Richard Grayson (New Earth)/Quotes

I am not Bruce Wayne. But when lives were lost... and the entire city was at stake... I did what Batman had to do. I acted as the Dark Knight. To the best of my abilities -- I became him. And I succeeded. Not as Dick Grayson. And not as Bruce Wayne. But as Batman.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

This fight can't be won if we pull our punches.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Roy had the idea for this team. He said it'd be all about work this time. We wouldn't fight alongside friends. Or family. It would be about the job. I don't like it very much. And I don't think I'm very good at it. I got this team to this place that Checkmate felt the need to step in and step on us. That shouldn't have happened.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Talks like Jane Seymour, fights like Bruce Lee.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I can't tell you what Donna would want. Nobody can because she's dead, Roy! What do you want to do? Just strap on our guns and wait for the next thing!? Wait for the next madman, or alien, or psychopath to come along so I can shove people I love into harm's way!? How many should we kill before it seems like a bad idea!? It was Donna, Roy. Donna. Shut up. It's ended. It's over, Roy. The Titans are finished.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You choose to go after the ones that stick their heads out of the sand. What about the ones burrowing down under? They're out there. And they're not living a monastic life. There's no way the Joker did this on his own. He had help from others... others just like him... they're planning. They're waiting. I want them before they fire the gun, or make the bomb... or kidnap the President. We have enough firemen. We need some hunters.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Changing is always harder than staying the same. It takes courage to face yourself in the mirror and look beyond the reflection. To find the you that you should have been. The you who got derailed by cruel childhood events. Events that took your life's natural trajectory and twisted it. Changing it into something unimaginable... or even incredible... giving you the courage to embrace you birthright, your destiny, and finally realize... that you are BATMAN.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

What I've gotten is the realization that you did the best you could with what you had. You weren't a perfect father but that's okay because -- probably nobody's a perfect father. No family's perfect, either. I was lucky. I was privileged. Not because of the big house and the money, but because you gave me a lot of yourself. You taught me, you showed me, you encouraged me -- you never lied to me and you never demanded that I be anything I'm not. I didn't imitate you because you insisted that I do so, but because I wanted to. Of all the men I knew, you were most worthy of imitation.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

His coordinates are ten degrees, twenty-five minutes east, thirty-eight degrees, forty seven minutes north...Straight up.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

We've spent too much time chasing our own doubts. It's time to find the real killer of Vesper Fairchild

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Changing is always harder than staying the same. It takes courage to face yourself in the mirror and look beyond the reflection. To find the you that you should have been. The you who got derailed by cruel childhood events. Events that took your life's natural trajectory and twisted it. Changing it into something unimaginable... or even incredible... giving you the courage to embrace you birthright, your destiny, and finally realize... that you are BATMAN.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Sometimes the lines get blurred. Sometimes the only thing between you and them is the mask and cape.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Sometimes the hardest lessons are learned in the midst of a storm.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Batman is NOT dead. And I don't mean this in some spiritual pep talk sort of way. That he now "...lives on through all of us." I'm not being sentimental. What I mean is, the world cannot know he's dead. Most don't even know he was human. Vampire. Demon. Ghost. We all know the myths. But that's all we have left of him. The fear he instilled. That is his legacy. And we need to honor that. We need to honor him. To acknowledge his passing flies in the face of everything he fought for. Everything he was. The criminals, the monsters, the ones who dedicate themselves to doing wrong need to think he can't die. They need to think he's still out there. Batman lives. Always.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Bruce, I gotta tell ya, this job could have been fun for you sometimes if you ever let it.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I know it's hard to believe that I could change, Dent. It must be almost impossible for someone like you. You're stuck in amber -- obsessed with routine -- split down the middle. Clean or scarred! But it's not all light and darkness, Harvey. There's gray. You can't see that. I'm not like you, Harvey. I can change. But... I am still Batman.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

He knows more, and he's afraid of spilling it to me. But he's even more afraid of heights. Between the gagging and vomiting he spits out something useful. A name which leaves me no doubt where to go next.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

The most secure building in Gotham...My royal behind.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

The truth is I need to deal with this without the help of Bruce or anyone else. I need to pass Azrael's test. I need to know that I am a good person.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Me and Batman, we had an arrangement... if he was in trouble, I got him out. If there was a death trap he couldn't handle on his own, I was there to get him free. He knew he could count on me. That's how we worked. He was my brother, my best friend. I had a job to do and I never let him down.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I've never been a big fan of chess... but from what I understand... this would be me putting you in check... wouldn't it, Black Queen?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I'm on my way to the cave. And Bruce better have some answers.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Then it's a frame.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Lives are in jeopardy. And life trumps death every time.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

