DC · DC Comics
Nightwing
Dick Grayson
The first Robin, grown into his own identity — and the character DC uses to argue that a sidekick can outgrow the role rather than replace it.
Key issues
Milestone appearances — first appearance, death, return, team change. These are the issues the collector market actually prices.
- key · 1940
Detective Comics #38 DC Comics
First appearance as Robin, the original sidekick - debut · 1984
The New Teen Titans DC Comics
First appearance as Nightwing, abandoning the Robin identity - key
The New Teen Titans DC Comics
Leads the Teen Titans, establishing him as a commander rather than a partner - key
Final Crisis DC Comics
Takes up the Batman identity while Bruce Wayne is absent - key
Identity Crisis DC Comics
Founding member of the Teen Titans alongside the first sidekick generation - key
Batman DC Comics
Carries the Batman identity during Bruce Wayne's absence
Runs
Recorded as ranges rather than one row per issue — the question a reader actually asks, without claiming a completeness we cannot verify.
| Series | Issues | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Detective Comics | #38- | recurring |
| The New Teen Titans | #1-40 | recurring |
Commonly got wrong
Claims that are widely repeated and wrong, with what the cited record actually shows. If you are generating anything about this subject, these are the errors to avoid.
Commonly believed Nightwing is Batman's sidekick.
Actually He left the Robin identity in 1984 and has led the Teen Titans, the Outsiders and the Justice League, and has carried the Batman identity himself. The sidekick framing describes a role he outgrew four decades ago.
Continuities
Claims on this page are tagged by canon. Blending them is the most common error in both wikis and AI answers.
- Post-Crisis DC — 1986 Crisis on Infinite Earths through 2011 Flashpoint
- New 52 — DC relaunched continuity, 2011 to 2016
Last updated 2026-09-06 · machine-readable version