Nightwing's Secret Justice League Role Explains Why He Isn't on the Team

screenrant.com:

One of the most respected heroes in the entire DC Universe isNightwing, leading many comic fans to wonder: why he isn't on the Justice League? Dick Grayson was trained by Batman, led the Teen Titans, and is generally well-thought-of amongst his peers. If any hero in the DCU is worthy of inclusion into the League, then surely it would be Nightwing.

Throughout their shared history, Grayson is one of the very few people who has earned Batman’s trust. For instance, he was the first one Batman called after the Knightfall saga, tasking his former partner with taking up the Mantle of the Bat while he took more time to recoup. Some even argue that Nightwing makes a better Batman than Bruce ever did. It is entirely fitting that he would be Batman’s first and only choice to be the replacement team leader should anything happen to the team, and quite possibly was kept from getting a full JLA membership for that very reason.

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In the “Obsidian Age” storyline that ran in JLA #68-75 in 2002, this is exactly what happened. Written by Joe Kelley and with art by Doug Mahnke and Yvel Guichet, the story finds the Justice League searching for a time-displaced Aquaman, only to then get lost in ancient times themselves. Before the team disappears, Batman activates his contingency. Using technology based on Mr. Terrific’s “T-Spheres,” several drones are sent across the world, gathering together a group of replacement heroes to form a new Justice League. Amongst their number are a collection of heroes both old and new: Green Arrow, Hawkgirl, The Demon, Firestorm… each one hand-picked to take the place of the World’s Greatest Superheroes. Each was chosen after a careful