The following article contains spoilers from Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #4, on sale now.

Over the course of DC's latest crisis, multiple heroes from across the world have coordinated to stem the tide of chaos. However, one hero in particular, Nightwing, has been absent from the fight; consumed by his own personal grief. Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #4 (by Joshua Williamson, Daniel Sampere, Alejandro Sanchez, and Tom Napolitano) took the opportunity to shake him from his grief, reminding him of the important role he plays in the superhero community.

Green Lantern took the time to remind Nightwing that symbols are an important part of being a hero. Sure, the Justice League and Justice Society are just titles, one doesn't need them to be heroes, but what they represent is more important than the status it brings. In their absence, those who were inspired by that heroic legacy have picked up the torch, and they need Nightwing to help guide them because he was the first among them to do so.

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Green Lantern Believes in Heroes

This series, while it is an examination of what would happen without the Justice League around, is also an analysis of symbols within the DC Universe. After the Justice League was declared dead the world almost immediately fell into chaos. Villains became convinced the world was ending and went on a rampage, people started losing hope and preaching that the end times were upon them, and government agencies have been abusing their authority.

It wasn't because the Justice League held all of this back intentionally, it was their presence that prevented it. As long as they were around, the people of Earth felt safe. Without them, tomorrow seems less and less certain. The same can be said for Nightwing. In the absence of the Justice League, a number of heroes had to pick up the slack to keep the world safe, but they're all exhausted, and grieving in their own ways.

They need something to rally behind. Jon Kent tried to give them that with his new Justice League, but he is still a relative newcomer to the scene. As much as he is a symbol of tomorrow, what was needed now is the foundation upon which their entire community was built. So, who better to represent this than Nightwing?

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Nightwing is an Important Symbol

As the first Robin, the first sidekick really, Nightwing was the first example of someone willing to carry on the fight that heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman began all those years ago. He in turn became an inspiration for others, beginning a heroic legacy that spanned years. Nightwing was the first person bold enough to try and live by the examples others provided for him, and that courage is what everyone else needs now.

Green Lantern was right, as the first among them to begin building upon the legacy left for them to inherit, Nightwing is a symbol of how there is light in the darkness. If someone like him could exist even without Batman around, then there is a chance for the world after all. Nightwing just needed to be reminded that he is as much a symbol as he is a hero.