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Nightwing: One-Shots
Nightwing: Secret Files & Origins #1
A retelling of Dick Grayson's origin tale--from his early days as Robin to taking on the title of Nightwing--offering hints of where the Nightwing name came from! Also: Nightwing and Oracle discuss Dick Grayson's lost loves, a "lost pages" sequence focusing on the Teen Titans, and more!
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 24, 2019
I did like finding out that Dick had a talk with Superman after retiring Robin, but I thought it was silly that he derived Nightwing from a Kryptonian of the same title (albeit spelled differently). And it was sweet knowing that Barbara was Dick's first crush, but shouldn't Barbara have known this by now? It seems to contradict other stuff I've read like Birds of Prey #8 and that Nightwing Annual, both of which are part of this post-Crisis continuity.
September 1, 2017
if you're an avid nightwing fan, you don't want to miss out on this one. a good getting to know nightwing more read.
August 14, 2025
bellísima toda la historia y ese pedacito de lost pages de los teen titans pero casi me vomito con las escenas románticas del d*ckbabs
August 14, 2025
This is another book I’ve read a dozen times and I’ve probably collected 90% of all the Secret Files & Origins books out there. They serve as a kind of ‘Greatest Hits’ albums for whichever hero they are profiling (though there are some exceptions). It should be easy to get rid of these books, but it’s not.
”Taking Wing” is a priceless Nightwing story and the first time I read it, the surprise floored me.
Knocked out by a gang of criminals in Blackgate prison, Nightwing starts hallucinating and talking to Robin. He tells of his origin at Haly’s Circus. Then his time as Robin the Boy Wonder. Remembering Batgirl when she came aboard.
All of these are brief so it definitely assumes you know something of his history, but each page is like a poster.
He remembers being fired by Batman and getting together with the Teen Titans.
”What a hardcase.”
”It’s his game. When you play it, it’s his rules.”
”I always thought he’d lighten up.”
”Then you didn’t know him.”
He remembers when he quit the Titans with Wally West.
He remembers going to Superman to talk about what to do with the rest of his life. He admits he always thought someday he’d be Batman.
Superman then (out of nowhere) tells him the story of an ancient super-hero on Krypton. Called Nightwing. It’s pretty weird advice and you’d think Superman would have a better story, but it is a dream/hallucination.
Superman leaves out that this was actually himself and his pal Jimmy Olsen! And the costume of Nightwing here is a heckuva lot less goofy than the original. Of course, they have rebooted that particular legend several times. That’s a collected trade paperback I’d buy though, but I bought the original Super Sons TPB so don’t trust my taste.
Then Dick remembers going back to the Titans and falling in love with Starfire. Robin teases him about all the other women that came into Nightwing’s life. (There’s one blonde I don’t remember!)
Finally he remembers coming to Bludhaven.
Then Robin takes his leave and Nightwing wakes up. Surrounded by super-villains.
And we see one of the biggest keys to Dick’s character. He enjoys it and he has since he was a kid (exact age still under debate…).
Next’s is the ‘Who’s Who’/Marvel Universe’ style entry. Haly’s Circus gets an entry as well.
We then get four ‘lost’ pages from the Teen Titans, telling about when Dick quit the first time. Done by Phil Jimenez & Mark McKenna, are really good and would look right in place next to Perez. We’ve often seen the story of what Batman does on the anniversary, but what does Dick do?
Supporting Cast is a ‘Who’s Who’ entry about the Nightwing cast.
Next a 3D map and exterior drawing of Nightwing’s home in Bludhaven. I love this kind of stuff!
The next two pages tell a story of a typical day with Nite-Wing. A wannabe hero that is a picture of what most comic book readers life is probably like (including mine).
A ‘Who’s Who’ entry from Nite-Wing is next.
Next is a map of Bludhaven with an inset showing its relationship to Gotham.
Next is ‘Who’s Who’ entries for some of Nightwing’s unique super-villains: Brutale, Double Dare (red-headed twins!), Lady Vic, Shrike, Stallion and of course Blockbuster (Nightwing’s ‘Joker’).
Next is what looks like Nightwing’s bulletin board with photos and hand-written notes about various underworld characters Nigthwing has delt with.
A ‘Who’s Who’ entry for Torgue follows.
