Dick Grayson

"Batman: You lead the Titans well, Robin -- I guess even the teacher can learn from his pupil... his former pupil."

"Robin: Thanks, Batman! But you know what they say... a pupil is only as good as his teacher... and I had the best there is. (Batman & The Outsiders (first series) #5, 1984, by Mike W Barr)."

"I grew up surrounded by a sea of faces awash with the myriad emotions of all mankind. The rapturous joy of circus-goers, the panicky fright of fleeing felons, the warm tenderness of fast and good friends. So many faces. Good. Bad. Indifferent. All drawing me to them like some swirling tide about to suck me under. Sometimes I have to come here, simply to be alone before my mind fairly explodes with confusion. But most of the time I can't escape." (The New Teen Titans (first series) #38, 1984; dialogue by Marv Wolfman"

"Donna Troy: You didn't have to do this, Dick, I would've understood."

"Dick: And ruin my reputation as the teenage Ellery Queen? M'lady, when Deadeye Dick takes on a case, he doesn't give up. (The New Teen Titans (first series) #38, 1984; dialogue by Marv Wolfman"

"So is it me... or are the crooks getting lamer as we go? (Robin: Year One, 2001; by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon)."

"Two-Face: You were the only choice for a comrade-in-arms?"

"Robin: I was the best choice. (Robin: Year One, 2001; by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon)."

"Dear, Bruce... I guess it's time for me to move on. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do if I'm not allowed to help you anymore. Alfred doesn't need to worry about entertaining me and taking care of you, too. You don't want a partner. And you don't need a son. I'm sorry I failed you. I won't forget everything you've given me. Thanks for teaching me how to be strong. - Dick. (Robin: Year One, 2001; by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon)."

"Robin: Hey, Batman, what're we gonna do once we finally get rid of all the criminals and everything? Move to another city?"

"Batman: I don't think that's something you have to worry about, Robin"

"Robin: Okay,so, then we'll just stay in Gotham and keep doing this, right? Forever and ever?"

"Batman: We'll do this as long as it's effective. And feasible."

"Robin: Right. Like I said. Forever... (Nightwing #75, 2003; by Devin Grayson)"

"Batman: "It's not that I don't think of you as an adult, Dick. It's … ""

"Robin: "That's just what it is, Bruce. You can't get over thinking of me as a kid, as Robin, the Boy Wonder. Well, I'm not a boy wonder anymore, Bruce. I'm a full-grown man, a detective, just like you." (Batman #331, 1980; dialogue by Michael Fleisher)."

"Dick: So...I'm going to be in the Justice League someday?"

"Bruce: No. (turns and walks away) You're going to lead it."

""The Batman taught me, guided me, trained me. What I am I owe to him. What more can I say? And Superman. I grew up in your shadow, too. You taught me honor, selflessness, and the true meaning of the word 'hero.' … I'm the sum of so many people who have influenced me, shaped my thinking, and given me love. Mom and Dad, you were the first … what you gave me will never leave. It's forever locked in my heart and in my soul. Batman, you took in a young, frightened boy. And you showed him how to become a good man. Kory, it's so funny. I spent the better part of last year fighting to forget what made me me. I almost alienated everyone, but you stuck by me and I love you for that. I gave up being Robin because that tied me to Batman. But now I become someone new who commemorates all those who made me someone special." (Tales of the Teen Titans #44, 1984; by Marv Wolfman)."

""Hard to imagine me without the Titans, either. I think the Titans helped define me. I was always the bottom half of Batman and … Now I'm Nightwing, myself. No junior partner. Whatever I do from now on is my choice. It's scary sometimes. But it's always a lot easier to let others tell you what to do. Don't quite feel like an adult yet, but I think I've grown up … I certainly don't make decisions rashly anymore. And I wouldn't quit college today just to rebel against Bruce. Fortunately, some mistakes can be fixed… Yeah, I'm grown up, but I still don't know what I'm going to do when I'm really grown up…. Doctor, lawyer, indian chief? They all sound good to me. What do I do when I take off my costume? If I were Batman, I'd become Bruce Wayne, professional cypher. I think he'd give up being Bruce in a second if he thought Batman could go out during the day. I can't. I need my normal life. Bats need the night. Robins need light." (The New Titans #71, 1990; by Marv Wolfman)."

