CMWaters
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Post by CMWaters on Feb 12, 2017 15:12:39 GMT -5
Here's a little something that I have been wondering, and readers of comics of the time can give me an answer.
After decades of knowing Dick Grayson as Robin, during the events of The Judas Contract, we saw him debut as Nightwing, which despite popular mainstream media he has kept for the most part to this day.
So, among readers here that were reading at the time, what was the reaction to such a major change in that dynamic of Dick Grayson's life?
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Post by A Platypus Rave is Correct on Feb 12, 2017 18:40:36 GMT -5
I wasn't reading at the time (since I was like 1 when the Judas Contract came out.)
but Jason Todd was already also Robin at the time... and for the most part Dick stayed pretty much confined to the Titans.
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Feb 12, 2017 19:59:31 GMT -5
There wasn't really access to fandom at large back then outside of letters pages, so even if there had been any sort of backlash or negativity, it'd have been hard to tell.
But as was mentioned, the role of Robin had already been filled, and this was presented as a logical step for Dick-- to grow into his own role. Both in a textual and meta-textual way, it made perfect sense for that character. It was also smack in the middle of an acclaimed storyline by bar none the favorite creative team ever on that book.
I don't remember it being anything other than positive. But again, even if there were dissenting voices, you wouldn't have heard them outside of maybe letters columns or cons. And honestly, for the most part the readers were still kids and teens at that point anyway.
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Fundertaker
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Post by Fundertaker on Feb 12, 2017 20:05:14 GMT -5
I'm not sure about how well that disco costume was received though  |
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Post by Display Name on Feb 12, 2017 20:15:36 GMT -5
Am I the only one that really digs the "disco" Nightwing look? I'd wear the f*** outta that.
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Post by Mozenrath on Feb 12, 2017 20:17:58 GMT -5
I do find it kind of funny that I used to take for granted that people were aware, in-universe, that Robin had become Nightwing, when that actually wasn't necessarily the case. I recall a story where Argent, a Titan who joined later significantly after the switch, actually wasn't aware he had even BEEN Robin until it was stated around her, I guess a gag about her having to play catch up to team history, but I suppose to the outsider looking in, a Robin was with the Titans but then was with Batman again, without them knowing it was Jason Todd and that Bruce had given Dick an ultimatum that necessitated adopting a new identity.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2017 20:21:23 GMT -5
When I was a kid, I watched the Adam West Batman before I ever read Batman comics, so I knew Robin was Dick Grayson. When I started reading comics, Jason Todd was Robin and Dick Grayson had been Nightwing for just a few years. I thought it was pretty cool personally.
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Post by Mozenrath on Feb 12, 2017 20:21:37 GMT -5
Am I the only one that really digs the "disco" Nightwing look? I'd wear the f*** outta that. I like the costume more on Deadman, but it is fine for its time to me. It has more charm to it than a lot of old costumes, like Beast Boy's awful mask he wore with Doom Patrol. |
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Post by A Platypus Rave is Correct on Feb 12, 2017 20:27:15 GMT -5
I do find it kind of funny that I used to take for granted that people were aware, in-universe, that Robin had become Nightwing, when that actually wasn't necessarily the case. I recall a story where Argent, a Titan who joined later significantly after the switch, actually wasn't aware he had even BEEN Robin until it was stated around her, I guess a gag about her having to play catch up to team history, but I suppose to the outsider looking in, a Robin was with the Titans but then was with Batman again, without them knowing it was Jason Todd and that Bruce had given Dick an ultimatum that necessitated adopting a new identity. that does make me wonder do citizens realize how many Robins there has been? I mean yeah I bet tehy noticed one was new with like Stephanie... but... what about some of the others? |
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CMWaters
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Post by CMWaters on Feb 12, 2017 21:44:15 GMT -5
I do find it kind of funny that I used to take for granted that people were aware, in-universe, that Robin had become Nightwing, when that actually wasn't necessarily the case. I recall a story where Argent, a Titan who joined later significantly after the switch, actually wasn't aware he had even BEEN Robin until it was stated around her, I guess a gag about her having to play catch up to team history, but I suppose to the outsider looking in, a Robin was with the Titans but then was with Batman again, without them knowing it was Jason Todd and that Bruce had given Dick an ultimatum that necessitated adopting a new identity. that does make me wonder do citizens realize how many Robins there has been? I mean yeah I bet tehy noticed one was new with like Stephanie... but... what about some of the others? I think that depends on how much in the public eye the members of the Bat-Family are in the public eye in comics at any point. |
