Dick Grayson has been one of the most important and longest-running characters in the DC continuity. While splintering off from Batman in Tales of the Teen Titans #44, Dick Grayson dropped the mantle of Robin and took on his solo identity of Nightwing. In issue #88 of writer Tom Taylor and artist Bruno Redondo’s Nightwing, Dick Grayson is set to give a speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of a new Alfred Pennyworth Foundation site in Bludhaven. However, the ceremony is cut short when there is an assassination attempt on Dick Grayson.
Taylor and Redondo’s run has attempted to highlight the importance of Dick Grayson’s personal relationships and how he’s learning to rely on others. This is exemplified in this issue as Flash surprises Nightwing with a much-needed upgrade.
10 Wally West Had The Idea
The third man to take up the mantle of The Flash, Wally West, is a long-time friend of Dick Grayson and a founding member of the Teen Titans. In issue #88, he whisks Dick Grayson away from the charity event and saves him from a bullet doing so. He convinces Nightwing to get on his back but doesn’t tell him where they’re going. However, he brings him to Mr. Terrific where they unveil their surprise for him. Wally remarks that the new suit will help Grayson “not die.”
9 Mr. Terrific Designed It
Although it was Wally West’s idea to give Nightwing a new costume, he’s forced to admit that Mr. Terrific did all of the hard work. This is unsurprising since Michael Holt, the current version of Mr. Terrific, is one of the smartest characters in the entire DC universe.
Although not depicted with his iconic T-Spheres in this issue, technology and electronics are some of his best fields, so he’d be one of the few people able to create such an advanced suit for Nightwing.
8 It Fits Under Street Clothes
When Wally saves Dick Grayson from a bullet at the Alfred Pennyworth Foundation event, he asks if he’s wearing his Nightwing costume underneath his outfit. Although he’s wearing a bulletproof vest, Grayson reluctantly admits that he isn’t wearing his suit. This is presumably because the old costume was too bulky to fit discretely underneath street clothes. Consequently, this upgrade will be extremely useful for Nightwing, as his civilian identity of Dick Grayson is likely in more danger at the moment.
7 It’s More Flexible Than Ever
Mr. Terrific’s ingenious suit design allows Nightwing to perform more flexibly than ever before. This is essential for Grayson, who comes from a gymnastics background. His acrobatics have been a staple of his fighting style since the beginning of his characterization. In most iterations of the character, Dick Grayson was a part of a family high flying trapeze act called “The Flying Graysons” with his parents. After their death, Batman fostered Dick Grayson, who became the first Robin. Grayson quickly learned how to transfer his skills from the circus to fighting crime.
6 It’s Bulletproof
The upgrade in mobility doesn’t seem to have any defensive drawbacks. Mr. Terrific explains to Nightwing that the new suit is bulletproof. This is clearly a feature Nightwing has a lot of use for considering he was just attacked by two sniper assassins.
Gunbunny and Gunhawk were hired by Blockbuster to murder Dick Grayson while he made his speech at a charity event. Thanks to Barbara Gordon‘s communication with the Teen Titans, the attack was stopped, but if Wally West and the Titans had been a second late, Dick Grayson may have been shot.
5 It’s Resistant To Blade Attacks
Mr. Terrific explains that although “most bulletproof material remains vulnerable to stabbing attacks,” this costume won’t have that problem. It isn’t said what material is used to achieve these defensive capabilities, but it is safe to say that Mr. Terrific would be able to think of a way to make this work. The knife resistance proves to be immediately useful as Nightwing and the Titans take on Blockbuster’s militia later in the issue, who are armed with assault rifles and hunting knives.
4 The Finger Lines Are Back
Dick Grayson has undergone several costume changes over the decades. From a trapeze artist, to Robin, to Nightwing, to even Batman himself for a while, Grayson is no stranger to a new look. Although Nightwing debuted in 1984, his most recognizable costume would come in the mid-’90s. This fan-favorite costume had thin blue lines coming off the iconic blue bird emblem at the shoulders, all the way down to the ring and middle finger. Nightwing’s costume since DC’s Rebirth initiative has ditched these lines, but it only took Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo ten issues of working on the title to bring back his classic look.
3 Tom Taylor Conceived It (In Real Life)
The current series Nightwing started back in 2016 after DC’s continuity rebooting Rebirth initiative. While the series traded hands many times, the current creative team has proven to be a quick fan favorite. Taking over in issue #78, writer Tom Taylor and artist Bruno Redondo have injected new life into the character along with colorist Adriano Lucas and letterer Andworld Design. Since taking over, Taylor has given Nightwing the adorable dog “Bitewing,” returned Dick Grayson to his roots by helping citizens in Bludhaven, and most recently gave him a brand new suit.
2 Bruno Redondo Designed It (In Real Life)
Writer Tom Taylor’s creative partner on Nightwing, Bruno Redondo, has been an artist for DC and Wildstorm since 2009. He’s worked as a penciler, inker, colorist, and cover artist. Some of his most notable work has been his art on the Injustice: Gods Among Us series.
He’s known for expressive faces and exciting, fluid action. He and Tom Taylor had previously worked on a well-received run of Suicide Squad, and they bring their dynamic blend of humor, emotion, and fast-paced action over to Nightwing.
1 “It Has Other Features Too”
Before Mr. Terrific and Flash can give Nightwing the complete rundown on his new suit, he and Flash have to rush back to the charity event. Flash promises to fill Nightwing in on everything later, but for now, readers are left wondering what Mr. Terrific could have meant when he said “it has other features too.” Although speculative, the additional features could have some kind of compatibility with Nightwing’s trademark weapon: the Escrima sticks. If not, they’ll likely have some sort of electronic or technological capabilities due to Mr. Terrific’s specialties.
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