Nightwing Vol. 4 (2016–Present): The Modern Dick Grayson Series Explained
Nightwing Vol. 4 (2016–Present): The Modern Dick Grayson Series Explained
Ten years, several creative teams and one very acrobatic hero. Here is our guide to the current Nightwing series, from the 2016 launch to today.
Dick Grayson has been Robin, Nightwing, Batman and, for a while, a man with no memory at all. Through all of it, the thing fans love about him is the same: he is the charming, athletic, kind heart of the Bat-family. The comic that has followed him since 2016, usually called Nightwing Vol. 4, has had its ups and downs, and that is exactly what makes it so interesting to read.
We have a large amount of Nightwing at Siomic Comics, particularly from the Blüdhaven era onwards, so we took a look back over the series. Here is our guide to its story, its creators and the issues that matter most.
Nightwing Vol. 4 at a glance
- Publisher: DC Comics
- Launch: Cover-dated September 2016, as part of DC Rebirth
- Status: Ongoing, with issues now past #140
- Main writers: Tim Seeley, Sam Humphries, Benjamin Percy, Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza, Dan Jurgens, Tom Taylor, Dan Watters
- Notable artists: Javier Fernández, Bruno Redondo, Dexter Soy, Jorge Fornés (covers)
- Big storylines: Raptor's Revenge, Ric Grayson, Heartless, Fear State, Rise of the Underworld
- Debuts: Raptor (#1), Deathwing (#16), Heartless (#79–81), Nightbuster (#104)
Where Nightwing comes from
Dick Grayson was the original Robin, introduced in 1940. In 1984, writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez gave him a new identity as Nightwing in Tales of the Teen Titans #44. The idea was that he was growing up and stepping out of Batman's shadow, and the persona stuck. Over the next decades he got his own ongoing series and a home city, the rundown city of Blüdhaven.
The series in this guide is the fourth ongoing Nightwing book, hence Vol. 4. It began in September 2016 with DC's Rebirth relaunch and has kept going, with a number of different creative teams along the way.
The Rebirth years: Seeley, Fernández and Raptor
The first stretch of the series is by writer Tim Seeley and artist Javier Fernández, with Chris Sotomayor on colours. Their opening story introduces Raptor in #1, a mysterious new foe. Later issues bring in the Defacer (#10) and, notably, Deathwing, who appears in cameo in #14 and then fully in #16. Their run continues all the way to #34, including Raptor's Revenge around #30.
A rocky middle: new writers and Ric Grayson
After Seeley, a series of writers took turns: Sam Humphries, Benjamin Percy, then Scott Lobdell and Fabian Nicieza. #50 includes the origin of the Scarecrow and the first appearance of Bea Bennett, and in #51 a new character named Alphonso Sapienza appears as Nightwing. Then Dan Jurgens took over around #59 and wrote through #77, a stretch that includes the origin of Ric Grayson in #65.
Ric Grayson was Dick without his memories, living an ordinary life and unaware he had ever been a hero. It was a bold change of direction and split fans at the time, but it eventually leads him back to the hero he was, and #66 even shows him accepting a role as a Talon in the Court of Owls. The question that gives #75 its title says it all: Who Is Dick Grayson?
| Era | Issues | Writer | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rebirth launch | #1–34 | Tim Seeley | Raptor, Defacer and Deathwing, with Javier Fernández on art |
| Transition | #35–58 | Sam Humphries, Benjamin Percy, Scott Lobdell & Fabian Nicieza | Guppy (#35), the Scarecrow origin (#50), the Nightwings (#53) |
| Ric Grayson | #59–77 | Dan Jurgens | Burnback (#59–60), the origin of Ric Grayson (#65) |
| The Taylor and Redondo run | #78–118 | Tom Taylor (writer to #100) | Heartless, Fear State, the Battle for Blüdhaven, Rise of the Underworld |
| The Watters era | #119–present | Dan Watters | A darker, more atmospheric Nightwing with Dexter Soy and Jorge Fornés |
The Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo era
For a lot of readers, the real start of modern Nightwing is #78. Writer Tom Taylor and artist Bruno Redondo, with colours by Adriano Lucas, launched their run in 2021. Dick returns to Blüdhaven, where the new mayor is named Zucco, a name Dick knows all too well from his own childhood. Barbara Gordon becomes his ally, and the series leans into the warmth and humour that Dick is famous for.
The run introduces a new villain, Heartless, who has a cameo in #79 and #80 before making a full appearance in #81. The story later ties into DC's Fear State crossover (issue #86 is part 3), and the arc that follows, running through #92 to #96, fights for the soul of Blüdhaven. In #98, a new character called Nite-Mite makes his debut. Taylor's final stretch sets up Rise of the Underworld in #101 to #104, and #104 introduces Nightbuster.
