Only Robins have wings

I can only think of one time that Dick has died in the main continuity; that time in Forever Evil 🤷🏼‍♀️ He's been near death several times, but not so that his heart stopped.

Unless, of course, you look at different Earths and Elseworlds? Because then he has died several times. More times than I can post images, so I'll have to reblogg and add some more in this fantastically user friendly tool... 🙄

Dick of the (old) Earth Two, who was Robin as an adult, died off panel, I believe. Crisis on Infinite Earths #12.

Superman & Batman Generations # 2

Thrillkiller.

Batman: Dark Knight of the round table.

Dick Grayson of Earth-43. (Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer: Red Rain # 1.)

The zombie event DCeased (DCeased: The Unkillables # 1)

Dark Multiverse: Teen Titans: The Judas Contract

JLA: Riddle of the Beast (where Bruce save Dick’s corpse beside him at the throne)

You know, I can't think of a lot of times... When it comes to Knightfall, it's clear that Dick resented that Bruce didn't ask him first to become Batman, even if he didn't feel altogether comfortable taking up the cowl. And the second time, they had to drag him kicking and screaming into the bat suit, but he did learn to enjoy it and didn't mind staying as the Batman of Gotham when Bruce came back.

After Flashpoint, Dick has stepped in as Batman (for shorter periods) without making a big deal about it. And the last time I remember seeing anything about it, he promised Bruce to become Batman if it was needed.

Nightwing vol 2 # 102

Batman vol 1 # 512, Robin vol 2 # 13, Detective Comics # 725.

Nightwing vol 1 # 1

Nightwing vol 2 # 75 (kinda?)

Batman vol 1 # 687

Battle for the Cowl # 3

Convergence: Detective Comics (not in the main continuity, but anyway...)

All of them. :)

I can’t really chose. With almost 30 years as brothers in the pre-New 52 comics there are many, many moments to chose from. In the comics released since 2011 there is very little interaction between them except for this week’s BaR:E and a couple of all Bats instances in early New 52 Batman and Robin.Even when Tim and the Teen Titans were looking for Dick in Forever Evil, there was no indication from Tim’s side that Dick was his brother, and Tim never made it to Dick’s New 52 Nightwing book, nor Dick to Tim’s Teen Titans I believe (present week excluded?).

In general I would suggest reading all the pre-New 52 crossovers since 1991 because they all have a lot of both Dick and Tim interaction. 

As for the two of them alone, we have to look solely at the pre-New 52 comics. Here are a few favourite moments in random order.

(Red Robin #12)

(Nightwing #46) One of those occasions where Dick is the one who calls Tim for advice and support and not the other way around. 

(Batman #455) Dick comes to Tim’s mother’s funeral. This is part of the very recommended rites of passage issues that introduces Tim to Robin after ALOPD.

(Nightwing #25) Probably the most famous Dick and Tim issue ever. It’s a must-read. 

(Nightwing Annual #01)

(Nightwing #139) One the most heart-breaking of their shared stories.

 (Gotham Knights #11)  A little appreciation and gratitude goes a long way. And from the beginning of the same story: 

(Gotham Knights #8)

(Robin #175) Standing in wait, together, looking for Bruce.

(Robin #176)

(The New Titans #65)

(Nightwing #69) Tim worrying himself out of his mind that Dick gets trapped in the Batcave’s tunnels.

(Detective Comics #874)

(Robin #74) Dick visits Tim before he starts at Brentwood to have a little brotherly bonding session. 

(Robin #47), and naturally along the same vein: 

(Nightwing #142)

(Robin #29)

(Nightwing #06)

(Robin #67) Becasue there’s nothing like wading and sledding through Gotham sewers with your brother…. ;)

(Joker: Last Laugh #06) Another of the heart-breaking ones that show how far Dick is willing to go for his loved ones

(Batman #533) This is from Legacy. There is some insanely good Batfamily interaction here, and Dick and Tim are being dorks.

(Shadow of the Bat #53) This is the aftermath of another of the hearbreaking stories, Contagion in which Tim almost dies of what is most likely the ebola virus.

(Batman #513) From when Dick and Tim were the Dynamic Duo during Bruce’s absence and Dick taught Tim all kinds of domestic things (including cooking, see this post for Tim’s relationship to food).

(Robin #10) That time an alternate Dick!Robin came to visit Tim!Robin and they worked together to solve a case. 

(Shadow of the Bat #32) DickBats v.1 and Tim as the dynamic duo. Also, anyone else get flashbacks from Gandalf’s outburst in The Fellowship of the Ring when he yells “Fly, you fools” when seeing this? I do, at least. :)

(Robin #00) One of the very best early issues. Ties into Knightfall and Prodigal.

(Batman: Orphans) An interesting two-part story about Robins and being orphans. It’s really too bad that the art is ridiculous, because better art would have made this story a lot better. It’s like Batman: Bloodborne too. Horrendous art, great Dick and Bruce story. 

