Robin Proves He’s an A-List Tactical Genius by Stealing Nightwing’s Smartest Trick

Warning: Spoilers for Nightwing #115

Summary

• Damian Wayne excels at planning escape routes in emergencies due to his distaste for social events.
• Nightwing also shows expertise in mapping escapes in various situations, handing off responsibilities to Damian.
• In
  Nightwing
  #115, Damian’s knowledge proves crucial in leading attendees to safety during a fire evacuation.

When Robin is faced with an emergency in a packed building, he proves just how much he’s surpassed Nightwing as a tactical genius. Damian Wayne‘s hatred for formal occasions lends itself well to his tactical abilities: he immediately identifies the best exits when the fire alarm is pulled at a charity event. However, Damian isn’t the only Robin who prides himself on effective escapes.

Damian attends the Alfred Pennyworth Foundation fundraiser, begrudgingly wearing a tuxedo as a favor to his older brother (and Robin predecessor), Dick Grayson. His displeasure is evident (and slightly amusing) to his family in attendance. But Robin’s distaste for the formal setting benefits everyone at the event when the fire alarm goes off and the building needs to be evacuated.

In Nightwing #115 by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo, Barbara asks with impressed surprise if Damian knows the best escape routes out of every building he enters. Channeling his father, Damian replies with a brooding and severe “yes.”

Robin Proves He Learned Some Essential Tactics from Nightwing

Panels from Nightwing #90 by Tom Taylor, Geraldo Borges, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott

As founder of the Alfred Pennyworth foundation, Dick Grayson runs multiple affordable housing programs, and as a result, owns a few buildings in Blüdhaven. Dick even owns his own apartment block, and Nightwing demonstrates how well he knows the routes through his own buildings in emergencies. In Nightwing #90, for example, Nightwing rescues his residents from an attack. With only a moment’s notice, Dick clears his building of residents and gets everyone to safety.

Robin’s duty in an attack is often getting civilians clear while Batman goes after the villain.

This skill with mapping escape routes doesn’t only benefit humans. In the landmark issue Nightwing #87 (“Get Grayson” by Taylor, Redondo, Lucas, and Abbott), hitmen after Dick Grayson – not Nightwing – kidnap his dog Haley in an attempt to draw him out. Nightwing’s agility as he swings through the apartment building, taking out thugs as he goes, demonstrates an intimate familiarity with the space. This crucial ability is particularly important for Dick and Damian, as a Robin’s duty in an attack is often getting civilians clear while Batman goes after the villain.

Damian Wayne Has Expanded On Nightwing’s Skill At Escapes

Dick Grayson Trained Damian as Robin in Batman and Robin by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely

Despite his experience with escapes, Dick doesn’t lead the evacuation himself in Nightwing #115. Instead, Dick places Damian and Barbara in charge of getting people to safety. Here, he relies on Oracle’s established skill with clear communication and leadership, but he’s placing all his faith in Damian’s evacuation route. Trusting his younger brother’s expertise, Nightwing literally hands off the leash – not just to his “adorable dog,” but to the Gotham gala crowd, which he’s likely led to safety himself dozens of times in the past.

Nightwing may be taking point on the danger, but when it comes to the crowd, he’s confident in Damian’s knowledge and ability. With Bruce and Dick searching the interior, Damian Wayne will be in charge of the safety of the attendees as they make their way clear of the fire as Robin finally steps up as the tactical expert he was always meant to be.

Nightwing #115 is available now from DC Comics.