Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne: Dynamic Duo

Nightwing vol. 4 #16

The relationship between Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne is one of the most beloved in fandom, and for good reason. In 2009 they were revolutionary in flipping the script on the traditional Batman and Robin dynamic. Dick, the original Robin, was a happier, more emotionally balanced Batman who wasn't afraid to crack a smile and tell a joke. Damian, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, was a grimmer, more serious Robin, prone to violence and arrogance. Their relationship is more relevant than ever, as November 2021 has been decreed Robin Month by DC, and Damian is currently in the middle of his own journey of self discovery, a journey all Robins before him have gone down in some form or another. 

However, Dick and Damian's iconic partnership did not start out smoothly. In fact, when Damian was first introduced to Batman's world, Dick had very little to do with him. Dick was living in New York City following the destruction of Blüdhaven and his near-death in Infinite Crisis. The events of the Bat-family crossover The Resurrection of Ra's al Ghul brought them together for the first time. At this point, Damian has gotten to know Bruce somewhat, and already tried to kill Tim Drake. He wants to prove himself, but with his upbringing as an assassin, he doesn't know how to do that. At this stage, Dick and Tim's brotherly bond is strong, and they're a well-oiled machine.

Nightwing vol. 2 #138

Nightwing vol. 2 #138

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), these events were almost immediately followed up by Final Crisis, a story that concluded with the "death" of Batman (really he was sent back in time). As a result of Bruce's disappearance/death, someone had to carry on the mantle of Batman. The events of Battle for the Cowl resulted in that someone being Dick, despite his personal desire to remain Nightwing. The decision to become Batman is one that Dick grappled with a lot. He'd long ago decided he didn't want to be Batman or become Bruce, but he was the only one qualified to take over at the time, and Gotham needs a Batman. The cowardly and superstitious lot need the symbol of Batman to keep them in line. Dick and Damian's relationship at this point is at its most tense, as neither really likes or trusts the other, and the circumstances of them becoming closer are bad for both. 

Batman #687

Batman #687

Despite his reservations, Dick recognizes that the job needs doing, and that Damian needs guidance that Alfred alone can't provide. He decides to become Batman, but he'll be doing it HIS way. One of his first decisions as Batman is making Damian his Robin. This is done because he needs to keep a close eye on Damian, and it's the thing Damian needs to guide him towards becoming his best self. This decision did cause a rift with Tim Drake, who Dick saw as his equal. This is one of the many obstacles Dick faced while wearing the cowl. 

Batman #687

Red Robin #1

Despite making the decision to become Batman, the desire to remain Nightwing stays with Dick, and is something he reflects on more than once. Nightwing was his identity as an independent hero. He couldn't be fired from it, and didn't have to live up to the impossible ideal he's created of Batman. 

Batman and Robin vol. 1 #1

This insecurity and unsureness isn't lost on Damian, and doesn't do much to improve his opinion of Dick. He gives Dick a hard time about being Batman, and constantly questions his skills. The only response Dick can give is to not rise to his bait and instill some structure in Damian's life.

Batman and Robin vol. 1 #1

Batman and Robin vol. 1 #1

Despite these early hurdles, Dick does begin to win over Damian. He spends time training with him, he listens to him, shows him compassion, and demonstrates that he cares in both words and actions. He shows considerably more patience towards Damian than Bruce did in the short time they had together, and these things start to earn Damian's respect and loyalty.

Batman #688

Batman and Robin vol. 1 #3

This development continued to the point that when Bruce was discovered to be lost in time, Damian was pleased, but also concerned that his partnership with Dick would not continue. At first Dick doesn't seem to realize how much Damian has come to rely on him, but in a moment of rare emotional honestly, Damian tells him how much his role as Robin means to him.

Batman and Robin vol. 1 #12

Batman and Robin vol. 1 #12

After Bruce's inevitable return, the question of what would happen to Batman and Robin was raised again. Dick was more than willing to go back to Nightwing, in part because he probably believed Damian and Bruce would want to have a chance to reconnect, and because he never wanted to remain Batman permanently.

