Nightwing, much like the majority of the Bat-Family, is held in high regard for his status as a non-meta hero, making him one of the most formidable and esteemed heroes in the DC universe, despite lacking superhuman abilities. However, it has come to light that Nightwing possesses a unique superpower, which distinguishes him from all others, and it's all thanks to his loyal butler and grandfather figure, Alfred Pennyworth.
Battle for the Cowl #3 – written by Tony Daniel – made it strikingly clear that Nightwing possesses a unique resistence to the fear toxin used by infamous supervillain Scarecrow.
As it turns out, Nightwing's exceptional immunity to fear gas was granted to him through Alfred's meticulous inoculation of the Boy Wonder against every known variant of this hallucinogenic drug.
Nightwing's Immunity to Fear Gas is His Secret Power
Within the daunting landscape of Gotham City, Nightwing, and the Bat-Family confront an endless array of nightly threats, many of which stem from Batman's notorious Rogues Gallery. Among these iconic adversaries, few can induce as much spine-chilling dread as Scarecrow. Armed with his infamous 'fear toxin,' a potent hallucinogenic concoction of his own creation, Scarecrow immerses his victims in their darkest nightmares, subjecting them to unparalleled terror. It's a nightmarish weapon that strikes fear into the hearts of even the bravest souls. Nevertheless, Nightwing's unique superpower enables him to confront the fear toxin in a manner distinct from any other hero or villain.
This remarkable resistance to fear-inducing substances becomes strikingly evident in a memorable scene from Battle for the Cowl #3, when Nightwing finds himself unwittingly dosed with fear gas by Red Hood, the once-second Robin. However, the potent fear agent proves utterly ineffective against him, causing, at most, a hint of disorientation. This remarkable immunity is effectively Nightwing's overlooked 'superpower,' the envy of every Gotham citizen. Dick Grayson's immunity to fear gas grants him a distinct advantage. While most individuals would find themselves entirely incapacitated when exposed to fear gas, a substance known for its debilitating and, sometimes lethal effects, Dick has repeatedly demonstrated his imperviousness to its influence.
Nightwing's Unsung Superpower Could One Day Save Gotham
Alfred inoculating Dick against fear gas may have been a boon for the hero in the long run, and the hero community for that matter, but it does call into question the ethics of Alfred’s decision, since this was most likely done during Dick’s Robin years, where he would have been still just a boy, and couldn’t have given proper consent. As apparent in Battle for the Cowl # 3, Nightwing doesn’t hold this against Alfred, since he mentions the tampering to his biology in a nonchalant and positive context, but it still is a decision made on Pennyworth's part that may not have been one of his most ethical.
This extraordinary resilience is vividly showcased in Nightwing Vol. 4 #56 – by Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza, and Davide Gianfelice, during the 'Ric' storyline. In an encounter with Scarecrow, the villain doses the vigilante with the toxin; Dick Grayson remains utterly unaffected. This unique ability has the potential to be a pivotal factor in future storylines, where the tide of a crisis involving fear gas could be shifted by Dick's exceptional immunity. In such scenarios, Nightwing may emerge as the sole hero capable of saving the day, highlighting the profound significance of his immunity in the face of perilous encounters with this menacing hallucinogenic substance.