Nightwing's Adorable New Puppy Needs a Name (Here's How You Can Vote)
Warning: spoilers for Nightwing #78!
Consistently one of DC's most beloved heroes, Nightwing isn't hurting matters in his newly revamped series with the adoption of a three-legged puppy who DC just announced will be named by a fan poll. After being shot in the head by Batman villain the Beast, Dick Grayson lost his memories, only recently returning to the life he'd made for himself as the vigilante hero of Blüdhaven. Now, thanks to the new creative team of writer Tom Taylor and artist Bruno Redondo, Nightwing's life is changing, not least with the arrival of a scrappy new pet.
In Nightwing #78, Dick returns to the corruption-riddled city of Blüdhaven, where his absence as Nightwing has only emboldened the criminal elements he previously kept at bay. Reflecting that Blüdhaven lacks Gotham's madness, but makes up for it with cruelty, Dick comes across a group of young men chasing a three-legged street dog, rescuing it with his trademark panache before taking it home. When longtime ally Batgirl asks the dog's name, Dick says she's going to the pound, and her new owners can decide, but the hero isn't kidding anyone. Batgirl points out that, since Dick lacks the ability to turn his back on anyone in need, the dog is already home, but the issue ends before Nightwing declares his choice.
Now, it turns out Dick was holding off for a reason, since DC Comics has announced the dog's name will be decided by a fan poll held through DC's DC Universe Infinite, its digital comics subscription service. Each subscriber will have one vote which can be changed right up until the polls close on March 30, with DC offering the choices of Shadow, Blue, Hope, and Haley.
While the vote is sadly only available to US readers - thanks to DC Universe Infinite's currently limited subscription options - it's a smart way of allowing readers direct influence in the DC Universe, and comes on the heels of Marvel's similar fan poll to decide the final member of their new X-Men team, suggesting that both comic giants are looking to explore how the new digital landscape can be used to give readers a voice in ongoing series. Cannily, DC has tied its poll to membership with its recently relaunched digital service, making it clear to fans that they can anticipate similar unexpected perks in the future for signing up.
With Nightwing having recently come into a huge inheritance thanks to Bruce Wayne's deceased butler and 'man in the chair' Alfred Pennyworth, even as the Dark Knight himself is downsizing following the Joker's appropriation of his fortune and vehicles in the 'Joker War' story arc, Dick is capable of affecting bigger change than ever. His new pet - whatever her name proves to be - is a sign that however ambitious Nightwing's attempts to rescue Blüdhaven become, he's fundamentally a street-level hero; someone whose immediate instinct is to protect and care for the innocent, no matter what form they take.
From Ace the Bat-Hound to Hawkeye's Lucky the Pizza Dog, Nightwing's new pet is just the most recent addition to the pantheon of comic-book doggos, and from what fans have seen so far, the Blüdhaven street dog should be more than capable of holding her own.
Source: DC Comics