With world-ending threats like Doomsday and the Phantom Zone looming, Superman has been far faraway from his ‘street-level’ heroics, typically caught up in intergalactic battles or saving the world. Nevertheless, DC has quietly reintroduced the idea of a ‘street-level Superman’—however this time, it’s not the Man of Metal himself; this street-level Superman is a part of the Bat-Household.
…the primary Robin was as a lot a sidekick to Superman as he was to Batman.
Earlier than diving into the id of this mysterious ‘street-level Superman,’ it is price clarifying what we imply by ‘street-level.’ Road-level heroes function in city environments, confronting native, grounded threats fairly than world-ending or cosmic risks. These characters sort out crime, corruption, and private struggles of their cities, making them extra relatable than superheroes who cope with international or intergalactic points.
For years, Superman has been firmly within the latter class, leaving followers with out the street-level heroics that when outlined him. Nevertheless, because of Dan Watters and Dexter Soy’s Nightwing run, DC has remodeled Dick Grayson right into a street-level Superman.
Nightwing Is Primarily a Road-Degree Superman (& It’s Past Good)
Cowl C Babs Tarr Variant for Nightwing #122 (2025)
Some is perhaps questioning if Nightwing has just lately obtained a Kryptonian power-up or taken on a Tremendous-Household moniker to turn out to be DC’s ‘street-level Superman,’ however the reply is not any—Dick Grayson has achieved neither. What actually qualifies him as a ‘street-level Superman’ is how he embodies the identical core beliefs because the Man of Metal, all whereas being deeply concerned within the gritty heroics of crime-fighting and tackling corruption in his metropolis. In brief, Dick Grayson exemplifies the compassion, kindness, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to humanity that outline Superman, and it’s this mix of Superman’s beliefs together with his street-level strategy that earns him the title of a street-level Superman.
Although Nightwing is formally a part of the Bat-Household, his strategies and demeanor align extra carefully with Superman’s, making it really feel as if we’re watching Superman function by Dick. The truth that Nightwing’s moniker has Kryptonian origins additional strengthens this comparability. Whereas Clark is at the moment embroiled in larger-than-life threats like these from the Phantom Zone or Doomsday, taking him away from the streets of Metropolis, followers can nonetheless expertise the essence of the ‘street-level Superman’ by Dick Grayson. This connection is additional emphasised once we acknowledge that, in some ways, Dick has been not solely Batman’s protégé however Superman’s as effectively.
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Dick Grayson Is the Very Better of Batman AND Superman
Cowl E 1:25 Dexter Soy Variant for Nightwing #123 (2025)
Lengthy-time followers of Dick Grayson’s Robin, in addition to these having fun with Mark Waid’s Batman / Superman: World’s Most interesting run, can acknowledge that in some ways, the primary Robin was as a lot a sidekick to Superman as he was to Batman. Dick basically grew up alongside Bruce and Clark, studying from and being impressed by each of them. The bond between Superman and Dick turns into much more obvious once we contemplate that after leaving his function as Robin, a distraught Dick sought out Clark for steering. Superman not solely comforted him but additionally shared the story of Nightwing and Flamebird, inspiring Dick’s eventual moniker.
Superman’s admiration for Dick is additional evidenced by his canon assertion that Dick is his favourite Robin, in addition to his request for Nightwing to mentor his personal son, Jon Kent. These moments underscore the deep respect and bond between the 2. It’s no shock, then, that Dick Grayson grew right into a hero embodying the perfect qualities of each Batman and Superman—these two icons basically raised him collectively. Given this, it’s not a stretch to assert that Nightwing is DC’s street-level Superman, as he’s not solely Batman’s successor but additionally the Man of Metal’s, upholding Superman’s most defining beliefs.
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Dan Watters & Dexter Soy’s Nightwing Is One in all DC’s Finest Ongoing Runs
Foremost Cowl by Dexter Soy & Veronica Gandini for Nightwing #124 (2025)
Whereas Dick Grayson has lengthy embodied Superman’s beliefs all through his heroic profession, Dan Watters’ Nightwing run excels at capturing his characterization. It’s by this portrayal, mixed with a return to Dick’s street-level heroics, that Watters and Soy have created considered one of DC’s finest ongoing runs. The collection is stuffed with coronary heart, motion, and surprising twists—parts that make it a fascinating story. Nevertheless, it’s the best way each Batman and Superman’s influences shine by in Nightwing’s heroics that make this run actually particular, making it a must-read for all followers of the Authentic Boy Marvel.
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