Nightwing


 * This article is about Dick Grayson, the first Robin. For his successors, see Jason Todd and Tim Drake.

Nightwing (real name Richard "Dick" Grayson, born December 1st, 1996) was the first Robin. The former protégé of Batman, Nightwing was a founding member of the Team. He assumed the leadership role of the covert operations team while Aqualad was in deep cover, infiltrating the Light to learn more about their activities. When Aqualad completed that mission, Nightwing turned the leadership role back over to him. As Team leader, Nightwing acted as a mentor to the current Robin, Tim Drake.

Robin
In his early days as Robin, despite being only 13, he was more experienced than his fellow sidekicks. By then he had been training under Batman's wing for four years. Despite Batman's influence on Robin, the two have very contrasting personalities. While his mentor was cold and very serious, Robin's demeanor was quite the opposite. Robin was naturally a very lighthearted individual who seemed to take joy in nearly everything that he did. Despite his immaturity, he could get along very well with people who were older than him, and tended to act more maturely whenever he was tasked with a certain level of responsibility.

When simply interacting with his friends, Robin behaved in a jovial and oftentimes "little brother"-like role, in which he joked freely about his teammates, and even made fun of them when they made mistakes. He had a particularly close friendship with Kid Flash, with whom he was able to joke and often treated like a brother of sorts. Robin also seemed to take great pleasure in creating back-formations, by removing prefixes from commonly-used words such as "disaster", "distraught", "overwhelmed" and "infiltrated" to create new words.

Despite his child like behavior at times, Robin was a natural tactical thinker, often coming up with plans for the Team on the fly, and figuring out complex situations faster than many of his teammates. He was also very pragmatic and preferred to think ahead. During the Team 's brief scuffle with Guardian, Robin took the liberty to activate the elevator to escape instead of fighting alongside his Team, had no qualms about Miss Martian delving into his mind to retrieve his memories, and took a break from running from Red Torpedo and Red Inferno to download the Cave's blueprints.

Robin initially considered himself to be the natural leader of the Team, citing his longer experience as a hero. However, this experience and his strong working relationship with Batman led him to mistakenly assume that the other members of the Team would understand and follow his plans without him explaining them. This unfortunately caused problems on their first mission against Kobra and Bane. He subsequently claimed that Aqualad would be a better leader for the Team. While Aqualad accepted the role, he stated that both he and the rest of the Team expected Robin to eventually take the mantle, due to the fact he was more suited for the job.

After the trauma of watching his teammates die in a simulation, Robin opened up to Black Canary during a therapy session. He did want to be the leader and wanted to someday become Batman. But after sending his friends to their "deaths" in the simulation made by Miss Martian, he no longer desired to become like Batman, willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the mission. Despite this, five years later he demonstrates these traits as team leader.

Nightwing
Dick has matured considerably over the intervening five years. As Nightwing, he is more driven and focused—just like his mentor. While he had a moment of levity in congratulating Robin's success in his first mission as squad leader, Nightwing has reined in the wisecracks, and has become much more somber and serious. A different side to him is what makes Wally call him a "dog"—he has had relationships with multiple girls, including Zatanna, and all are still on good terms with him. When asked, he has commented that it was his superpower.

Physical appearance
Dick was fairly short for his age when he was 13-years-old, and had a slight, lean, well-toned build, since he was an acrobat and skilled at martial arts and gymnastics. He had short black hair and dark blue eyes. He typically wore either a mask or sunglasses to cover his eyes, depending on his current attire. At 19-years-old, Dick has grown considerably taller, roughly the same height as Batman and as well-muscled. His hair has grown considerably longer past his ears.

Clothing
His original Robin uniform was comprised of a red vest, black leggings, boots and gloves, all of which seemed to be made of a sort of protective body armor, that still allowed him great mobility. On his chest, a stylized "R" symbol was visible, and around his waist he wore a gold colored utility belt with various pouches for his equipment. He donned a cape that was black on the outer lining but pale yellow on the inside. To protect his identity, Robin wore either a black stylized domino mask or sunglasses at all times. While sporting the mask, his eyes appeared completely white. His short black hair was left unkempt, hanging over his forehead.

As Nightwing, his uniform now comprises a black unitard, black shoulder pads, boots and gloves. The chest area of his uniform is emblazoned with a blue bird with its wings expanded and his abdomen area is coloured in a lighter grey. He wears a black utility belt and carries his eskrima sticks in a holster on the side of his right leg.

Early life
Richard "Dick" Grayson is the child of the acrobatic circus family "The Flying Graysons" of Haly's Circus. He was born on December 1, 1996, His parents, along with his older cousin  and aunt  fell to their deaths in a trapeze "accident" caused by mob boss Zucco on , when he was 9. Other than Dick, who did not participate in the fatal routine, the only survivor was his uncle Rick, who was very badly injured and unable to care for his nephew. Since the accident, Dick has lived with Bruce Wayne and made the transformation to Robin under Bruce's training (eventually bringing Zucco to justice together). Batman's main motivation was to make sure young Dick would not grow up the way Bruce Wayne did, i.e. driven by a desire for vengeance.

Robin intensely fears that he might not be as fearless as his family (both biological and adoptive) is supposed to be, and is afraid he has to fill Batman's boots.

