Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson, Dick Grayson is one of the most compelling characters from DC. From The Flying Graysons to being Robin (aka Batman’s sidekick), then to becoming Nightwing and finding his own way in life, he’s the friend you need, the leader who listens, the guy who wants to help and does good because it’s the right thing to do. And he’s always working to become a better version of himself and to make the world a better place. What’s not to love here?
Dick Grayson made his first appearance as Robin in Detective Comics #38 (April 1940), but today we are more interested in his history after he became Nightwing, in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (July 1984).
What to read before Dick became Nightwing?
As said above, we’re focused on this reading order in stories taking place after Dick became Nightwing, meaning stories where he is not Robin anymore. Before diving in, you can check out a few stories to know more about the time Dick Grayson was Robin:
- Batman Dark Victory – A sequel to The Long Halloween, this story by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale takes place three or four years into Batman’s career as a crime fighter. It’s a Batman story that doubles as an origin story for Robin.
- Robin: Year One – Written by Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty and illustrated by Javier Pulido and Marcos Martin, it takes place after Dark Victory and tells of Dick Grayson’s first year as Batman’s sidekick, Robin.
- Teen Titans: Year One – A light miniseries that retraces the early days of the Teen Titans, by Amy Wolfram and Karl Kerschl.
- And of course, if you want more stories, check out our reading order dedicated to Dick Grayson as Robin!
Nightwing Reading Order
Nightwing, Titan member (1984-1994)
Dick Grayson became Nightwing for the first time in the Teen Titans story, The Judas Contract. He was already a member of the team and will continue to be during the next years, as well as appearing in The New Teen Titans, which will change its title to The New Titans in 1988. Put it simply, Nightwing is a Titans member during that period, with very few interactions with the Batfamily.
- The New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 3
Collects Tales of the Teen Titans #41–58, Annual #3, The New Teen Titans (vol. 2) #1–9 - The New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 4
Collects The New Teen Titans (vol. 2) #10–31, Annual #1–2, Omega Men #3 - The New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 5
Collects The New Teen Titans (vol. 2) #32–49, Annual #3–4, Infinity, Inc. #45, Secret Origins #13, Annual #3, Tales of the New Teen Titans #91.
Also, Nightwing and Speedy team up as they hunt the villain Cheshire and Roy’s daughter in those tales written by Marv Wolfman and Cherie Wilkerson:
- Nightwing: Old Friends, New Enemies
Collects Secret Origins #13 and Action Comics Weekly #613-618 and 627-634.
With issue #50 and the temporary return of Pérez on the title, the series took the name The New Titans without the “Teen” prefix, as the characters were no longer teenagers.
The New Titans (1984-1996) #50-114
Those issues are not yet collected in an omnibus or, for a number of them, not in trade paperbacks either. Following is just a highlight of three story arcs of this period available in trade paperbacks (but maybe not easy to find for two of them?):
- New Teen Titans, The: Who is Donna Troy?
Collects The New Teen Titans (1980) #38,Tales of the Teen Titans (1984) #50, The New Titans (1988) #50-55, Teen Titans/Outsiders Secret Files 2003 (2003) #1. - A Lonely Place of Dying (with The New Titans #60-61)
Collected in Batman: A Death in the Family - Titans: Total Chaos
Collects Deathstroke, the Terminator (1991) #14-16, The New Titans (1988) #90-92, and Team Titans (1992) #1-3.
Nightwing (1996-2009)
After being a team leader/member for more than ten years, it’s time for some solo adventures. Following his departure from The New Titans after the Zero Hour event (not collected), Nightwing is reintegrated into the Batfamily following the Knightfall crossover (reading order).
Prodigal is a Batman crossover written by Chuck Dixon, Alan Grant, and Doug Moench in which Dick Grayson becomes Batman for the first time. You’ll find this story in the omnibus, with also Nightwing: Alfred’s Return #1 that set up Nightwing Vol. 1.
- Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 3: KnightsEnd
Collects Batman #509-510 & #512-515, Batman: Shadow Of The Bat #29-30 & #32-35, Detective Comics #676-677 & #679-682, Robin #8-9 & #11-14, Catwoman #12-13, Batman: Legends Of The Dark Knight #62-63, Showcase ’94 #10, Nightwing: Alfred’s Return #1, Batman: Vengeance Of Bane #2.