(Red Robin #23)

(Robin #71) Now with added Babs. These dorks…. :)

(The New Titans #60) Li’l fanboy stalker, lol. 

(Detective Comics #699) That time Tim went undercover and ended up in jail together with Two-face and had to be rescued by Dick (and Bruce).

(Detective Comics #698) Now with added Bruce. And another food reference. These guys are fond of pizza. Andoulle is a kind of sausage (I had to look it up).

(Detective Comics #696) This is from Contagion. A must-read for all Tim fans. 

(Shadow of the Bat #94) this scene comes at the very end IIRC of No Man’s Land and Dick and Tim take a little breathe. It should be noted that on the next page DC futzed up majorly and did not show Dick kissing Babs, but Helena, a page they had lying in case their relationship would develop into a romance. As for Dick and Tim, it’s a nice moment though. 

(i'm trying to find an expecific fic were Dick is shot and the Batfamily goes crazy but i don't remember the name :( maybe one of yours can help me find it)

Hi,

Most of these likely aren't what you're looking for, for instance because it's only Dick and Bruce. But you did say recommendations, so I kind of picked most of the fics I’ve bookmarked where Dick is shot.

Job Hazards, by yellowstar128

https://archiveofourown.org/works/1934010

Shooting Nightwing, by Shadowassasin (Darkshardthedestroyer)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/23438113

Bite the Bullet, by BearlyWriting

https://archiveofourown.org/works/19975321

Grapevine, by fanfictiongreenirises

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22661140

The Gratitude Trap, by CKBookish

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22279657

Almost, Nearly, by CKBookish

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28642446/chapters/70208940

Bludhaven's Finest, by Syl

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/1319614/1/Bludhaven-s-Finest

Reconciliation, by paganpunk2

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8552911/1/Reconciliation

Six Bullets for Christmas, by Alexandria-likethecityinEgypt

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10905323/1/Six-Bullets-for-Christmas

Not for me Please, by whumpluvr

(i wish it was like Harry Styles hair but with Ian Somerhalder color)

Hi,

The first part is easy. As far as I am concerned, tiny DickRobin combed his top hair back; two curls usually fell over the forehead.

Detective Comics # 38; World's Finest Comics # 75; Batman: Full Circle # 1;The Untold Legend of the Batman # 2; Superman # 700.

Some time in his teens, he started to part his hair on the side, with a fringe.

Batman # 327; Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe; Nightwing vol 4 # 39; Tales of the Teen Titans # 44; New Titans # 86. 

And in his early 20s, he changed style again. It’s something in between a a longer, floppier version of his childhood style, and a curtains hairstyle.

The look will vary quite a bit. At times, he takes the time to fix that perfect, straight parting. More often than not, he doesn't. Sometimes, the hair almost falls over his eyes, and sometimes - though very seldom - almost all of the top hair states in place combed back. On the whole, it's often a bit longer than Bruce would have liked - after all, there's always something more important than getting a haircut.)

Nightwing vol 2 # 49; Hush; Prelude to the wedding: Nightwing vs Hush; Nightwing vol 4 # 1, # 78.

Now, the second part was trickier... I can't think of a person/photo of exactly how I would picture Dick's adult hairstyle in real life. (Though Brenton Thwaites doesn't look bad in Titans, i m o.) Again, I imagine it would vary a bit but there's usually some hair falling forward. Anyway, here are some ideas.

I don't know what is supposed to make me prefer Dixon's Nightwing Year One (which is an expanded version of what he wrote in Nightwing: Secret Files and Origin, 1999)?

In the stories from 1984, we see very little of Dick's thought process on why he chose his new identity. It's that well-known page in Tales of the Teen Titans # 44 when he puts on the suit. After all, the important story is that Deathstroke has captured the other Titans. It introduces Adeline and Joey Wilson. Dick's new name and outfit is merely a detail.

NYO explores Dick's journey to becoming Nightwing in detail. Why the name; why the costume design; why continue to fight crime; why go back to Gotham (originally, he just went there to give Jason Robin; he was committed to the New Teen Titans, not to helping out in Gotham). That's not a bad idea – too bad about the execution.

Pro (an extended) Judas Contract:

It's Dick's choice that he has outgrown Robin. (Tales of the Teen Titans # 39)

Dick chooses his new identity to honour Bruce and Clark - and also his birth parents and Starfire. Nightwing was a Kryptonian bird; Clark decided to use it as a vigilante name in homage to Batman.

Bruce isn't an asshole who fires and/or kicks Dick out.

Dick has a good relationship with Bruce and Jason.

Bruce scolds Jason when he uses a Robin suit (Batman # 366). Dick gives his blessing for Jason to become Robin (Batman # 368). Dick's history as Robin is respected by everyone involved, even though Robin was not, at this time, a family nickname. (It wasn't even clear that Dick had a saying in how the suit looked.)