July 2010
Robin eagerly expected to become a member of the Justice League, alongside Speedy, Aqualad, and Kid Flash. However, when it became clear that that wasn't happening, he, Aqualad and Kid Flash went to investigate Cadmus Labs. There, they discovered the Genomorph project and Superboy, whom they liberated. The four youths stood up to their mentors and declared they were ready to prove themselves as heroes. They formed a covert ops team and were given their own headquarters in Mount Justice by Batman, and were introduced to Miss Martian.

The next day, Robin, Kid Flash and Aqualad set off on an unsanctioned mission to protect CEO Selena Gonzalez from the League of Shadows, but despite their best efforts, Gonzalez still vanished.

Robin, Aqualad and Kid Flash asked Speedy to join the Team but were rebuffed. The Team grew restless from the lack of missions, but tried to get to know each other better. They fought Mister Twister, eventually defeating him, which renewed their faith in the Team. The Team later went on a campout where they shared the stories of how they became heroes.

The Team's first official mission was to investigate the stoppage of Venom production in Santa Prisca. While Robin initially took the lead, the Team eventually agreed Aqualad was their natural leader. The Team was then sent to stop a plutonium robbery. They defeated Psycho-Pirate and Atomic Skull, capturing the former.

August 2010
Robin, along with the rest of the Team, began taking training sessions with Black Canary. The Team were assigned to guard shipments of the disassembled Amazo. Professor Ivo was able to retrieve and reassemble the robot, but the Team defeated Amazo and captured Ivo.

Artemis joined the Team just before they were assigned a mission by Red Arrow: to protect Serling Roquette from the League of Shadows while she worked on a counter-weapon to the Fog she developed. After Serling completed her counter-weapon, Robin uploaded it to the Fog, neutralizing it.

The Team took a class in espionage from Captain Atom. When the lecture proved boring, Captain Atom assigned them a cold case mission–to determine whether or not Air Force captain Nathaniel Adams was framed for the murder of his superior during the Vietnam War. The Team was ultimately successful in determining Adams' innocence.

Robin worked with Batman to prevent the League of Shadows hijacking a satellite launch. Two days later, Robin and the Team attended Kent Nelson's funeral.

Later, Batman ordered the Team to track Clayface through Gotham City while he worked on a way to defeat him. The Team engaged Clayface against Batman's orders–the Team was soundly defeated, but saved by Batman at the last moment. Robin resented Batman talking to Aqualad alone about the incident, but a one-on-one game of basketball with Bruce smoothed things over.

September 2010
Batman sent the Team to Bialya, where they encountered Psimon, who blocked their memories of the prior six months. Miss Martian was able to restore their memories.

Batman and Robin attempted to stop the abduction of Jason Burr, but failed. Teaming up with Flash, Kid Flash, Green Arrow and Artemis, they discovered he was captured by the Cult of the Kobra to be used in a ritual to turn Kobra into a god. They successfully undid the ritual, but Kobra evaded capture.

Robin and Artemis arrived at the Cave following their first day of school to find it had been invaded by Red Torpedo and Red Inferno. They were eventually successful in disabling the robots and freeing their captive teammates. Like the rest of the Team, he was rendered unconscious by Red Tornado, who fled with his "siblings". Robin, like the rest of the Team, was furious to discover Aqualad had withheld information about a possible mole on the Team. Batman assigned the Team to investigate reports of gorilla attacks in India. After defeating the Brain and freeing his Kobra-Venom-enhanced animal slaves, Robin was satisfied with Aqualad's reasons for keeping the secret.

The Team was then sent to investigate reports of another Kobra-Venom operation in Bwunda. The Team were ambushed and captured by the Brain's gorillas, but eventually freed themselves and helped the gorillas stage a rebellion against their captors.

October 2010
The Team was sent to destroy the central control system being used by the Injustice League to attack a number of cities worldwide with giant plants. They successfully destroyed the control plant, and the subsequent arrival of the Justice League was enough to force their enemies to surrender.

The Team was introduced to Zatanna, who Robin showed immediate interest in. They went on an unauthorized mission to find Red Tornado. They discovered the robot had not betrayed them and, together with Red Inferno and Red Torpedo, they were able to destroy Red Volcano and prevent the Yellowstone supervolcano from devastating the planet.

Robin and the rest of the Team took part in a telepathic training simulation run by Martian Manhunter. It went wrong when Artemis's "death" caused Miss Martian to take control, causing them to forget it was not real. Robin took over as leader after Aqualad sacrificed his "life", sending himself and his remaining teammates on a suicide mission. When the simulation was ended, Robin, like the others, was left devastated. The Team was given therapy by Black Canary. Robin realized he wasn't capable of sacrificing everything for the mission the way Batman can.

On Halloween, Robin discussed the possibility of a mole on the Team with Batman, Aqualad, Red Tornado and Red Arrow.

November 2010
After all the adults in the world disappeared, Robin and the Team worked with Zatanna to find the cause. With help from Captain Marvel they were able to communicate with the adults in their own separate dimension and coordinate an attack on Klarion and his group of sorcerers, merging the dimensions back into one.

Later, Robin attended Kid Flash's "surprise" birthday party at the Cave. He then joined the joint League-Team mission to disable the ice fortresses freezing North America.

Robin lead a mission to Qurac to discover why the nation's leader decided to allow Bialya to absorb Qurac. They saved Marie Logan and her son from Bialyan tanks, though Gar was injured during a reprisal attack. The Team went on to the capital, where they successfully defeated Psimon, who was controlling Harjavti.

