him.

10 Nightwing: Night Of The Owls

talon and nightwing

As part of DC’s reboot, The New 52, this comic is perfect as an entry point for players that are curious to learn more about both Dick Grayson, and one of the five enemy factions in Gotham Knights, The Court of Owls. The comic has Nightwing facing undead assassins of the court, and discovering his connection to them.

Although it does not offer much in service of Dick Grayson’s character development, it is a great look into his relationship with Gotham City, the Batfamily, how he can handle himself in a fight, and perhaps how he will play in Gotham Knights.

9 Batman: Prodigal

dick grayson batman

Taking place after the infamous events of Batman: Knightfall, Bruce Wayne is still recovering from having his back broken by Bane. He approaches his first ward, Dick Grayson, and asks him to don the mantle of the Batman.

It’s interesting to see one of the earliest depictions of Dick Grayson taking up his father’s legacy. It’s a personal story of how Dick feels about taking on the challenge, of becoming The Batman. Yet in classic Dick Grayson fashion, he gives it his all.

8 Nightwing: Leaping Into The Light

nightwing rebirth

This comic is a continuation of The New 52 line, and DC’s rebranded Rebirth series is a great way for new fans of Nightwing to drop in and check the character out. This volume serves as a great story, with lots of well-thought set-ups for later down the line.

It features Dick Grayson back in his adoptive city, Blüdhaven. It’s great to see Dick Grayson working with members of the Batfamily, like Batgirl, another playable character in Gotham Knights. This comic is great for understanding certain relationships these characters have with one another, and how co-op might work.

7 Batman: Hush

batman and hush

Regarded by some fans as one of the most essential Batman comics, Batman: Hush features a new villain, wrapped in a bandage of mystery. The comic can serve as a great entry point for new readers, as it establishes a lot of Batman characters and lore, including the city itself, something Gotham Knights should explore.

Related: Gotham Knights: Nightwing Is A Good Candidate To Don Batman's Cowl

This comic delves into Bruce’s caped relationship with Dick and features them working together. It shows how much Bruce cared for his ward, and how he was one person of a minor few that he could entirely trust with everything.

6 Nightwing: Freefall

nightwing in the rain

The bodies of fallen and defeated villains begin to strangely disappear, luring Nightwing into an unraveling mystery that features Talia Al Ghul, and the ghastly Dr. Creighton Kendall. The eerie undertones and use of teamwork with his family make for a great read.

This comic prominently features Tim Drake as Robin, pairing up with Nightwing. It’s always a great dynamic to see the sons of Batman together. These two characters are the protagonists in Gotham Knights, so seeing their relationship as older and younger brothers is a dynamic that the game will capitalize on.

5 Nightwing: Year One

nightwing and batgirl and two-face

Taking place at a point in Dick Grayson’s life when Batman fired him as Robin, this coming-of-age comic has Dick Grayson finding his place in the superhero world as his own person with his own identity. He seeks guidance and advice from heroes like Superman and Deadman, and it helps him to become the hero he is today, with his combat style unique to his gameplay in Gotham Knights.

It’s great to look at this comic from the outlook of Gotham Knights, where we see Dick Grayson return to Gotham City after the death of Batman. Will he remain as Nightwing, or take up Batman’s mantle?

4 Nightwing: The Great Leap

nightwing

Nightwing enters NYC, the big apple, in an attempt to stop one of Batman’s most infamous adversaries, Two-Face. It’s up to Nightwing to keep the city from falling into the two hands of this number-crazed madman and former district attorney.

Related: Gotham Knights: Complete Nightwing Gameplay Breakdown

This comic lines up well with Gotham Knights, as it is set after the events of Batman’s supposed death. Nightwing battles with the loss of his father and mentor, as well as the inner turmoil about himself dealing with Batman’s rogues. There is a lot of heart in this comic about Dick Grayson.

3 Batman: Black Mirror

batman

As one of the final stories in the DC Universe that is before the reboot, this features Dick Grayson as Batman. He is comfortable in the cowl upon taking his father’s mantle, and there is a lot of detective work in this comic. It’s also written by Scott Snyder, co-creator of the Court of Owls, a villain group that Gotham Knights focuses on.

Grayson’s time as Batman is something that this comic gets right. It shows a world where Dick is the new Batman and provides an important reading into what awaits the character in Gotham Knights if Bruce Wayne is truly dead.

2 Batman: Dark Victory

batman and robin

Batman and Robin have a great history together, spanning across comics, animated shows, films, and games for well over 80 years now. What Dark Victory serves as is a re-telling of that origin. It’s a story that involves how Bruce Wayne met Dick Grayson, and how the young boy became a ward to Gotham City’s most famous philanthropist, Bruce Wayne, and a sidekick to Gotham City’s most feared vigilante.

Readers of this comic can expect a greater understanding of the relationship and history between Bruce and Dick before entering into the fray to avenge Batman in Gotham Knights.

1 The New Teen Titans: The Judas Contract

donna troy, beast boy, cyborg, raven, starfire, nightwing

A rare feature in comic books is to see characters not just grow mentally, and into stronger characters, but physically grow into adulthood. What The Judas Contract features are the classic Teen Titans, a great team for their own game, growing up into mature adults, and it reflects in the more serious battles and consequences they face.

The team is led by Nightwing which shows how great of a leader he is. It wouldn’t be surprising if Gotham Knights featured Dick Grayson leading the Batfamily in their crusade. Dick understands the importance of friendship and sacrifice, and this comic brings a mature edge to the Titans.

Gotham Knights is currently scheduled to release on October 25 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

More: Gotham Knights: Things You Need To Know About The Court Of Owls