Warning: Spoilers for Titans #6!

Summary

• Starfire never had a mentor or wealthy upbringing like Nightwing, showcasing her independence and strength.
• Starfire's tragic childhood and lack of privileges made her into a powerful warrior.
• Unlike Nightwing, Starfire saved herself and learned to care for the universe despite its harshness.

Starfire will always hold some surprising similarities to her ex, but she and Nightwing will never be alike in one tragic way: Starfire never had a mentor to save her. Before DC decided to go all in on his relationship with Barbara Gordon, Nightwing was frequently paired romantically with his fellow Titan member, Starfire, but she has a long history that's still completely separate from her famous ex.

With that iconic relationship between Nightwing and Starfire comes similarities and one big difference, which are illustrated by Kory herself in Titans #6 by Tom Taylor and Travis Moore. The issue revisits Starfire's origin story, and, in doing so, the character herself points out the stark difference between herself and her former beau, Dick Grayson.

That key difference is that Starfire continued to live a life of great turmoil and pain after she faced tragedy in her childhood, whereas Dick gained a new adoptive father and inherited immense wealth after his own tragic childhood loss. Pointing out this distinction showcases not only Starfire's journey into prominence but exactly why, unlike Nightwing, she was never anyone's sidekick.

Nightwing and Starfire Had Majorly Different Childhoods

The beginning of Titans #6 focuses on Starfire on her home planet Tamaran, recollecting her humble beginnings as a child, all while present-day Kory narrates. She recalls her mother and father, the King and Queen, being called into the Council Chambers on what began as a normal day. The day quickly derails when the planet is invaded by the Citadel, who murders her parents within seconds — along with countless other Tamaraneans. Much of the ordeal topples the planet's landmarks into ashes as well.

During the flashback, Starfire mentions that this is where she and her former partner Dick are the same. They may not share hobbies or favorite movies, but they share the trauma of losing parents at a young age. Unfortunately for Kory, that's where the similarities end, as, unlike Kori, Dick gained a wealthy parent after losing both of his biological parents — a parent who would raise him to become a "warrior." Nightwing's training under Batman allowed him to gain a new family that only continued to grow over the years. Kory, meanwhile, was alone and enslaved by the Citadel. She had no Bruce Wayne to rescue her; as she says in her narration, "I saved myself."

Starfire's Tragic Independence Made Her Into a Warrior

Though she began her life as royalty, Starfire ultimately didn't grow up with the same privileges as Nightwing did, but she still became a warrior despite her shortcomings, which is all the more impressive. She grew into not only being at the forefront of DC's new premier team, but arguably being the team's most powerful member. While Nightwing, as a child, was saved and surrounded by a family of fighters who helped mold him into one of DC's best heroes, Starfire became the best by overcoming tragedy completely independently, learning how to care for the universe despite how harsh it once was to her.

Titans #6 is on sale now from DC Comics.