”Orange You Glad I Didn’t Say Banana?” is a wonderful and charming story written by Devin Grayson and drawn by Brian Stelfreeze of just Barbara Gordon and NIghwing talking. I just can’t explain how much fun the art is and how great the writing is. Barbara is trying to guess who was the first crush Dick had.
Next is ‘Who’s Who’ of the Bludhaven Police Department.
Next is the Nightwing Timeline. It starts at “Year One” when Batman offers Dick training. “Year Four” says that Dick has reached ‘driving age’ so if we assume that is 16, then that has Robin starting a 12 years old which doesn’t seem right at all. “Year to Present” takes up a page.
The last page is a ‘Final Evaluation’ of Richard Grayson as a police officer.
A boatload of great information and stories. Highly recommended for fans. 5 stars and a keeper.
”Taking Wing” is a priceless Nightwing story and the first time I read it, the surprise floored me.
Knocked out by a gang of criminals in Blackgate prison, Nightwing starts hallucinating and talking to Robin. He tells of his origin at Haly’s Circus. Then his time as Robin the Boy Wonder. Remembering Batgirl when she came aboard.
All of these are brief so it definitely assumes you know something of his history, but each page is like a poster.
He remembers being fired by Batman and getting together with the Teen Titans.
”What a hardcase.”
”It’s his game. When you play it, it’s his rules.”
”I always thought he’d lighten up.”
”Then you didn’t know him.”
He remembers when he quit the Titans with Wally West.
He remembers going to Superman to talk about what to do with the rest of his life. He admits he always thought someday he’d be Batman.
Superman then (out of nowhere) tells him the story of an ancient super-hero on Krypton. Called Nightwing. It’s pretty weird advice and you’d think Superman would have a better story, but it is a dream/hallucination.
Superman leaves out that this was actually himself and his pal Jimmy Olsen! And the costume of Nightwing here is a heckuva lot less goofy than the original. Of course, they have rebooted that particular legend several times. That’s a collected trade paperback I’d buy though, but I bought the original Super Sons TPB so don’t trust my taste.
Then Dick remembers going back to the Titans and falling in love with Starfire. Robin teases him about all the other women that came into Nightwing’s life. (There’s one blonde I don’t remember!)
Finally he remembers coming to Bludhaven.
Then Robin takes his leave and Nightwing wakes up. Surrounded by super-villains.
And we see one of the biggest keys to Dick’s character. He enjoys it and he has since he was a kid (exact age still under debate…).
Next’s is the ‘Who’s Who’/Marvel Universe’ style entry. Haly’s Circus gets an entry as well.
We then get four ‘lost’ pages from the Teen Titans, telling about when Dick quit the first time. Done by Phil Jimenez & Mark McKenna, are really good and would look right in place next to Perez. We’ve often seen the story of what Batman does on the anniversary, but what does Dick do?
Supporting Cast is a ‘Who’s Who’ entry about the Nightwing cast.
Next a 3D map and exterior drawing of Nightwing’s home in Bludhaven. I love this kind of stuff!
The next two pages tell a story of a typical day with Nite-Wing. A wannabe hero that is a picture of what most comic book readers life is probably like (including mine).
A ‘Who’s Who’ entry from Nite-Wing is next.
Next is a map of Bludhaven with an inset showing its relationship to Gotham.
Next is ‘Who’s Who’ entries for some of Nightwing’s unique super-villains: Brutale, Double Dare (red-headed twins!), Lady Vic, Shrike, Stallion and of course Blockbuster (Nightwing’s ‘Joker’).
Next is what looks like Nightwing’s bulletin board with photos and hand-written notes about various underworld characters Nigthwing has delt with.
A ‘Who’s Who’ entry for Torgue follows.
”Orange You Glad I Didn’t Say Banana?” is a wonderful and charming story written by Devin Grayson and drawn by Brian Stelfreeze of just Barbara Gordon and NIghwing talking. I just can’t explain how much fun the art is and how great the writing is. Barbara is trying to guess who was the first crush Dick had.
Next is ‘Who’s Who’ of the Bludhaven Police Department.
Next is the Nightwing Timeline. It starts at “Year One” when Batman offers Dick training. “Year Four” says that Dick has reached ‘driving age’ so if we assume that is 16, then that has Robin starting a 12 years old which doesn’t seem right at all. “Year to Present” takes up a page.
The last page is a ‘Final Evaluation’ of Richard Grayson as a police officer.
A boatload of great information and stories. Highly recommended for fans. 5 stars and a keeper.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews