10 Things Everyone Forgets About Nightwing
2. Two-Face Almost Ended Robin’s Career
Dick Grayson enjoyed his first year as Robin, regarding it as a grand adventure. He had his first solo outing against the Mad Hatter while Batman was unavailable. Grayson broke up Tetch’s sex trafficking ring and sent the Hatter back to Arkham... though Dick's early success was almost cut shockingly short when he encountered Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face.
In Robin # 0, Two-Face captured the new District Attorney and Batman, and had each suspended from a hangman’s noose. The rogue forced Robin to bargain for their lives. Seeing no other option, Grayson bet Dent that he could not hang either man if his next two coin flips came up clean. The flips went in Dick’s favor but he didn’t count on the double cross, as Harvey dropped the floor out of the DA’s tube, allowing the man to fall into the water below and drown. Two-Face then beat Robin mercilessly with a bat in front of the still-captured Batman.
The Dark Knight eventually freed himself, saved his young ally, and returned Harvey to his cell in Arkham Asylum. The experience scarred Robin and it was one that would haunt him for his entire life. Batman refused to let Grayson accompany him on missions again because he didn’t want to put him in danger. Dick had to work hard to prove that he was not only competent but resolute enough to take on the mantle of Robin again.