Many have long argued thatNightwing , asBatman’sfirst partner and the originalRobin , is the rightful heir to the cowling when the Dark Knight steps down or meets his end . Even DC has back this notion , showcasing Dick Grayson get into the cowl during consequence when Bruce Wayne was believed dead or out of perpetration . But with one comic , it ’s become undeniable : Batgirl Cassandra Cain is the true successor to the Dark Knight .

Cassandra Cain ’s competition for the Mickey Charles Mantle of Batman specialise down to her two youngest brothers : Tim Drake and Damian Wayne .

Tate Brombal , Takeshi Miyazawa , and Mike Spicer’sBatgirlrun take a thrilling twist in its 2nd installing , diving deeply into the complex and explosive relationship between Cassandra Cain and her mother , the deadly Lady Shiva , one of the world ’s most formidable assassins .

Split image of Batwoman posing & Nightwing and Robin leaping into battle in DC Comics.

Despite Batman ’s absence seizure from the tale , his shadow looms over every page , a constant monitor of the fundamental influence he ’s had in shaping the hero Cassandra has become . These insidious echoes of the Dark Knight make it increasingly clear thatBatgirl is his true successor — peculiarly for one ground that also divulge why Nightwing can never fully step into the role : Cassandra ’s unwavering claim to Gotham as her own .

“I Will Not Abandon My City.”:Cassandra Cain Proves Why She’s Batman’s True Successor

Comic Panel of Batgirl and Lady Shiva Comes FromBatgirl#2 (2024)

As established inBatgirl#1 , egress # 2 continues the theme of Lady Shiva desperately trying to convince her girl to leave Gotham to take flight from the Unburied — a relentless sect of bravo determined to see both Cass and her mother dead . After scarcely surviving one of their attacks , Shiva insist they maneuver to the train yard to distance themselves from their pursuers . However , Cass firmly replies,“No . I will not abandon my city”(a statement as resolute as any Batman would make ) . These seven run-in underline why Batgirl is the cleared alternative to succeed Batman — Gotham ’s true protector must be someone as unwaveringly devoted to the city as she is .

Batman has always place Gotham above all else , canonically demonstrate it as his one true sexual love , 2nd to none ( see Jason Aaron and Doug Mahnke’sBatman : Off - World ) . Cass ’s declaration that Gotham is her urban center , and her refusal to abandon it even when it would do good both her and her mother , mirrors Bruce ’s unyielding consignment to his home base . In line , this highlights why Dick Grayson is n’t a viable candidate to inherit the Dark Knight ’s mantle — his heart lies not with Gotham but with Blüdhaven , the metropolis he has made his own .

The Two Definitive Reasons Dick Grayson Should NEVER Inherit the Batman Mantle

Comic Panel of Dick Grayson Admitting He Doesn’t Want To Be Batman Comes FromBatman and Robin#2 (2009)

One of the main reasons — perhaps the most important — why Dick Grayson should be unfit from succeed Bruce as Batman is simple : he does n’t want the function . While Dick has taken up the cowl on multiple occasion , most notably after Bruce was dare dead inFinal Crisis , he has systematically made it clean-cut that becoming Batman is something he does out of duty , not desire . This reluctance is especiallyevident inBatman and Robin#2 , where Dick entrust in Alfred that he feels overwhelmed by the responsibility of being Batman and longs to return to his identity as Nightwing .

Even after relinquishing the Batman title and return to the Nightwing mantle in late plot line , Dick maintained his stance . In subsequent comics , he made it clear that he had no desire to ever become Batman again . Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo’sNightwingrun , as well as Dan Watters and Dexter Soy ’s continuation of the serial , further solidify this by reestablishingBlüdhaven as Nightwing ’s true antecedence . Blüdhaven , not Gotham , is the metropolis Dick has claim as his own , and his firm consignment to it only underscores why he is not suited to inherit the Dark Knight ’s cowl .

Sorry, Red Hood & Nightwing, Batgirl Is Batman’s True Equal in Morals and Values

Comic Panel of Nightwing Killing Joker Comes FromJoker: Last Laugh#6 (2001)

While Cass ’s unwavering dedication to Gotham makes her a premier campaigner to beBatman ’s true heir , her unbendable notion in Batman ’s mission , moral , and rules further cement her place as his idealistic heritor — something that can not be say for all of Bruce ’s fry . Despite antecedently being raised to be an assassin , Cass mirrors the Dark Knight ’s conviction , consider the act of wipe out with absolute repulsion . She believes , as Bruce does , that killing is always incorrect , disregardless of the dupe . Among the Bat - Family , no one shares Batman ’s moral code with the same profoundness and unassailable conviction as Batgirl .

On morality alone , there ’s a stiff case for disqualifying both Dick Grayson and Jason Todd as possible successors . Both have demonstrated that they see exceptions to Batman’s“No - Kill”rule . Jason , of course , is the more extreme example , having adopt anti - expansive impression that sure criminals deserve to die . However , even Dick has shown that , under enough pressure , he will get over the pipeline — as seen inJoker : Last Laugh#6 ( 2001),where he kills the Joker . For Batman ’s true successor to carry on his legacy , they must not only stand by to his codification but bear on it with the same unwavering article of faith . Cassandra Cain is the only one who really personify this all important tone .

Tim Drake & Damian Wayne Are Cassandra Cain’s Only Competition for the Batman Mantle

Cover B Card Stock Variant by Dan Mora forTim Drake: Robin#4 (2022)

With Dick Grayson and Jason Todd steadfastly out of the running , Cassandra Cain ’s competition for the mantle of Batman narrows down to her two youngest Brother : Tim Drake and Damian Wayne . On the control surface , Damian may appear to be her strong competitor , as he has been describe in future storylines wearing the cowling and has repeatedly expressed his desire to bear the role . However , despite this ambition , Damian may not be the best choice . While he has adjusted his moral stance to aline with his father’s“No Kill”rule , his adherence seems more stock-still in respect for Bruce and Dick than in a genuine belief that killing is inherently awry .

Additionally , Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Carmine Di Giandomenico’sBatman and Robinseries has hint at underlying tension between Damian and his Church Father . Damian even admits he ’s timid if being Robin or fighting crime is his true course . If Damian is questioning his role as Robin and his dedication to crime - scrap , it raises doubt about his readiness — or desire — to become Batman . This leaves Tim Drake as Cassandra ’s primary competition . While Tim is undeniably brilliant , he can not matchBatgirl’sunparalleled combat skills , making her the Bat - Family ’s most formidableBatmancandidate .

Batman ’s Bat - Family has some of the best script - to - bridge player combatants in the DC Universe like Robin , but some members are doubtlessly stronger than others .

Comic book art: Batman faces the four Robins: Nightwing Dick Grayson, Red Hood Jason Todd, Red Robin Tim Drake, and Robin Damian Wayne.

Batgirl # 2is usable now from DC Comics !

Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson , upon his senescence out of the Robin part and becoming a superhero of his own . Inspired by the original Kryptonian submarine sandwich of the same name , Grayson has risen to comic Koran immortality with the individuality , earn respect as one of the greatest leadership in the DC Universe .

Comic book art: batman by arkham asylum

Nightwing Black Bat Batgirl Cassandra Cain Batman Red Robin Tim Drake

Batgirl #2 main cover

Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.

Batgirl #2 (2024) Cassandra Cain Lady shiva

Batman and Robin #2 Morrison run featuring Dick as Batman and Alfred

Joker the Last Laugh #6 nightwing kills joker

Tim Drake Robin 4 Variant Damian Wayne Dan Mora DC Comics

Nightwing in DC Comics Art by Bruno Redondo

Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.

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Batman