DC Is Settling the Debate: The Titans Have a True Leader, And It Is Definitely Not Nightwing

Warning: Spoilers for Titans #18

The Titans are operating under new leadership now that Nightwing has stepped aside and promoted Wonder Girl to the role of leader as his replacement. Nightwing has spent years commanding the Titans, so following Donna’s orders doesn’t come easily to him, creating friction between them as they butt heads. Donna Troy is officially the Titans’ leader, and she’s ensuring that everyone knows it – especially Nightwing.

In the preview for Titans #18 by John Layman and Pete Woods, the Titans have relocated to a new underground base called “Titans Tunnels”, which the team isn’t too thrilled about. Nightwing critiques Donna’s decision to relocate – citing the Justice League and Titans’ dismay – and suggests that she should lift their teammates’ spirits, like he would.

Wonder Girl is quick to shoot Nightwing’s ideas down and remind him that she’s replaced him as the Titans’ leader. Like it or not, Nightwing has been dethroned from his former position, which means he needs to respect the new direction that Donna Troy is taking the Titans.

Wonder Girl Makes It Clear That She Is the Titans’ Leader – Not Nightwing

Donna Troy Puts Nightwing in His Place When He Tries to Give Orders

Nightwing is dealing with an explosive situation back in Blüdhaven as he contends with a weapons manufacturer that seeks to kill superheroes, so he’s been forced to step down from leading the Titans for the first time in years. To replace him, in Titans #16 by Layman and Woods, he selects Donna Troy as the Titans’ new leader. However, just two issues later, Dick is already stepping on Donna’s toes when she tries to take the team in a different direction than he did. Donna shuts his ideas down and reminds him who’s in charge, asserting herself as the true leader of the Titans.

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Wonder Girl and Nightwing already have differing approaches to leadership. While Nightwing is focused on giving motivational speeches to boost team morale – like he did when he united the Justice League and the Titans in Absolute Power #2 by Mark Waid and Dan Mora – Donna prioritizes the Titans’ safety over keeping them happy. The Titans are upset about living underground instead of in the Justice League’s new Watchtower, but she knows that living with the League would make them targets. Therefore, Donna is making calls with the team’s best interest at heart, which is what any leader should do – even if Nightwing disagrees.

Nightwing Is Used to Commanding the Titans After Years in the Role

Dick Grayson Is a Natural-Born Leader Who Must Adjust to Being Led

Before he became the Titans’ leader, back during his Robin era, Dick Grayson was destined to fulfill a leadership role in DC lore. In Justice League #51 by Dan Abnett and Paul Pelletier, Dick meets the Justice League for the first time and asks Batman if he thinks he will join the team someday. Batman’s response is as follows: “No. You’re going to lead it.” Although Dick has yet to formally take over that team in a permanent position, he temporarily led the Justice League during the events of Absolute Power. Nightwing is more used to leading than being led, hence his current struggle.

Nightwing may have been the one who chose Donna Troy to replace him, but he seems to be having more trouble stepping down than he’d anticipated. After all, he’s led the Titans since he helped found the team in 1965’s Teen Titans #1 by Bob Haney and Nick Cardy. When his teammates have concerns, Dick usually steps in, and he must now trust that Donna can handle the situation. For a natural leader like Nightwing, that adjustment can’t be easy. Still, with that being said, Donna can only thrive as the Titans’ leader if Nightwing gives her the space to do so.

Nightwing Needs to Respect Wonder Girl’s Leadership For the Titans’ Sake

As Much as Nightwing Misses Being Leader, It’s Donna Troy’s Turn

Nightwing’s time as the Titans’ leader has come and gone, and it’s time for Donna Troy to take center stage and lead in her own way. It can’t be denied that Nightwing was an effective leader, but he needs to respect that Donna won’t be the same leader that he was – and that’s a good thing. If Nightwing continues to disapprove of every decision Donna makes, the Titans as a whole will fracture, as she won’t be able to properly unite them. Nightwing isn’t in charge of the Titans anymore, while Wonder Girl‘s era as the team’s leader is only just beginning.

Titans #18 is available December 18th, 2024 from DC Comics.

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Teen Titans

Teen Titans is a superhero animated TV series based on the DC Comics team of the same name. Airing from 2003 to 2006, the show follows five young heroes—Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy—as they battle villains while navigating adolescence. The series was widely praised for its blend of action, humor, and character development, and it spawned a popular spin-off, Teen Titans Go!.

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Nightwing

Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.