December 2010
Robin celebrated his fourteenth birthday on the first of the month. He received a kiss from Zatanna in the afternoon, and held a (civilian) party at Wayne Manor in the evening.

A few weeks later, Robin took several Team members on a personal undercover mission to investigate tech robberies linked to Haly's Circus, though he claimed Batman gave them the mission. They were able to capture Parasite and prevent him using the stolen tech to create a black hole.

Robin and the rest of the Team, now including Rocket, responded to an alert that Cheshire had been spotted. They found they had been lured into a trap, but were nonetheless successful in defeating their enemies and capturing the case that had eluded them previously. Realizing the trap meant there must really be a mole, Superboy, Artemis and Miss Martian revealed their secret links to their enemies to the rest of the Team, and found acceptance. The Team ambushed Lex Luthor, Queen Bee and their allies on Santa Prisca and captured several villains, though Luthor and Bee escaped.

Robin and the others returned to the Cave triumphant, but were shocked to find Batman waiting to tell them the mole was Red Arrow. Robin, Kid Flash, Zatanna and Rocket investigated Red Tornado's mysterious shutdown while the others left to find Roy. Upon reactivating Tornado and handling an attack from Black Canary, they abandoned the Cave to rendezvous with the others to compare notes. The team infiltrated the Watchtower and freed the League from the Light's control.

January 2011
As the New Year dawned, Zatanna pulled Robin over to kiss him, a New Year's tradition. He later joined the round table discussion about the location of the real Roy Harper, and the mystery of the six leaguers who were unaccounted for sixteen hours.

2011-2015
Dick also became the leader of the Team around March 2015.

Some point after the death of Aquagirl on a mission, Aqualad and Nightwing devised a plot in which Kaldur would "betray" the Team and work for his father Black Manta, to learn more about the Light and their new Partner. Aquaman was not informed.

September 2015
While reviewing his old case notes, Nightwing reminisced about a case in Bwunda five years earlier. He remarked that they never realized how easy they had it.

December 2015
On his nineteenth birthday, Nightwing led Alpha Squad to El Paso to recruit a new Team member. Following the Collector of Worlds and Kylstar's simultaneous attacks, Alpha moved to Metropolis, where they boarded the Collector's ship and were eventually able to persuade him to break off his operation.

January 2016
Nightwing won a sparring match against Lagoon Boy, just before Delta Squad arrived home. Robin reported that they apprehended Clayface, and sent him back to Arkham Asylum. Captain Atom then contacted the Team that the UN building was under attack, Nightwing replied that the Beta Squad was close by. Mal Duncan sent them in.

Nightwing attended a briefing held by the Justice League about the alien attack on the UN. John Stewart explained their real problem was not Lobo, but his target, a Krolotean. Adam Strange explained about the Kroloteans, and his adventure on Rann. After he told that six members of the Justice League were wanted criminals on that planet, Nightwing reminded Batman of the missing sixteen hours from five years earlier. Nightwing offered that the Team would handle the mission, since the Justice League was not welcome. Captain Atom agreed.

After the briefing, Zatanna and Rocket talked to Nightwing, Miss Martian and Superboy, and reminded them they still had an open invataion to join the League. In unison, they stated they were fine where they were.

Nightwing briefed the Team the mission to track down Kroloteans on Earth, and assigned the squads. He and Wonder Girl were Alpha Squad. Lagoon Boy, Blue Beetle and Robin were Gamma Squad; Nightwing gave Robin the position as leader, much to Robin's disagreement. Nightwing told him he was ready for the experience, but jokingly warned him not to die.

Nightwing with Wonder Girl traveled to Philadelphia on the Super-Cycle, but their targets got away.

After Gamma Squad found the Krolotean base and saved their hostages, the Team and Justice League arrived to help. Nightwing congratulated them for their success.

Nightwing was present at the return of Zeta Squad, and handled the debriefing.

Nightwing flew the Bio-Ship with a strike force to Malina Island, the Kroloteans' last base. After dropping off Aquaman and Lagoon Boy, Batman and his protégés broke into the base at ground level.

Nightwing cleaned the Manta Troopers off the top walkways. They were noticed by Manta, who ordered his men to attack the infiltrators. Nightwing was still on the walkways when Manta lost his helmet and revealed his true identity to Aquaman. He tried to reason with his old friend, assuring him that Tula's death was not their fault, but it was to no avail. Kaldur'ahm escaped to a lower level, where Nightwing and Superboy intercepted him. Kaldur had no plans to fight, and instead pointed them at a bomb that was primed to blow up in two minutes.

Unable to disarm the bomb, Nightwing called for a full evacuation. They regrouped at the Bio-Ship, and only narrowly escaped the bomb's blast radius. Nightwing debriefed Batman that the bomb was of alien, but not Krolotean origin. Batman felt finding out who planted it would be a responsibility of the Team.

Nightwing said his goodbyes to Batman, who left for Rimbor to stand trial for their actions under the Light's mind control, along with the other accused Justice Leaguers. Batman thought Nightwing had the harder of the two tasks.

February 2016
Nightwing took a day off from the Team for personal business: trying to persuade Red Arrow to clean his act up. With Green Arrow, Black Canary, Jim Harper and Wally West, he confronted his old friend on a rooftop. Wally and Dick dismissed Roy's comments that he was just a copy, and not their concern; they argued that the cloned Roy was the only Roy they knew. They never met the original. Unfortunately, their appeal was to deaf ears. Roy ignored them, and went back to his hide out.