""You molded me and taught me, Bruce. For years, I lived under the shadow of The Batman. I wanted to get away, to be my own man. Yet, when I chose a costume and a name, they reflected you. You're a part of me, Bruce. I can't deny it. And I don't want to any longer. I just wanted you to know that. That, and one other thing -- I'm proud to have been Robin." (Teen Titans Spotlight # 14, 1987; dialogue by Michael Reaves)."

""I just want to get married. That'll make everything fine. Y'know, Donna's wedding went so smooth. Bruce isn't coming, and I can tell everyone thinks I'm doing the wrong thing. I just don't get it, Roy. Things used to be so simple, so clear … so black and white. When did the world become so gray?" (The New Titans # 100, 1993, dialogue by Marv Wolfman)."

""Parents, friends and lovers, you taught me, helped me, nursed me and cared for me…. Nightwing's got his act together. He's still going to do what he can to keep the world from spinning into chaos … but Dick Grayson needs some time to figure out what he wants. I want you to be proud of me, but even more importantly -- I want to be proud of myself. It may be a couple of days or weeks or even months, but I'll see you guys soon. Till then -- I love you." (The New Titans # 114, 1994; dialogue by Marv Wolfman)."

""Try to understand our position here, Batman. You began training to be a hero as a young adult. For me and a lot of the other Titans -- like Vic -- that training shaped and influenced most of our childhood. Unlike the JLA, the Titans aren't just about a promise to the world -- it's also about a promise to each other … to ourselves. We swore on our childhood nightmares that we'd be there for one another. If I don't honor that I don't honor who I am." (JLA/Titans # 2, 1998; dialogue by Devin Grayson)."

"And I'm unique in this family, a talker among writers. Alfred's got his journal. You've got your files. Babs keeps an account of everything. While I've only ever recorded a message like this once before... the first time."

"[Alfred] always had faith that the dynamic duo could survive anything. Except maybe each other."

"Sometimes I'm surprised I can even stand on a high ledge after what happened to the Flying Graysons. Boss Zucco could have sabatoged Haly's Circus any number of ways to drive down business and get his protection money. Instead he gave the crowd that night a show they'll never forget. I know I won't. When my mom and dad died, attendance actually went up."

""What I've gotten is the realization that you did the best you could with what you had. You weren't a perfect father but that's okay because -- probably nobody's a perfect father. No family's perfect, either. I was lucky. I was privileged. Not because of the big house and the money, but because you gave me a lot of yourself. You taught me, you showed me, you encouraged me -- you never lied to me and you never demanded that I be anything I'm not. I didn't imitate you because you insisted that I do so, but because I wanted to. Of all the men I knew, you were most worthy of imitation." (Nightwing Vol 1 4, 1995; by Dennis O'Neil)"

""I've got one more thing to say. You and Alfred gave me a home and you gave me what we don't mention. The L word. You were the best family I could have had. Thanks." (Nightwing Vol 1 4, 1995; by Dennis O'Neil)"

""I've always taken it for granted that I'm fighting the good fight, I guess mostly due to my faith in Batman. But I have to admit, up here on the urban highwire, I take a lot of liberties. I tell myself they're all justified, but isn't that what everybody tells themselves? Does anybody wake up thinking, 'Today, I'm going to cross the line'?" (Nightwing Vol 2 5, 2003; by Devin Grayson)"

""I'm the protector of this city. I know how arrogant that sounds, and I know that I operate outside of the law sometimes -- but I also know that I've trained hard to do this work, and that I fully understand the complexities of the job. I have experience, I have motive, and I have backup. So as insane as it is to be out here at all, I'm the closest you'll get to the real thing. And I am asking you 'Tarantula,' who do you think you are?" (Nightwing Vol 2 75, 2003; by Devin Grayson)"

