Nightwing’s Nemesis Redefines What an ‘Evil Batman’ Actually Looks Like
The newest villain to terrorize Nightwing's city of Büdhaven, Heartless, is an evil analogue of Batman, making his grudge against Dick Grayson much more sinister. Batman's mission is to make Gotham safe and inspire its citizens through hope, so the thought of an evil Batman is frightening. This new foe proves that Nightwing’s villains are scarier than Batman’s.
Introduced in Nightwing #79, Heartless is the main villain of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo's critically acclaimed run. Heartless preys on Blüdhaven's unhoused citizens, stealing their hearts to replace his own as his enhanced body quickly wears them down. In addition, the serial killer has a personal vendetta against Dick Grayson, linked to the hero’s determination to save his city. As a result, Heartless' ultimate goal is to claim Dick's heart for himself, even if it means dragging Blüdhaven down in the process.
Related: Nightwing Needs to Steal His Personal Joker Back from Batman
In Nightwing #93, Heartless specifically states that the wants to take away the Blüdhaven's hope and "watch its people writhe." Given Heartless' dedication to shrouding the city in hopelessness, it's easy to draw parallels to Batman, a hero who strives to lift Gotham and spark hope in its citizens. However, the similarities do not just end there. Like Batman, Heartless is also depicted as wealthy, an expert fighter, and is often supported by his butler. These qualities make Heartless a perfect foil for Bruce Wayne, showcasing what a true evil Batman would look like and making his status as Nightwing’s true nemesis more personal.
While Owlman or the Batman Who Laughs are said to be perfect foils for the Dark Knight, their goals do not mirror Batman's own so closely. Owlman is driven by a
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