Nightwing wanted to investigate boom tube activity in Bialya. To counter Queen Bee's control over men, he assigned all female members to Alpha Squad: Miss Martian, Bumblebee, Batgirl and Wonder Girl. He briefed them while they were on their way in the Bio-Ship. Batgirl asked if an all-male Squad would have required an explanation, when an all-female Squad does. Knowing he had been beaten, Nightwing decided to admit defeat and sign out.

With Alpha Squad back home safe and sound, Nightwing debriefed them. He informed them that they faced Psimon because he had managed to elude his doctors. The mission answered some questions, but many still remained unanswered, to Wonder Girl's disappointment. He reassured her that unanswered questions were not a bad thing, as they kept the investigation going. He congratulated them all on the mission.

Nigthwing was present when Batgirl presented Doctor Fate with recordings of an ancient temple she and other Team members had found in Bialya. Fate translated the hieroglyphics, revealing an ancient ritual to cleanse a scarab.

Nightwing was working on the translation of the Krolotean intel from Malina Island. Most of it could be deciphered, except for one word. The closest English equivalent was "Meta-Gene". He discussed it with Beast Boy and Robin, but their conversation was cut short when the computer detected an energy impulse.

In a ball of lightning, a small pod arrived in the Mission Room, and a boy jumped out. Beast Boy quipped that this was the impulse they detected, and as a response, the boy took Impulse as his name. As he ran off, Nightwing sent the two junior members after him.

Impulse took care of the younger members, but Nightwing outsmarted him. He lined the hallway to the Mission Room with marbles. Impulse avoided them, but it allowed Nightwing the opportunity to flank him. He subdued the speedster, and cuffed him on his wrists and ankles.

Robin and Beast Boy heard Impulse out, but did not believe his "future tourist" explanation. Nightwing supposedly wanted his DNA, and tried to trick the boy into giving it up. Impulse happily complied. He also revealed the secret identities of everyone in the room.

When Mal arrived at the Cave, Impulse took the opportunity to escape. Beast Boy attempted to pursue, but Robin and Nightwing doubted if he could keep up with him. Fortunately Nightwing had taken the precaution of planting a subcutaneous tracker which he had put in the water glass Bart drank from, and traced it to Central City. He made a couple of calls to inform the Flash family.

Nightwing tested the DNA sample, and Impulse was right, he really was Flash's grandson. Impulse claimed he was ready to go back to his own time, but the time machine didn't work.

March 2016
Nightwing participated in a mission to protect the launch of a satellite, which was used to fake Artemis's death at the hands of Aqualad. Though the satellite was destroyed, the rest of the Team was convinced of Artemis's death. He later met up with Artemis, Wally and Aqualad at Bludhaven, where he gave Artemis a Glamour Charm to allow her to go undercover with Kaldur.

Nightwing was at the Cave when Aqualad led a team to infiltrate the base. Blue Beetle, Beast Boy and Impulse were captured, and Mount Justice was destroyed, but Aqualad was able to pass along vital intelligence to Nightwing while securing his reputation with the Light. Afterwards, at the Hall of Justice, Nightwing tried to justify the extreme measures he and Aqualad were taking to Wally.

Nightwing used the intelligence Kaldur provided to have the Team find and infiltrate the Light's partner's base and rescue their captive teammates and some teenage abductees being experimented upon. In order to escape, most of the Team had to fight Black Beetle, but Nightwing was locked away from the fight on the Bio-Ship. Once everyone was aboard, Nightwing piloted the Bio-Ship away from the Reach vessel.

April 2016
Nightwing showed Mal, Superboy, Miss Martian and Wolf the warehouse he had arranged to temporarily house them. When Mal decided to go the Hall of Justice to make other arrangements, Nightwing encouraged Conner and M'gann to go as well to collect their belongings that had been salvaged from the ruins of Mount Justice.

Nightwing watched G. Gordon Godfrey's report on the events at the warehouse with Superboy, Mal, Lagoon Boy, and Beast Boy. He informed the others that M'gann had decided on alternate accommodations.

Nightwing attended a meeting with Captain Atom and Black Canary at an office in STAR Labs to discuss the Reach situation and Canary's findings about the abductees. They were interrupted by Blue Beetle who demanded his Scarab be removed to prevent him from betraying humanity.

Nightwing was at the warehouse with Superboy, Mal Duncan, Lagoon Boy, Robin, Blue Beetle, Impulse and Arsenal, watching recent footage of G. Gordon Godfrey's TV broadcast, in which he discussed LexCorp Farms, a new venture between the Reach and Lex Luthor. Nightwing said he wanted a squad to investigate, assigning Robin as team leader of Alpha Squad and Blue Beetle, Impulse and Arsenal as squad members. When Beetle expressed concern about the prophecy Impulse mentioned, Nightwing reminded Beetle that the Scarab had not taken control despite Beetle being on a number of missions. When Arsenal inquired as to why the Team couldn't use the Watchtower as headquarters, Nightwing told him only Justice League and senior Team members were allowed on the Watchtower.

After Alpha Squad completed its mission, Nightwing spoke with Green Beetle, who the squad members had encountered during the mission. He said Green Beetle would stay at Jonathan Kent's farm until the Justice League had verified Beetle's story about why he came to Earth. He then spoke with Robin about the mission, who said Arsenal still needed experience on covert missions, then turned over a sample of an additive he had acquired from the Reach laboratory.

