DC's Version of The Boys Proves Nightwing is More Dangerous Than Batman

Few heroes should oppose The Boys' superhero cynicism like Batman's former protege, Nightwing. Dick has spent most of his life with a deep reverence for those gifted with extraordinary powers. In one of DC's darkest futures though, that reverence turns to fear, and Nightwing proves the heroes of DC's universe have more reason to fear him than Batman.

It's no understatement to say that Nightwing is one of the greatest and most respected of DC's heroes. His boundless optimism and charisma make him a shining light that has helped heroes like Batman through the darkest parts of their careers. Though there are a few examples of realities where Nightwing turns evil, his good intentions usually keep him on the side of the angels, even in realities that have turned incredibly dark. It's for this reason that the one reality where he does turn against the heroes of DC's universe is so shocking.

Nightwing: The New Order by Kyle Higgins and Trevor McCarthy takes place in an alternate universe where Nightwing becomes a villain. After a war breaks out between superheroes and supervillains, Batman considers unleashing a de-powering bomb to mitigate civilian casualties. Bruce thinks the best better of it, but is then killed by a black kryptonite-fueled Superman. This makes Dick realize something needs to be done. In the middle of the melee, Nightwing set off a de-powering bomb, neutralizing the Justice League. In the wake of the tragedy, metahumans are outlawed and Nightwing spearheads an anti-metahuman task force. Even when Nightwing and Starfire's son becomes a metahuman, Dick still fervently supports the discriminatory system he created (though he does make an exception for his son). Of course, the comic inevitably ends with Nightwing seeing the light and attempting to dismantle the system he helped build, but the damage had already been done by that point.

Nightwing New Order destroyed heroes and villains.

Typically, Batman is regarded as cold and emotionless while Nightwing is considered the more emotional and open hero. The New Order flips that paradigm though. Bruce might act detached, but the care he feels for his fellow Justice League heroes prevents him from setting off the de-powering bomb. In contrast, Nightwing's innate need to be a hero makes him see all of it as mere calculus. De-powering the heroes and villains will save the most amount of lives, so it must be the correct move. This is what makes Dick Grayson so much more dangerous than his mentor. His need to be a hero lets him justify trampling over the rights of the people he cares about for the greater good.

In terms of potential for evil, most fans probably wouldn't even give Dick a second thought. It's why Nightwing is the last hero fans expected to be the Vampire King. Looking closer though, it's clear that he has a colder side than most fans realize. When DC created its version of The Boys, they inadvertently proved that DC's heroes should be more afraid of Nightwing than Batman.