Key issues and first appearances
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | September 2016 | First issue of the Rebirth-era series and the first appearance of Raptor |
| #10 | February 2017 | First appearance of the Defacer |
| #16 | May 2017 | First full appearance of Deathwing |
| #35 | February 2018 | First appearance of Guppy |
| #50 | December 2018 | Origin of the Scarecrow and first appearance of Bea Bennett |
| #51 | December 2018 | First appearance of Alphonso Sapienza as Nightwing |
| #53 | January 2019 | First full team appearance of The Nightwings |
| #65 | December 2019 | Origin of Ric Grayson |
| #78 | May 2021 | First issue of the Tom Taylor era, with the first appearance of Melinda Zucco |
| #81 | August 2021 | First full appearance of Heartless |
| #98 | January 2023 | First appearance of Nite-Mite and Olivia Desmond |
| #104 | July 2023 | First appearance of Nightbuster, who joins the Teen Titans |
The creators behind the comic
Tim Seeley & Javier Fernández
The opening team of the Rebirth series, who gave the book its initial circus-and-intrigue flavour.
Dan Jurgens
The veteran writer behind the Ric Grayson storyline and the stretch of issues around #59 to #77.
Tom Taylor & Bruno Redondo
The pairing that made Nightwing a must-read again, and one of the most popular DC teams of recent years.
Dan Watters
Writer of the current era from #119, working with Dexter Soy on art and later Jorge Fornés on covers.
Curiosities collectors should know
A real run of covers
Bruno Redondo drew the covers from #78 through #118, so a long stretch of the series has a very consistent look.
An identity of his own
The series sets up Dick as a character defined by his friends, with Barbara Gordon, Tim Drake and the rest of the Bat-family often by his side.
Plenty of variants
Many recent issues came out with several variant covers, so one issue number can have a lot of different looks on the shelf.
A very busy villain gallery
The series has introduced new villains like Heartless, Deathwing and Burnback along with a long list of reimagined foes.
Nightwing beyond the comics
- Titans (2018): the live-action series featured Nightwing as one of its central heroes.
- Video games: Nightwing appears in the Batman: Arkham games and in Gotham Knights (2022), where he is one of the playable heroes.
- Animation: Dick Grayson has been a staple of DC's animated shows for decades, from Teen Titans to Young Justice.
Where to start reading Nightwing Vol. 4
The easiest on-ramp is #78, where Taylor and Redondo effectively start fresh, and you can then follow the run through #81 (Heartless), the Fear State tie-ins and the battle for Blüdhaven. If you prefer to start from the beginning, #1 is the Rebirth launch. And if you want the most recent chapters, the Watters era from #119 on is the place to jump in.
Nightwing Vol. 4 covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see our copy if it's in stock.
#10
#16
#50
#53
#65
#78
#81
#98
#104Browse our Nightwing Vol. 4 back issues
These are some of the issues we currently have on the shelf. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#88
Nightwing #88: Act Two
A chapter from the Taylor and Redondo run, in the middle of the stretch that follows Fear State.
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#92
Nightwing #92: The Battle for Bludhaven's Soul
The opening of the arc that fights for Blüdhaven's future.
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#115
Nightwing #115: Fallen Grayson
A chapter titled Fallen Grayson, from the closing stretch of Bruno Redondo's run of covers.
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#120
Nightwing #120: Capture Their Hearts
From the start of the Watters era, with Dexter Soy on art and covers.
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#129
Nightwing #129: Other, Finale
The finale of the Other storyline, a good jumping-in point for the current era.
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#131
Nightwing #131: Circus Music, Part 2
A story with a nod to Dick's circus roots, with Dexter Soy covers.
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#135
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#140
Nightwing #140: Part 5, The Dive
One of the latest chapters, with Jorge Fornés on covers.
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We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Nightwing comics.
Frequently asked questions about Nightwing Vol. 4
When did Nightwing Vol. 4 start?
It began with issue #1, cover-dated September 2016, as part of DC Rebirth.
Who writes Nightwing Vol. 4?
Several writers have worked on it, including Tim Seeley, Dan Jurgens, Tom Taylor and Dan Watters.
What is the best Nightwing run?
Many readers point to Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo's run, which begins at #78.
What is the first appearance of Heartless?
Heartless first appears fully in Nightwing #81 (August 2021), with cameo appearances in #79 and #80.
Who is Ric Grayson?
Ric Grayson is Dick Grayson without his memories. His origin is told in Nightwing #65, cover-dated December 2019.
Is Nightwing Vol. 4 still being published?
Yes. The series is ongoing.
Where should I start reading Nightwing Vol. 4?
Start with #78 for the modern Blüdhaven era, or with #1 if you want the whole story.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Nightwing comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. Nightwing and all related characters are trademarks of DC. Cover images are shown for reference.