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Nightwing Reading Order (Dick Grayson, Titan member, Outsiders leader, hero of Bludhaven and Gotham)

Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, Dick Grayson is one of the most compelling characters from DC Comics. 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), and grew up to become a superhero in his own right as Nightwing. Dick also took on the mantle of Batman on different occasions and was known as Agent 37 at one point.

Find out more about Dick Grayson’s story in our Nightwing Reading Order, which covers everything from his transformation into Nightwing in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (July 1984) to the present day. You can read about his solo adventures, his time as Batman, his leadership of the Titans and the Outsiders, and much more!

Nightwing Reading Order, The Menu

Robin Letter Icon Reading Order Damian Wayne

What to read before Dick became Nightwing?

Our Reading Order is focusing on Dick Grayson’s history after he became Nightwing! But Flying Grayson has been a superhero for a long time before, and has lived many adventures as part of the Dynamic Duo. You can simply check out our reading guide to Dick Grayson as Robin to discover all his adventures from the Golden Age to the Bronze Age.

While Dick became Nightwing not long after the beginning of the Modern Age (Post-Crisis era), there are several classic stories revisiting his past since then, such as:

  • Batman Dark Victory -This sequel to The Long Halloween from Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale is set three to four years into Batman’s career as a crime fighter. It’s a Batman story that also doubles as the post-crisis origin story for Robin. I personally think Dick is not well explored in that story but there’s not a lot of good alternatives for this specific period in Dick’s life. Don’t forget, this story is not part of the canon post-Infinite Frontier era.
  • Robin: Year One – Written by Chuck Dixon and Scott Beatty and illustrated by Javier Pulido and Marcos Martin, this classic comic 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. Or you can simply read The Wolfman and Pérez run of the 80’s!

Continuity is fluid at DC Comics, especially in recent years, with the many relaunches! Since Infinite Frontier, most of the previous stories cited are not canon (but still worth reading of course). If you are interested in more modern takes on Dick Grayson as Robin, we recommend checking out Mark Waid’s recent work on the character:

Nightwing Omnibus Collection

The following are Nightwing’s exploits that have been collected in Omnibus (and Deluxe Edition).

  • Nightwing: Year One – The 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
    Collects Nightwing (1996) #101-106 with never-before-seen extras!
  • Dick Grayson became Nightwing in Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (July 1984). You can find his first exploits under that alias in The New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 3, Vol. 4 and Vol. 5.
  • The Knightfall event happens here. Dick Grayson is with the Teen Titans during this period.
  • DC Comics semi-rebooted their universe with Zero Hour: Crisis in Time. Dick Grayson leaves the Titans after this event.
  • Batman: Knightfall Omnibus Vol. 3: KnightsEnd (Aftermath of Knightfall)
    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. Dick Grayson assumes the role of Batman during the “Prodigal” storyline.
  • Nightwing’s first ongoing series has not been collected in Omnibus, but is right now compiled in the Compendium line. While it took place before, Nightwing: Year One is part of the series.
  • Batman by Grant Morrison Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Batman & Robin #1-16, Batman #700-702 and Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1-6. Dick Grayson took on the mantle of Batman during the second part of Grant Morrison’s run.
  • Batman: The Black Mirror – The Deluxe Edition
    Collects Detective Comics #871-881 and includes additional bonus material featuring sketches, designs, a wraparound cover by Jock, and more!
  • Nightwing: The Prince of Gotham Omnibus [2025 edition]
    Collects Nightwing #0-30, Batman #17, Young Romance: A New 52 Valentine’s Day Special #1, Nightwing Annual #1, and Secret Origins #1.
  • Grayson: The Superspy Omnibus
    collects Grayson #1-20, Grayson: Futures End #1, Grayson Annual #1-3, Robin War #1-2, Nightwing: Rebirth, material from Secret Origins (vol. 3) #8
  • Nightwing: Rebirth Omnibus [2025]
    Nightwing: Rebirth; Nightwing (vol. 4) #1-49, Nightwing: Rebirth #1, Batgirl #14-17, Batman #7-8, Batman: Prelude to the Wedding: Nightwing vs. Hush #1, Detective Comics #941-942, Green Arrow #32, Red Hood and the Outlaws Annual #1, Suicide Squad #26, Teen Titans #12 and stories from Batgirl #25, DC Rebirth Holiday Special #1 and Robin 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular #1
  • Nightwing (vol. 4) #50-77 are not collected in the Omnibus line yet.
  • Nightwing by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo Omnibus Vol. 1 [2025]
    Collects Nightwing (2016) #78-96, Nightwing Annual 2021 #1, and Superman: Son of Kal-El #9.
  • Nightwing by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo Omnibus Vol. 2 [2026]
    Collects Nightwing #97-118 and Nightwing 2022 Annual #1.
  • Titans by Tom Taylor Omnibus [2026]
    Collects Nightwing #101-104, #109-110; Titans #1-15; and Titans: Beast World #1-6.