Batman and Robin vol. 1 #16

Batman: The Return

Bruce decided to take Damian with him on an international mission, to evaluate how they worked together. The results were...not ideal. Bruce's demanding, impatient nature and Damian's willfulness simply didn't mix, and Bruce decided the best course of action for them both was for Dick and Damian to remain Batman and Robin in Gotham, while he travelled the world establishing Batman Incorporated.

Batman: The Return

Over the next few months, Dick and Damian continued to work together as friends and partners, and Dick tackled two of the most challenging cases of his tenure as Batman in The Black Mirror and Gates of Gotham. These involved a lot of self reflection on Dick's part, and an examination of his relationship to Gotham City. Many of his previous feelings of insecurity about becoming Batman, or his place in Gotham, were resolved in these stories. 

Detective Comics #881

Detective Comics #881

Batman: Gates of Gotham #5

These moments of realization came at a good time for Dick, as these were the last stories of him as the Batman of Gotham. The New 52 was in the works at this point, and part of the initiative was to return Dick to Nightwing, and Bruce to Gotham as the sole Batman. Despite the "reboot," Dick's year long tenure as Batman, and Batman Inc. remained mostly canon, and the ending of Gates of Gotham leads well into Batman Inc. vol. 2, with Bruce returning to Gotham to prepare for Talia al Ghul's impending assault on the city with Leviathan, and Dick returning to his role as Nightwing.

Batman Inc. vol. 2 #1

Despite returning to Nightwing, Dick does stay in Gotham. Part of the reason is certainly to help Bruce in his fight against Talia and Leviathan, but another contributing factor must have been Damian's closeness and reliance on him. Batman and Robin vol. 2, as part of the New 52, had Bruce and Damian working together, but Dick staying in the city must have made things easier for both, as he could give advice to either. Kyle Higgins, the writer of Nightwing, was able to weave in the somewhat unplanned for return of Dick Grayson to the role, by framing his time as Batman as a character arc to improve his skills and confidence, making him a more skilled Nightwing than ever.

Nightwing vol. 3 #1

Nightwing vol. 3 #1

Nightwing vol. 3 #1

During these months in Gotham after becoming Nightwing again, Dick went through a lot. His Court of Owls heritage was revealed, a childhood friend tried to kill him, and Haly's Circus was nearly completely destroyed by The Joker. Through all this, he and Damian maintained a close friendship, and Damian was able to ground Dick when he was close to losing himself.

Nightwing vol. 3 #17

Unfortunately, this brief period of happiness after so much trauma wouldn't last. Talia and Leviathan began their attack on Gotham, and in a battle with Damian's clone, The Heretic, Damian died protecting Dick.

Batman Inc. vol. 2 #8

Batman Inc. vol. 2 #8

Batman Inc. vol. 2 #9

Dick, understandably, went after the Heretic almost immediately. He was able to land a few good hits, but ultimately he and Bruce had to recover Damian's body and escape. Once they recuperated, Batman, Nightwing, and the new Knight went after The Heretic and got their revenge before taking down Talia.

Batman Inc. vol. 2 #9

Batman Inc. vol. 2 #9

Batman Inc. vol. 2 #12

After the events of Batman Inc., Dick was a broken man. In the span of a month, he'd found out he was destined to be a Talon, lost his circus, and lost his brother. Upon visiting Damian's grave, Dick compared the loss he was feeling to what he felt when his parents died. He'd been able to move on from that, but doubted his ability to move on from Damian's death. All of this trauma in Gotham pushed him to distance himself from his other loved ones, and the news of Tony Zucco being alive and in hiding in Chicago caused him to leave Gotham, setting up shop in a new city.