Pro Year One.

Uh - I like when Dick goes to Clark for advice and support, which he didn't have to in 1984 because Bruce wasn't an asshole.

We get a reason for the design of Dick's first Nightwing suit - it was inspired by his father's circus outfit. But it's Alfred who finishes the design and adds yellow feathers, mind you.

Points to that Dick goes back to the circus to explore his roots, I guess. But he also did that in the early 1980s, in Robin solo stories, when he had left college. So being kicked out by Bruce isn't necessary for that to happen. (By the way, in 80s, Dick worked with the Hill circus. In NYO, Dixon makes a nod to this because Haly and Hill are in a partnership. Lorna Hill runs the circus in both stories.)

Dick exploring his circus roots in Batman vol 1 # 339 (1981)

Bruce is an asshole in Nightwing Year One, Jason is a brat, the Titans are hardly there and and it gives Barbara more importance for Dick's younger years than I prefer (but then, this is Chuck "co-writer of Robin Year One and Batgirl Year One" Dixon, so what else to expect?). I'm also not a fan of the art...

I think we're meant to read NYO as that the reason Bruce kicked Dick out was that he felt Dick was growing up. This has pretty much been a common denominator in every version. Jim Starlin wrote it in Batman # 416 (1988). Marv Wolfman in Action Comics Weekly # 613 (1988) and the Robin 80th anniversary. And Chuck Dixon in Robin vol 2 # 13 (1995).

Even in NYO, Bruce tries to keep an eye on Dick. He still cares – but he's written as (way, way) worse at handling and expressing feelings.

In Grayson Annual #2, Dick talked as if he had decided to leave Robin himself. But the latest interpretation, in Nightwing vol 4 # 79, is back to that Bruce fired him (but Dick made the choice to leave).

I could probably go on forever if I started looking back in comics... But here's what I can think of at the moment.

If you rely on people to build you up, they can also break you down.

Clay, in Batman Black and White Vol 4 # 6. By Cliff Chiang.

Mr. Logan, I was spouting one-liners even before you turned green with envy.

New Teen Titans # 7. Writer Marv Wolfman.

James was right. I am a softy. And I do try to see the best in people. But that doesn't mean I'm stupid.

Detective Comics # 881. Writer Scott Snyder.

We are who we choose to be, Bruce. Not the role the past says we should play.

Batman Vol 2 # 7 and Nightwing vol 3 # 7. Writers Scott Snyder, Kyle Higgins.

You'll never know if you can fly unless you take the risk of falling.

Secret Origins Vol 2 # 13. Writer Dan Mishkin.

I owe you all more than I can explain. You're my lifeline and my safety net and I've never regretted doing anything I've had the honor to do with you.

(To the original Teen Titans).

Just 'cause it's nice to see you not smiling again.

(To Batman)

JLA/The Titans # 3. Writers Devin Grayson and Phil Jimenez.

I mean, I grew up in a circus. It's always been about catching people when they fall.

In all honesty, no. Partly because I'm sure it's too many to keep track of. (I've collected what I could think of, and it’s a fair number, so I hope you’ll be happy with that.)

And partly because when it comes to Dick Grayson, the line between flirting and overstepping his personal boundaries are blurry, to say the least. And the writers hardly ever acknowledge that it's a problem.

For every time it's clear that Dick is uncomfortable with people touching or ogling him, there are several panels when random strangers throw themselves at him and kiss him. 

There is a difference between writing a person in shock who needs a hug and writing a person uninvited kissing the person who saved them! Ugh. Imagine if some random guy that Black Canary saved would kiss her. Would anyone enjoy that?

Nightwing vol 2 # 147, Nightwing vol 3 # 23.

There are some examples when it's at least clear that Dick is uncomfortable – but it still begs the question, why write it? I think the Annual from last year is the only time Dick actually called the person out on the behaviour. But the way I see it, it would be better if people doing this were told off by other characters. Then it would be clear that it's not acceptable behaviour.

”Dick was always the toughest, ” Bruce thinks to himself that time he accidentally got Superman’s powers. And got a little crazy in the process. And beat up Selina and broke Dick’s jaw, among other things, when Nightwing tried to stop him.

And no, we never did see Bruce apologise for that either.

In the July issue of Tales of the Teen Titans in 1984, 36 years ago, Dick Grayson first donned the codename Nightwing and a blue suit. But what inspired him to pick that name? As we shall see, the origin of Nightwing has varied over the years and in different media. 

When I started writing this post, I meant it to be about the background of the name. By now, a big part of it is about Dick’s transitions from Robin to Nightwing.  

