Want to visit Nightwing’s city? Good news: your first stop can be one book. No giant reading pile. No quiz on Batman’s family tree.

Our pick for a new reader: Nightwing Vol. 1: Leaping into the Light. Want to see how Dick’s life in Blüdhaven began? Start with the 1996 stories instead.

This guide offers three ways in. They come from different eras, with big gaps between them. They are not three back-to-back chapters. We keep plot spoilers light.

Start with the original city stories

Read: Nightwing (1996) #1–8, the opening A Knight in Blüdhaven arc.

Chuck Dixon and Scott McDaniel send Dick into the city on a murder case. He finds a criminal world that won’t roll out a welcome mat. Expect a darker crime tale with plenty of action.

Choose this if you want the roots of Nightwing’s bond with Blüdhaven. DC also points to a collection called Nightwing Vol. 1: Blüdhaven. Check for the 1996 issues #1–8 when choosing a copy. DC’s guide to the original arc.

Try the Rebirth return

Read: Nightwing Vol. 2: Back to Blüdhaven, which collects Nightwing (2016) #9–15.

Tim Seeley’s story brings Dick to the city for a fresh start. A murder mystery gets in the way. So much for a quiet move.

Pick this for a look at Blüdhaven in DC’s Rebirth era. Rebirth was a 2016 publishing launch. This book starts partway through that Nightwing series, not at the start of his whole career. DC’s Back to Blüdhaven listing.

Try a later starting point

Read: Nightwing Vol. 1: Leaping into the Light, which collects Nightwing (2016) #78–83.

Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’s run puts Dick back in his adopted city. A killer called Heartless threatens its people. Yes, that name is a warning sign.

This is our suggested first taste of the later stories. Start here, see if you like it, and go back for the older books when you want more. DC’s Leaping into the Light listing.

One small trap: “2016” names the series. These issues belong to the run that began in 2021. Comics numbering likes to keep us on our toes.

What comes after Leaping into the Light?

To follow the next stretch of issue numbers, read these books in this order:

1. Leaping into the Light: Nightwing #78–83.

2. Fear State: the next main-series issues, #84–86, take Dick to Gotham. DC’s linked edition also includes the 2021 annual and a Nightwing/Batgirls story from Batman: Urban Legends #10.

3. Get Grayson: Nightwing #87–91, plus Superman: Son of Kal-El #9. DC lists the contents here.

Fear State is a Gotham side trip. It explains the gap between Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 in these collections.

Check the contents before you buy

“Volume 1” alone is not enough. Match the full title, series year and issue numbers. Bigger books may include stories you already own.

The issue lists here refer to the linked editions. Check the exact copy you plan to buy or borrow, since other editions may collect a different set.

Start small. Read one book. If the city grabs you, there’s plenty more trouble to explore.

Need a quick tour first? Read What Is Blüdhaven?