Dick Grayson revealed the main reason why he refuses to be Batman: the happy cape of the suit
Batman’s succession is a topic that DC has addressed countless times in movies, comics, and video games. For obvious reasons, the candidates are usually his wards, all known as Robin. The vigilante has had several throughout its history, although the most popular (and favorites) are usually Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne. The latter is the son he shares with Talia al Ghul, daughter of Ra’s al Ghul.
Dick Grayson (Nightwing) is usually the favorite candidate between the two for being the first Robin, having more experience and being “the original”. There are many times that he has put on the Batman suit in the absence of Bruce Wayne, although there are also many times that he has admitted that he does not like him. The background has to do with the weight that Bruce’s legacy carries, but Grayson has another reason: the happy cape.
It was in Batman and Robin #2 (2009) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely that Dick Grayson was forced to put on the Batman suit and go out to fight crime with Damian Wayne, Robin at the time. To avoid spoilers, let’s say that things don’t go entirely well. Young Wayne leaves the Batcave after saying very harsh things to Dick and the latter is devastated. Alfred tries to cheer him up, but frustration gets the best of him.
At that moment, he reveals the main reason why he doesn’t like being batman: “This whole idea of replacing Bruce was crazy… and I hate the cape, Alfred. The cape was the first thing I took off when I was alone. It throws me off balance.” The butler, the teacher’s teacher, explains that it is a role or role, and that its strengths depend on who plays it. An elegant way of telling him that if he doesn’t want a cape, then don’t wear it, period.
It should be noted that Batman’s cape is not merely a cape as is the case with Superman, for example. It is a complex tool. Depending on the version of the vigilante, it has different characteristics: it is made of synthetic fabrics and Kevlar capable of molding to glide and resist bullet shots, it provides immunity to fire and electricity and has small leads at the tips so that it does not fly too much and stuns enemies on hit.
Also, there are two points to keep in mind: first, there are versions of Batman without a cape (Batman Beyond) and the wonderful Edna from The Incredibles would totally agree with Grayson: Without a cape! Then misfortunes occur: entanglements, snags, airplane turbines, tornadoes… On the other hand, Batman has a special system to quickly unhook the cape. In short: Dick doesn’t like capes and that’s why Nightwing doesn’t wear them.
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