Nightwing Reading Order

This reading order is designed to give a timeline of Nightwing’s (Dick Grayson) major storylines throughout the New 52 era of DC Comics. It does not encompass every one of his appearances in this era, but is a timeline of the major ones and the stories that affect them.

The minor details are explained in the “Review” of each storyline. Every “Review” link will provide a detailed continuity breakdown of that story and will explain any reference the story makes to other aspects of the DC Universe. All of this can be found in the “Continuity” section of each link.

Jump to: New 52 – Rebirth – Universe

New 52

At the beginning of the New 52, the DC Universe was reset. In this new continuity, almost every character’s history was mostly wiped clean and they were reintroduced to the DC Universe. However, Dick Grayson was relatively unaffected by this reset. His status as the first Robin, his transition to Nightwing, his recent tenure as Batman, and many of his individual adventures are preserved. 

In this era, Nightwing’s adventures primarily start in the Nightwing series. Here, his time as a standard vigilante plays out. Then, after the Forever Evil (Reading Order) event, Dick’s adventures move from Nightwing to Grayson. In the Grayson series, Dick stars as a super-spy in a potentially nefarious organization. Alongside both of these comics, Dick also makes a plethora of appearances in other Bat-family titles, including a starring role in the Batman & Robin Eternal series and the Robin War (Reading Order) event. Finally, Dick’s presence in the Titans Hunt comic helps prepare his transition into the Rebirth era.

Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Batgirl issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Batman issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Batman and Robin issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Batman Incorporated issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Justice League issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Starfire issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Midnighter issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Batman/Superman issues are from the Vol. 1 series

Notes

1. These issues are mostly about Batman. However, they help establish Nightwing's relationship with Batman and give additional details about the Court of Owls.
2. This issue starts a conversation between Nightwing and Batgirl (Reading Order) that is finished in Nightwing #4. Reading the Batgirl issue is not essential to understanding this but it helps give some background.
3. Only the "Tomorrow" story from this issue is relevant to this reading order. This story is a flashback that simply shows a brief moment of inspiration from Dick's past.
4. These issues feature multiple members of the Bat-family interacting. They particularly help emphasize the relationship between Nightwing and Robin (Reading Order).
5. Nightwing appears as a supporting character in multiple issues from the Batman Incorporated series. The biggest of these appearances occurs in issue #8, which has a large impact on the lives of every member of the Bat-family.
6. These issues are mostly about Batman. However, they help expand the entire Death of the Family (Reading Order) event and the Bat-family's involvement in it.
7. Nightwing only makes a brief appearance in this issue, at it mostly focuses on Red Hood (Reading Order). However, this appearance effectively confirms the existence of Nightwing's past relationship with Starfire (Reading Order) during this era.
8. Only the "Another Saturday Night" story from Young Romance: A New 52 Valentines Day Special #1 is relevant to this reading order.
9. Nightwing's brief appearance here is very brief but shows his relationship with the Justice League (Reading Order) and their feelings toward him in this era.
10. These issues feature guest appearances from Nightwing that show some of the fallout from Batman Incorporated #8.
11. This issue takes place in the alternate future of the Futures End (Reading Order) series. However, it involves concepts and themes that directly relate to the Grayson series.
12. These issues only feature brief appearances from Dick Grayson. However, they help show the part he plays in larger Bat-family events from this time.
13. Dick Grayson has a moderately sized role in these issues, though they still primarily focus on Starfire (Reading Order). These issues also address and expand upon the relationship between Dick and Starfire.
14. This story arc is mostly about what is currently taking place in Midnighter's (Reading Order) life. However, it helps expand on the relationship between these characters.
15. These issues highlight interactions between Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon (Reading Order). Batgirl #45 also specifically addresses the current status of their relationship.
16. In this story arc, Dick Grayson plays a supporting role in a larger effort by the current Batman (Reading Order), Superman (Reading Order), and the Bat-family.

Rebirth

The transition from the New 52 to the Rebirth era introduces little to no direct continuity changes for Nightwing. However, throughout this era, the main Nightwing series explores some of Nightwing's pre-New 52 history and helps clarify what aspects of that timeline are still in continuity. Meanwhile, the Titans series explains how Nightwing's connection to the Titans/Teen Titans has changed over time. Both of these comics continue storylines from the previous era's Grayson and Titans Hunt comics respectively.

Nightwing's story, in this era, mostly plays out in the Nightwing and Titans series. The Nightwing series is an in-depth look at how Nightwing's past has shaped his present and who he is today, as both a vigilante hero and a regular person. The Titans series focuses on Nightwing's efforts within the reformed superhero group. Both of these comics tell a straightforward story and stand almost entirely independent from one another. Alongside these, Nightwing also makes plenty of appearances in other Bat-related titles, including participating in the Night of the Monster Men (Reading Order) crossover, a significant role in a Batgirl story arc, and brief contributions in other comics.

BatBoP = Batgirl and the Birds of Prey
RHatO = Red Hood and the Outlaws
Titans issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Nightwing issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Detective Comics issues are from the Vol. 1 series
Batman issues are from the Vol. 3 series
Red Hood and the Outlaws issues are from the Vol. 2 series
Teen Titans issues are from the Vol. 6 series
Deathstroke issues are from the Vol. 4 series
Suicide Squad issues are from the Vol. 5 series
Green Arrow issues are from the Vol. 6 series

Notes

1. Only the "What a Year for a New Year" and the "I Don't Wanna Be Late" stories are relevant to this reading order.
2. Dick Grayson makes a number of small appearances alongside the Bat-family in a number of comics. These appearances are typically brief and involve him contributing to a larger group effort.
3. These issues are mostly about the Birds of Prey (Reading Order), specifically Black Canary (Reading Order). However, Nightwing has a moderate role in issue #8 and a very small role in issues #9-10. His role in issue #8 also briefly reunites him with Huntress (Reading Order), continuing their interactions from Nightwing: Rebirth #1.
4. This issue does not star Nightwing but features a significant guest appearance from him. It also significantly expands on the relationship between Nightwing and Red Hood (Reading Order).
5. Nightwing's largest contributions to the Dark Nights: Metal (Reading Order) event take place through the "Gotham Resistance" tie-in issues. However, he also makes small appearances in the main event.
6. This issue spends plenty of time exploring Nightwing's origins and explaining how that origin has impacted his past. However, the unclear continuity of these DC/Hanna Barbara crossovers caused us to place this issue in the "Extra" column.
7. This issue only features a brief appearance from Dick Grayson. However, it shows his reaction to Batman's wedding (Reading Order) and expands on his relationship with Batgirl (Reading Order).

Universe

We're currently working on updating this section. For now, make sure to check out our "Nightwing as 'Ric' Grayson Reading Order" since it encompasses Nightwing's main storyline for this era.

All DC Comics Reading Orders