The Origin of Nightwing

Richard Grayson entered the world on the first day of spring. As a young child, he became a renowned aerialist; 1/3 of the Flying Graysons. A team of trapeze artists in CC Haly & Norton Bros. Circus, and the only three people in the world capable of performing the quadruple somersault. When Dick Grayson was 8 years old he overheard Tony "Boss" Zucco (head of a protection racket) threatening "Pop" Haly. Later, Zucco had acid poured on the ropes causing them to snap, sending John and Mary Grayson plunging to their deaths.

Activity Scan
Primary Location: Bludhaven
Secondary Location: Titan's Tower

Young Dick was then sent to a youth center (that also housed children who had been charged with so called "adult crimes") where he was nearly beaten to death by a group of juvenile delinquints. Orphaned, battered, and dismayed Dick attemped to run away but was stopped by the mysterious Batman, who promised him that he wouldn't have to stay long. One month later, Dick was whisked away to Wayne Manor where he met his new foster parent, Bruce Wayne, who later revealed himself to be the Batman. After 6 intense and painful months of grueling training, it was time to choose a name. Thinking of his late mother's words, 9 year old Dick Grayson became ROBIN.

Batman and Robin fought side by side, taking down countless criminals; including "Boss" Zucco, Poison Ivy, the Riddler, Two-Face, and the Joker. At one point, he received a traumatizing beating by Two-Face which haunted him even as an adult. As a result of his injuries, Batman forbid Dick from being Robin, even though Dick was not deterred. After a number of disappearances at his school, Dick was recruited by Shrike, as part of his new gang. Working from within, Dick was able to bring Shrike down. It was at this time that Dick met Boone, who was to become the new Shrike, who would cross paths with Nightwing in the future. After Batman became aware of Dick's activities, he welcomed Dick back under his wing. (I couldn't resist!)

After six long years of fighting side by side, through thick and through thin, the dynamic duo's bond was shattered by a single bullet fired from the Joker's gun. Robin lay wounded and Batman, fearing for his surrogate son's safety, forbade Dick to don the Robin costume; thus dissolving the legendary partnership. Crushed by Bruce's rejection, Dick traveled around and eventually attended college in New York for one semester before quitting.

After joining up with a group of superpowered teens, Dick founded and became leader of the New Teen Titans (which later became just the New Titans) Dick shed the red and green of his Robin costume adopted the blues and yellow of his new persona as NIGHTWING. Together with his lover, Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran aka Starfire, and the other young heroes, Dick brought down even more dangerous and evil criminals.

Dick's rocky relationship with Kory was further disrupted when he was tortured and brainwashed by the Confessor numerous times before defeating Confessor's master, the sadistic Brother Blood. Dick experienced mild bouts of schizophrenia as a result of the brainwashing and sought the professional help of a therapist, Dr. Parker. After years of living with Kory, their less than perfect relationship was turned upside down by deaths of several Titans and the antics of Miriam Delgado aka Mirage. The deceitful shapeshifter assumed the identity of Starfire and slid into Dick's bed.
Completely fooled, Dick allowed Miri to alter his costume and hairstyle, adding the yellow "wings". This resulted in even more turmoil and finally, in a desperate effort to salvage their relationship, Dick proposed to Kory. Unfortunately their union was not to be, as their wedding was violently disrupted near the end of the ceremony. Kory was severely injured and Dick was left shattered. Arsenal ousted Nightwing from the Titans due to his mental instability. Shortly thereafter, Kory departed for Tamaran (which was destroyed in a devastating battle) and married a Tamaran man, leaving Dick to pick up the pieces. After much soul searching, Dick finally returned to Gotham City.

His plans for retirement were halted when he discovered a clue that led him to believe there was more to the murder of his parents than he had previously known. So he donned his current costume of black and blue and discovered that it was a fluke. After staying in Gotham throughout the outbreaks of "the clench", fighting crime, and acting as a "big brother" to young Robin, he left to solve a new mystery.

At Batman's request, he travelled to Bludhaven, in order to investigate the death of 21 men. His investigation led him to Roland Desmond, AKA Blockbuster. Seeing the rampant corruption, Dick decided to remain in Bludhaven, to be its protector. He currently keeps an ever vigilant eye over Bludhaven and its citizens both in his night-time persona, and as a rookie beat cop on the Bludhaven Police.

It was the return of Victor Stone, AKA Cyborg, that brought Nightwing and the Titans back together again. Returning to earth as the Technis, Victor posed a threat to the whole planet. It took the combined efforts of the Titans, new and old, to bring Vic back to his senses. Seeing as how well they worked together, the Titans were reformed.Looking at keeping the Titans a family, they gathered old and new friends alike, and are now training the next generation of heroes.

Nightwing currently leads the Titans, while maintaining his duties as Bludhaven's protector. He is also linked romatically to Barbara Gordon, AKA Oracle, as the two of them finally have a closeness they have been hinting at for years.