“Superman in Kandor.” By Edmond Hamilton, art Curt Swan and George Klein. Superman # 158 (1963)

The first time (a) nightwing is mentioned is when Superman and Jimmy Olsen visit Kandor and take on secret identities since Superman has been declared an enemy of Kandor. They call themselves Nightwing and Flamebird after two types of Kryptonian birds, in a sort of homage to Batman and Robin.

Ha, okay. Just little characterization/fun fact things. 

Dick isn’t a fan of Alfred’s cucumber sandwiches. 

...like consistently, not a fan lol. 

Dick also doesn’t like cranberry muffins! 

But one of his favorite Alfred dishes is crab stuffed mushrooms (weirdo). 

Dick likes to watch nature documentaries to relax...and as a result he knows a lot of random animal fun facts. 

He really overthinks mystery tv lol...even Scooby-doo (which he apparently has watched with the Titans/Wally before lol? cute).

Dick uses fancy English Dunhill aftershave, which might be why he has that reputation for smelling good haha? Thank Alfred for that peeps. 

Dick tends to have trouble making his home feel like home. He keeps very busy and doesn’t usually care about stuff, so that translates into very minimal decoration...or not even removing his stuff from storage/boxes without some cajoling. 

though once he does finally decorate lol, it does tend to be very sentimental, meaningful items pretty much exclusively (ie family photos, flying grayson poster, etc.)

And he likes mint chocolate chip ice cream according to @hood-ex! I have no idea where that is from but I love it. 

Dick hates coconuts

I'm quite sure there is the page that Dick has some herbal teas in his apartment but maybe Earl Grey is his favorite

Buckwheat Pancakes are also his favorite

Robin!Dick made a pillow dummy when sneaking out

and sure he smells good!

Soooo, I have seen a lot of people comparing the way that Bruce replaced Dick with Jason versus the way that Dick replaced Tim with Damian. (This happened some on my Batfam Replacement Montage post [x], which is what first brought it to my attention.) For some reason, a lot of people come out of this comparison thinking that Dick was not only just as bad and insensitive as Bruce (if they even think Bruce was in the wrong at all that is) but even that Dick is somehow worse. This legitimately confused the heck out of me. I don’t know if people are reading the same comics as me (though honestly with all the retcons and nonsense going on maybe we aren’t reading the same comics), so I’m just going to break each replacement down for you here and maybe you’ll see where I’m coming from when I think that is completely out of left field. 

Let’s start with Bruce. These panels have Dick (as Nightwing) recounting how things between him and Bruce went down (I’ve rewritten the text just below the image if it is blurry): 

Batman #416 

So while I was still laid up in bed, you dropped the bad news on me. No ifs, ands, or buts…I wasn’t to play Robin anymore. You couldn’t continue to assume the responsibility for a child fighting crime. For six years you trained me to be a crimefighter, then denied me that role. Of course, you assured me that it was for my own good. I lay there with a bandaged shoulder and my life in ruins. You smiled. Kicked a great big hole in my life, then walked out of the room. 

Following an encounter with the Joker, Dick is shot in the shoulder and nearly dies. Instead of comforting Dick, Bruce decides to follow up this traumatic event by firing Dick from Robin immediately. Bruce calls Dick a child, disregarding all the time Dick spent training to become Robin and Dick’s own agency, and basically attempts to kick him out of crimefighting all together. This may not be clear because of the image quality, but Dick literally starts crying in that last panel. But it doesn’t stop there: 

I don’t see what option I had, other than to split. Alfred tried to talk me out of it. It was Alfred who forced money on me so I’d have something to live on. You couldn’t even be bothered to say goodbye. 

Despite his concern for Dick being the motivating factor behind the firing, Bruce doesn’t even seem to be aware that Dick is leaving, and so Alfred is the one that tries to convince Dick to stay in Bruce’s stead. And where is Bruce during all this you may ask??

Sorry, he was busy working on a case at the time. And people wonder why Dick didn’t realize Bruce was doing this out of concern rather than distrust of his capabilities. Anyway, Dick leaves, eventually joins the Titans, and becomes Nightwing. Eighteen whole months pass–a freaking year and a half–and not once does Bruce try to get in touch with Dick to sort things out. Then, Dick finds out about his replacement in the newspaper: 

Bruce fired Dick because he didn’t want a child sidekick. Then he goes out and gets a freaking child sidekick, and, even better, makes him Robin. Robin isn’t just a costume to Dick. In many comics, Dick refers to the Robin role as meaning family, and that’s because Dick specifically crafted Robin as a way to remember his parents. 

Robin Annual #4 and The Titans #16

It doesn’t get much more personal than using your dead mother’s nickname for you and your family’s colors (which across comics are pretty consistently some combo of yellow/green/red) as your hero persona. And Bruce, despite knowing the origins of the costume, felt like he could do whatever he wanted with it. And he didn’t even have the decency to be upfront about it. You can see why this drives me crazy. He spends the rest of the issue beating around the bush and not telling Dick why he adopted Jason and made him Robin, and, in the end, he once again kicks Dick out of the house. Nice parenting Bruce. 