After his first stint as Batman, Nightwing decides to be his own man with his own first solo series and a new costume. We have first the miniseries Nightwing written by Dennis O’Neil with Greg Land as the artist, followed by the famous Chuck Dixon’s run (illustrated by Scott McDaniel), all collected in trade paperbacks.
- Nightwing Vol. 1: Blüdhaven
Collects Nightwing Vol. 1 #1-4; Nightwing Vol. 2 #1-8 - Nightwing Vol. 2: Rough Justice
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #9-18, Nightwing Annual #1 - Nightwing Vol. 3: False Starts
Collects Nightwing/Huntress #1-4; Nightwing Vol. 2 #1/2, #19-25- Batman: Cataclysm or Road to No Man’s Land
A crossover story for the Batfamily, in which Nightwing #19-20 are tie-ins and will lead us to No Man’s Land.
- Batman: Cataclysm or Road to No Man’s Land
NEW! You will soon find the previous issues all collected in one big Nightwing Compendium (1040 pages). Coming soon in 2024!
Nightwing: A Knight in Bludhaven Compendium Book One
Collects Nightwing (vol. 1) #1-4; Nightwing (vol. 2) #1-25, #1,000,000; Nightwing Annual #1; Wizard Presents:Nightwing #1/2; Nightwing and Huntress #1-4; Green Arrow (vol. 2) #134-135; Robin (vol. 2) #55; and Detective Comics #723-725 and #1,000,000.
- Nightwing Vol. 4: Love and Bullets
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #26-34, #1,000,000; Nightwing Secret Files and Origins #1 - Nightwing Vol. 5: The Hunt for Oracle
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #35-46; Birds of Prey #20-21- Batman: No Man’s Land (see reading order event)
This is during that period that takes place No Man’s Land. Nightwing Vol. 2 #35-39 are part of this event.
- Batman: No Man’s Land (see reading order event)
- Nightwing Vol. 6: To Serve And Protect
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #47-53; Nightwing 80-Page Giant #1 - Nightwing Vol. 7: Shrike
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #54-60; Nightwing: Our Worlds At War #1; Nightwing: Targets #1 - Nightwing Vol. 8: Lethal Force
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #61-70
During that period, Dick Grayson also appears in The Titans (1999), and some stories from the anthology in Batman: Gotham Knights (2000).
Chuck Dixon leaves Nightwing after 70 issues, but Dick’s adventures in Bludhaven continue under Devin Grayson.
- Nightwing #71-100
Most part of this period is not collected. Nightwing #96-98 are part of the storyline Batman: War Games (2004-2005). - Nightwing: Year One
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #101-106. Origin story written by Chuck Dixon. - Nightwing: Mobbed Up
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #107-111 - Nightwing: Renegade
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #112-117
During that time, Dick Grayson is also the leader of The Outsiders written by Judd Winick. This new Outsiders team forms in the wake of the break-up of the Titans after Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day. Former Titan Arsenal forms a team to be led by his longtime Titans teammate, Nightwing.
- Outsiders Vol. 1: Looking for Trouble
Collects Outsiders #1–7. Also collected in The Outsiders by Judd Winick Book One. - Outsiders Vol. 2: Sum of all Evil
Collects Outsiders #8–15 - Outsiders Vol. 3: Wanted
Collects Outsiders #16–23 - Teen Titans/Outsiders: The Insiders
Collects Teen Titans #24–26; Outsiders #24–25, 28 - Outsiders Vol. 4: Crisis Intervention
Collects Outsiders #29–33. Tie-in to Infinite Crisis. - Outsiders Vol. 5: The Good Fight
Collects Outsiders #34–41 - Outsiders Vol. 6: Pay As You Go
Collects Outsiders #42–46, Annual #1 - Outsiders/Checkmate: CheckOut
Collects Checkmate #13-15; Outsiders #47–49 - Outsiders: Five of a Kind
Collects Outsiders #50; Outsiders: Five of a Kind #1–5
This is mostly where Infinite Crisis takes place, though Nightwing is not a character really affected by this event. The next storyline written by Bruce Jones takes place one year after, where Dick moves to New York to find Jason Todd has been impersonating him. It is considered one of the worst Nightwing stories ever.