""My first thought is for this new Tarantula's safety -- the assumption that she is a potential casualty. That's a Batman thought. My second thought is for my safety -- the possibility that she's a potential enemy. That's a Batman thought too. It's not until she's actually doing it that I allow myself to hope that she might be helpful -- a potential ally. Thats a Robin/Nightwing/Dick Grayson kinda thought. My thought. Two and a half seconds in. But better than nothing."(Nightwing Vol 2 75, 2003; by Devin Grayson)"

""Who do I think I am? Good question, really, and I'll answer like this: I've seen too much to be Robin, but I'm still too optimistic to be Batman. I'm Nightwing. I'm Officer Dick Grayson. I'm Barbara's boyfriend, Bruce Wayne's adopted son, and the last living member of the Amazing Flying Graysons. I'm happy." (Nightwing #75, 2003; by Devin Grayson)"

""Every now and then I have the feeling I've totally lost my mind. It's a great feeling." (Nightwing #86, 2003; by Devin Grayson)"

""What are we doing, Bruce? When I was growing up with you, I always knew exactly where the line was... exactly what we did, exactly what we didn't do and why. But Jason didn't know what the hell he was doing or why, and Tim spends half his time trying to decide if it's even worth doing, and Stephanie... [whisper] Stephanie went up against odds so bad that even I would have to say it couldn't be done. [regular volume] Do you still know? Do you still know what we're doing? Because you seem murky to me, Bruce, you seem closer and closer to the line every time I look at you, and that line keeps moving, and me... Bruce, I'm lost." (Nightwing #99, 2004; by Devin Grayson)"

""The effect Bruce has had on my life is profound. There's no question that knowing him had changed me, changed my relationship to the world, profoundly. I'll admit that there were times when I felt restrained somehow... bridled. There were times when the mission seemed like alot to carry... Times, even, when I wondered if the whole thing didn't go against my essential nature. More often though, though, this work that I've done with Bruce has felt like an advocation, a perfect expression of everything I've ever been capable of becoming."(Nightwing #100, 2005; by Devin Grayson)"

""My father and Bruce both taught me similar moral codes, for vastly different reasons. Both considered their codes immutable, but somehow my dad's always expanded enough to let me grow into it. Whereas Batman's was, of course, completely inflexible, and every bit as inspiring as it was impossible. Who's son will I turn out to be?" (Nightwing #100, 2005; by Devin Grayson)"

"I may not be your partner anymore. But I'm just as committed to your crusade as the night you made me swear the oath. I wanted you to know that. And something else... You were the best father you could be. Given the circumstances. (Nightwing #100, 2005; by Scott Beatty and Chuck Dixon)"

""No killing. As you just saw, I'll happily beat anyone you point me at so badly that your mark won't move a single muscle independently over eight months. But I do not kill. No cops. No capes. And no kids. Ever." (Nightwing #107, 2005; by Devin Grayson)"

"[Talking about what Rose Wilson said earlier] It wasn't just a thought, it was a wish. A wish for family. It pervades this place. Rose wants to know the dead half-brothers she probably never met and every girl in this facility wants someone they can count on and call their own. We all want something that will last forever. But what we get is love. Batman would say that morals are the bottom lines, the thing that lasts. I've heard him say that no matter what depend on yourself to respond with predetermined ethical integrity. I know that's true for him, but I'm not so sure I agree with the principle in general. I think most of us surprise ourselves a lot. Most of us run on the fly. Maybe what matters most is the person we're hoping to impress. For years and years, I tried to evaluate every move I made through Batman's eyes. I was morally reliable, almost predictable. Whether or not he actually held me accountable to standard I set for myself in his name was irrelevant. I was inspired. When I finally let go of that. I was lost. I could still operate on habit, but everything felt empty. I didn't belong to anyone. I had nothing to live up to. For a short, wonderful while I had Barbara, and that worked, that was more than enough. She was a friend an intimate and an inspiration. And she was smart enough to know I still had some growing up to do. Suddenly, I have a whole new appreciation for Batman. Having someone count on you for their physical and emotional safely is intense. It's another another set of expectations you have to live up to. And maybe they're even more demanding than the ones you set up yourself. Ultimately, I'm sure we have to frow to become our own judges, and mentors, and charges. And I'm also sure that that's going to be the hardest goal of all to live up to." (Nightwing #112, 2005; by Devin Grayson)"

""Babs, I know we've been through a lot together, and I haven't always been the man I've wanted to be for you. And I realize now that I still have a long way to go, but... but I'll never get there without you. Barbara, I have to leave in a few hours to try and save the universe and I don't even know if I'll be alive tomorrow, but if I am -- will you marry me?" (Nightwing #117, 2006; by Devin Grayson)."

