Nightwing has develop into part of the “Joker Household”, as one more twist that Joker has pulled out as DC’s “Joker Conflict” occasion kicks off. (Spoilers) In Nightwing #72, Barbara Gordon/Batgirl solutions an impromptu fiery Bat-signal from Ric’s girlfriend Bea. Barbara is available in her civilian guise, however Bea has a narrative to inform that requires some Bat-style assist. Joker ambushed Nightwing and tried to make use of the identical mind-altering crystal the Court docket of Owls used whereas attempting to show Dick/Ric right into a Talon. In accordance with Nightwing’s story, he defeated Joker and smashed the crystal – however when Ric begins performing bizarre, Bea fears one thing up.
Barbara fits up and goes searching for Dick, Rick, Nightwing, or no matter he is develop into in his new red-and-blue go well with. She finally ends up discovering him on a rooftop, although Ric has a little bit of multiple-personality enjoyable at Batgirl’s expense. Nevertheless, the reunion is short-lived: Ric and Barbara are ambushed by Joker’s new sidekick Punchline, who goes a spherical with Batgirl within the battle followers wish to see (proper after Punchline’s current scrap with Harley Quinn, after all…).
In a ultimate twist of the difficulty, Ric intervenes within the battle between Batgirl and Punchline, solely to disclose that he the truth is obtained brainwashed by the crystal, and is now Joker’s “son.” As Joker emerges from the shadows, Joker-Ric reveals that he has been given the dignity of slaughtering Batgirl himself. Joker simply provides his “youngsters” a hug, wishing that Bruce Wayne/Batman may very well be there to see.
(Picture: DC Comics)
Assuming that Barbara survives this assault by Joker-Ric, that is nonetheless a reasonably tragic flip for Dick Grayson’s character. The years since DC’s “Rebirth” occasion have not been variety to Dick Grayson. He was shot within the head by KGBeast and misplaced his reminiscence, creating the questionable “Ric” persona; the courtroom of owls scrambled his recollections/brains attempting to program him right into a Talon; it is all given Dick an existential breakdown about being influenced by Batman, The Court docket of Owls, or anybody else; and now his thoughts is enslaved to Joker. Even when Nightwing comes out of “Joker Conflict” alive and again in charge of his personal thoughts, the trauma that Joker can have brought on him will in all probability reverberate by means of DC Comics for years.
To this point, “Joker Conflict” is kicking off with Joker having stolen Bruce Wayne’s complete fortune and belongings; Catwoman and Harley Quinn are gravely injured and off the board; all the opposite villains are in hiding, and now Dick Grayson is Joker’s right-hand man. The stakes for this occasion could not be greater.
“Joker Conflict” is now kicking off in Batman comics.