Nightwing is becoming evermore popular, while Batman's popularity stays about the same. I am optimistic that some day Dick will finally rise above his mentor in some way, if not in all ways, just based on the fact that he is so much more adaptable and is still constantly evolving. However, I must agree that he has been belittled just based on the fact that Batman is the "original" and has been around a couple years longer. Yeah, I get it. Batman has been an iconic hero for ages. He is a favorite among all ages. He is the Dark Knight and all that. The bottom line is that Nightwing should not suffer for the image of his mentor. Somehow that undermines their relationship, and Dick's reasons for becoming Nightwing. Frankly, as long as this continues, Dick is still in the shadow of the Bat. And to be honest, Batman is NOT superior to Nightwing in all ways, just like Nightwing is not superior to Batman in all ways. To each his own strengths, basically. THAT is how they should be treated. The same goes for Wally, Donna, and yes, even Tempest. These characters are not sidekicks anymore, nor are they inferior clones of their mentors, so why should they be treated that way? You know, sometimes it just hits me square. That feeling that if DC let these characters grow and function as they should, DC would be so much more successful. DC should really stop pitting these guys against each other and worrying about superiority, and start thinking about how to let each character grow into a unique person that will some day bring DC to the top of the comic book lists. As I said before though, tides are beginning to change. Nightwing is slowly overtaking his mentor in popularity. And if this Young Justice thing works out as well as it could, his popularity could skyrocket even past that mark. I can't tell if that'll be good or bad, but all I know is that change is coming. The only questions now are is DC ready to accept that Dick, Wally, Donna, Garth, and others are getting ready to take iconic positions of their own, and if they are strong enough to let them.
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