10 Comic Book Characters Who Were Forced To Change Their Name
2. Robin Became Nightwing
After Dick Grayson's parents died, Batman adopted him and turned him into his sidekick, Robin. As he grew older, Dick felt like he had outgrown the mantle of the Boy Wonder and so, decided to fight crime alone or while leading his own team, The Teen Titans.
With his new position, new costume, and new outlook on life, Dick took on a new name, Nightwing. Three years later, Batman adopted Jason Todd, who later became the second Robin.
This may be common knowledge to comic readers but few people realise the REAL reason Jason Todd was created. You see, the Batman comics tend to sell better with Robin. (The series doubled in sales when the character first debuted in the 1940s.)
DC executives thought they could boost sales if Dick Grayson had his own adventures while Batman still fought crime with Robin by his side. Basically, Jason was created and Dick changed his name for the same reason; money. It may seem like a cynical decision but it worked out since Nightwing became one of the most popular superheroes in DC Comics' repertoire.