DC Confirms Nightwing's True Love, And 50% Of Fans Won't Be Happy

Published Sep 17, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT

Two relationships stand out in Nightwing's extensive romantic history alongside a series of brief connections across his vigilante career. Dick Grayson's most enduring love interest is Barbara Gordon, who represents a deeply trusted bond forged in the streets of Gotham, contrasted by his passionate romance with Starfire during his formative years leading the Teen Titans. Dick has also engaged in a volatile partnership with Huntress, a brief relationship with reformed Blüdhaven villain Shawn Tsang, and sweet civilian flirtations with his former landlord Bridget Clancy and bartender Bea Bennett.

Each arc and timeline needs to choose one romantic interest to focus on, so fans of one ship may be disappointed when a different one gets all the attention.

Dick Grayson And Barbara Gordon's Romance Thrives Across The DC Multiverse

Dark Knights Of Steel II #3; Written By Tom Taylor; Art By Otto Schmidt & Arif Prianto

In Dark Knights of Steel II, Harley Quinn correctly believes General Amanda Waller intends to harm the Queen, so she contacts the only other person who's suspicious about Waller, Waller's daughter herself, Barbara Gordon, as well as someone they both can trust, a Robin. When Harley and Barbara meet with Dick Grayson, it doesn't take long for Dick and Barbara to lose their focus as they speak, accidentally flirting with each other in front of Barbara's own father, James Gordon. With Dick Grayson's other romantic interests absent or playing drastically different roles in this universe, his romantic relationship with Barbara Gordon can thrive.

Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon’s romance constantly struggles to flourish due to the overwhelming weight of the Bat-Family status quo. Even though they coexist in the same crime-ridden territory, their relationship is often stuck in a loop of sudden departures where one of them breaks things off to protect the other. Dark Knights of Steel II's high-fantasy medieval setting frees both heroes from the burden of headlining their own solo comic titles or juggling alternative identities, so their mutual respect and deep trust can grow naturally, away from a perpetual will-they-won't-they dynamic.

Dick Grayson Has The Same Romance Conflict As Batman

Nightwing Doesn't Have A Definitive Romantic Partner

Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne lack a single lifelong romantic partner the same way characters like Superman, Green Arrow, and Mister Miracle do, with Lois Lane, Black Canary, and Big Barda as their respective second halves. While the Dark Knight has intense entanglements with figures like Talia al Ghul and Catwoman, and Nightwing splits his deepest commitments between Barbara Gordon and Starfire, neither hero has a multiversally permanent relationship across every piece of media. This absence of a singular romantic partner can be a major hurdle for long-term character progression, as consecutive writing teams often undo the romantic growth achieved by their predecessors.

However, Batman and Nightwing's lack of a definitive soulmate can also be a storytelling advantage, as they grant writers creative freedom to explore a wider array of unique narrative dynamics. Since they aren't permanently tied to one single person, DC can change the tone of their stories based on who they're currently paired with. A storyline featuring Nightwing and Starfire can lean heavily into superhero extravaganza, and one focused on Barbara Gordon can lean on Nightwing's street-level grit and detective work. Different partners can challenge Batman and Nightwing's worldviews, test their loyalties, and ensure that their personal lives remain as unpredictable and dynamic as their nightly wars on crime.

Who do you ship Nightwing with?

Dark Knights of Steel II #3 is now available from DC Comics