Nightwing Comics Collection

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.

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:

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?):

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

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, Nightwing is reintegrated into the Batfamily following the Knightfall crossover.

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: 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: A Knight in Blüdhaven Compendium Book 2 [2025]
    Collects Nightwing #26-59; Nightwing 80-Page Giant #1; Nightwing: Secret Files & Origins #1; Action Comics #771; Batman Annual #23; Birds of Prey #8, #20-21; and stories from Batman Chronicles #20 and DCU Holiday Bash II #1.

  • Nightwing: A Knight in Blüdhaven Compendium Book 3 [2026]
    Collects Batman #600 and #605; Nightwing #60-82; The Flash Plus Nightwing #1; Birds of Prey #37; Batman: Gotham Knights #14, #16-17, and #20-21; Nightwing: The Target #1; Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure #1; Joker: Last Laugh Secret Files and Origins #1; Joker: Last Laugh #1-6; and Nightwing: Our Worlds at War #1.

    • During that period, Dick Grayson also appeared in The Titans (1999-2003).
    • Chuck Dixon leaves Nightwing after 70 issues, but Dick’s adventures in Bludhaven continue under Devin Grayson.
    • Part of those Nightwing issues were previously collected in:
      Nightwing Vol. 8: Lethal Force (Collects Nightwing Vol. 2 #61-70

While the Compendium line has started reprinting uncollected materials, the collection is ongoing and incomplete. The following are the previous trade paperbacks that collected the last part of Nightwing (Vol. 2):

  • Nightwing #83-97 are uncollected for now… Waiting for Compendium Book 4!
  • Batman: War Games Omnibus
    Collects Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #182-184; Batman #631-634, #642-644; Detective Comics #790-800, #809-810; Robin #126-131; Nightwing #96-98; Batman: Gotham Knights #56-58; Batgirl #53, #55-57; Catwoman #34-36; Solo #10; Batman Allies Secret Files 2005 #1; Batman: The 12 Cent Adventure #1; Batman Villains Secret Files 2005 #1. More information in our Batman: War Games Guide.
  • Nightwing #99-100 are uncollected for now
  • 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

The Outsiders Interlude! After the Titans disbanded in Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day, Arsenal and Nightwing started their own team that included at first Grace, Indigo, Metamorpho, Thunder, and Jade. Dick chose to call the team Outsiders, establishing the team as super-villain hunters. Outsiders volume 3 is written by Judd Winick.

Infinite Crisis Logo Reading Order

There is an Infinite Crisis in the DC Universe! At a time when our heroes are divided, the Golden Age Superman makes his return and tries to restore the Multiverse. It’s a big event, with many ties-in, including several issues of Outsiders! The editors at DC originally planned to kill off Grayson during the event, but the idea was abandoned!

One Year Later. After recovering from the recent events, Dick Grayson moved to New York City to discover who was masquerading as Nightwing, for what is considered one of the worst Nightwing stories ever. Written by Bruce Jones.

