WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Nightwing #74, by Dan Jurgens, Ryan Benjamin, Richard Friend, Rain Beredo and AndWorld Design, on sale now.

Dick Grayson, aka Nightwing, is one of DC's most beloved and iconic characters. The former boy wonder's radical shift to "Ric" Grayson alienated many longtime Nightwing fans. Finally, however, it seems that the era of Ric is over: Dick Grayson is Nightwing once more.

Nightwing's controversial switch to Ric Grayson began in Batman #55, by Tom King and Tony Daniel. In this issue, Batman and Nightwing are patrolling the rooftops of Gotham, when suddenly, Nightwing is shot in the head by the assassin known as KGBeast. This shocking development was part of a plan by Bane to isolate Batman by taking out his closest allies.

Although seriously wounded, Grayson survived this attempt on his life, slowly recovering in the hospital. When he awoke, however, Nightwing suffered from amnesia, remembering nothing after his parents were killed. Grayson then took on the new identity of "Ric Grayson," a meaner, edgier persona than before. Indeed, Grayson shaved his head and became a taxi driver, turning his back on Dick Grayson's old life.

Related: Injustice: Dick Grayson's STUPID Death and Bizarre Return

Nightwing Ric Grayson

Ric also relinquished the Nightwing identity, as Grayson wanted nothing to do with crime-fighting or the Bat-Family. Nevertheless, Grayson's instincts eventually took over, constantly feeling the urge to help others in need. Ric even assisted members of the Bludhaven police who had dressed up in Grayson's old outfits, calling themselves the "Nightwings."

Later on, it was revealed that Grayson's memories had actually been manipulated by the sinister Court of Owls. The shadowy cabal used a memory crystal to create "Ric" in an attempt to turn Grayson into a talon, one of their assassins. Since Grayson's great-grandfather, William Cobb, had been a talon, the court wanted to claim Grayson for themselves. Ric foiled the court's plans to control him, but the battle fragmented his mind more than ever.

This vulnerability enabled the Joker to pounce, using the memory crystal to brainwash Grayson into believing that the Clown Prince of Crime raised him. As the Joker's new sidekick, Grayson fought the rest of the Bat-Family, including the other Robins Jason Todd and Tim Drake, as well as Barbara Gordon, Batgirl. Fortunately, Ric's girlfriend, Bea, used the memory crystal to restore his memories as Dick Grayson.

Nightwing's return to form has been a long time coming. The sudden shift from Dick to Ric Grayson was met with immediate backlash by Nightwing fans. Between the considerably edgy persona and the arbitrary name change to "Ric", fans were not happy with this new status quo.

Related: Why Nightwing Embraced the Darkness and Rejoined the Batman Family

Nightwing Memory Crystal

The primary appeal of Dick Grayson has always been his contrast to Batman. Nightwing is usually the lighter, well-adjusted balance to Batman's dark and brooding nature. Ric Grayson, however, discarded Dick's fun personality for a rougher and meaner attitude. Without Grayson's optimism and chipper attitude, the essence of the character is gone.

Additionally, Dick Grayson is considered by many to be the heart of the DC Universe. Grayson holds a special place in the Bat-Family as the first Robin, he is a founder of the Teen Titans and his close relationship with heroes like Superman demonstrates Dick's role as the connective tissue of DC's heroes. Ric Grayson was the exact opposite, isolating himself from others and consequently leaving a void in the DCU.

The Ric Grayson era was a controversial period for Nightwing. Now, finally, Dick Grayson has returned as the hero fans know and love.

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