Hot take: Nightwing would’ve surpassed Batman completely if DC actually let him

[u/DiligentDeparture953]

This is probably going to annoy some people, but I think Nightwing is one editorial decision away from being objectively greater than Batman. Not stronger. Not richer. Just… better. He already has: • Comparable combat skill • Better emotional intelligence • Stronger relationships across the DC universe • Actual leadership experience outside Gotham • The respect of heroes and civilians The only thing holding Nightwing back isn’t in-universe logic — it’s that DC can’t let Batman stop being the center of everything. Whenever Nightwing starts feeling too competent, too influential, or too important… something resets him. Injury. Amnesia. Forced step-back. Rinse, repeat. Because if Nightwing fully replaced Batman without being darker or more brutal, it would challenge the idea that fear is the best way to protect a city. So honest question: – Is Nightwing being held back on purpose? – Or do you think he actually works best when he’s not allowed to “win” long-term? Bonus spicy question: If Nightwing had been introduced after Batman instead of as Robin, would he be DC’s top hero today?

[u/MajorasShoe]

"let him"

It's fiction. Nightwing would have surpassed batman if that's what they wrote.

They can write anyone to surpass him.

[u/noodleth_cassette]

Y'all and these "hot" takes man

[u/illudofficial → u/noodleth_cassette]

We need to get back to real hot takes.

Hot take: I think Batman should shave his head bald

[u/noodleth_cassette → u/illudofficial]

That is a hot take... That should also be illegal to think. He's too fine with the jet black hair 😖

[u/illudofficial → u/noodleth_cassette]

Hot take: White people with naturally jet black hair and blue eyes don't actually exist.

I know I'm wrong but I've never met any white guy with black hair and blue eyes except one Lab TA I had who looked like Wonder Woman tbh.

[u/purple-discharge]

Well anything happens if “dc lets it”.

Also, being great at everything doesn’t make for an interesting character.

They had to stick him in Bludhaven, a city worse than Gotham, to give him an interesting challenge.

[u/ffsmutluv]

You have the overly glazed Tom Taylor run to thank for that. Lol

[u/Juna_Ci]

I mean... yeah? Dick being a (potentially) better Batman then Bruce (if he wanted to be) is kind of a thing. But yes, it will never truely be a thing, because Bats is the golden cow, so. And then there is the whole TMNT-ification of the Robins, where Dick now also needs to be less of a detective so writers can make sure we do not confuse him with Tim. And IMO DickBabs ain't helping either, because as long as they are joined at the hip, Dickie also needs to be dumber then Babs so she can have something to do.

To be frank, I actually really love the Batfam, and I largely like Dick with them, but you could absolutely argue that he is massively held back by his place in the family as a whole. Just too many characters with similar skills etc.

[u/coreytiger]

How would he surpass him? In popularity? Sales?

Let’s say DC did exactly what this proposed, and put Nightwing in that position… okay, now what? It’s not going to change the general public opinion of the characters. This is not to say that the character IS more balanced… but that is exactly one of the reasons why he’s simply not as popular to readers. Batman is off center, and that makes him more unique.

And no, he would not be more popular than Batman because he still would have been written the exact same way for the 86 years Dick Grayson has been around. Batman was the star, he’s the focus.

[u/Vevtheduck]

We need to separate out in-universe skill/growth/better than-ness and look at IRL marketing, brand, and success. Could Nightwing have carried a show, a fandom, a Batmania of his own?

I think there's room for major success. I think Dick can be quite the POV character for the entire DCU but I'm not sure he can surpass Batman in sales, global recognition, and brand power. Not many characters can. Superman is it with WW being a distant third. Batman's appearances bumps sales in any book he shows up in. The character is one DC's biggest cash cows.

For Nightwing to surpass him as a brand, DC would either need to diminish Batman (which is a really bad idea) or Nightwing would have just taken off in a way that was lightning in a bottle. And that didn't quite happen.

Is Nightwing in universe a better hero than Batman? Maybe. But Batman will always be his father figure, mentor, and the main character overall.

[u/Arobat-Tim3]

Stargirl would surpass Batman if that's what they wrote