- Nightwing: Brothers in Blood
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #118-124
Nightwing continues with a rotating cast of writers including Marv Wolfman and Peter Tomasi. This is where begins Grant Morrisson’s run on Batman (reading order) which will have major consequences for Dick (see below!)
- Nightwing: Love and War
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #125-132 - Nightwing: The Lost Year
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #133-137, Nightwing Vol. 2 Annual #2 - The Resurrection of Ra’s Al Ghul
Nightwing #138-140 are part of this story-arc that takes place just after Batman and Son. - Nightwing by Peter Tomasi
Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #140-153
During that time, Judd Winick follows up his run The Outsiders with a relaunched Titans, starring Nightwing, Starfire, Donna Troy, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven and more.
- Titans: Old Friends
Collects Titans #1 to #6, Teen Titans East Special #1 - Titans: Lockdown
Collects Titans #7 to #11
From Nightwing to Batman (2009-2011)
It’s not a secret anymore, Bruce Wayne “died” during Morrisson’s run. But who will be the new Batman? Tony Daniel wrote the event leading us to the new Batman and Robin title, where you guessed it, Nightwing takes the mantle of Batman, with Damian Wayne as his Robin. During this period, several writers will write Dick Grayson as Batman, including Paul Dini in Streets of Gotham, and Scott Snyder in the now-classic story The Black Mirror.
- Batman: Battle for the Cowl
Collects Batman: Battle For The Cowl #1-3, Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead? #1 And Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive?
Batman and Robin (2009)
Dick Grayson, the original Robin, has taken up the cape and cowl of his former partner, and Damian Wayne has become a deadly new Robin. Together, this masked Odd Couple must stop a rising tide of villainy whose savagery and brutality are unlike anything Gotham City has ever seen.
- Batman & Robin, Vol. 1: Batman Reborn
Collects Batman & Robin #1-6 - Batman & Robin Vol. 2 Batman vs. Robin
Collects Batman & Robin #7 To #12 - Batman & Robin Vol. 3: Batman & Robin Must Die
Connects with The Return of Bruce Wayne (to read before for better context). Collects Batman #13-16 and Batman: The Return #1 - Batman & Robin: Dark Knight Vs. White Knight
Collects: Batman and Robin #17 to #25
Batman: Streets Of Gotham (2009)
How will the police feel about this new Batman — and can he control the crime in Gotham the way the old Batman did? Commissioner Gordon’s about to find out as teams with the new Batman to combat some threats across Gotham City. (Beware, a little context is needed as it’s a follow-up to Paul Dini’s Heart of Hush).
- Batman: Streets of Gotham Vol. 1: Hush Money
Collects Batman: Streets of Gotham #1-10. - Batman: Streets of Gotham Vol. 2: Leviathan
Collects Batman: Streets of Gotham #5-11. - Batman Streets of Gotham Vol. 3: The House of Hush
Collects Batman: Streets of Gotham #14-21.
The history of Gotham by Scott Snyder.
An exploration of Gotham’s history and a great way to finish this era, as The Black Mirror leads us into Batman New 52 (reading order).
- Batman: Gates of Gotham
Collects Batman (1940) Annual 28, Batman: Gates of Gotham (2011) #1-5, Detective Comics (1937) Annual 12 - Batman: The Black Mirror
Collects: Detective Comics #871-881
Nightwing is back in New 52 (2011-2014)
A new era has begun in the DC Universe (and we have a full reading order of this era) in which Dick Grayson is back as Nightwing with a new (red) costume. He also has his own title written by Kyle Higgins, while making some appearances in Batman (helped by a few Bat events).
- Nightwing Vol. 1: Traps and Trapezes
Nightwing Vol. 3 #1-7 - Nightwing Vol. 2: Night of the Owls
Nightwing Vol. 3 #0, #8-12- This is where the event Batman: Night of the Owls (reading order) takes place. Nightwing #8-9 are tie-ins.
