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WARNING: Contains Spoilers for Absolute Batman #9 (2025)!
26 years ago, Dick “Nightwing” Grayson enrolled in the Blüdhaven Police Academy, marking the beginning of his journey to becoming a cop. This career choice received a mixed fan reception, with some less than keen on the idea of the hero pursuing a civilian path in law enforcement. Some even argued that other public service careers outside of policing would be more fitting for the character, and it looks like they’re about to get their wish.
Thanks to leaked images from Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman #9, which is set for official release on June 11, 2025, fans have just gotten their first look at the Absolute Universe’s version of Dick Grayson.
For those who haven’t been following DC’s recent storylines, the Absolute Universe is a Darkseid-created world that reimagines DC’s characters with grittier, more hardcore origin stories that reflect the darker world they inhabit. Until now, Dick has been absent from DC’s Absolute Batman narrative. However, Absolute Batman #9 is officially introducing him, and this time he has the civilian job of being an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician), also known as a paramedic.
Dick Grayson Makes His Absolute Universe Debut as an EMT
Cover E 1:50 Dan Hipp Variant for Absolute Batman #9 (2025)
The leaked panel from Absolute Batman #9 features the following narration: “There was even a story about one intrepid EMT ferrying the injured to the ER in a rickshaw.” This narration is accompanied by several panels that depict the EMT doing exactly that, huffing and puffing as he cycles through the streets of Gotham with his rickshaw loaded with the bodies of several injured individuals. Notably, the EMT mutters, “$%& Batman.”The following panel gives readers a close-up of the EMT’s badge, which reads “Grayson D.,” revealing that this notable character is indeed the first introduction of Dick Grayson, a stark departure from typical canon.
Given that this is a leaked page, fans do not have much context concerning the panels. It is unknown why Dick is transporting injured people via rickshaw or why he is cursing Batman’s name. However, one inference fans can make is that this likely serves as an example of Dick going above and beyond in his EMT role to help people, something that aligns with Earth-Prime Nightwing, who consistently prioritizes the well-being of others. Fans might also infer that Batman is the one responsible for the injuries suffered by the victims Dick is transporting, which would explain why he is cursing the Dark Knight.
Cover B Gerardo Zaffino Variant for Absolute Batman #9 (2025)
As a quick AO3 or Tumblr search will show, fans have long since headcanoned Dick as an EMT or another healthcare public servant, often favoring it over his canon time as a cop. So, it is pretty epic to see this underrated fan headcanon come to life in the Absolute Universe. However, this reveal goes far beyond just giving Dick a new career. It completely rewrites his origin in Batman lore, with Dick now entering the Dark Knight’s story as an adult with an established career rather than as a newly orphaned eight-year-old boy. This divergence from typical Nightwing lore is especially exciting, as it introduces a version of Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne who are essentially the same age.
Absolute Batman #9 is available June 11, 2025, from DC Comics!
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