Nightwing was with Alpha Squad, Superboy, Miss Martian, Lagoon Boy, Adam Strange and Green Beetle at STAR Labs. Green Beetle had indicated a willingness to allow M'gann to read his mind to confirm his background but M'gann was hesitant. Nightwing said this was the only way to confirm Green Beetle was who he said he was, so M'gann ultimately agreed. She eventually confirmed Green Beetle's story.

Green Beetle then discussed the beverage the Reach and LexCorp were marketing, saying the additive to the drink addicts the population to the beverage and makes people placid. Nightwing said the Atom and Flash had come to the same conclusion. Green Beetle then added the additive allows the Reach to track people who have the Meta-Gene and Nightwing realized that would allow the Reach an easier task of weaponizing the Meta-Gene. He dismissed everyone, then asked Green Beetle if he needed a place to say. Green Beetle, transforming into human form, said he would find a place in Taos.

M'gann and Lagoon Boy were attacked by Deathstroke and Tigress, promoting Lagoon Boy to contact Nightwing for backup. By the time Nightwing and Superboy arrived via Zeta-Tube, Deathstroke and Tigress had taken M'gann prisoner and Lagoon Boy was injured.

Later, Nightwing and Superboy were with Lagoon Boy at a hospital. Lagoon Boy was insistent that he go after M'gann, saying he didn't want her in the hands of Kaldur and Tigress. To settle Lagoon Boy down, Nightwing revealed that Kaldur was working in deep cover, that they faked Artemis' death and that Tigress was really Artemis. Lagoon Boy was still upset but Superboy told him there must have been a reason why Nightwing kept that information secret. As the two departed Lagoon Boy's hospital room, Nightwing thanked Superboy for backing him up, but Superboy told him he wasn't left much of a choice. He then revealed to Nightwing that, because M'gann didn't know about Nightwing's secrets, she had fried Kaldur's mind, which shocked Nightwing. Superboy then said that, because Nightwing had kept that information a secret, he had endangered the lives of Kadlur, M'gann and Artemis.

May 2016
Jaime received a phone call from Nightwing, who assigned him to track down the former Reach captives that had escaped from STAR Labs. Jaime was reluctant since one of them was a friend, but Nightwing said he was counting on that to help Jaime convince them to return to STAR.

Later, Nightwing called Jaime again. Jaime pretended not to have found the runaways, but Nightwing was calling to give Jaime a new mission; to stop Red Volcano from stealing Amazo from STAR Labs.

Captain Atom briefed Nightwing, Black Canary, Aquaman and Superboy on an approaching object detected by the Watchtower. Nightwing realized that the object was huge, passing behind Rhea rather than in front of it.

Nightwing and Captain Atom joined Green Beetle and Adam Strange at the Erdel Initiative, where they listened to Green Beetle's intelligence on the Warworld and its commander, Mongul.

Nightwing stood by as Captain Atom attempted negotiations with Mongul, to no avail. Following the League's successful defense against Mongul's first strike, Nightwing reported the distraction had enabled the Team to board the Warworld, and confirmed that its security systems had been successfully bypassed. Later, Aquaman told him about the Watchtower's effectiveness estimates on the defense against Mongul's saturation bombardment attack.

Nightwing congratulated on the Team on successfully stopping Mongul, and ordered them to regroup and return home.

Nightwing met with Captain Atom, Dr. Fate, Blue Beetle and Green Beetle on the Warworld, wanting to know what happened to the Team. Blue Beetle said, after the Team had successfully subdued Mongul, that a boom tube opened underneath them and he was the only one who able to get away from it. He added Impulse had the crystal key. Nightwing scanned the area and detected trace signatures of a boom tube. Blue Beetle said he wanted to stay and help the Justice League prevent anyone from activating the satellite but Nightwing told him to go home and get some sleep.

Nightwing was walking around the entry port, searching for evidence of what happened, and noticed some dents in the floor. He then he came upon one of Robin's Birdarangs, which he deduced had scratched Blue Beetle's armor. He then examined the entry hatch and noticed the control had been pierced, raising his suspicion.

Nightwing was at the warehouse that served as the Team's headquarters, watching footage from GBS of the Reach ambassador holding a press conference to introduce the individual he said was responsible for shutting down the Warworld, the Blue Beetle. Beetle thanked the ambassador for the welcome and the Reach for giving him his powers. Nightwing, who was holding Robin's Birdarang, snapped it in two and his eyes narrowed, realizing Beetle was now an agent of the Reach.

Nightwing piloted the Bio-Ship and Miss Martian telepathically scanned for the other Team members but could not track them down given the Warworld's size. Nightwing suggested she take a break, given the length of her search, and that they restart the investigation from the spot where the Team first disappeared.

In the docking bay, Nightwing blamed himself for missing evidence of Blue Beetle's defection. Miss Martian replied it was her fault because she didn't probe Green Beetle's mind adequately. Nightwing replied that was because of her mental assault on Aqualad, which would not have happened had he trusted her with the plan about Aqualad's deep cover mission. Miss Martian told Nightwing they both needed to get past their mistakes and rescue the Team and Blue Beetle. She then reminded him of what he was fond of saying when he was 13 years old: "That's just what we do." The two hear a loud clang, followed by a familiar series of bleeps, and they opened the lock for Sphere.