- Nightwing Vol. 3: Death of the Family
Nightwing Vol. 3 #13-18; Batman (vol. 2) #17, and part of Young Romance #1- Another event with Death of the Family (check out the full reading order). Nightwing #15-16 are tie-ins.
Grant Morrisson run’s on Batman concludes here with the end of Batman Incorporated. It is advised to read it (but it’s generally advised to read the whole run!)
- Nightwing Vol. 4: Second City
Nightwing Vol. 3 #19-24 - Nightwing Vol. 5: Setting Son
Nightwing Vol. 3 #25-30, Annual #1
Kyle Higgins run on Nightwing is also collected in an omnibus
- Nightwing: The Prince of Gotham Omnibus (out of print)
Collects Nightwing Vol. 3 #0-30, Batman #17, Young Romance: A New 52 St. Valentine’s Day Special #1, Nightwing Annual #1, Secret Origins #1
Dick Grayson, Agent 37 (2014-2016)
Dick Grayson is part of the event Forever Evil (reading order), and the story will actually lead to his change of status-quo, from superhero to super spy.
- Forever Evil
Collects Forever Evil #1-7
What follows is Dick Grayson moonlighting as the super spy Agent 37, member of Spyral, in the title Grayson written by Tim Seeley and Tom King (through #17), and then by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. During that time, Dick will reconnect with the Titans, but also take charge of the Batfamily in Batman and Robin Eternal.
- Grayson Vol. 1: Agents of Spyral
Collects Grayson #1-4, Grayson: Futures End #1, material from Secret Origins Vol. 3 #8 - Grayson Vol. 2: We All Die at Dawn
Collects Grayson #5-8, Annual #1 - Grayson Vol. 3: Nemesis
Collects Grayson #9-12, Annual #2, DC Sneak Peek: Grayson
- Titans Hunt
Collects Titans Hunt #1-8, Justice League #51, And Titans Rebirth #1. - Grayson Vol. 4: A Ghost in the Tomb
Collects Grayson #13-16, Robin War #1-2- This is where the cross-over arcRobin War (reading Order here) takes place. Grayson #15 is a tie-in.
- This is where the cross-over arcRobin War (reading Order here) takes place. Grayson #15 is a tie-in.
- Batman and Robin Eternal Vol. 1
Collects Batman and Robin Eternal #1-13. - Batman and Robin Eternal Vol. 2
Collects Batman and Robin Eternal #14-26. - Grayson Vol. 5: Spiral’s End
Collects Grayson #17-20, Annual #3, Nightwing: Rebirth #1
This run has also been collected in omnibus.
- Grayson: The Superspy Omnibus (out of print)
Grayson #1-20, Grayson: Futures End #1, Secret Origins #8, Grayson Annual #1-3, Robin War #1-2 And Nightwing: Rebirth #1.
Nightwing Rebirth (2016-2021)
He’s been Robin, Batman, a spy, a ghost. We’re talking about Dick Grayson, back to more classic stories with Rebirth under writer Tim Seeley and illustrator Javi Fernandez. The duo will work on the title until issue #34. after that, with a story arc from Sam Humphries and a few authors before the arrival of Benjamin Percy, doomed by events under his control and I suppose, doing the best he can under bad circ*mstances for our poor Dick. Let’s say that the new relaunch was eagerly awaited.
Though there is no Omnibus for this era yet, you can find part of Nightwing Rebirth in Deluxe Edition. There are three volumes in hardcovers that have been released which collects right up to issue #43.
- Titans Vol. 1: The Return of Wally West
Collects Titans #1-6 and Titans: Rebirth #1! - Nightwing Vol. 1: Better Than Batman
Collects Nightwing: Rebirth #1 and Nightwing Vol. 4 #1-4, #7-8 - Batman: Night of the Monster Men
Collects Batman #7-8, Nightwing #5-6 and Detective Comics #941-942. He appears throughout. - Titans Vol. 2: Made in Manhattan
Collects Titans #7-10 and Titans Annual #1. - Nightwing Vol. 2: Back to Blüdhaven
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #9-15 June 2017 - Nightwing Vol. 3: Nightwing Must Die
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #16-21 - Titans: The Lazarus Contract
Collects Titans #11, Teen Titans #8, Deathstroke #19-20 And Teen Titans Annual #1. - Titans Vol. 3: A Judas Among Us
Collects Titans #12-18 - Nightwing Vol. 4: Blockbuster
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #22-28 - Batgirl Vol. 3: Summer of Lies
Collects Batgirl #12-17.