""We're a nation of somnambulists. And where there are people awake, there's money to be made... There were lots of theories on why we don't sleep enough-- everything from stress at the office to too much caffeine... But I got my own, simpler theory... I think a lot of people just lead lonely lives... And there's something comforting knowing there are a lot of other lonely people out there too, watching the same crappy movie you're watching at two in the morning... Yeah... it's about being alone... in a city of millions... I can relate." (Nightwing #123, 2006; by Bruce Jones)."

""Sometimes there's simply nothing you can do... nothing. Batman warned me about that long ago. I nodded, but I didn't believe him... Nobody's helpless, I thought. Nobody's totally without resources. Man, I was wrong. Still am, maybe..." (Nightwing #124, 2006; by Bruce Jones)"

""Long ago we realized we can't possibly solve all the world's problems. And maybe we shouldn't even try. We understood that we needed to develop out hearts and minds and not just our fighting skills. With all the good that needs to be done, it was impossible to accept that nobody should ever do what we do 24/7. That way lies madness. Trust me, I know. If you come to believe you're a god and you fail, where does that leave you?" (Nightwing #125, 2006; by Marv Wolfman)"

""Rule of thumb: when one gets bogged down, stop thinking, get a massage from a beautiful woman and let your mind wander ..." ( Nightwing #126, 2007; by Marv Wolfman)"

""I had asked myself what I want to be when I grow up. That's assuming I'm allowed to. The voice - the one that won't go away - keeps reminding me I was supposed to have died. Not once. Twice. I think I'm living on borrowed time. But at least I'm living. So why don't I feel … I don't know … happier?" (Nightwing #128, 2007; by Marv Wolfman)"

""'When you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you.' And unless you're stone, it changes you. It has to. There I was. Six feet under. Buried over. And I'm not stone. Never wanted to be. Never thought I had to block out the rest of the world and never wanted to hide from it. Still, sometimes late at night, half asleep, half god knows what … it suddenly bothers me that they say the nut doesn't fall that far from the tree." (Nightwing #128, 2007; by Marv Wolfman)"

""A chapel is sitting peacefully on the hillside and I wonder if it can really help me find peace. Then I wonder, would I know what to do with all that quiet? My parents didn't much talk about God. Bruce never did. Though I'm pretty sure he believed in the devil." (Nightwing #128, 2007; by Marv Wolfman)"

""Early on, Kory asked why do I do this? [...] She asked why, when I get up in the morning, I look forward to putting on my costume and fighting the bad guys. But we got interrupted by the Fearsome Five or Deathstroke or some other nutjob super-villain. I never answered her. Always thought I was a fairly well adjusted guy who looks forward to wearing a costume. I mean I'm not out for revenge. I don't need to prove anything to myself. And I have money. More than enough to buy my own island hideaway. So why do this? Why do I do any of this? Barbara would say it's because I know it's the right thing. 'When you look into the abyss...' But no. She's wrong. It's impossible to think of anything other than the immediate moment when you're trading punches with some meta powered glandular reject. When your fist connects with flesh, you're not thinking of the past. When their fists dislodge bone, it's hard to think of some stupid thing you said to someone you love … that sent them running away. And when you are half-dead on the ground, half-blown to pieces … it's impossible to think. Period! I should find Kory. I should find her and tell her that I don't do this because it's the right thing to do. I do this because it's the only thing I dare let myself do. I do this because its easier … 'the abyss also looks into you' … easier than having to think." (Nightwing #128, 2007; by Marv Wolfman)"

""With you guys, it seems like I'm hot stuff … a know-it-all … but I've been back with The Batman again, and next to him I feel like I'm a stupid kid repeating fifth grade … for the third time." (New Teen Titans #20, 1982; by Marv Wolfman)."