Nightwing vs. Batman's Evil Robot Clone is DC's Darkest Fight in Years

Summary Nightwing faces an empathy-devoid Batman, the Failsafe version of Zur-En-Arrh, in the Absolute Power event.

Nightwing must recruit help while evading Failsafe's brutal pursuit.

The darkest confrontation yet exposes Batman's worst traits through Failsafe.

While Nightwing isn't a stranger to standing up to Batman, he'll now be facing a version of his father completely devoid of empathy or love. As DC is getting closer and closer to its Absolute Power event, the publisher has begun revealing plot details for upcoming issues, and one issue promises the darkest confrontation between Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne yet.

The synopsis for Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 states that Nightwing is on the run from Failsafe. As Nightwing tries to recruit anyone he can to stand up against Amanda Waller's new oppressive regime, he'll have to avoid being captured by this nightmarish version of Batman.

ABSOLUTE POWER: TASK FORCE VII #4 Release Date: August 14th, 2024 Writers: Pornsak Pichetshote Artists: Claire Roe Cover Artist: Pete Woods Variant Covers: Steve Beach, Belén Ortega, Stephen Platt, John Timms, and Dan Mora Failsafe—the relentless android with all of Batman’s skills and none of his morals—hunts Nightwing and his newest recruits in a chilling issue from acclaimed writer Pornsak Pichetshote (Infidel, The Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives) and artist Claire Roe! On the run from Amanda Waller and her Amazo army, Dick Grayson is gathering heroes to bolster the growing resistance. But even his surprising new allies may not be enough to protect them from brutal consequences when Failsafe finds their hidden lair!

This could very well be the darkest confrontation between Nightwing and Batman so far, as the Failsafe version of Batman is all of Bruce's worst personality traits personified. Dick is used to Bruce having toxic habits, but this fight will expose them like never before.

Related I Can't Believe How Terrifying Batman's Dark Counterpart Looks in This MAJOR Confrontation Zur-En-Arrh has truly taken over the body of Failsafe, transforming him into a truly terrifying version of Batman who towers over criminals.

Failsafe Is the Darkest Version of Batman

Available Variant Covers for Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4

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It's no secret that Bruce Wayne can be a deeply paranoid and toxic man. There have been dozens of times when Bruce has tried to push the Bat-Family away from him, and Nightwing and Batman have come to blows over this in the past. The biggest example is in Bruce Wayne: Fugitive, where Batman considers giving up the Bruce Wayne identity entirely, treating his family like nothing more than soldiers. While Bruce has managed to shake this off in recent years and recognize that the Bat-Family is truly his family, Zur-En-Arrh does not hold the same beliefs.

Bruce Wayne: Fugitive is a crossover Batman event from the early 2000s by a number of iconic creators. The event is available digitally and in collected editions — including a new omnibus available in late 2024 — from DC Comics.

Zur-En-Arrh is the worst of Batman's personality, including all of his paranoia, anti-social habits, obsessive devotion to the mission, and willingness to use anyone to complete that mission. While Bruce has grown out of these toxic traits in recent years, they're all that Zur-En-Arrh is, and now Zur is inhabiting the deadly Failsafe robot. Facing the absolute worst version of his father isn't going to be easy, but to save the world, Nightwing isn't going to have any choice. Nightwing will have to use all of his training to evade a Batman who knows everything he does and has absolutely no issues with hunting him down like a criminal.

Failsafe Will Force Nightwing to Confront Batman's Worst Flaws

Absolute Power #2 Variant Cover by Stephen Bliss

Absolute Power promises to completely change the superhero community. With all superheroes losing their powers and Amanda Waller ruling over Earth, the heroes will be struggling just to survive. With the community scattered and afraid, it makes perfect sense that Nightwing will be the one to step up and try to gather heroes to face Waller's forces. But will he really be able to defeat the darkest version of his own father? While Nightwing has beaten Batman before, he's going to be in for the toughest fight of his life as Nightwing directly confronts the worst parts of Batman.

Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 is available August 14th from DC Comics!

Nightwing Nightwing is the superhero moniker given to various vigilante heroes in the D.C. universe. Nightwing is depicted as a warrior who fights from the shadows, utilizes near-superhuman agility and expert combat skills, and tends to have several tools at their disposal. Though Nightwing began with Kal El/Clark Kent, Nightwing has since been primarily associated with Dick Grayson, a former Robin who grew into the new role. Created By Edmond Hamilton , Curt Swan , Marv Wolfman , George Perez Alias Dick Grayson, Clark Kent, Power Girl, Chris Kent Alliance Teen Titans, Titans, Outsiders, Justice League, Batman Inc., Birds of Prey, Young Justice Race Human, Kryptonian Franchise D.C.