Few mainstream comic characters have gone through as much evolution as the former Robin and current Nightwing, Dick Grayson. Naturally, with that evolution has come a whole host of costume changes, and while they haven't all been winners, they all reflect Dick's evolution as a character. DC is paying their respects to this legacy with a cover depicting every major costume worn by Dick Grayson, and the result is nothing short of gorgeous.
In current DC continuity, Nightwing has received something of a soft reboot with the well-received Nightwing #78 from Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo. This back-to-basics story for Dick has him returning to Blüdhaven after a long hiatus and trying to do more for the city than just beat up its criminals. Even with the help of Batgirl though, things won't be easy for Nightwing as he will be dealing with corrupt politicians, organized crime, and his own doubts about the efficacy of superheroics. Far from a typical superhero story, Nightwing's quest to fix the city he calls home sees him confront institutional problems with no easy solution. This fresh take on the character has been so beloved by fans, that its first two issues are already going back for a reprint.
In a statement on their website, DC Comics announced that Nightwing #78 and 79 sold out. To celebrate this tremendous feat, DC is reprinting both issues with new covers from series artist Bruno Redondo. While the first new cover is a solid depiction of Nightwing diving at the reader, it's the second which will no doubt garner more attention. In a nod to the 1960's Batman series, it depicts every iteration of Dick Grayson scaling up a wall with a rope. From his classic Robin design to his first disco-collared Nightwing costume, the character's most famous costumes are all represented. Thankfully, Redondo had the good grace to leave out some of Dick's more infamous costumes such as the super-spy outfit from the Grayson series or any of the regrettable outfits from Nightwing's recent stint as Ric Grayson. Check out the brilliant new covers below!
The cover is full of small details which will no doubt delight longtime fans of Dick Grayson. More than just a celebration of Nightwing though, it actually reflects many of the new series' themes. Other than Dick himself, the only other two characters depicted on the cover are Alfred, whose hands hold Robin's cape, and Batgirl, who is climbing out of a window to see Dick. Though Alfred is dead, he casts a long shadow over the new Nightwing series as Dick inheriting his money is the story's inciting incident which brings Barbara back into Dick's life and makes him rethink his crime-fighting. More intriguing than that though is their placement, with Alfred at the beginning of Dick's journey and Barbara at the end, possibly indicating that Alfred is Dick's past and Barbara his future, despite his current relationship with Starfire.
Regardless of the cover's thematic weight though, it's an absolutely gorgeous piece of artwork that shows Dick's journey from child to adult. Dick Grayson is easily one of DC's best characters. As his name Nightwing hints, he is the natural fusion of Batman and Superman, so seeing him finally reclaim his more optimistic disposition feels satisfying. Dick might have gone on a long journey from taking on the mantle of Robin to becoming Nightwing but this new cover shows it was a journey well worth taking. Look for the reprinted editions of Nightwing #78 and 79 when they release on April 27th.
Source: DC Comics