If there is one thing DC Comics isn’t new to, it’s a reboot. Between crisis events, rebirths, new TV shows, and movie restructuring, DC is consistently changing how it’s using its characters-usually based on how they’re performing at that time. That can be both a good sign and a bad sign depending on how any one person views it, but it is a hopeful sign of change from the previous norm-which truthfully doesn’t happen very often in the world of comic books. Heroes and villains die, and things will change slightly for a little while by bringing in a new lineup of characters or a replacement of another, and then they eventually return to the way they were for years before. Almost every big character in comics has had this cycle happen and it will more than likely continue to do so.
But in the case ofDC Comicsand DC cinema’s recent changes, it looks like things are being pushed in a direction that makes fans extremely optimistic about a brand that had for the past few years been a bit rough. But although there’s plenty of hype and excitement for James Gunn’s reboot of DC films, it is arguable to say the comics are going into an even better place by doing something they should have done years ago. Make Dick Grayson the face of the DCU. As well as by extension, replace the Justice League with the Titans and usher in a whole new look and attitude. It’s a signifier of DC finally giving their young heroes a chance to step up and take the stage from their mentors, especially by letting Dick Grayson lead the way.
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For the past couple of years now, Dick Grayson/Nightwing has definitely taken a step up in the DC hierarchy, starting with Tom Taylor’s absolutely spectacular run onNightwingfrom 2021 to the present. It was and is the book that Dick Grayson has deserved for decades now. Yes, he has had some good books, but they’re not even close to what Tom Taylor is doing forNightwing, it has even been nominated for multiple Eisner awards. Even though Grayson has already been a fan favorite for years, Taylor’s book brought in an even bigger and newer audience for the original Robin showing that he can hold his own sharing that comic stand with even the biggest characters in DC.
Dick Grayson is the creator of the Teen Titans, the first Robin,Bruce Wayne’s greatest success, easily one of the most liked and respected among other DC heroes, and the list can go on and on as to why he is so beloved as a character. It is after yet another Crisis event withDark Crisis-this one being actually quite good compared to other DC rebooting events-Dick Grayson is given a leading role in DC by acting as the primary protagonist ofDark Crisis. As the name alludes to, Dark Crisis is yet another Crisis event where Pariah has made a connection with the Great Darkness which he uses to “kill” the Justice League and create a new infinite universe. For the most part, it is a team effort that wins the battle, but if it wasn’t for Grayson’s literal and figurative light, they wouldn’t have been able to succeed. It hammered in the idea that Grayson can be the leader and take over for other characters like Batman and Superman.
This leads to why Dick Grayson becoming the face of DC should lead into the cinematic universe as well. Although he hasn’t had that many appearances on the silver screen, it is time for Dick Grayson to have a portrayal on screen that isn’t immediately forgettable or just downright awful. To some fans of the Teen Titans TV show, they would recognize him, but to mass audiences, most of them know the title of Robin but don’t know any specific ones, and that could be a major benefit going forward with James Gunn’s DC.James Gunn himselfhas shown that the characters on screen don’t need to have had major roles in the past for fans to latch on to. And Dick Grayson being such a likable and relatable character makes it such an easy decision to make him the face of DC going forward.
But most of all, the reason it should be time to shift focus to Dick Grayson is that if Warner Bros. and DC are looking for a fresh start, Dick Grayson might be the easiest way to usher it in. For one, as mentioned before, most audiences are familiar withBatman and Robin, so although Dick Grayson may be new to some audience members, he isn’t completely unheard of, and it would bring a perfect balance of freshness and familiarity. There have been so many different portrayals and films made with the original Justice League line-up that it’s probably time for most of them to be given a break from the limelight. Thus, in comes Grayson and his Titans to set a new standard and cinematic universe.
Will this happen? Probably not, but there is promise for him at least showing up in the future. James Gunn has stated thatthe Batfamilywill show in some form inThe Brave and the Bold. Although it does seem the Robin that will be portrayed in this universe will be Wayne’s biological son, Damien, there is hope for Grayson to show up sooner or later at least in some capacity.
