With the anticipated season 4 release of the HBO Max series Titans, actor Brenton Thwaites returns to reprise his role as DC's most beloved second son, Dick Grayson. As Batman's first Robin, Dick has a long and tenured history in DC Comics. However, eventually growing out of his role as a sidekick, Dick set out on his own, adopting the famous moniker Nightwing.Full of memorable moments and captivating stories, Dick also developed a lauded reputation as a certifiable Casanova among the DC fanbase. A true lover of beauty in its infinite variety, Dick has captured the hearts of fans and many ladies in DC over the years. While most DC fans are aware of the two primary Dick ships, those with Barbara Gordon and Koriand'r, he has dated many others over the years, facts the inventive DC fans meme often.
DickBabs Is True Love
The most tenured 'ship for Dick Grayson should be little surprise to anyone familiar with him. Known as Batgirl, Oracle, or Babs to those closest to her, Barbara Gordon enjoys an intimate and meaningful history with Dick. However, since Batman Family #1, these sidekicks of Batman start something inspiring, building a concrete foundation of trust as allies where their mutual iration would give way to romantic feelings as they grow older.
Although it seemed like the universe itself conspired to keep these two apart for years, fans of the affectionately nicknamed DickBabs would reap the goodness of Tom Taylor's run on Nightwing. Culminating with their cohabitation and resumption of their decades-long romance, DickBabs arrives in a much stronger, more enduring place, much to the delight of DickBabs shippers across the internet.
Dick's Real Superpower
Source: DeviantArt
Since the advent of comic books, fans have used a telltale metric in categorizing their favorite superheroes: their powerset. Indeed, the difference in superpower levels naturally separates heroes into "tiers," like Omega level, etc. This delineation allows fans to appreciate the heroes whose superpowers they most closely identify with, like the DCEU movie deserving Dick.
But, of course, not all heroes' powers are physically identifiable; thus, readers must look beneath the surface. For example, most Dick fans would list nimble acrobat, skilled hand-to-hand combatant, and expert detective as Dick's superpowers, missing his true superpower. So, as die-hard fans artistically reveal, Dick's confirmed albeit obscured superpower is his unmatched ability to captivate and enthrall a wide swath of potential love interests throughout DC.
Epic Fail Dick
Undoubtedly, Dick has one of the biggest hearts in DC. But being human, he's prone to errors in judgment, and never was that more apparent than in Nightwing Annual #2. Conceived as a realignment refresher on pivotal moments in Dick's dating life, Annual #2 fell flat with much of the audience as readers witnessed Babs raked across emotional coals by Dick, both knowingly and unknowingly.
Certainly, one of the most irable elements of DC fans is how they hold heroes able when they act savagely, even heroes as beloved as Dick Grayson. So appropriately, even though it seemed way out of character for him, fans would onish Dick using apropos memes to voice their disapproval of his actions.
Height Is Not A Restriction
Upon first meeting in the acclaimed New Teen Titans #2, Koriand'r of Tamaran would learn how people of Earth communicate from Dick. From that moment, the fires of love spark as fans see their relationship blossom over 14 years as Dick helps Kory adjust to life on Earth, finding love with the Tamaranian Princess.
Arguably the most fan-ed ship in Dick's dating life, even once going so far as to set a wedding date, DickKory draws from the countless instances of their chemistry in comics and other DC media. However, while it's readily apparent that Kory holds a special place in Dick's heart, currently, it is one of friendship.
There's No OTP In The Fandom
All fan favorites possess numerous elements that the fanbase engages with. These fundamental principles differentiate them from other characters and help the readers identify with them. In Dick's case, his relatability and big heart only add to his heartthrob appeal and accentuate interest in his dating life in the eyes of many fans.
Complete with one of the most complicated dating charts in comics, fans have accompanied Dick during all the highs and lows. Unquestionably, Dick fans have come to view his dating life as intrinsic to his character as Haly's Circus or Bruce Wayne. Thus, Dick fans share a vested interest in debates about who he pairs best with, even when their thoughts might cause an uproar among dedicated fans.
True Canon
When debating the finer points of Dick's dating life, fans would be remiss not to mention his first relationship with Bette Kane. Created in 1961 by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff as the niece of the original Batwoman, Kathy Kane, Bette would be conceived as a love interest for the Boy Wonder following questions arising regarding the oft-memed relationship betwixt Bruce and himself.
Then, in post-Crisis continuity, Batgirl Bette would be re-imagined as Flamebird, an ally of Dick's sans romantic feelings. However, despite this, longtime Dick enthusiasts have not forgotten Bette and aspire to remind others of this formative romantic interest of Dick's, comedically, if necessary, using the conveyance of memes.
He Goes Through Phases
Introduced in the New 52, the colorful Defacer, Shawn Tsang, would stand out among the myriad variations in Dick's dating life. Quickly developing a connection, Dick and Shawn would begin dating. In Shawn, herself a reformed criminal, Dick found a kindred spirit and proof that criminals can forsake the criminal lifestyle and truly reform.
Sadly, Shawn would ultimately suffer heartbreak from her kidnapping by Deathwing and near Dollotron transformation by the most terrifying Professor Pyg. The resulting trauma would fracture their heartfelt ship, ending with an emotional farewell from Shawn. Nonetheless, this noted ship in Dick's life spurned maturation in him, a fact gleaned by the observant Dick fans.
Chalant
A welcome variation from the Babs or Kori standards regarding whose best for Dick, this aged-down gem stems from the well-received Young Justice series, where viewers witness a flirtatious dynamic developing between Dick and Zatanna. After a few harmless kisses perpetuated an intense smackeroo between these two young but talented heroes, many DC fans took to Reddit.
There they would artistically conceptualize the Chalant amalgam, affectionately taken from Zatanna's encouragement to a then-Robin Dick to "Be as chalant as you like." Unfortunately, by the time the season 2 Invasion storyline came around, Dick and Z were shown as plutonic, leaving fans miffed about the fate of the magical Chalant.
He's The Total Package
One of the hallmark facets of Dick Grayson's character throughout his time in DC Comics is his ability to inspire romantic feelings in many characters. Clearly, upon further examination, perceptive readers quickly pinpoint the causes of his undeniable magnetism, tracing it to a complete quintet.
Long beloved by DC fans worldwide, Dick possesses the ideal, must-have attributes of intelligence, talent, humor, and sex appeal. Yet, profiling as the total superhero dating package in the DC universe, even variations of Dick throughout the multiverse are highly-prized as potential fathers and romantic partners.
Dick Loves Himself
Learning the sage adage "one must love themselves before they can love others" from an early age, Dick's seemingly boundless love pouring from his championship ticker originates with himself first. Undoubtedly, Dick is keenly aware of his physical and emotional appeal to a wide swath of potential mates in the DC universe. Yet, one of Dick's most endearing qualities is humility.
Remaining one of the most grounded and relatable superheroes today, Dick maintains lasting friendships with most of his exes. But, Dick's unique way of loving and caring and being loved in return starts within and permeates outward through his actions. Thus, perceptive fans meme the best 'ship Dick is involved in also happens to be with himself.