Using Sphere to track Superboy, Nightwing and Miss Martian confronted a squad of Reach soldiers and took them down. At that point, a door to another chamber opened, revealing the Team members, who had been rescued by Arsenal and the four teens the Reach had abducted. Nightwing inquired about the Team and the key to the Warworld, but Arsenal recommended a retreat before any further de-briefing, given that Black Beetle and Mongul were occupied with one another.

When everyone reached the Bio-Ship, Nightwing spoke with Virgil, Tye, Ed and Sam, noting their success in helping the Team despite no training and that they might have a place on the Team. Before they boarded, Arsenal brought up Blue Beetle's betrayal, but Bumblebee cut him off, admonishing him for opening an airlock without warning and putting the Team's lives at risk. Arsenal retorted that the move allowed his escape to liberate the Team and he should be thanked.

Nightwing thanked Arsenal, but then told him he was off the Team, given that it was not the first time he endangered the team to further his own agenda or guard against his own personal demons. He said he would not be part of the Team until he proved he could be a team player. The four runaways disagreed with Nightwing's decision and offered Arsenal a spot on their team. Sam then activated the Father Box she had, prompting Nightwing to inquire about it, but the five disappeared through a boom tube.

After Nightwing and the rest of the Team returned in the Bio-Ship to their makeshift headquarters, Impulse told Nightwing the Team needed to focus on rescuing Blue Beetle. Nightwing turned on the TV which aired footage of the UN Secretary-General planning to honor Beetle for saving the Earth. Impulse replied that Jaime was as much a prisoner of the Reach as the Team was and must be freed before it was too late.

June 2016
After Team and Justice League members successfully freed Jaime Reyes and B'arzz O'oomm from Reach control, Batgirl informed Nightwing about the success of the mission. At that point, M'gann and Lagoon Boy arrived at headquarters and Nightwing informed them of the successful mission. M'gann asked about Conner's whereabouts and Nightwing replied he was out with Wendy Harris.

Along with Kid Flash and Batgirl, Nightwing shadowed the Light-Reach summit held in an underground cavern. After Aqualad's betrayal was discovered, the Team sprung their trap, and Nightwing's squad sealed off the entrance used by the Light. During the ensuing melee, he used his eskrima sticks and martial arts to fend off the League of Shadows agents who were ordered to kill the Team, defeating Shadow after Shadow. The battle ended with the heroes victorious, with the capture of the Reach ambassador, Black Manta, the Brain, and Monsieur Mallah.

Nightwing congratulated the architect of the night's events, Aqualad, on a job well done. Kaldur remained pensive over the escape of Vandal Savage, Klarion, Black Beetle, and the chief Reach scientist, but Nightwing and Kid Flash reassured him that this was their most successful outing ever since their very first at Project Cadmus.

Nightwing officially returned command of the Team to Aqualad, who was now garbed in his superhero outfit. Aqualad tried to decline—Nightwing had done brilliant work under trying circumstances. But Nightwing was adamant—he wanted the burden off his back. A boom tube suddenly appeared, expelling unconscious bodies of Captain Marvel, Black Canary, and Black Lightning, who were guarding the Warworld's crystal key chamber. The Warworld suddenly activated, and left Earth orbit. It rapidly moved off into space, and Nightwing mused whether this development was a good thing or not.

Along with Beast Boy, Lagoon Boy, and Guardian, Nightwing infest the docking bay of the Reach flagship. The squad dispatches the Reach soldiers present with their brute force.

Nightwing joined the briefing held by Blue Beetle explaining the cause of natural disasters suddenly enveloping the globe. The Reach has decided to destroy the Earth by planting magnetic field disruptors in various locations. If the disruptors are allowed to enter chrysalis mode, the Earth would be ripped apart. Lex Luthor interrupted the meeting to offer the heroes a solution: a computer virus specifically engineered by LexCorp to counteract the Reach disruptors.

Nightwing joined 39 other heroes of Earth in a briefing in Metropolis City. The heroes would Lex Luthor's virus to safely disable the disruptors. The heroes were paired off with another into twenty squads: one member would run interference against weapons guarding the disruptors, allowing the other to get close enough to plant the virus.

Within thirty minutes, all squads had succeeded in their mission.

At the ruins of Mount Justice, Nightwing joined the Team in welcoming the Justice League back to Earth.

July 2016
Nightwing informed Aqualad that he needed to take a leave of absence after Kid Flash's death. If Aqualad needed any help, Batgirl could easily provide him with it. Aqualad agreed to this. Nightwing watched as Aqualad conducted his first briefing of the Team from the Watchtower, and mused that it was "business as usual" departing.

Powers
Nightwing possesses no known superhuman powers, but instead relies on his physical conditioning, acrobatic prowess, and keen detective skills taught to him by the Dark Knight himself. As Robin he was also the Team's strategist, intellect, and most importantly, their hacker. Due to these skills, Nightwing is considered the most highly trained and experienced member of the Team, and has also been fighting crime the longest.

