New superheroes are frequently introduced into the world of DC Comics. It is rare, however, for Kryptonian heroes to emerge, given how the planet Krypton was destroyed. And yet, Nightwing #129 introduces a new hero who has a strange connection to both Dick Grayson and Superman.
Written by Dan Watters, with art by Dexter Soy, Nightwing #129 is the final chapter of the ‘Other’ storyline. The story found Nightwing enlisted to investigate the strange entity that had taken over the former Titans Tower base in Blüdhaven. He determined the entity was Nite-Mite; a Fifth Dimensional fanboy, comparable in power and personality to Bat-Mite. However, something had happened to turn the normally agreeable imp’s reality-altering powers toward destruction.
As Dick Grayson explored the tower, he was assaulted by a being with the powers of Superman. He identified himself as Nightwing-Prime of Kandor. However, Grayson determined that this new hero was actually Bryce Moran; a young gang member he had helped seek redemption.
Bryce had apparently sought shelter in Titans Tower and been transformed by Nite-Mite’s powers. This leaves Bryce confused, his mind flooded by memories of his old life and that of the Kryptonian hero. The comic ends with Bryce, still empowered after Nite-Mite’s departure, determined to use his new powers to be a superhero… even if Nightwing doesn’t approve.
Nightwing’s ties to Krypton explained
Historically, Superman was the first hero to use the Nightwing name. This occurred in 1963’s Superman #158, when he and Jimmy Olsen disguised themselves as superheroes to clear the Man of Steel of a crime in the Bottle City of Kandor. They called themselves Nightwing and Flamebird, after two Kryptonian birds. The Nightwing identity was later adopted by Superman’s cousin, a Kandorian scientist named Van-Zee.
In the current timeline, Dick Grayson sought advice from Superman after he was “fired” from being Robin. The Man of Steel told Dick a story about a Kryptonian folk hero, who devoted his life to fighting crime. This hero adopted the name Nightwing, afterward inspiring Dick Grayson to use the same alias.
The merged background for Nightwing-Prime is an interesting encapsulation of both Kryptonian Nightwings. However, it remains to be seen how Bryce/Van-Zee will use his newfound powers. While his intentions may be noble now, power has a way of corrupting even the noblest souls. And, as Dick Grayson notes, having an 11 year-old “running around out in the world with the power of a Superman” is unlikely to end well.
Nightwing #129 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
