Robin’s “Dapper” New Look Honors Damian Wayne’s Most Important Mentor: Nightwing

Summary Damian Wayne's's support for his older adoptive brother Dick Grayson at a charity event in Nightwing #114 highlights their close bond, and the mutual respect that has grown between them over the years.

Nightwing and Robin's relationship is built on mentorship and family, with the two of them equally devoted to going to great lengths to protect one another.

Nightwing may need Robin's fierce loyalty now more than ever, as they face a new threat in Nightwing #114.

Warning: Contains spoilers for Nightwing #114!!

The Bat Family is filled with storied relationships and big personalities, but Robin and Nightwing share a particularly complex bond. Since Damian Wayne’s arrival in Gotham, Dick Grayson has often been a mentor and father-figure to him, whether they’re working together as a team or handling their own hero business. Now, Damian has shown his own brand of support, by putting on a suit and attending Dick's big event.

Nightwing #114 – written by Tom Taylor, with art by Bruno Redondo – presented a unique opportunity for Robin to show Nightwing how highly he thinks of him. Damian joins Bruce Wayne in attending an event for the Alfred Pennyworth Foundation, the charitable organization Dick Grayson founded to honor the late Pennyworth, and looks the part.

He informs Dick that he "put on a suit for [him]", ensuring that his participation comes with an edge of complaint, while showcasing the discomfort he's willing to go through for his big brother.

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Though a playful moment, this exchange from Nightwing #114 touches on the core of Robin and Nightwing's bond.

Dick Grayson Is The Biggest Influence On Damian Wayne

Nightwing #114 – by Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, & Wes Abbott

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Though a playful moment, this exchange from Nightwing #114 touches on the core of Robin and Nightwing's bond. Putting on a suit for a charity event is not a big leap for anyone in Bruce Wayne's family, so Damian's grumbling may not seem notable. However, the young hero is one of the most stubborn members of the Bat-Family and is rarely willing to do something he's not interested in. Had he been asked to attend for anyone else, he'd be more likely to watch through the skylight in his vigilante gear than make an appearance in the crowd.

Instead, he's there for Dick, just as Nightwing was there for him so many times.Batman and Robin are an iconic duo, and Damian didn't begin his stint as Robin with Bruce Wayne in the cowl. Instead, Dick Grayson welcomed him into the fold in one of the most turbulent chapters of the family's history. The two navigated Damian's struggle to prove his worth and find his place, with Dick working tirelessly to show the world outside his past with the League of Assassins. In Nightwing's own words, Damian was his Robin.

Both Damian and Dick clearly treasure their time together, and buttoning up an uncomfortable suit is only a glimpse of that.

Nightwing May Need Robin’s Support More Than Ever

Damian Wayne Is His Fiercest Ally

Both Damian and Dick clearly treasure their time together, and buttoning up an uncomfortable suit is only a glimpse of that. Unfortunately, Nightwing may need his brother's support immediately. The same event that got Damian in a suit also reveals a clear setup meant to target Nightwing and the Alfred Pennyworth Foundation via accusations about Blockbuster. Dick is lucky to have his family at his side as it all starts to go down, and anyone trying to take a shot at Nightwing will have to get through Robin first – a task much easier said than done.

Nightwing #114 is available now from DC Comics.

NIGHTWING #114 (2016) Writer: Tom Taylor

Artist: Bruno Redondo

Colorist: Adriano Lucas

Letterer: Wes Abbott

Cover Artist: Bruno Redondo