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Post by Kevin Hamilton on Feb 13, 2017 1:06:29 GMT -5
Am I the only one that really digs the "disco" Nightwing look? I'd wear the f*** outta that. The collar is the only thing I'm not crazy about. Even with that though, Perez is my favorite penciler all time, so I give it a pass. |
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Post by Ultimo Gallos on Feb 13, 2017 6:18:29 GMT -5
Here's a little something that I have been wondering, and readers of comics of the time can give me an answer. After decades of knowing Dick Grayson as Robin, during the events of The Judas Contract, we saw him debut as Nightwing, which despite popular mainstream media he has kept for the most part to this day. So, among readers here that were reading at the time, what was the reaction to such a major change in that dynamic of Dick Grayson's life? When that happened I was only going to the comic shop once a month and mostly getting my comics thru mail subscription or off the spinner rack. But the people I knew at the time that were reading NTT or the other Titans title,can't remember which one the actual switch over happened in,seemed to enjoy the idea. Honestly I am one of the people that prefers Batman as a solo hero. Even on teams I don't care for him much,outside of the early days of the Batman and the Outsiders series. But yeah moszt of the fan reaction seemed to be positive. I will thru my stacks of old issues of 80s era fan press mags and see if I have any from that era.Got me curious if I was the only one reading stuff like Amazing Heroes or The Comics Journal back in the 80s. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2017 0:42:43 GMT -5
Honestly the main question I have on it is wondering how many readers went, "Wait, they named it after a random Superman story from 20 years ago?"
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CMWaters
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Post by CMWaters on Feb 14, 2017 0:44:12 GMT -5
Honestly the main question I have on it is wondering how many readers went, "Wait, they named it after a random Superman story from 20 years ago?" Why not? Back then, besides Batman, wasn't Superman one of the big name heroes Robin spent the most time with? Only makes sense he'd hear that story, keep that name in mind, and when the time came: bam, new name. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2017 0:54:54 GMT -5
Honestly the main question I have on it is wondering how many readers went, "Wait, they named it after a random Superman story from 20 years ago?" Why not? Back then, besides Batman, wasn't Superman one of the big name heroes Robin spent the most time with? Only makes sense he'd hear that story, keep that name in mind, and when the time came: bam, new name. Oh, it makes perfect sense, I could just see where as a reader that would be a completely random story to dig up. |
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Post by Mozenrath on Feb 14, 2017 1:35:34 GMT -5
Honestly the main question I have on it is wondering how many readers went, "Wait, they named it after a random Superman story from 20 years ago?" Why not? Back then, besides Batman, wasn't Superman one of the big name heroes Robin spent the most time with? Only makes sense he'd hear that story, keep that name in mind, and when the time came: bam, new name. Yeah, I think Dick actually said he got it from that and just liked the name. |
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CMWaters
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Post by CMWaters on Feb 14, 2017 1:42:44 GMT -5
Why not? Back then, besides Batman, wasn't Superman one of the big name heroes Robin spent the most time with? Only makes sense he'd hear that story, keep that name in mind, and when the time came: bam, new name. Yeah, I think Dick actually said he got it from that and just liked the name. Does make me wonder how he picked the name in the DCAU, since Batman didn't meet Superman until after TAS was over, the redesign happened, and presumably Dick went off on his own. |
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Post by Bub (BLM) on Feb 14, 2017 1:42:50 GMT -5
Why not? Back then, besides Batman, wasn't Superman one of the big name heroes Robin spent the most time with? Only makes sense he'd hear that story, keep that name in mind, and when the time came: bam, new name. Yeah, I think Dick actually said he got it from that and just liked the name. He did, but that's something I believe Chuck Dixon added to the character much later during one of his phenomenal runs. |
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Post by Mozenrath on Feb 14, 2017 2:10:22 GMT -5
Yeah, I think Dick actually said he got it from that and just liked the name. Does make me wonder how he picked the name in the DCAU, since Batman didn't meet Superman until after TAS was over, the redesign happened, and presumably Dick went off on his own. Might've just been like, "Robins and bats have wings, I fight dudes at night, Nightwing works why not." |
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Post by AFN: Judge Shred on Feb 14, 2017 4:00:56 GMT -5
Am I the only one that really digs the "disco" Nightwing look? I'd wear the f*** outta that. I sure as hell do, I loved with with Iron Fist and Doctor Strange as well. When I was a kid, I watched the Adam West Batman before I ever read Batman comics, so I knew Robin was Dick Grayson. When I started reading comics, Jason Todd was Robin and Dick Grayson had been Nightwing for just a few years. I thought it was pretty cool personally. I want you to imagine Burt Ward as Nightwing. You are welcome. |
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