Abilities
Though Nightwing technically possesses no superhuman powers, his courage, skill, experience, determination and personal strengths are enough to make him a capable fighter.
 * Conditioning: Having undergone an evidently vigorous and intensive training regimen under Batman, Nightwing has exercised physical form to near-perfection for someone of his age for the purposes of fighting crime.
 * Speed: Nightwing is shown to be able to run at above average speed for a human of his age.
 * Endurance: Nightwing's endurance is at the peak of a young man of his age and size.
 * Agility: Nightwing has proven to be at the peak of human agility.
 * Strength: Nightwing's physical strength is considerably higher than that of an ordinary adult due to the conditioning he received from Batman. At just thirteen he was able to punch a depression into a wall, with no apparent injury.
 * Movement:
 * Master martial artist: Nightwing can take out his enemies with ease possessing his knowledge in martial arts and agility.
 * Master acrobat: Nightwing has proven to be able to perform complex aerial maneuvers. Even at thirteen his acrobatic skills were so advanced, that Miss Martian was forced to use her Telekenetic abilities in order to keep up with him, while he was suffering from an apparent flu.
 * Master of stealth: Nightwing is a master at stealth, capable of disappearing and reappearing without anyone noticing.
 * Escape artistry: Nightwing is capable of escaping from various traps and locks in impressive time.
 * Marksmanship: Nightwing is an amazing marksman, almost comparable to Artemis and Red Arrow. He uses his batarangs and rarely misses his target.
 * Mental:
 * Detective skills: Nightwing has shown astute deductive reasoning.
 * Master hacker and computer technician: Nightwing has shown that he is more than capable of easily gaining access to almost any computer or program he wants in a matter of seconds. Even at thirteen he was easily able to hack into both Justice League and Cadmus files with little to no effort on his part.
 * Strategic planning: Nightwing is a natural leader and tactician, able to analyze most situations and develop complex and effective plans during combative situations in quick instances.
 * Mathematics: Dick is a mathlete honoree, indicating that his mathematical skill is advanced for his age.
 * Mathematics: Dick is a mathlete honoree, indicating that his mathematical skill is advanced for his age.

Weaknesses
As Robin, Dick's small frame and lack of power was a weakness. Despite his intense training with Batman, he has usually had to resort to dodging attacks from superhuman foes, rather than taking them head-on like other sturdier heroes might. As Nightwing, he has since outgrown this weakness, although he is still an ordinary human being, and is subject to anything that would harm one.

While still operating as Robin, he displayed a lack of conventional team work, where during certain situations, he would disappear abruptly either to scout ahead or perform some other sort of task, without notifying anyone else. This is not due to any ego or inconsideration however, but instead because of the fact that while working with Batman, their partnership had grown to the level where they can anticipate each other's moves without having to vocalize them. While this worked well for him and Batman, this did not work with the rest of the Team.

As Robin his immaturity and childlike confidence in his own abilities had proved to be a weakness in the past, as he had impulsively attempted to combat opponents who were either superior in terms of fighting skills to his own or metahumans who were considerably dangerous, such as during his one-on-one fight with Kobra or a mind-controlled Superboy.

Equipment
Like Batman, Nightwing carries a variety of weapons on his person that substitutes for superpowers and allows flexibility in attack type. As Nightwing, he is known to have used:


 * Binoculars
 * Eskrima sticks: Twin fighting sticks used as close combat weapons. Used occasionally when he was Robin, Nightwing now stores them prominently in a holster on his right thigh.
 * Handcuffs: Nightwing carries at least two pairs of handcuffs, allowing him to restrain the hands and feet of captives.
 * Holographic computer: As Robin his gloves featured a built-in computer system with holographic interface. Although capable of scanning and wireless connectivity where appropriate, USB and TRS connector cables and a USB port are included. When he adopted the guise of Nightwing, he got new gloves with knuckle-weights, but the computing functionality remains.
 * Wrist watch computer: A holographic interface computer mounted in a wrist watch for use while in civilian clothing.

The following were part of his arsenal as Robin and may or may not still be used as Nightwing:


 * Batarangs: Shuriken-like objects, acting like boomerangs, that are used as long range attack weapons. Several variants are used, such as batarangs that explode, emit electric shocks or release knock-out gas. He also uses red batarangs similar in design to those of Batman. Some batarangs are able to act as a radio or play a pre-recorded message.
 * Bolas: Thrown devices consisting of a rope weighted at each end, used to snare and restrain opponents.
 * Chalk: Used to mark floors when executing complicated battle plans.
 * Flash grenades: A device which generates a bright flash of light to dazzle or distract enemies.
 * Gas pellets: Tiny-marble like devices that give off a thick gray smoke ideal for obscuring vision. The smoke can also render someone unconscious when used in close spaces. The pellets can be set for delayed detonation.
 * Grappling gun: A hand-held device that fires a grappling hook across far distances giving Nightwing the ability to make hasty escapes and climb high objects and buildings. The grapple lines can be lengthened and pulled back utilizing the buttons on the gun.
 * Lockpick: A small device to open locks, stored in his glove.
 * Knife
 * Periscope: A small device allowing the user to see around corners.
 * Rebreather: A small device used to breathe underwater.
 * Taser: A hand-held taser, that could be used both short range and long range. The exact voltage of the electrical blast is unknown, but it was enough to momentarily slow down Superboy.

Vehicles

 * Robin's motorcycle: As Robin, Dick had his own personal mode of transportation, a customized sports coupe motorcycle. When its battle mode was activated, the motorcycle split in half. The back half turns into a flying laser cannon that protected him from attack. It can also split into a pocket bike if the main body is heavily damaged and is activated through his glove computer.