Now with Dick. I’ve seen some people accuse Dick of not talking to Tim and just pulling the Robin mantle right out from under him, but that isn’t really what the comics show us: 

Red Robin #1

Dick tries to talk to Tim about it, and, unlike Bruce, he explicitly states his reasons for giving Damian Robin. He validates Tim, and tells him that they are equals. Even when Tim lashes out, Dick makes it clear that he still wants Tim around, even if it is not as Robin. And, once again unlike Bruce, Dick doesn’t proceed to just abandon Tim when things don’t go his way. He sends Tim’s friends his way and when that doesn’t work, Dick goes to find Tim and try to talk things out in person: 

Red Robin #4

So why doesn’t Tim just tell Dick his theory? That’s because, as much as people apparently want to believe that Tim had the whole thing figured out and it was everyone else’s fault that no one was listening, Tim had no actual evidence whatsoever that Bruce was actually alive. He was kind of in denial about Bruce’s death and all he had was a weak hunch.

Tim rides off without giving any explanations, leaving Dick to deal with all the fallout of Bruce’s “death” by himself. Dick had to abandon everything that he built (Nightwing, his various superhero teams, etc.) in order to take up Bruce’s identity. He had to deal with being Batman, running Wayne Enterprises, and raising Damian (a murderous brat who spent literally all his time insulting and undermining him in those early days), all while managing his own grief. And he had no one but Alfred for support. So maybe he didn’t handle Tim as well as he could have (I don’t really know what he could have done differently but hey if you want to let me know feel free), but I honestly think that under the circumstances he tried his freaking best, which is more than Bruce did for him. And when Tim returns, he immediately expects Dick to put everything on hold to help him, once again without explanation, and what does Dick do?

Red Robin #11

He trusts Tim and puts everything on hold to help Tim out. Even though Tim pretty much left him high and dry when he needed help the most. So yeah, I don’t see where people are coming from when they act like Dick somehow singlehandedly destroyed his relationship with Tim. I don’t understand how Tim could possibly trust Jason (ie the person who very nearly murdered him) more than he trusts Dick (ie the person who mentored and acted as a confidant to him for literal years) in such a short span of time.

I could probably go on forever if I started looking back in comics... But here's what I can think of at the moment.

If you rely on people to build you up, they can also break you down.

Clay, in Batman Black and White Vol 4 # 6. By Cliff Chiang.

Mr. Logan, I was spouting one-liners even before you turned green with envy.

New Teen Titans # 7. Writer Marv Wolfman.

James was right. I am a softy. And I do try to see the best in people. But that doesn't mean I'm stupid.

Detective Comics # 881. Writer Scott Snyder.

We are who we choose to be, Bruce. Not the role the past says we should play.

Batman Vol 2 # 7 and Nightwing vol 3 # 7. Writers Scott Snyder, Kyle Higgins.

You'll never know if you can fly unless you take the risk of falling.

Secret Origins Vol 2 # 13. Writer Dan Mishkin.

I owe you all more than I can explain. You're my lifeline and my safety net and I've never regretted doing anything I've had the honor to do with you.

(To the original Teen Titans).

Just 'cause it's nice to see you not smiling again.

(To Batman)

JLA/The Titans # 3. Writers Devin Grayson and Phil Jimenez.

I mean, I grew up in a circus. It's always been about catching people when they fall.

In all honesty, no. Partly because I'm sure it's too many to keep track of. (I've collected what I could think of, and it’s a fair number, so I hope you’ll be happy with that.)

And partly because when it comes to Dick Grayson, the line between flirting and overstepping his personal boundaries are blurry, to say the least. And the writers hardly ever acknowledge that it's a problem.

For every time it's clear that Dick is uncomfortable with people touching or ogling him, there are several panels when random strangers throw themselves at him and kiss him. 

There is a difference between writing a person in shock who needs a hug and writing a person uninvited kissing the person who saved them! Ugh. Imagine if some random guy that Black Canary saved would kiss her. Would anyone enjoy that?

Nightwing vol 2 # 147, Nightwing vol 3 # 23.

There are some examples when it's at least clear that Dick is uncomfortable – but it still begs the question, why write it? I think the Annual from last year is the only time Dick actually called the person out on the behaviour. But the way I see it, it would be better if people doing this were told off by other characters. Then it would be clear that it's not acceptable behaviour.

Oh the best comic panels in your point of view of course

You know... For a guy who fanon often depicts as a ray of sunshine, Dick is seldom drawn with a big smile on his face. (He did smile a lot more in the Golden age, but it's not an art style I enjoy.) But here's a few.

New Teen Titans vol 1 # 38, art George Pérez and Romeo Tanghal.

