An annual issue of Red Hood and the Outlaws revealed that Jason Todd saw Dick Grayson's Nightwing as a hero before they each met Batman and became his respective Robins. While Jason went down a much darker path as the Red Hood after being murdered by the Joker and his subsequent resurrection, Nightwing has always been Red Hood's brother. However, it seems as though Nightwing has always been more than that to Jason, though the Red Hood might not ever share the truth with the first Robin due to his pride.

In this annual issue of Red Hood and the Outlaws from writer Scott Lobdell and Tyler Kirkham, Red Hood, Artemis, and Bizzaro are working undercover to track down the Russian mob who has come to Gotham, taking jobs as circus performers to get close and uncover their illicit activities. However, no one knows the circus life better than Dick Grayson. Having grown up as an acrobat at Haley's Circus alongside his parents, the Flying Graysons were a show-stopping act before his parents were killed and Dick was adopted by Bruce Wayne, eventually becoming Batman's first Robin. As a result, Jason believes Dick can help him and his fellow Outlaws out.

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That being said, it does take some time for Jason to swallow his pride and ask Nightwing for help, even though Dick has always been his hero. While they had their brotherly fights after Jason was taken in by Bruce to be the next Robin after Dick became Nightwing, this issue reveals that Jason actually saw Dick perform at Haley's Circus before they ever knew each other. From that moment, Dick secretly became Jason's idol (even if he won't admit it to Grayson himself).

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Even if Nightwing might not know the full extent of how much Jason ultimately respects him, his decision to go ahead and help the Outlaws in this issue was a big bonding moment for the two brothers. As the Red Hood, Jason initially decided to adopt a more lethal form of justice, an act that estranged Red Hood from the Bat-Family for a long time. However, this team-up with Nightwing seems to have been a major first step in the right direction that helped get Jason to where he is now in the present DC Universe, having abandoned his guns and being a more accepted member of the family.

While Red Hood might have his issues with Batman and have some brotherly tensions with Dick Grayson, this issue proves that Nightwing has always been Jason's hero deep down. All in all, it's a very endearing issue from DC Comics' past, revealing a previously unknown dynamic between the two vigilante brothers that communicates volumes about Red Hood and Nightwing's secret impact on his life, potentially helping motivate his eventual journey back to being a hero himself in the DC Universe.

More: Jason Todd Tried Taking Nightwing's Job Before Becoming Red Hood