DC High Volume: Batman

Nightwing: Year One – Chapter 2 & Don't Know Where, Don't Know When

Podcast: DC High Volume: Batman
Host: DC | Realm
Date: November 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features two interwoven audio adaptations:

• Nightwing: Year One - Chapter 2 – Dick Grayson, recently dismissed as Robin, seeks direction and finds inspiration for his next chapter in Metropolis.
• Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When – A moody, noir-tinged Batman story where Robin searches frantically for a missing Batman, encountering classic villains and showcasing the partnership’s deep bonds.

Drawing from iconic Batman comic stories, the episode explores themes of legacy, mentorship, self-identity, and what it means to “fly solo” after life in a hero's shadow.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Dick Grayson's Search for Purpose (01:43–07:00)

• Dick arrives in Metropolis seeking advice post-firing by Batman:
  • Stands in awe at the Daily Planet’s iconic globe, representing a shift from Gotham’s darkness to Metropolis’s light and hope.
  • “I just needed to talk to a grown up. Someone who doesn’t spend his days in a cave.” (Dick Grayson, 01:50)
• Meeting Clark Kent/Superman:
  • Dick seeks Clark at the Daily Planet; a subtle dance with secret identities as Lois Lane gets suspicious.
  • Clark and Dick banter with Lois about a supposed shared interest in hockey, which Lois immediately doubts, showing the awkwardness of superhero cover stories.
• Dick explains his firing to Clark:
  • “He said you’re fired. It’s not a job. It is to Bruce. But you’re partners… In his eyes, I screwed up.” (Dick Grayson, 02:56)
  • Clark and Dick slip into roles as mentor and mentee, unpacking the burdens and expectations of sidekick-dom.

2. Superhero Action and Decision-Making (04:05–07:00)

• Presidential motorcade crisis:
  • A bomber threatens the president; Clark and Dick (sans costume) leap into action.
  • Dick laments his lack of official gear, noting he’s “operating without costume or sanction.”
  • Superman neutralizes the bomb, quipping: “Sometimes you just can’t get rid of a bomb.” (Dick Grayson quoting Batman '66, 06:16)
• Clark’s efficiency as Superman:
  • Multitasks—saving lives, neutralizing threats, mentoring Dick, and deftly handling his double identity.

3. Naming and Inspiration: The Origin of "Nightwing" (10:21–11:29)

• Inside Superman’s Fortress of Solitude:
  • Superman shares a Kryptonian legend:
    • “He was cast out of his family. He dreamt of justice… He became a legend… He was called only Nightwing.” (Clark Kent, 10:29)
  • Dick responds, moved: “I like it.” (Dick Grayson, 11:25)
• Mentorship and Home:
  • The two heroes discuss the purpose of the Fortress—“a place of solitude… a piece of home after the fighting is over.” (Clark Kent, 12:05)
  • Dick admits his “movable feast” lifestyle, shaped by circus upbringing and constant movement.
  • Dick confides: “I always thought someday you'd be Batman. I never told anyone that before.” (Dick Grayson, 12:01)

4. Humorous, Human Moments (13:41–14:29)

• Lois Lane’s suspicion:
  • Lois presses Clark about his sudden interest in hockey; the banter reveals the awkwardness of hero life:
    • Lois: “Can you really expect me to believe that you’re into hockey when you’ve never mentioned it before?” (Clark Kent as Lois, 14:03)
    • Dick (teasing): “Why the sudden interest in me, Lois? Could you be looking for something more than a professional relationship?” (14:10)
    • Lois: “You and I have no relationship, professional or otherwise, Clark. I was interested in Dick Grayson.” (14:16)
• Dick returns to his circus roots:
  • Takes up with Haley’s Circus again, blending superhero skills with aerialist showmanship.
  • Discovers, with nostalgia and comfort, that aspects of his identity remain constant.

5. Introduction of Deadman & Hints at the Supernatural (18:06–18:42)

• Encounter with Deadman:
  • The circus atmosphere introduces Deadman (Boston Brand)—marked by his spectral appearance.
  • Dick: “Deadman. Skin tight, red suit, flared collar, bald head and chalky white skin… You look like you just saw a ghost.” (18:10–18:40)

Part Two: Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When (19:06–24:29)

1. The Search for Batman (19:06–23:14)

• Robin responds to Batman’s call:
  • Waiting on the Sprang Building roof, Robin gets increasingly worried as Batman fails to arrive.
  • Robin’s mental state deteriorates—he cycles between concern, panic, and resolve:
    • “Every moment is an opportunity. Robin. Practice your form. Robin. Where is he?” (Robin’s inner monologue, 19:23–19:53)
• Robin conducts a citywide search:
  • Questions the criminal underworld and coordinates with Alfred and Commissioner Gordon.

2. Rogue’s Gallery Threats and Time-Slipping (21:07–22:53)

• Joker’s classic trickery:
  • Batman is ensnared in a teleporter trap, causing temporal and spatial confusion.
  • The vivid, disorienting sequence highlights the danger Gotham’s villains pose and the lengths Robin will go for his mentor.

3. International Rescue & Reunion (22:53–24:16)

• Superman assists Robin:
  • They use surveillance and recording devices to track Batman’s faint biological signs.
  • The rescue takes them to Korea, showcasing a globe-spanning heroics.
  • Robin’s relief is palpable:
    • Dick: “Why that crazy green haired, red lipped bastard. Bruce. Sorry. Yeah. Let’s get you home.” (24:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Outgrowing Old Names:
  • “Even if I kept some of the official gear, I figured you wouldn’t miss a batarang and some trusty bat rope. Take it out of my final paycheck, Bruce.” (Dick Grayson, 04:30)
• Superman’s Mentor Energy:
  • “Actually, it’s refreshing to drop the facade every now and again.” (Clark Kent, 08:04)
• Origin of Nightwing Name:
  • “He was called only Nightwing. In rough translation, of course.” (Clark Kent, 11:18)
• On Circus Life vs. Hero Life:
  • “Lots of people claim that they grew up in a circus. I learned to walk on sawdust. My first word was rube. At least here the freaks and the clowns aren’t always trying to kill you.” (Dick Grayson, 12:17)
• Alfred’s Sly Wit:
  • “Should I telephone Ms. Gordon then and inform her you won’t be requiring her services as Batgirl any longer?” (Alfred, 14:29)
  • “You know what I mean. Indeed…” (Dick Grayson, 14:39)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Arriving at the Daily Planet: 01:43
• Dick’s conversation with Superman: 02:56–07:00
• Superhero action—stopping a bomb threat: 05:24–07:00
• The Naming of Nightwing & Kryptonian myth: 10:21–11:29
• Discussion about emotional sanctuary: 12:05
• Lois Lane’s interrogation: 13:41–14:29
• Return to the circus/Deadman’s introduction: 16:43–18:42
• Transition to “Don’t Know Where, Don’t Know When”: 19:06
• Robin’s search for Batman: 19:23–23:14
• Joker’s temporal trap: 21:07–22:53
• Batman’s rescue in Korea: 24:13–24:16

Takeaways

• Growth and Identity: Dick Grayson’s transformation from Robin to Nightwing is shaped as much by mentorship and mythology as by adversity.
• Mentorship in the DC Universe: The episode underscores the importance of confidants—Superman to Dick, Alfred to Bruce—in a world full of shadows.
• Emotional Resonance: Despite the darkness of Gotham and the scale of threats, the story thrives on character-driven emotion and the perennial search for one’s place in the world.

Listeners are left with a sense of a major turning point in Dick’s life. The stories blend action, humor, and heartfelt reflection, capturing the soul of Batman and his extended family.