Batman (Bruce Wayne)
Taken in by Bruce Wayne after the death of his biological parents, Dick Grayson became Robin, Bruce's partner in his crime-fighting work as Batman. He was only 9 years old when introduced to the field, and though the youngest, he is also the most experienced of the Team. Batman trained Dick with the specific goal of giving him support after the loss of his parents, so that Dick would not grow up like he had. His general opinion of Dick, although rarely stated directly, is high. When they worked in the field together, they behaved as a well-oiled machine, able to anticipate each other's moves, actions and plans, without the need to vocally communicate with each other.

Despite being his mentor, Batman seemed to treat Robin as a partner, rather than as a sidekick, and now treats Nightwing as a colleague, hearing him out when he states his opinion and even conceding to his points should they prove correct or logical. He also viewed Dick as a natural leader of the Team, but did not push him into the role.

Dick seemed to not only look up to Batman as a mentor but also as a father figure. He is proud to have been Batman's protégé and cared about living up to his expectations. He became rather jealous sometimes of the attention Aqualad got from Batman as leader of the Team.

Five years later, Dick's (now Nightwing) relationship with Batman remains strong. However, where before they worked as partners (though with Batman obviously in-charge), they now seem to view each other as complete equals. Batman puts a great deal of trust and confidence into Nightwing's role as the Team's leader, and is willing to let Nightwing take lead during missions, such as during the Malina Island mission.

Aqualad
As one of the oldest members of the Team, Aqualad was naturally the Team's big brother. This relationship was most obvious between Robin and Aqualad. While Aqualad was the mature, rational older brother, Robin behaved far more impulsively and immaturely, which often resulted in Aqualad having to keep him in check. However, despite their extreme differences in personality, the pair got along very well, showing great respect for each other. When time came for the Team to choose a field leader, Robin initially saw himself as the most appropriate leader of the Team, citing his greater experience despite being the youngest member of the Team.

However, Aqualad explained that Robin's experience and his strong working relationship with Batman meant that Robin assumed his teammates could follow his plans without much explanation, whereas the Team really needed a leader who would be clear. Robin instead suggested that Aqualad should be the Team's leader, and Aqualad accepted. Nevertheless, Aqualad claimed that Robin was a natural leader and would one day be ready to take control of the Team. Despite this, Robin has been shown on at least one occasion to get jealous of the attention Batman gives to Aqualad due to his status as Team leader.

Kid Flash
Dick's best friend, both on and off the Team, was Wally West. They met and became fast friends before the creation of the Team. Despite Batman's orders for Robin not to reveal his secret identity, Robin trusted Kid Flash to such a great degree that he revealed his secret identity to him

Dick was uncomfortable with having Wally around during a personal mission to Haly's Circus, but Wally argued that he should have been there to support his friend, and keep him objective. After the faked death of Artemis and the destruction of Mount Justice, Wally and Dick had a falling out because the former did not approve of the risks Nightwing was willing to take for the sake of learning the identity of the Light's new partner.

Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred is the butler of the Wayne family and primary caregiver for both Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson.

Zatanna
When Zatanna first showed up at the Cave, Robin was very quick to introduce himself to her, although in a far less "smooth" manner than he normally demonstrated. The two flirted throughout their adventure, and both looked forward to another mission with each other on the Team. After Zatanna's father was taken as the new host of Doctor Fate, Robin attempted on more than one occasion to help Zatanna through her loss. Zatanna also comforted Robin when he was distraught over the possible death of Speedy. She kissed him, on the cheek, on his fourteenth birthday and on the mouth on New Year's. Sometime after this, they dated for a while. Though they broke up, they were still on very good speaking terms.

Tim Drake
Tim is the new Robin, and Dick's successor as Batman's protégé. Tim looks up to him as his hero and big brother. Dick tries to be a good role model and give Tim the chance to prove himself and go beyond his normal comfort zones, such as putting him in a leadership position.

Batgirl
Dick has had a long friendship with Barbara Gordon, his former classmate. She liked him, Dick did come to love her, and wanted to get together. But knowing full well his reputation as, what Wally called, a "dog", Barbara held off relationship, saying he was not ready for her. Her behavior towards him was more playful. She was unfazed when Zatanna kissed Nightwing in front of everyone, where everyone else reacted in surprise. She also took great amusement in pushing Nightwing's buttons about his reputation with girls.

Background in other media

 * Dick Grayson as Robin is considered the first official kid sidekick in comic book mythology. He debuted in Detective Comics #38 (1940) as Batman's partner. After a brief retirement, he became Nightwing in 1984. He took up the mantle of Batman twice: briefly during the Prodigal storyline, and longer after Bruce Wayne's supposed death in Final Crisis. He continued to operate as Batman after his mentor's return. When the DC Universe was rebooted in 2011, he went back to being Nightwing.
 * In the original Young Justice comic series, the role of Robin was held by Tim Drake, rather than Dick Grayson. Dick Grayson (as Robin, Nightwing and Batman) has been a member of such teams as the Teen Titans, the Titans, the Outsiders and the Justice League of America. The Dick Grayson of Earth-Two was also a member of the Justice Society of America.
 * This is the eleventh animated incarnation of Dick Grayson. Previous versions have included The Adventures of Batman, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, Super Friends, The New Adventures of Batman, DC Animated Universe (Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures), Teen Titans, The Batman, Justice League: The New Frontier, Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Batman: Under the Red Hood.
 * Young Justice: Invasion marks Nightwing's sixth animated appearance; he has previously appeared in the DCAU (The New Batman Adventures and Justice League Unlimited), Teen Titans, The Batman, Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Batman: Under the Red Hood.