Nightwing(Dick Grayson)

"Who am I? Good question really, I've seen too much to be Robin, but I'm too optimistic to be Batman. So here's my answer, I'm Nightwing."

Nightwing is the identity taken up by Dick Grayson, the first Robin after he leaves Wayne Manor to pursue other interests. Grayson finds he is unable to resist stepping back into the role of a crime-fighters and becomes a solo hero, operating in Bludhaven. Althought it took several years, Nightwing has earned Batman's full respect and serves as one of his most important and closest allies.

Becoming A Hero

Like Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson witnessed his parents murder at the hands of crime boss, Tony Zucco, after he cut their trapeze rope during a circus act with no net, plunging to their deaths. The young Grayson is taken in by Bruce Wayne as a ward and eventually finds out his true identity as Batman. Grayson takes the name of Robin to fight alongside Batman, becoming one of his very first allies into what would grow to become the Batfamily. Grayson developed a relationship with Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Police Commisioner James Gordon. Barbara would become Batgirl, fighting alongside the duo.

Grayson leaves the Manor to go to college and get a degree. His classes are cut short after an attack on campus by an assassin named The Reaper, Grayson suits up as Robin once again to take down the killer. Grayson discovers Batman has taken in a second ward, Jason Todd and joins the group, The Teen Titans, where he fights alongside them for several years.

Grayson is horrified to discover that Todd was murdered by the Joker and only days later Barbara is shot in the spine by Joker and put into a wheelchair. Enraged and blaming Batman, Grayson quit the Titans and became Nightwing, based on the Kryptonian legend. Grayson attempts to fight crime in Gotham but realizes he is still in the shadow of Batman and relocates to the city of Bludhaven. Nightwing later serves as a mentor to Tony Carter, the third Robin, who, inspired by Grayson, becomes Nightwing Beyond.

Forgiving himself and Batman, Grayson serves as a trustworthy and important ally to Batman and the entire team. Grayson joined Batman in the fight against The Joker's Endgame and served as a teacher to the members of Batman Incorporated, He was engaged to Barbara Gordon before his death at the hands of the Joker.