Nightwing #29 is collected in Dark Nights: Metal: The Resistance, as a part of the recently launched Dark Nights: Metal (reading order). It is quite optional for Dick.
- Nightwing Vol. 5: Raptor’s Revenge
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #30-34 - Titans Vol. 4: Titans Apart
Collects Titans #19-22 and Annual #2. - Nightwing Vol. 6: The Untouchable
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #35-43 - Nightwing Vol. 7: The Bleeding Edge
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #44-49, Annual #1 - Titans Vol. 5: The Spark
Collects Titans #23-27 and Titans Special #1. Issue #27 takes place after Batman #54-55
As alluded above, Nightwing will endure a traumatic and transformative event in Batman #54-55 that will change the course of his own title. This phase is known as the ‘Ric Grayson’ period and it is not recommended.
- Batman #54-55
Collected in Batman Vol. 8: Cold Days - Nightwing Vol. 8: Knight Terrors
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #50-56 - Nightwing Vol. 9: Burnback
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #57-62 - Nightwing Vol. 10: The Gray Son Legacy
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #63-69, Annual #2 - Nightwing Vol. 11: The Joker War
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #70-77, Annual #3- This is whereThe Joker War event takes place (reading order). Nightwing #73-74 are tie-ins.
The Rebirth era comes to end with Future State (listing), a two-month event spinning out of the finale of Dark Nights: Death Metal (Reading Order) that takes us on a journey from the near future to the end of time to witness the destinies of DC’s heroes. It’s a collection of miniseries, and you can find Dick Grayson in Future State: Nightwing and Future State: Teen Titans.
Nightwing in Infinite Frontier/Dawn of DC (2021-)
After the Future State Event came the new relaunch named Infinite Frontier and a new creative team for Nightwing, with Tom Taylor on writing duties and Bruno Redondo as an illustrator. At the same time, Nightwing and his Titans teammates form the Titans Academy, a title in which our hero is recurring – though the reading is completely optional as he doesn’t really do much and the portrayal clashes with his own series.
Following the conclusion of Infinite Frontier, Taylor/Redondo continue to write Nightwing to lead him in this Dawn of DC, where the character also lead the Titans, now the prime superhero team in the DC Universe.
- Teen Titans Academy Vol. 1: X Marks The Spot
Collects Teen Titans Academy #1-5, Suicide Squad #3, and Teen Titans Academy 2021 Yearbook. - Nightwing Vol.1: Leaping into the Light
Collects Nightwing Vol. 4 #78-83 - Nightwing: Fear State
Collects Nightwing #84-86, Nightwing 2021 Annual #1, and the Nightwing/Batgirls feature story from Batman: Urban Legends #10. Nightwing #84-86 are tie-ins.- This is where Batman: Fear State event takes place (reading order).
- Teen Titans Academy Vol. 2: Exit Wounds
Collects Teen Titans Academy #6-15- War For Earth-3
Collects The Flash #780; Suicide Squad #13; Teen Titans Academy#13; and War for Earth-3 #1-2.
For more info about this event, see our War for Earth-3 issue by issue order.
- War For Earth-3
- Nightwing Vol. 2: Get Grayson
Collects Nightwing (2016) #87-91 and Superman: Son of Kal-El #9 - Nightwing Vol. 3: The Battle for Bludhaven’s Heart
Collects Nightwing (2016) #92-96
- Nightwing Vol. 4: The Leap
Collects Nightwing #98-100 - Nightwing Vol. 5
TBA - Titans (2023) #1-
Ongoing series. - Knight Terrors: Nightwing #1-2
Collected in Knight Terrors: Dark Knightmares. Stand-alone story part of Knight Terrors.
