Nightwing Preview Reveals Dick Grayson Adopted Batman's Best Trait
While Batman may not always be the most approachable guy thanks to his persona, Nightwing has successfully learned some important lessons from his mentor. Nightwing #89 features an important encounter that the heroic duo had with Superman's son, Jon Kent, when he was younger. Batman may not be the best person all the time, but he's usually there when it counts.
Jon Kent officially took over the mantle of Superman rather recently. Thus far, he has been on his own, but a team-up between him and Nightwing is likely coming in the near future. Clark Kent met up with Nightwing to ask him to watch over his son while he was gone. While the friendship between Jon and Damian Wayne has received more focus, Dick Grayson also plays an important part in Jon's life.
A new preview for Nightwing #89 has been shared by DC Comics. This comic has the creative team of Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbot. The preview features a flashback that presents an early interaction between Dick Grayson and Jon Kent - which was likely influential on the new Superman's growth and perception of his fellow heroes. This shows one of Nightwing's strengths is actually one he picked up from Batman.
This preview shows Jon Kent back in a time when he was a Super Son. He is holed up in a cave, with Batman and Nightwing stepping towards the entrance. Jon ends up startled by their appearance, shooting his heat vision towards them. Nightwing rises to the occasion, removing his and Batman's masks to look less threatening and approaches the young hero while Bruce calls Superman. Nightwing is also seen comforting Jon, giving him a lollipop taken from Batman's utility belt. Batman designed his persona to prey on and instill fear in his villains, but that isn't who he is all the time.
Batman's family is as large as it is because he continually adopts new sidekicks and young heroes into it. When they have had hard times, he has been a mentor, as well as a source of comfort. He has been able to bridge his own emotional damage and crime-fighting with the role of father and teacher to each Robin, Batgirl, and Batman. To do so, he couldn't always be scary, but understanding and compassionate of each of their plights. While Batman could simply have a sweet tooth, it doesn't seem likely that his utility belt would have lollipops just because he enjoys the occasional candy. This is likely a tool he has for situations where children are involved and need comfort during scary, or even traumatic, events. Part of Robin's role is to be a brighter counterpart to Batman - a role which Dick Grayson is still playing even in a different mantle. This is something he likely learned and honed with the help of Batman, allowing him to be a friend and source of comfort to his adopted siblings, as well as other young superheroes, like Jon Kent. Nightwing #89 will be available February 15 and its crossover partner issue, Superman: Son of Kal-El #9, will release March 8.
Source: DC Comics