Second Outsiders Interlude! The Outsiders have faked their own death and now operate internationally in secret. This is a new team that includes Grace Choi, Katana, Metamorpho, Nightwing, Thunder and reformed villain Captain Boomerang.

A fresh start for Nightwing under Marv Wolfman! After relocating to New York, Dick Grayson has trouble finding work while facing a new foe named Raptor! This is where Grant Morrisson’s run on Batman (reading order) starts, which will have major consequences for Dick (see below!).

After handing over the task of leading the Outsiders to Batman, Nightwing reconnected with the Titans after an attack on Cyborg and his Titans East trainees. For a short time, the old gang is back together under the pen of Judd Winick.

Batman Logo (pré New 52)

Nightwing is Batman (2009-2011)

It’s no longer a secret: Bruce Wayne supposedly ‘died’ at the end of Final Crisis. Who will be the new Batman? That question is answered in the mediocre story Battle for the Cowl, from Tony Daniel, which can serve as a prelude to Morrison’s Batman and Robin (the second part of his run). You guessed it, Dick Grayson took on the Batman mantle, with Damian Wayne as his Robin for the most iconic part of Grant Morrison’s run. As Batman, Dick Grayson also features in Paul Dini’s Streets of Gotham and in the now classic Black Mirror story from Scott Snyder.

  • Batman: Battle for the Cowl – The Complete Collection
    This volume collects Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1-3; Batman: Battle for the Cowl: Arkham Asylum #1; Batman: Battle for the Cowl: Commissioner Gordon #1, Batman: Battle for the Cowl: Man-Bat #1; Batman: Battle for the Cowl: The Network #1; Batman: Battle for the Cowl: The Underground #1; Gotham Gazette: Batman Dead? #1; Gotham Gazette: Batman Alive? #1; Oracle: The Cure #1-3; Azrael: Death’s Dark Knight #1-3; and Secret Six (2008) #9. The main story was previously collected in Batman: Battle for the Cowl.

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. This period has been collected in several editions. For more collections, check out our Batman By Grant Morrison Reading Order

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 he teams up 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). Everything has been collected in Batman by Paul Dini Omnibus.

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.

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

New 52 Nightwing (2011-2014)

A darker and grittier time starts here for DC Comics with the New 52 era! For Dick Grayson, he leaves behind the Cowl and flies high once more as Nightwing from writer Kyle Higgins and artist Eddy Barrows. This is the time of the (not very popular) red costume for Dick Grayson, as the character reconnects with his past as a member of the Haly’s Circus. He also finds himself part of several Batfamily events during that period.

Following Joker’s attack and the tragic end of Batman Incorporated, Dick Grayson moved to Chicago to track down Tony Zucco (the man who had killed his parents), who was living there under an assumed name.

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

Dick Grayson, Agent 37 (2014-2016)

The Crime Syndicate arrives from Earth-3 and takes over the DC Universe in Forever Evil! Lex Luthor and Batman must work together to stop this evil version of the Justice League before it’s too late. Dick Grayson’s life is turned upside down during this event.

No longer Nightwing, former Boy Wonder, Dick Grayson is now a man who doesn’t exist. This makes him the perfect double agent. Agent 37. Dick’s adventures as a spy take place in the comic Grayson, from Tim Seeley and Tom King, then Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing. The former Boy Wonder also reconnects later with the Titans and the Batfamily in Batman and Robin Eternal.

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

Nightwing Rebirth (2016-2021)

Dick Grayson has taken on many identities. Batman’s Robin, a spy, a ghost. Now, Dick Grayson returns to Gotham to reclaim his mantle as part of DC’s 2016 initiative DC Rebirth under writer Tim Seeley and illustrator Javi Fernandez (#1-34), followed by Sam Humphries (#35-41), Benjamin Percy (#44-51) and others. Flying Grayson is rekindling a romance with Barbara Gordon and fighting crime in more classic stories, facing some old foes, working with other Robins, and more! This part of this era (until issue #43) has also been collected in Deluxe Edition.

