Nightwing (comic book)

Nightwing
Cover of Nightwing #1 (Sept. 2016) Art by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	(Superman) Superman #158 (January 1963) (Dick Grayson) Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (July 1984)
Created by	(Superman) Edmond Hamilton Curt Swan (Dick Grayson) Marv Wolfman George Pérez
In-story information
Alter ego	Richard John "Dick" Grayson
Team affiliations	Batman Family Teen Titans Outsiders Justice League Batman Inc. Spyral
Partnerships	Bruce Wayne Starfire Damian Wayne Helena Bertinelli Tim Drake Jason Todd Barbara Gordon Tarantula (DC Comics) Artemis (DC Comics) Raven (DC Comics)
Supporting character of	Batman Birds of Prey
Abilities	Skilled acrobat and aerialist Skilled martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant Utilizes high-tech equipment and weapons

Nightwing is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character has appeared in various incarnations, with the Nightwing identity most prominently being adopted by Dick Grayson when he moves on from his role as Batman's vigilante partner Robin.

Although Nightwing is commonly associated with Batman, the title and concept have origins in classic Superman stories. The original Nightwing in DC Comics was an identity assumed by alien superhero Superman when stranded on the Kryptonian city of Kandor with his pal Jimmy Olsen. Drawing inspiration from Batman and Robin, the two protect Kandor as the superheroes Nightwing and Flamebird. Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths continuity reboot in 1985, Nightwing was re-imagined as a legendary vigilante from Krypton whose story inspires Dick Grayson's choice of name when he leaves behind his Robin identity.

Other stories set among the Batman family of characters have seen acquaintances and friends of Dick Grayson briefly assume the title, including his fellow Robin alumnus Jason Todd. Meanwhile, Superman stories have seen Power Girl and Superman's adopted son Chris Kent take up the name for brief turns as Nightwing. Various other characters have taken the name in stories set outside DC's main continuity as well, and at times the role has been unoccupied, such as when Dick Grayson operated as Batman and after faking his death.

Nightwing the comic book, which focuses on Grayson, has long been a top-selling DC book. In 2013, Nightwing placed 5th on IGN's Top 25 Heroes of DC Comics and Grayson as Nightwing was ranked the #1 Sexiest Male Character in Comics by ComicsAlliance in 2013.

Nightwing is first depicted in the story "Superman in Kandor" in Superman #158 (January 1963). It is an alias used by Superman in pre-Crisis stories. The story is set in Kandor, a Kryptonian city that was shrunken and preserved in a bottle by Brainiac. In Kandor, Superman has no superpowers, and is branded an outlaw there due to a misunderstanding.