Nightwing (Volume 4) #2 is an issue of the series Nightwing (Volume 4) with a cover date of October, 2016. It was published on August 3, 2016.
Synopsis for "Better Than Batman, Part Two"
Beginning with a flashback from Nightwing's Robin days, his memory is of Batman throwing a criminal off the roof of a building and being told that their fear is the only way to get the truth during an interrogation.
In current times in Moscow with Raptor, Raptor lays out the assignment they've been given. They need to get to a ship that has been hijacked by the Kobra Cult and rescue the passengers. He reminds Nightwing that while he might be the Talon's “big get” trained by Batman, Batman isn't there to help. Raptor offers to spot Nightwing while they're working together. Nightwing accepts.
Barbara calls in the morning while she's in Tokyo, letting Nightwing know that she's planning on being outside of Gotham for awhile since the city seems to be under control. They make a date to meet up the next night at Hachiko Square.
Nightwing and Raptor dive into the ocean near the ship. Nightwing brings up the bird branding that Raptor has, naming his helicopter after a type of hawk and his diver's mask looking like a beak. Raptor monologues about the importance of branding as protection, using Nightwings suit as a example of a “brand extension of Batman”.
Aboard the ship, Nightwing realizes that he and Raptor have some fighting styles in common. Disturbed by this, he goes ahead without him. Raptor is stabbed by a woman that cuts her way out of the belly of someone, who Raptor shoots in the head and kills. They find the refuges that Raptor says the Kobra's genetic research division had plans to use. While walking through the crowd, Nightwing is recognized by a child because of the bat symbol on his chest, and he realizes that Raptor is right about him a brand extension of Batman. Nightwing asks what the Parliament of Owls would want with these people, and Raptor explains that they would be used to build the Parliament's planned new nation in Greece, a stronghold for the elite outside the rules that govern the rest of the world.
Chania, Crete. Greece. The Parliament of Owls welcomes the partners back and express they are satisfied with their service in getting back the ship and cargo. They are given another mission together.
Nightwing is upset with Raptor for giving the ship and the refugees to the Court and once again tries to leave, but while they fight Raptor explains that he understands what Nightwing is doing by being undercover. He knows he wants the Court destroyed and brought to justice, and he knows that it bothers him that he has been partnered with someone with one foot in the dark. He says his similarities to Batman is why Nightwing should trust him on their next mission, and he won't let Nightwing fall too far into the darkness.
Barbara calls Dick and leaves a voicemail asking if he got the location that she texted. The picnic that she is next to seems like it will be wasted without him there. Nightwing reads his texts and then leaves with Raptor without responding to her.
Appearing in "Better Than Batman, Part Two"
Featured Characters:
- Nightwing (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
Villains:
Other Characters:
- Batman (Flashback only)
- Batwoman (Mentioned only)
- Gotham (Mentioned only)
- Gotham Girl (Mentioned only)
- Superman (Mentioned only)
Locations:
- Black Sea
- Chania, Crete
- Gotham City (Flashback only)
- Moscow
- Tokyo
- Hachiko Square
- Rainbow Bridge
Items:
Vehicles:
- Buteo
Trivia
- When Grayson describes the music he hears, he makes a reference to Wayne Newton.