Every hero has an foe to fight , and some heroes have full groups of foes who constantly terrorise them . Such is the case ofNightwing , DC ’s greatest force for adept . The former Boy Wonder has a series of enemies who contribute some spicery and excitement to his storyline as Blüdhaven ’s guardian .

Some of these villain are icons in DC , embodiment of all that is malevolent within their universe . Others are n’t as far-famed , but that does n’t make them any less dangerous . All these felon add purpose to Nightwing ’s foreign mission , inspiring him to continue fighting against their reigns of threat .

Lady Shiva

The most dangerous fair sex in the creation is a foe to several superheroes in DC . Lady Shiva is a formidable opponent , a maestro with the steel specializing in killing her butt with her unembellished hands . Lady Shiva is also one of the most challenging characters in DC , a woman who walk the delicate light between a worthful friend and a deathly foe .

Over the days , Shiva has become more of an anti - hero sandwich , serve the Bat - Family at multiplication andeven work as one of Batman ’s mentors . Her itinerary crossed with Nightwing ’s during the Modern 52 storyline , where she even advance him to step out from Batman ’s vestige after easily defeat him under his Robin persona . Shiva remained undefeated during all her appearances , confirming her condition as one of DC ’s good martial creative person .

Blockbuster

Most fans often consider Blockbuster to be Nightwing ’s archenemy . Roland Desmond is actually the second character to assume the Blockbuster personal identity . Blockbuster is a criminal mastermind who carry a strength - bring on steroid hormone that turned him into a hulking and terrifying golem .

His sovereignty of terror in Blüdhaven put him in direct conflict with the city ’s new shielder , Nightwing . After a serial of disputes , Blockbuster win in breaking Nightwing ’s spirit . However , it ultimately lead to his death because the defeated Nightwing take to do nothing when the city ’s unexampled vigilante , Tarantula , wipe out him .

Tarantula

And speaking of Tarantula , the creepy-crawly vigilance man is one of Nightwing ’s most disturbing scoundrel . Catalina Flores acquire up in Blüdhaven , witness multiple injustices and savagery . She eventually became the second Lycosa tarentula , developing an attraction for Nightwing that finally turned grave .

Tarantula is best known for sexually dishonour Nightwing after kill Blockbuster . The act is one of the most controversial moments in DC cartoon strip and one ofthe most messed - up things that ever go on to Nightwing . Her fictional character slowly disappeared after the storyline before ultimately sacrificing herself during theSecret Sixstoryline .

Shrike

Many characters bore the Shrike title over the years ; however , only two were part of Nightwing ’s world , although they both became formidable foes to the former Boy Wonder . The martial artist known as Shrike was apparently the one who taught Dick the art of Escrima stick - combat . While studying under him , Dick encounter the 4th Shrike , a boy distinguish Boone with whom he develop a faithful relationship .

The Boone edition of Shrike eventually became Blockbuster ’s enforcer , directly in charge of killing Nightwing . He failed numerous times , further increasing the animosity between the two former friends . The personal connectedness between them sum another layer to their already compelling storyline , turn Shrike into one of Dick Grayson ’s most memorable villains .

Tony Zucco

Like Joe Chill with Batman , Tony Zucco ’s link with Dick Grayson is brief but critical . Zucco is the human being behind Mary and John Grayson ’s slaying , which conduct to Dick ’s adoption by Batman .

Zucco is a minor villain in the grand scheme of thing , but his influence is undeniable . just put , there ’s no Robin or Nightwing without Tony Zucco . Dick never really fights Tony , and the gangster snuff it before Dick can confront him . His death does impart gag rule to Dick ’s life and allows him to move on . After all , Nightwing is DC ’s most wholesome heroand recognize that there ’s no utilisation dwelling in the yesteryear .

Raptor

Nightwing ’s honorable villains have an intense aroused connection with him . Such is the case with Raptor , a independent assassinator enter to mold for the Parliament of Owls . Raptor ’s real name is Richard , and he was in love with Dick Grayson ’s female parent , Mary . He witnessed Mary ’s murder and blamed himself for the rest of his life . He also grew resentful against the plentiful and powerful , embodied by Dick ’s young protector , Bruce Wayne .

Raptor works not only as an in force antagonist to Nightwing but as a poignant social critique . His granting immunity to pain also makes him an intriguing foe . Raptor may be more anti - hero than villain , but he still works as an counter figure for Nightwing .

Heartless

Despite being a new accession to the Nightwing canon , Heartless is quickly make his mark on DC comics . Heartless preys upon Blüdhaven ’s weakest , the stateless , literally pull out their hearts . During one memorably brutal chronological sequence , he burn the camp in which the orphaned minor took refuge .

Heartless is DC ’s most savage villain in eld . He is also an fabulously personal foeman for Dick , creating new orphans like Dick once was . He might not be the most capable paladin in Blüdhaven , but Heartless is a worthy and baleful adversary for Nightwing , whose standing will undoubtedly keep increasing with the years .

Paragon

Paragon has one of the most intriguing plot line in DC comic . Not much is known about him , not even his real name . However , the Isle of Man that would become Paragon becomes tired of the vigilance man running rampant in Gotham City , and he decide to take matters into his own hand .

He creates the Republic of Tomorrow and becomes a lasting spine in Nightwing ’s side . Paragon is a compelling commentary on heroics and their influence on everyday people . His plot line portrays him as a cautionary story and a potential inevitability of vigilantism , offer a new side to DC ’s mostly one - sided position on superheroes .

Talon

The Court of Owls should be Nightwing ’s villains , according to many devotee . The organization and its notorious enforcer , Talon , debut during Batman ’s New 52 run . Still , their tie to Dick Grayson run so mysterious that it ’s well-situated to see why they should be part of Grayson ’s rogues ' gallery and not Bruce ’s .

Talon in special has a meaningful connector to Dick , being his enceinte - grandfather . The assassin ’s loyalty to the Court of Owls put him in verbatim conflict with the Bat - Family . He shares a memorable fight against Nightwing , besting him , although barely . Talon is the better Batman villain in years , but his ties to Dick make him an even estimable Nightwing foe .

Deathstroke

In many fans ' opinions , Dick Grayson has no with child opposer than Slade Wilson . For nearly thirty years , Deathstroke and Grayson maintained an antagonistic moral force that ranks as one of DC ’s most imperishable contention .

Deathstroke is one of the Teen Titans ' most powerful villainsand the central opponent in their most emblematical storyline , The Hudas Contract . But even after he left the squad , Nightwing ’s animosity towards Wilson remained , although their relationship evolved past its initial apparatus . Nightwing has even trained Slade ’s daughter , and during theFuture Statestoryline , Dick even became the raw Deathstroke . These two have an intricate and complicated relationship , but fans would n’t want it any other path .

NEXT:5 Ways Starfire Is Nightwing ’s lawful Love ( & 5 It ’s Batgirl )

Nightwing and Batman imagery

Collage of Willow and Clash of the Titans

Gwen stacey next to the new gwenpool with her tombstone behind her

Split image showing Nightwing running towards Blockbuster and Raptor, and fighting Lady Shiva

Lady Shiva talking to Nightwing

Blockbuster being tended to by an elderly woman in Nightwing comics

Nightwing fighting Tarantula in DC Comics

Shrike Boone battles Nightwing

Tony Zucco smoking and smiling

Nightwing fighting Raptor in DC Rebirth

Blended image of Nightwing and Heartless

Nightwing fighting Paragon in DC Comics

Talon against a blurred image of Nightwing and Melinda

Nightwing fighting Deathstroke in DC Comics

Nightwing