Nightwing's Head Injury Has Made Him Forget Who Batgirl Is

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for Nightwing #50 by Benjamin Percy, Travis Moore, Chris Mooneyham and Klaus Janson, on sale now.

The final page of Batman #55 showed Nightwing taking a seemingly fatal bullet to the head, thanks to the machinations of The KGBeast. Advance solicitations had already revealed that Nightwing would survive, though, albeit with some significant changes. Nightwing #50, by Benjamin Percy, Travis Moore, Chris Mooneyham and Klaus Janson, begins to explore the impact of Dick Grayson's serious injury – and it's not necessarily what some might expect.

Most notably, there's no drawn-out recovery. Since it was no secret that Nightwing wasn't going to be killed so easily, Percy eschews whatever Dick's recovery process entailed and jumps forward to him simply trying to live his new life. There aren't any extended members of the Bat-family lingering at his bedside, worrying about his prognosis, or coaching him through physical therapy. That's not to say, though, that his recovery isn't without its problems.

Nightwing No More

The first thing that's thankfully apparent is that he hasn't lost his physical adeptness. While trying to enjoy a cup of coffee – and a shot of whiskey – he effortlessly stops a robbery, with moves straight out of Nightwing's skillset. It's immediately clear that he's suffered no lasting physical trauma, avoiding what could have been a predictable retelling of Barbara Gordon's injury that likewise ended her days as one of Batman's sidekicks.

Personality-wise, though, Dick isn't so intact. A nip of whiskey is one thing, but that's not the only vice he's adopted. He's also taken to gambling, and seems to have gotten quite good at it, judging by the stash of cash he always has on hand. He's not spending it all on other vices, though – in fact, there remains some of the heroic altruism he displayed as Nightwing, although it's curiously shifted.

Yes – Nightwing is gone, and so is Dick Grayson, who's now exhibiting the kind of angst like a teenager trying to discover his own individuality – right down to trying on some different nicknames. He generously compensates the would-be victim of the robber he foiled, like the old Dick Grayson might have, but likely would not have done so if not preceded by a lucky hand of poker. He likewise compensates a couple after staying at their home – after breaking in without their permission. "Ric" or "Gray" or whatever he calls himself isn't exactly acting like a villain, but Batman would likely find his behavior less than exemplary.

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Dick Grayson Unleashed

Barbara Gordon certainly does. Reaching out to Dick in search of the person he once was, she finds nothing she remembers. Dick likewise sees nothing he remembers – because he sadly has no memory of her. In fact, Dick is crushingly dismissive of her attempts to reach him. While one might hope that he would give her the benefit of the doubt, he instead is all too willing to cast her aside. The painful exchange reveals the root of his new personality – he has no interest in trying to piece together his past. Instead, he's on a quest to discover what his future should be.

The bridge to his future is one consisting of a reckless present. He takes a new job as a cab driver in Blüdhaven – responsible enough, but when his new boss warns him to look out for trouble, Dick acknowledges that trouble is what he's looking for. When not working, he's seen in underground fight clubs, hanging out in seedy bars, and engaging in overall rash and irresponsible behavior. No one is really seen getting hurt – except those closest to him, who he has no interest in reconnecting with.

It's not just Barbara Dick has forgotten – he has no recollection of his days as Nightwing, and by extension, probably none of the other Bat-family members, either. What's more, he has no desire to try and rediscover these connections. As if to punctuate the point, the issue concludes with Dick destroying his wardrobe of Nightwing costumes, as well as the rest of his underground headquarters.

Memory Loss, or Something Else?

Those last pages offer some possible insight into Nightwing's actual mental state. If he has no recollection of his past, then his ability to recall his hideout is suspect. Perhaps Dick hasn't actually forgotten – he may well remember his past, but instead wants to leave it behind, under the pretense of memory loss. His reasoning might be a consequence of his injury – his personality has changed to the point where he truly no longer is the Dick Grayson everyone knew and remembers.

The scenario leaves open several possibilities for the character's near-term future. As Dick's brain continues to heal, will his old personality begin to try and reassert itself? Will his new one continue to try and dominate, and perhaps lead to even more reckless behavior? Might Dick adopt a new, darker superhero persona, if his memories as a superhero slowly start to return?

And, is Barbara really going to give up so readily? The two have long had a familial bond - one plenty deep enough to motivate Barbara to try harder to reach the man she once knew. Batman also seems a little too willing to let the man who is all but a son to him go so easily - something that Bruce's own father-figure Alfred will undoubtedly discuss with him. Regardless of what happens (or doesn't happen) within the mind of Dick Grayson, and how he acts accordingly, a confrontation or intervention from at least part of the Bat-family feels inevitable.

Dick Grayson's quest to discover his new self continues in Nightwing #51, on sale October 17.