JLA/Titans # 2, art Phil Jimenez and Andy Lanning.

Nightwing Vol 2 # 49, art Greg Land and José Marzan, Jr.

Grayson # 12, art by Mikel Janín, Hugo Petrus and Juan Castro.

Nightwing Vol 4 # 80, art Bruno Redondo.

I don't know what is supposed to make me prefer Dixon's Nightwing Year One (which is an expanded version of what he wrote in Nightwing: Secret Files and Origin, 1999)?

In the stories from 1984, we see very little of Dick's thought process on why he chose his new identity. It's that well-known page in Tales of the Teen Titans # 44 when he puts on the suit. After all, the important story is that Deathstroke has captured the other Titans. It introduces Adeline and Joey Wilson. Dick's new name and outfit is merely a detail.

NYO explores Dick's journey to becoming Nightwing in detail. Why the name; why the costume design; why continue to fight crime; why go back to Gotham (originally, he just went there to give Jason Robin; he was committed to the New Teen Titans, not to helping out in Gotham). That's not a bad idea – too bad about the execution.

Pro (an extended) Judas Contract:

It's Dick's choice that he has outgrown Robin. (Tales of the Teen Titans # 39)

Dick chooses his new identity to honour Bruce and Clark - and also his birth parents and Starfire. Nightwing was a Kryptonian bird; Clark decided to use it as a vigilante name in homage to Batman.

Bruce isn't an asshole who fires and/or kicks Dick out.

Dick has a good relationship with Bruce and Jason.

Bruce scolds Jason when he uses a Robin suit (Batman # 366). Dick gives his blessing for Jason to become Robin (Batman # 368). Dick's history as Robin is respected by everyone involved, even though Robin was not, at this time, a family nickname. (It wasn't even clear that Dick had a saying in how the suit looked.)

Pro Year One.

Uh - I like when Dick goes to Clark for advice and support, which he didn't have to in 1984 because Bruce wasn't an asshole.

We get a reason for the design of Dick's first Nightwing suit - it was inspired by his father's circus outfit. But it's Alfred who finishes the design and adds yellow feathers, mind you.

Points to that Dick goes back to the circus to explore his roots, I guess. But he also did that in the early 1980s, in Robin solo stories, when he had left college. So being kicked out by Bruce isn't necessary for that to happen. (By the way, in 80s, Dick worked with the Hill circus. In NYO, Dixon makes a nod to this because Haly and Hill are in a partnership. Lorna Hill runs the circus in both stories.)

Dick exploring his circus roots in Batman vol 1 # 339 (1981)

Bruce is an asshole in Nightwing Year One, Jason is a brat, the Titans are hardly there and and it gives Barbara more importance for Dick's younger years than I prefer (but then, this is Chuck "co-writer of Robin Year One and Batgirl Year One" Dixon, so what else to expect?). I'm also not a fan of the art...

I think we're meant to read NYO as that the reason Bruce kicked Dick out was that he felt Dick was growing up. This has pretty much been a common denominator in every version. Jim Starlin wrote it in Batman # 416 (1988). Marv Wolfman in Action Comics Weekly # 613 (1988) and the Robin 80th anniversary. And Chuck Dixon in Robin vol 2 # 13 (1995).

Even in NYO, Bruce tries to keep an eye on Dick. He still cares – but he's written as (way, way) worse at handling and expressing feelings.

In Grayson Annual #2, Dick talked as if he had decided to leave Robin himself. But the latest interpretation, in Nightwing vol 4 # 79, is back to that Bruce fired him (but Dick made the choice to leave).

Gosh, this turned out to be even more tricky than the Robin list, and it's frightfully long!

One reason is that storytelling has changed since Dick was Robin. Back in the Golden and Silver age, with very few exceptions, comics were stand-alone short stories. In later decades, it's usually arcs that span at least a couple of issues. Some themes can run for a very long time. For instance, Dick was brainwashed by Brother Blood in New Teen Titans vol 1  # 22 (in 1982), and that would have consequences until The New Teen Titans vol 2 #31 (1987). 

There are also a looot of stories – apart from guest appearances, Nightwing is a regular/lead character in several books named New Teen Titans/Titans and suchlike, 1980-1996 and 1999-2009; Outsiders vol 3 (2003-2007); Nightwing vol 1 (1995) and vol 2 (1996–2007). In team titles, several characters compete for attention. Also, I have read and know the Nightwing books more than his team titles, so they will be more prominent on my list. 

There are a bunch of stories where Dick has a pretty small role and won't be in a lot of panels, but those panels can be "important" and often quoted when it comes to Dick. For instance, Bruce Wayne: Murderer/Fugitive, Hush, Under the Hood... 

