Meili Lin is the ex-wife of gangster Tony Zucco and mother of Melinda Grayson-Lin. Before Nightwing's parents got together she briefly dated John Grayson, who is Melinda's real father.
History
When Meili was twenty-three she was brought to America from her home country and unwillingly married to Tony Zucco, who was violent and possessive. One day, Tony took Meili to Haly's Circus and she took the opportunity to escape his abuse, fleeing into the crowd. She took refuge in John Grayson's trailer, and John and his performance partner Mary Lloyd chased Zucco off. She began working and travelling with the circus, which she would later remember as the happiest time in her life.
Meili became close friends with John and Mary. She could tell that they both loved each other, but neither had the courage to confess their feelings at that point. Meili had a short romantic relationship with John, just long enough for her to become pregnant. When the circus passed through Star City, Zucco kidnapped Meili and carried her off to Bludhaven where John could not find her. Six months later she gave birth to Melinda. Zucco always suspected that Melinda was not his child but would not admit it to save face.
When Melinda was eight, Meili got the courage to leave Zucco, and this time he did not try to stop her. Meili told Melinda the truth about her father and took her to Haly's Circus to reunite with John, but when they got there they learned that John and Mary had married and had a son, Dick Grayson. Meili did not want to ruin John and Mary's happiness after the kindness they had shown her, so they left before they were noticed. The mother and daughter instead remained in Bludhaven under the protection of the Maroni Crime Family. Meili always intended to one day take Melinda to meet her father and brother, but Zucco murdered the Graysons before she could.
Decades later, Melinda brought Dick to meet Meili. She told him the truth about the history between the Zuccos and the Graysons and apologised for how Tony had ruined all their lives. Dick had always believed his parents were killed for refusing to pay protection money and was shocked to learn that Zucco targeted them personally.[1]
After Blockbuster, the leader of Bludhaven's crime families, was killed, Tony Zucco returned to Bludhaven and tried to take over. He was foiled by Nightwing and imprisoned. Melinda told Zucco that he was not her father and she was legally changing her name to "Grayson-Lin".[2]
Dick was framed for the serial killer supervillain Heartless' crimes and fled the city.[3] Melinda was accused of being in league with Dick and using her power to shield him, and so had to go into hiding. Zucco, now working for Heartless, broke into the safehouse where Melinda was hiding with Audre and Meili. His henchmen overpowered Audre and Zucco told Melinda that Heartless wanted him, but hadn't said anything about Meili. Meili showed no fear of Tony even as he was holding a gun in her face. Just as Zucco was about to kill Meili in front of Melinda, Nightwing swooped in and beat up Zucco's henchmen. Tony fled and Nightwing chased after him.[4]
Related
- 5 Appearances of Meili Lin (Prime Earth)
- 2 Images featuring Meili Lin (Prime Earth)
- Quotations by or about Meili Lin (Prime Earth)
- Character Gallery: Meili Lin (Prime Earth)
Footnotes