In Gotham Knights, players’ biggest enemy will be the Court of Owls, a secret society that may have a particular interest in Nightwing. Batman’s first Robin will lead Gotham’s new protectors but adopt a more caring, sympathetic style not present with the Dark Knight. As the oldest vigilante in the group, Nightwing is likely to feel a majority of the responsibility for defending Gotham City. Unlike the other Knights, Gotham wasn’t always his home, but the Court of Owls could be invested in his continued residence there nonetheless.
Gotham Knights takes place after Batman’s (supposed) death when Gotham City plunges into chaos between supervillains and secret societies. Players can choose between four playable characters: Nightwing, Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin to defend the city and continue Batman’s legacy. Villains like Mister Freeze appear to wreak havoc on the vulnerable city but pale in comparison to the Court of Owls, who’ve finally returned to reclaim their home. The Court of Owls is a terrifying Batman enemy who battled the Dark Knight in the comics many times, but it’s unclear how far their influence spreads in Gotham Knights’ universe.
It’s also unknown how much source material Gotham Knights will take from the Batman comics, but assuming WB Montreal uses well-known storylines to develop their playable characters, Nightwing could experience serious character development and identity crises during the story. Like most comic companies, several universes have removed or adapted Nightwing’s Gray Son of Gotham storyline, and Gotham Knights could do the same.
Gotham Knights’ Haly’s Circus May Have Been A Front For The Court Of Owls
Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing, is a well-known and beloved character in the Batfamily. As the first Robin, his reputation among comics fans and the Batman legacy is undeniable. Gotham Knights' backstory for Nightwing is also largely known, raised in Haly’s Circus by John and Mary Grayson until his eighth birthday. Unfortunately, his parents died after Tony Zucco, a mobster, sabotaged their trapeze line, and they plunged to their death during a performance. Bruce Wayne swiftly adopted Dick Grayson, as he’d been in the audience when the accident occurred. However, several comic storylines suggest this intervention should have gone another way, with the Court of Owls obtaining custody of Dick Grayson first.
In the New 52 Batman series, it’s revealed that Haly’s Circus has an arrangement with the Court of Owls. Young children adept in physical and mental abilities that work well under pressure are identified and given to the Court when the circus comes to Gotham. The Court would choose one child to replace their active Talon, but it’s unknown how often this process occurred. If Gotham Knights’ Court of Owls chose Dick Grayson as their successor but were thwarted when Bruce Wayne adopted the child instead, it’s understandable that society would continue trying to obtain him for their uses. Nightwing’s impressive career as a vigilante combined with his acrobatic skills makes him the perfect Talon candidate, especially considering most Talons appear to be mindless zombies.
Gotham Knights May Reveal Nighwing’s Familial Connections With The Court Of Owls
Unlike Gotham Knights’ Red Hood, Batgirl, and Robin, Nightwing has a familial connection to the Court of Owls. One of the Court’s greatest Talons, William Cobb, is his paternal great-grandfather. While it’s unknown who Gotham Knights’ Talons are currently, William Cobb is one of the most popular identities of the character. He is responsible for the deaths of many Waynes and could be responsible for killing Bruce Wayne before the game’s start. William Cobb is one of the Court’s deadliest Talons and responsible for siring the Gray Son line. If Cobb appears as a Talon during Gotham Knights, he may attempt to kidnap Nightwing for the Court of Owls.
While Nightwing isn’t a stranger to his dark impulses, he’s primarily regarded as the most hopeful of Batman’s Robins. The loyalty and love he holds for his family fill his vigilante work with passion and hope absent from Batman’s crimefighting habits. Dick Grayson’s fighting abilities and prowess as a detective make him a force to be reckoned with, but his inclination towards saving others may be his undoing. If Gotham Knights’ Nightwing adapts a different approach to the other vigilantes, he may be inclined to save William Cobb from the Court of Owls rather than treat him as the deadly threat he is.
Gotham Knights Could Feature The Gray Son Prophecy
Perhaps the most significant connection the Court of Owls could have to Gotham Knights’ Nightwing concerns the Gray Son of Gotham prophecy. According to the Court of Owls, the Gray Son of Gotham is destined to become their greatest Talon. For obvious reasons, Dick Grayson was believed to be this child and became the Court’s primary Target during the Night of the Owls comic storyline. The story begins with the Court of Owls eliminating high-ranking members of Gotham City’s society, which corresponds with the death of Gotham Knights’ Bruce Wayne. Nightwing interrupts an attempt to kill the city’s Mayor and kills an undead Talon before battling William Cobb. Like most superhero stories, Nightwing eventually claims victory and takes control of Haly’s Circus to avoid the exploitation of gifted youths.
If Gotham Knights uses the Court of Owls to adapt its own form of the Gray Son of Gotham prophecy, Nightwing could likely take precedence during the main story. It’s unknown how this prophecy might affect other playable characters, but his well-being likely impacts the entire team with Nightwing as their leader. Batman’s death and the Court’s rise to power place the Knights in a precarious position, forcing them to reclaim a city in turmoil while keeping themselves safe and alive.
Despite being promised to release this year, Gotham Knights has precious little information concerning its overarching storylines and gameplay. However, despite being one of Batman’s younger villains, the Court of Owls has dozens of interesting characters and connections to utilize in the game. In addition, their status as a secret society gives WB Montreal extreme freedom in developing unique plots for their Arkham-inspired title. Gotham Knights is scheduled to release in 2022, but no release month or date has been officially announced.