So, you'll have to take this for what it is. A very personal list, with stories I like (and remember), or have some fun panels, or are "important". Because certain stories are essential to the character's history, regardless if you like them or not. (And if you want more of Dick with Kory/Starfire, read the New Teen Titans titles.) If you'd like to see a synopsis before you commit to reading – because did I mention it is a very long list indeed? – the dc.fandom.com wiki page will often provide. 

(Or you could do the sensible thing, and see this as more of "the complete history of pre-Batman Nightwing, and ask somebody else for recommendations...) 

The Judas contract (when Dick becomes Nightwing). The New Teen Titans # 39-40, Tales of the Teen Titans #41-44, Annual #3. (1984) 

Trivial Pursuits. NewTeen Titans vol 2 # 32. (A nice breather, when the Titans try just to relax together. It goes as well as can be expected.) (1987)

Batman # 416. (First post-Crisis meeting with Jason Todd) (1988)

The Cheshire Contract. Action Comics Weekly # 613-618 (Dick helps Roy find his daughter.) (1988)

The New Titans # 55. (Dick learns about Jason's death when the Titans return to Earth after a long period in space. He goes to Bruce to talk and what follows is the infamous scene when Bruce hits Dick, says he should never have had a partner and tells Dick to leave and leave the keys with Alfred.) (1989)

Batman year Three. Batman # 436–439. (Flashbacks with a retelling of Dick's origin, during Bruce's third year as Batman. In the "now", Dick tries to reach out to Bruce and Dick's parents' murderer is about to be set free.)  (1989)

A Lonely Place of Dying. Batman # 440-442, New Titans # 60-61. (1990)

The New Titans # 65. (Tim turns up at Dick's place to learn what it is to be Batman's partner.) (1990)

Total Chaos. (In issues of Deathstroke the Terminator, New Titans and Team Titans.) (Mirage, a woman from an alternate future and who has illusion casting powers, takes the form of Starfire and sleeps with Dick, who is shamed by his team members for being unfaithful to Kory, even though this is rape. So, an important fact to know but not something I would recommend to read.) (1992)

Knightfall Prodigal (Dick's first longer stint as Batman. And he takes care of Tim and the Manor on his own!) In Batman #512-514 and three other titles. (1994-1995)

Nightwing Alfred's Return (Kind of fun, when Dick seeks out Alfred, who left Bruce's service because Bruce wasn't taking care of himself, in London.) (1995)

Nightwing vol 1 # 1-4. (I don't love this, but it is a milestone in that it's the first Nightwing solo series, Dick momentarily decides to leave the hero business, and gets his by now classic fingerstripe suit.) #1-4 (1995)

Like Riding a Bike. (Donna checks up on Dick.) The Batman Chronicles # 7. (1996)

(Nightwing vol 2 began in 1996.)

Nightwing vol 2 # 6. (Tim and Dick talk and fight crooks.) (1997)

Nightwing vol 2 # 12-16. (Batman pays a visit and Dick makes his custom made car.) (1997) 

The Flash plus Nightwing. (Dick and Wally on vacation.) (1997)

Then & Now. Teen Titans vol 2 #12-15. (The original four Titan boys find themselves fighting their past selves.) (1997)

Nightwing vol 2 # 25. (Tim and Dick talk and ride on train roofs. Dick has decided to become a cop.) (1998)

Detective Comics # 725 (A heart-to-heart between Bruce and Dick.) (1998)

The Technis Imperative. JLA/Titans #1-3. (1998-1999)

The Titans (1999) # 2. (The start of a new Titans team, Dick tells Superman to give them some room.) (1999)

Nightwing vol 2 # 32–34. (Dick at the Police Academy.) (1999)

Nightwing vol 2 # 35–39. (On a mission from Batman: To take control of Blackgate Prison. Afterwards, he recuperates at Barbara's when her place is attacked.) (1999-2000)

The Titans (1999) #15–16. (The original five Titans try to work out some difficulties.) 2000.

Transference. Batman: Gotham Knights #8-11. (2000)

Nightwing vol 2 # 45-46. (The Hunt for Oracle.) (2000)

Action Comics # 771. (Nightwing and Superman hang out and work together – what's not to like!) 2000

Gods of Gotham. Wonder Woman # 164-167. (2001)

Nightwing vol 2 # 54-58. (Blockbuster, Nightwing's main adversary in Blüdhaven, hires an old enemy of Dick's to deal with the vigilante: Shrike. A character from Robin Year One.) (2001)

Matatoa. Batman: Gotham Knights # 16-17. (Bruce adopts Dick.) (2001)

Who Is Troia? The Titans (1999) # 23-25. (A visit from the Titan's children from the Kingdom Come universe.). (2001)

Retribution. Batman: Gotham Knights # 20-21. (2001)

Nightwing vol 2 # 64. (Nightwing as Santa's elf.) (2001)

