Warning! Spoilers for Nightwing #69 below
The Joker isn't happy to learn that the original Nightwing isn't in Bludhaven anymore. The Clown Prince of Crime wants to take out Dick Grayson and brought back a familiar weapon ahead of their encounter - his trusty crowbar.
Joker famously brutally beat Jason Todd with a crowbar in Batman: A Death in the Family before killing him. It's one of the more iconic, messed-up moments in DC Comics history. The sadistic villain is apparently bringing back the crowbar to deal with another former Robin in Dick Grayson. Unfortunately, 'Ric Grayson' is still struggling with his true identity and isn't Nightwing... yet.
In Nightwing #69 by Dan Jurgens, Ronan Cliquet, Nick Filardi, and Andworld Design, the Joker is seen watching TV in a musty apartment when he sees Nightwing has made the news. However, it's not the Nightwing he's dealt with before, but instead, four new Nightwings that have assumed the mantle in Bludhaven in his absence. The four other versions of Nightwing are described as one older version, one younger, and two possible siblings teaming up. This doesn't impress the Joker, who asks if this is "some kind of joke?" before grabbing a crowbar and smashing his television. He proclaims "I know Nightwing and you low-lifes... are not Nightwing."
How will the Joker's plan for Nightwing play out? Previews for Nightwing #71 suggest he will kidnap the real Nightwing. The Joker is set to deal with the other four Nightwings before getting to Ric, who is still dealing with learning who is truly is. Things won't get easier for Ric after meeting up with the Joker. In previews for Nightwing #72, Ric learns that the key to restoring his identity is meeting up with Batgirl. However, when he travels to Gotham to find her, he runs into Punchline, the Joker's serial killer girlfriend. She seems more than happy to do the Joker's bidding and try to end Nightwing for good.
The Joker's got a major advantage against Nightwing as no matter how many imposter Nightwing's are out there, he knows the true identity of the superhero. The information will give him new avenues to attack the Bat-Family in different ways which will play a big part in the upcoming 'Joker War' in Batman. Using a crowbar echoes back to one of the darkest days in Batman's life. The Joker knows it's a trigger to the entire Bat-Family. Don't expect Nightwing #69 to be the last time we see the Joker bring out one of his most infamous weapons.