Nightwing vol. 3 #18

Nightwing vol. 3 Annual #1

Dick spent several months in Chicago, doing good work as Nightwing. Unfortunately, it wasn't to last, and when the Crime Syndicate invaded Earth, they captured Nightwing, revealing his identity to the world and strapping him to a bomb connected to his heartbeat. The only way out was for Lex Luthor to stop his heart. Though Luthor was able to revive him, Dick's identity was still now public knowledge, and Batman made the decision that he should remain dead to the world, and his family. Dick wasn't keen on this plan, but Bruce explained that he needed him to infiltrate Spyral, who were trying to uncover the secret identities of superheroes. The only way Dick could get in was by staying dead. Damian was still dead when this all happened. By the time Dick was able to reunite with the Bat-family, Damian had been resurrected and believed Dick to be dead. Their reunion was a long time coming.

Grayson #15

After the completion of his mission infiltrating Spyral, The Parliament of Owls set their sights on Gotham and Dick. In an attempt to finally recruit him as a Talon, they orchestrated an anti-Robins initiative in Gotham, establishing a police state, and even planted a bomb in Damian's skin through his mask.

Robin War #2

Dick accepted the Owls' terms, but only so he could buy time to disarm the bomb in Damian's head and, similarly to Spyral, work to take down the Parliament from the inside. 

Nightwing Rebirth #1

Nightwing Rebirth #1

Nightwing Rebirth #1

After the defeat of the Parliament (and an altercation with a new villain, Raptor), Dick made the decision to move to Blüdhaven. This decision was similar to his decision to go to Chicago, in that it gave him an opportunity to strike out on his own and be himself. To Bruce, Babs, and Damian though, this decision was seen as a concerted effort to put distance between himself and the family.

Nightwing vol. 4 #10

Nightwing vol. 4 #10

Damian's feelings on the matter came to a head in Nightwing Must Die, when Damian visited Dick after getting fed up with the internet and his teammates suggesting Dick was the natural successor to become Batman (or so he claimed). In actuality, Damian missed Dick and was feeling insecure about why he left Gotham. It's important to remember that Dick going to Blüdhaven recently was the first time that Dick had left Gotham on a long-term basis while both he and Damian were alive since they were Batman and Robin. Damian was dead when Dick went to Chicago, and the Spyral and Parliament of Owls infiltrations were just missions. Dick's move to Blüdhaven was the first time Damian experienced Dick actually leaving.

Nightwing vol. 4 #16

Nightwing vol. 4 #16

Nightwing vol. 4 #17

Nightwing vol. 4 #17

During this same story, Dick believed Dr. Simon Hurt killed Damian, and nearly lost himself to his inner darkness before a manifestation of Damian appeared and saved him from himself. It was all in Dick's head, but Damian in his vision referred to himself as Dick's heir.

Nightwing vol. 4 #20

Nightwing vol. 4 #20

In the end, Damian explained the source of his insecurity to Dick. In return for such an impressive display of emotional maturity, Dick shared that he'd considered officially adopting Damian after Bruce returned, thinking it might have been better for him. He ultimately didn't, out of concern that he wouldn't be a good father.

Nightwing vol. 4 #20

Nightwing vol. 4 #20

This story wasn't the last time that Damian was referred to as Dick's heir, or son. While Dick was being treated for his amnesia and gunshot wound to the head from KGBeast, his (secretly a member of the Parliament of Owls) therapist said that "we both know that you're the last of the Graysons" while the panel focused on Damian leaving from visiting Dick's hospital room.

Nightwing vol. 4 Annual #2

Sadly, Dick would remain amnesiac during the events of City of Bane, the story in which Alfred was murdered by Bane, and Damian blamed himself. Damian and Bruce's relationship dramatically deteriorated after this event, to the point that Damian tore the R off his uniform, quit wearing the red/green/yellow, and joined a death tournament being put on by the League of Lazarus, who are connected to the League of Assassins. The other Robins were called in to help Damian or get him out of the tournament, but it was Dick, with his memories now restored, who gave him the best advice, and a gift from his old circus days, recovered by Alfred.

Robin #5

Robin #5

Robin #5

Dick recognizes that Damian is going through a phase of self discovery, much like he went through when he became Nightwing, and the other former Robins have had to go through, to varying degrees. As Damian's first Batman, he essentially gives his blessing to Damian to carry on doing what he needs to do. This show of trust is why Dick was always Damian's greatest mentor and partner.