Nightwing Is Bringing Back an Iconic Ally for His Darkest Moment (Not Titans OR Bat-Family)

Summary Deadman is returning for the final arc of Nightwing, marking the end of Taylor and Redondo's run.

Deadman's involvement suggests a grim foreshadowing, with Nightwing possibly needing his help for the afterlife.

Nightwing and Deadman share a surprising kinship, and they will also be teaming up in Batman: The Brave and the Bold #13 in May 2024.

An unthinkable DC hero is reuniting with Nightwing for the final arc of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo's acclaimed run on the Nightwing solo title. Nightwing's ability to inspire others and allow people to gravitate toward him has afforded him a network of allies willing to fight for him at the drop of a dime. No-brainer choices that come to mind are members of the Titans or the Bat-Family, but this returning ally is best remembered for the work he's done with Justice League Dark.

The hero in question is Deadman, and artist Redono reveals on X that Deadman will be appearing on the cover of Nightwing #116 by himself and Tom Taylor, set for release on July 17th, 2024. The issue will mark part 3 of the "Fallen Grayson" storyline that has been confirmed to mark the end of Redondo and Taylor's run on the comic series.

Knowing Deadman's abilities gives readers an idea of what to expect for this goodbye arc. With Deadman's involvement, Nightwing himself could be saying goodbye to readers in more ways than one.

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Deadman's History with Nightwing Goes Back Years

In Another Universe, Nightwing Becomes Deadman

NIGHTWING #116 (2024) Release Date: July 17th, 2024 Writers: Tom Taylor Artists: Bruno Redondo Cover Artist: Bruno Redondo Variant Covers: Rian Gonzales, Vasco Georgiev, Tirso Cons

DC's July solicitation for Nightwing #116 reads as follows: "Everything Dick Grayson has built is crumbling around him. His life is spiraling out of control and Heartless is at the center of all of it. Now Nightwing must leave his city. Can he take back the power he’s lost? Or will Blϋdhaven and its citizens be lost to Heartless forever?" Judging from what the summary teases, Deadman may need to emerge as Nightwing's last hope to save Bludhaven.

The two acrobatic heroes have joined forces several times in the past, and DC has already teased that they will be teaming up again even sooner than Taylor and Redondo's comic. Notably, in the Injustice universe, Nightwing becomes the new Deadman following his death once the original ghost hero requested him as his next host. In every universe within DC's multiverse, Deadman and Nightwing share a surprising kinship where both men are willing to put their lives - or deaths - on the line for each other.

Nightwing and Deadman will be teaming up in May 2024's Batman: The Brave and the Bold #13 in a story feating art by Kelley Jones.

Could "Fallen Grayson" Culminate in Nightwing's Death?

And How is Deadman Involved?

Close

Deadman's involvement suggests that Nightwing might need his help regarding the afterlife; if not, then he might need Deadman's possession powers for some reason. Perhaps Nightwing will need Deadman to actually communicate with someone in the afterlife for him, suggesting a grueling death is coming. Alternatively, Deadman's appearance could simply serve as a far more grim foreshadowing: that Nightwing will be a dead man by the time the story arc comes to a close. After all, one arguably fitting way for Taylor and Redondo to end their run would be to end Nightwing's life in shocking fashion.

Nightwing #116 is available July 17th, 2024, from DC Comics.

Source: Bruno Redondo