Nightwing to be the ultimate crimefighter, but when it comes to balancing heroism with a personal life, Nightwing hasn’t just ignored Batman’s advice—he’s sured him, and Batman knows it. Cue the Dark Knight itting in his own words that his son is officially better than him.

Everything Batman does is driven by a desire to improve Gotham City, leaving little room for a personal life

After an earthquake decimates Gotham City in Detective Comics #725 by Chuck Dixon, William Rosado, Tom Palmer, Gloria Vasquez, and John Costanza, Batman and Nightwing have an important conversation about their identities. Nightwing considers becoming a police officer to help people every waking moment of the day.

It’s here that Batman highlights the biggest difference between them: Nightwing balances both his Dick Grayson and Nightwing personas, while Bruce has fully surrendered to the Batman identity, allowing it to consume his entire life.

"It’s like I said, half your life isn't a masquerade. I let this mask takeover my identity. I am Batman. I always will be. I’ve left myself nothing else." – Batman in Detective Comics #725

Bruce Wayne's Life Is Defined By His Batman Identity

Detective Comics #725 by Chuck Dixon, William Rosado, Tom Palmer, Gloria Vasquez, and John Costanza

Batman has dedicated his entire life to fighting crime, including his time as Bruce Wayne. One of the most heartbreaking aspects of his character is that he doesn’t truly exist outside of Batman. Bruce Wayne serves only to run Wayne Enterprises and combat Gotham City’s corruption through charity work. He attends nearly every elite, high-society event, but never for personal enjoyment—only to manipulate his fellow ultra-wealthy into making Gotham a better place. He never truly takes time to enjoy life beyond his mission.

Many fans argue that Bruce Wayne is the mask and Batman is his true self. That’s not entirely accurate. Bruce Wayne is his true self, but he has sacrificed everything to serve the Batman identity. He is completely devoted to the cowl, shaping his entire existence around making Gotham City a better place. Every romantic relationship he’s had has been overshadowed by Batman, preventing him from living a normal life. He can’t take vacations, has few close friends, and, ultimately, all he has is Gotham—a stark contrast to Nightwing.

Nightwing Refused to Let His Vigilante Identity Consume Him

Dick Grayson Still Has a Vibrant Life of His Own Outside His Mask

Dick Grayson has an extensive circle of friends in the DC Universe, encoming both super-powered individuals and regular civilians. Throughout his journey, he has held a variety of jobs that weren't always tied to his crime-fighting career, including roles as a bartender, circus owner, male model, museum curator, and personal trainer. These diverse experiences allowed Dick to step away from his Nightwing identity and attempt to enjoy some semblance of a normal life—something Bruce Wayne has never truly afforded himself.

As the billionaire playboy of Gotham City, Bruce Wayne cannot simply step away from his responsibilities and take on a more ordinary job, like a cab driver. Everything he does is driven by a desire to improve Gotham City, leaving little room for a personal life. This reality is why Batman views Nightwing as someone who is ultimately better off—because Nightwing has the potential to retire one day, perhaps even settle down and start a family. In stark contrast, that’s not a future Batman has ever envisioned for himself.

Detective Comics #725 is on sale now from DC Comics!