Warning! Spoilers for Future State: Nightwing #1
In a version of DC Comics’ future, everything is being turned on its head. Even the Bat Family has a massive role reversal as Batman becomes Nightwing's sidekick. While the new Batman Tim Fox continues his tenure as the Dark Knight in Future State, he has finally had the opportunity to meet his predecessor’s former crimefighting partner.
Future State: Nightwing #1 was written by Andrew Constant with art by Nicola Scott. As the Magistrate enforces their tyrannical reign over Gotham City using the Cybers, Nightwing is fighting back against their drones, desperately trying to maintain some kind of order. It’s immediately clear that he’s been fighting a losing battle on his own, no longer assisted by a Batman or a Robin. With practically nowhere to hide, Dick Grayson finds refuge in the abandoned Arkham Asylum, where the city’s most notorious villains were once locked up.
As Nightwing gets to work and sets up shop in his makeshift Batcave at Arkham, he has an unexpected visitor — the new Batman. Within moments, the future Dark Knight essentially agrees to become Nightwing’s sidekick, as Tim Fox realizes he could gain something from a hero who personally fought alongside Batman. Their mutual respect comes from a combination of shared loss, and the realization that there aren’t many other people they can trust. Since Gotham has been overrun with the Magistrate, their partnership is essentially a resistance. Nightwing expresses he has struggled without the original Batman around, and welcomes Tim’s help. Of course, Dick is aware that he is a well-qualified addition to this future remnant of the Bat Family.
Once Tim breaks out of the constraints from the rigged chair, the surveillance system picks up intruders elsewhere on the Arkham Asylum grounds. Together, the new dynamic duo is about to take on a Magistrate contingent. With things being so upside down in Gotham, the new Batman joining forces with Nightwing is a bittersweet return to some sense of normalcy. This unique spin on their partnership hasn’t been explored before, as the next Dark Knight is essentially Dick Grayson’s protege. Bruce’s legacy clearly lives on through their mission while they go to war against the military-level threat.
As Future State continues and Gotham City’s few remaining protectors fight against the Magistrate, it’s hard to imagine Tim Fox and Dick Grayson would leave each other’s side. In the midst of chaos, they represent a lost idea of hope from a time before Bruce vanished and the no mask policy turned superheroes back into common vigilantes. For the remainder of Future State, the battle for Gotham is likely going to hinge on the collaborative efforts of the new Batman and Nightwing as they follow in the original Dark Knight’s footsteps.