Is there any DCU character who deserves comic book limbo more than Nightwing?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Thinking about the first year of the Wally West Flash series, and seeing the solicit for the new Titans series, I got to thinking about poor Richard Grayson, who hasn't had a dramatically satisfying story in regular DCU continuity since he wore the disco collar. His development from Robin to Nightwing in the OG New Teen Titans series and then his decade-long estrangement from Batman gave the character an edge. But since then, well, who really gives a shit? Of all the characters listed below, does anyone deserve to not be seen or heard from for a while? Has anyone else exhausted their dramatic potential so thoroughly that a spate of comic book limbo (except the occasional cameo in a group shot at Carol Ferris or Jean Loring's eventual funeral) is necessary? Who else besides Nightwing is just taking up shelf space?

Poll Results

Option	Votes
No, Nightwing MUST GO!	3
Maxwell Lord	1
Raven	1
Bob Hope	1
Red Tornado	1
Red Arrow	1
Mr. Terrific	0
Wildcat	0
Black Adam	0
Captain Marvel, or whatever	0
Old Man Green Lantern	0
Black Lois Lane	0
Haunted Tank	0
Jean Loring	0
Zatanna	0
Aunt Harriett	0
Kilowog	0
Pol Manning	0
Anyone who was ever in the New Teen Titans other than Nightwing or Cyborg	0
Anyone other than Batman who was ever a member of the Bat-Squad	0
Anyone other than Batman who was ever a member of the Outsiders	0
Wonder Girl (the blonde one)	0
Green Arrow (either one)	0

― Dr. Superman, Thursday, 24 January 2008 05:46 (seventeen years ago)

I'm normally the type who thinks that there are no bad characters just bad writers. For some reason the exception to the rule for me is Nightwing. I have a strong, strong irrational hatred for him. He's got two modes: smug and whiney.

― James, Thursday, 24 January 2008 15:11 (seventeen years ago)

Could the entire DC Universe, apart from Batman et al, go into limbo?

But who is Kilowog?

― The Real Dirty Vicar, Thursday, 24 January 2008 15:56 (seventeen years ago)

GLC alien who eats things, or that's what JLU taught me.

― Leee, Thursday, 24 January 2008 17:17 (seventeen years ago)

I was wondering if he might be, eh, some kind of incredibly un-PC character.

― The Real Dirty Vicar, Thursday, 24 January 2008 17:35 (seventeen years ago)

Can I vote for Ra'as al Ghul (sp?)?

― James Morrison, Thursday, 24 January 2008 21:49 (seventeen years ago)

okay. I can't remake the poll, but I'll take write-in votes into consideration at the next DC creative retreat.

― Dr. Superman, Thursday, 24 January 2008 23:44 (seventeen years ago)

Bob Hope must die.

― M.V., Friday, 25 January 2008 01:42 (seventeen years ago)

Can we vote for creative teams? And if we do will you consign them to limbo WITH AN AXE?

― Vic Fluro, Friday, 25 January 2008 02:01 (seventeen years ago)

"I'm normally the type who thinks that there are no bad characters just bad writers."

That is always the case. It only takes the right writer and artist to make a character work.

Although, has anyone really ever done anything cool with Ditko's The Creeper?

If a character doesn't sell, let them slip into limbo until someone comes up with a good idea. It is better than killing them off and then having someone having to come up with some good idea to bring them back.

The problem I think both big companies have with these old characters is that they have been allowed to age so much, but beyond this point they won't let happen. Then again, they don't quite have the nerve to completely start over (well I suppose Marvel did give it a shot).

As for Nightwing, there is definitely enough back story there for someone who knows what he is doing to make a good comic. I've got a few that I picked up out of a .50 cent bin, but have not given them a read.

The original Crisis wasn't too kind to the Teen Titans, as they went from being the straw the stirs the drink of the DC universe back to nowheresville. I suppose growing up is hard. I've gotten a few of the old Perez/Wolfman issues and they are still a good read.

― earlnash, Friday, 25 January 2008 03:27 (seventeen years ago)

oh man, I can't believe I forgot beardy Spectre!

― Dr. Superman, Wednesday, 30 January 2008 03:00 (seventeen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

― ILX System, Saturday, 2 February 2008 00:01 (seventeen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

― ILX System, Sunday, 3 February 2008 00:01 (seventeen years ago)

Well, that's weird, because I voted for Black Adam, yet he got 0 votes.

― James Morrison, Sunday, 3 February 2008 02:55 (seventeen years ago)

You didn't say the magic word.

― M.V., Sunday, 3 February 2008 04:56 (seventeen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.