It's that smile. That same damn smile Zucco had on his face the night he murdered my parents. Like seeing their broken bodies lying there like rag dolls was funny. That their deaths meant as much to him as stepping on two ants on the sidewalk.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You will go to the police and report that missing medallion from the Loomis case is here, in the debris. You will confess your crimes. You will lead the police to your accomplices. If you disobey me, I will find you. Do you know what will happen then?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

When I was a boy, my parents kept a big map of the country tacked to the wall of our dressing room. The map had pins stuck in all the places our troupe was going to stop that season. Different towns and cities were marked with different color pins. Blue pins meant small towns... which meant small shows, less dangerous tricks. Red pins meant big cities. So, big shows and more dangerous tricks. All the stops were marked red or blue... except for one -- Gotham City, which was marked by a black pin. According to my father, the black pin meant no holds barred. Pull out all the stops. Bring down the house. It meant put on the biggest, riskiest show of the season. No catch wires. No safety nets. Everyone pushing themselves to the limit. I remember one time I asked my father why. What made Gotham so special? And my father, he looked down at me, and he said... "...some places just have a hunger about them, son. And you either feed them what they want... or you stay far, far away."

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Lately it just feels like the city is getting meaner, wilder. Something is changing. Some nights I feel like I barely recognize it anymore.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Be careful, Red Robin. They're wearing sunglasses at night. Which means they're very cool.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Gotham is a place you can never get above, a place you can never see clearly. Every time you try to get some purchase, the city changes beneath you, surprising you in new, terrible ways.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I suppose this is the part where I'd say, "B-deep, that's all folks"... if I had a sense of humor.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You know, maybe it's a good thing the Watchtower was destroyed. Maybe it's time you guys stopped playing God from on high and started remembering how the real world operates.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Not a unit. Nothing in sync. Bruce would be ashamed.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I don't think until now I ever truly accepted what a good life I've had.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Take care, guys. You're the best!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I guess I retired Nightwing too soon.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Listen, I do not give any kind of damn at all about you or your son or this rotten country. The Graysons! What happened to the Graysons?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I've got one more thing to say. You and Alfred gave me a home and you gave me what we don't mention. The L word. You were the best family I could have had. Thanks.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Obviously, there's a slight credibility gap when you're a hero in a hooded sweatshirt and tennies.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I wasn't going to let it bother me. I wasn't going to let anything bother me. But you trained me too well.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Why was I surprised? Finding some other prodigy to take my place is your kind of move. Can't be angry with you for not letting me know what I should have expected right from the start.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I may not be your partner anymore. But I'm just as committed to your crusade as the night you made me swear the oath. I wanted you to know that. And something else... You were the best father you could be. Given the circumstances.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

It's a loft. Big and empty. No, that was not an analogy of yours truly.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You know, Roy, dodging bullets with you used to be more fun...you're turning into a real pessimist!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I see them now. My first thought is -- all of this for Damian? The son Batman never knew he had. Grandson to Ra's al Ghul... and a kid no one can stand. And then I think... no... it's for Tim. For him, a thousand ninjas is just the start of what I would do. Of course... be nice if Batman were here to take a hundred or so off my hands...

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Impressive, Doctor Pennyworth. I'm gonna call Doctor Mid-Nite and maybe you guys can team up for a new reality show: "The Brave and the Bald."

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Don't let them win...

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Okay, Mom and Dad, your "Flying Grayson" is about to take the great leap. Or as they say it in french, Le Grand Saut. Down, down and away. I'd say I wish you could see me now, but I know you're watching me-- I can feel angels on my shoulders. And probably a bat, too.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I'm done taking any more day jobs. It's simply not necessary. Gotham needs my attention 24/7. I owe it to Bruce-- hell-- I owe it to Gotham. I grew up there, it's my hometown, it's in my bones.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Looks like the decision's been made for me. Huntress has jumped the play.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Just abandon you? Sorry, I wasn't raised that way. You've been set up and you need all the friends you can get.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

No surfaces where fingerprints would show. No carelessly discarded identification cards. Not even a confession signed in blood.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Dear Bruce... I guess it's time for me to move on. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do if I'm not allowed to help you anymore. Alfred doesn't need to worry about entertaining me and taking care of you, too. You don't want a partner. And you don't need a son. I'm sorry I failed you. I won't forget everything you've given me.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

