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Nightwing issue 100 opens with Dick and Bruce at Alfred's grave, talking about something big that Dick has been asked to do; something that's giving him pause. Considering how often Dick will jump into impossible, dangerous situations, the number of times he's stepped up and become a leader to heroes from around the world, him being unsure about something feels like a moment that matters.
The comic then jumps back a few weeks, to Heartless leading an assault on Bludhaven Prison, where he releases thousands of convicts onto the streets of the city, armed with weapons and sporting masks. Knowing that he's got to tr and stop this, but that he can't do it alone, Dick leaps into action with two important strategies in mind. The first, is to convince decent people to do the right thing. He appeals to the small criminals, the innocent people, the people who had a spot of bad luck, that fighting for Heartless isn't the right thing to do. He asks them to stop. And it works.
This shows one of the best aspects of Dick Grayson, that he's not just going to leap into battle wanting to fight everyone and with the aim of harming people. He always wants to see the best in people. He wants to help, and to give people a chance. And its rewarded here, as most of the escaped criminals throw down their weapons and masks and start helping out.
The other plan he has reflects another aspect of Dick's personality. He has friends. If this were Batman he's be heading off alone to try and do it himself, maybe begrudgingly accepting help from the Bat Fam. But this is Nightwing, and he knows when to ask for help. As such, the Titans arrive in Bludhaven and head out to do some good. With their help Dick is able to bring the riot to an end, and even though Heartless gets away, things go well.
So what has Dick all worried at the start of the book? Well, that's what comes next, as Superman and Wonder Woman ask him to lead the world in the absence of the Justice League, to be the hero that the others look up to. To be the man who protects the Earth. It is indeed a big ask, but thanks to a pep-talk from Bruce that will make you cry, Dick knows that he's the man who can do it.
This issue is setting Dick Grayson up to be one of the most important people in DC going forward; and it's about time. He's one of the best heroes DC has because of the kind of person he is. He can lead, and most every hero will follow him. He looks for the best in people, and will give a chance to those others would write off. He's given his life over to this job, having grown from a kid to a man whilst being a hero. He's as close to an embodiment of what makes heroes good and decent people as Superman is; and he deserves this position.
As someone who has always loved Dick Grayson, who has always seen him as being as capable and decent as heroes like Superman and the rest of the League, this feels like the perfect next step in his story. I don't know if he's just going to be leading the Titans as the Earth's main defenders, or if he's going to be building something else. But whatever it is, it's sure to be fantastic.
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