Totally Optional Read! The Dark Multiverse is coming, and nothing will ever be the same in Dark Nights: Metal! As the Justice League is working to track artifacts that might protect Earth, Dick Grayson sent a signal to his allies to prevent the transformation and terraforming of Gotham City into a twisted mosaic of monsters, magic and doom in the Gotham Resistance.

  • You need to read Dark Nights: Metal for context.
  • Dark Nights: Metal: The Resistance
    Collects “Gotham Resistance” (Teen Titans #12, Nightwing #29, Suicide Squad #26, Green Arrow #32) and “Bats Out Of Hell” (The Flash #33, Justice League #32-33, Hal Jordan and The Green Lantern Corps #32), plus Batman Lost #1 and Hawkman Found #1.

The Rick Grayson period starts here! In the aftermath of the traumatic event taking place in Batman #54-55, Dick Grayson has no memory of who he is. He is now Ric Grayson, a man provided with a fresh start. But you can’t run away from the past and your destiny! Written by Scott Lobdell (#51-58) and Dan Jurgens (#59-77), this is one of the most criticized periods in Dick Grayson’s history in recent years.

DC Future State Logo

The Rebirth era came to an end with Dark Nights: Death Metal, which led to Future State, showing us a possible future for our heroes. This future is explored in a series of miniseries, including Future State: Nightwing #1–2 and Future State: Teen Titans #1–2, featuring Dick Grayson.

Future State wasn’t the only possible future explored for Nightwing during the Rebirth era. Coming from writer Kyle Higgins and artist Trevor McCarthy was the miniseries Nightwing: The New Order, set in a near-future world where society has completely rejected superheroes. Metahumans are now illegal, and none other than the former Boy Wonder heads a government-sponsored task force to hunt them down.

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

Nightwing Infinite Frontier/Dawn of DC, Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo Reading Order (2021-2024)

A new and brighter era begins for Nightwing, with Tom Taylor as writer and Bruno Redondo as artist forming the new creative team! Determined to put his newly inherited wealth to good use, Dick Grayson is enriching Blüdhaven and teaming up again with Barbara Gordon to face a new and mysterious villain called Heartless.


Nightwing in DC Compact!

Nightwing leaps into the light to become the hero his city needs! DC Comics is collecting the first two volumes of Tom Taylor/Bruno Redondo’s run in the famous new-reader-friendly DC Compact collection, in Nightwing: Leaping into the Light – DC Compact Comics Edition (#78-88), announced for 2026.

Following the conclusion of Infinite Frontier, the creative duo of Taylor and Redondo stayed on Nightwing, leading the character through the Dawn of DC era. Tom Taylor also became the main writer for the Titans, which was for this short time DC Universe’s premier superhero team.

Absolute Power! Amanda Waller has won. With Failsafe and the Brainiac Queen on her side, she has stolen the powers of every metahuman on Earth, heroes and villains alike. But not all is lost, as the few standing are determined to fight back in this event, concluding the Dawn of DC era! For the complete event, check out our Absolute Power Reading Guide!

  • Absolute Power [2025]
    Collects Absolute Power #1-4 and Absolute: Ground Zero #1.

Nightwing Reading Order (Icon)

Nightwing All-In With Dan Watters Reading Order (2024-)

Nightwing is all in! A new DC era starts now with Dan Watters as the new main writer for Nightwing, and Dexter Soy as the artist. Naturally, Dick Grayson is still part of the Titans (but not the leader anymore), with the creative team of John Layman and Pete Woods.

  • The story continues…

Check out our our Bat-family Comics Reading Guide!

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4 thoughts on “Nightwing Reading Order (Dick Grayson, Titan member, Outsiders leader, hero of Bludhaven and Gotham)”

    1. Carole
      Reply

      Hey Cos,

      I put a comment to inform about the Deluxe Editions, though I found that there are three volumes, collecting issues until #43 and the rest of this era has not been collected in this collection.

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