Bruce Wayne: Murderer and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive (in several titles). (Dick refuses to believe that Bruce can be a murderer and it causes friction with for instance Tim. Also, a big fight between Dick and Bruce when the latter says he is going to abandon his Bruce identity.) (2002)

Nightwing vol 2 # 75. (Flashback's to Dick's early years with Bruce. Plus the first appearance of Tarantula (Catalina Flores; a controversial figure in Dick's history, she straddled the line between vigilante and villain.)) (2002)

Hush. Batman # 608–619. (# 615 for Dick, but it might be confusing only to read one issue.) (2002-2003)

The Obsidian Age. JLA vol 1 # 68-75. (The Justice League members disappear, Dick leads a new team for a few issues. In # 73, Bruce is quoted:" The only time I ever feel pride is when I look at Nightwing. Sometimes I think he's the only thing I ever did right."). (2002-2003)

Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day # 1-3 (Donna is killed. Dick is devastated and declares that the Titans are finished.) (2003)

Nightwing vol 2 # 80-83. (Deathstroke is in Blüdhaven to kill someone close to Dick. Bruce asks when he will quit the force, Dick wants to stay as a cop, but when he saves Amy Rohrbach, she recognizes that Dick is Nightwing and fires him.) (2003)

Nightwing vol 2 # 86. (Dick, forced to rest after being injured, solves crimes on America's Most Wanted and drives Barbara up the wall.) (2003)

The Outsiders vol 3 # 1 (Roy talks Dick, who dissolved the Titans after Donna's death, into leading a new team, promising they will not be a family.) (2003)

Nightwing vol 2 # 87-100. (Definitely one of the darkest periods points in Dick's life pre-Flashpoint. Tarantula breaks up him and Barbara. Blockbuster destroys his circus, his home and kills people just for talking to Dick. Tarantula kills Blockbuster and Nightwing is too exhausted to prevent it, and afterwards, she rapes him (# 93). Not necessarily an arc I would recommend to read, but fans discuss it a lot.) (2003-2004)

The Outsiders vol 3 # 11 (Roy is angsting about going back to the hero business after narrowly surviving being shot, sparring and heart-to-heart with Dick follows.) (2004)

Under the Hood. Batman # 635-641, 645-650, Annual # 25. (2004-2006)

Nightwing Year One. Nightwing vol 2 # 101-106. (I honestly don't care much for this story, but it's good to know that it's one of several retellings of how Dick became Nightwing.) (2005)

Supergirl (2005) # 3 (Supergirl has a huuuge crush on Nightwing... ) (2005)

Silent partner. The Outsiders vol 3 # 21-23. (Dick goes ballistic when he realizes Batman has been funding the Outsiders, Roy admits Batman has been feeding him information. Only it wasn't Batman – it was Deathstroke in disguise.) (2005)

DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy  # 1-4. (2005)

Nightwing vol 2 # 107–117. (Dick leaves Nightwing, starts working for the mob and trains Deathstroke's daughter. I think the author has some kind of resolution to the crisis Dick had gone through the last years in mind, but Infinite Crisis got in the way. Blüdhaven is destroyed in a nuclear explosion.) 

Infinite Crisis. (DC had planned to let Dick die, he is central to the story even if he's not very visible.) (2005-2006)

Targets. Nightwing vol 2 # 125-128. (Dick hunts for a day job in New York and gets buried alive, which leads to some retrospection on his behalf. There's also fights with a guy with a weaponized armour.) (2007)

The Brave and the Bold # 15. Nightwing and Hawkman. (Deadman, inside Hawkman, says that Dick Grayson is the one guy that every crimefighter trusts.) (2007)

Outsiders: Five of a Kind – Nightwing/Boomerang. (It ends with Batman telling Dick: "Go back to the good fight, Dick. Leave the bad fight to us.") (2007)

Wrath Child. (A story from when Dick was fairly new as Nightwing.) Batman Confidential # 13-16. (2008)

Freefall. Nightwing vol 2 # 140–146. (Dick starts freefalling as a new hobby; Bruce is not pleased. And he gets a new daytime job, as a museum curator. Oh, and there's Talia al Ghul, too.) (2008)

Robin # 175. (Some fun panels with flashbacks with Dick and Tim.) (2008)

The Great Leap. Nightwing vol 2 # 147–151. (Two-Face wants Nightwing to save a life.) (2008-2009)

Titans (2008) # 10. (Dick leaves the Titans because he needs to go back to Gotham and "take care of my other family." (2009)

Nightwing vol 2 # 152-153. (That time when Ra's al Ghul called Dick detective. And Dick packed up and left New York to move back to Gotham.) (2009)

Batman # 682. (Just for the line about how Dick made colour come into their monochrome lives ;-) ) (2009)

Detective Comics # 85, Batman # 684 (Dick mourning Bruce) (2009) 

The Secret Six # 9. (Some of the members of the Secret Six feel they should be the new Batman.) (2009)