'"Kiddie Games"? Batman thinks we're playing "kiddie games"? Just wait till I get back to the Batcave!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

CLARK! I know you lost your father. And you are angry you can do anything in the world but you can't bring them back. I lost my father too. And this is what I can do.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Did Supergirl just drop you off? Was that a date? Because if it was, Supergirl is way out of your league.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

So. You're the guys who swiped the Teen Titans name.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

That's right, Roy. Run away from conflict. Come and go as you please. Whatever you do, don't commit to anything.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

It is an awkward situation, though. I mean, we very nearly got married. Since we'll be working together again, I think maybe we should have a plan.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I don't know what else we can do. We've got to turn the kids over to children's services.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You guys are the best team I've ever seen. I never doubted that.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

This is a new kind of denial for you. I like it.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Sorry we're late--but we had to look for our minds.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Batman doesn't dance.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Wait. I was slidin' down a pole...into a cave...I was wearin' shorts an' pixie boots--and this wasn't a dirty movie...?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

All of us, we've been moved, inspired, driven t serve, to fight, to be better--by the three of you. And we're still trying to live up to your example.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I'm not much of a follower!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Plus, if I didn't study my principles of architectural function -- I only got to fight goners like Tweedledum and Tweedledee, while Batman got all the cool rogues.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Barbara, I have to leave in a few hours to try and save the Universe and I don't even know if I'll be alive tomorrow, but if I am -- will you marry me?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

It's high time the real Nightwing got off his duff!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

But, you caught the bad guy. The Joker's back in Arkham for like the seventy-ninth time -- where maybe we can hold onto him for more than an hour and a half this time...

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You're wrong, Terminator. Now, listen close, because we're only going to say this once -- get the Hell off our island.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

No matter what you've done to it, this is Titans Island, Deathstroke... and you're not welcome here!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Are you still seating for dinner?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You mean who is trying to systematically eliminate everyone who was ever a Teen Titan?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

How about Captain Spongebob Squarepants, that ring a bell?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Better you're mature enough to realize your limits than to find out late that you don't.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I can't replace you, Bruce... but I'd be lying if I said it's not going to be wild standing in for you.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I didn't expect anything, Tim, but what I've got is a dirty job.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I wish it made me feel better. Funny thing is...just as I'm getting good at this...I know I'm going to have to give it up.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I used to think he was more real as Batman than as Bruce Wayne...but because he can't just be some cold super-hero around me, I think Bruce is becoming more real too. Look, I know what we're doing is important, but it's not everything. Mom and dad always taught me to enjoy myself, I think maybe I'm helping Bruce to enjoy himself, too.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Mr. Wayne said he wasn't going to try to be my father. He wouldn't adopt me. He'd just make me his ward. He said all he wanted was to make things as good as he could for me. [...] If I can't be with my parents, I'd like to be with Mr. Wayne.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Not a problem, Babs. Anything for you.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Shut up. You get one. One chance to stop this now. Reverse whatever it is you've done to the Earth's water. Release my friends. Surrender.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Yeah, that's you, mister honorable, Sir Two-Face of the Gotham shire, the patron saint of mental health and murder.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

He doesn't control us... we have the power... we can do this. Together we can handle anything. Titans Together!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

There are lives at stake, Barbara. Not just the ones of people we don't like, like Slade and Cain, but Cassandra's too-- Did you think of that?!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

It's hard to be as graceful as a cat with 250 pounds of muscle and fur latched on to you in a death grip.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You throw everything you've lived for aside like it was nothing. Killing this creep doesn't make you as bad as the scum we hunt. It makes you worse. Because they never stood for anything.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I am in the Titans, remember. Black holes. Alternate universes. Aliens.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Life's a carnival, Barbara, believe it or not.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Blüdhaven. A short car ride down the coast from Gotham. But it seems a century away. As bad as Gotham is, Blüdhaven's worse in a lot of ways. If it's too coarse or too awful or too vile for Gotham, it winds up here.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Behind all that steel and all those dawn gadgets...you're just a common thug! You want to be Batman, huh? Yeah, right. You'd have to stand on top of Gotham Tower just to reach his boots!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I'd do anything for Bruce. I thought he knew that.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Remember? Us versus them. Simple as that. Some headcase started acting out his criminal fantasy. And we were there to bust heads. The good old days. Gone forever. Remember?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

The whole mansion has been plowed into the cave--It means the game has changed.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

My name's Nightwing! I may not be the gent you were expecting, but let me assure you... like him, I'm the stuff of nightmares. So don't get stupid! If you play it cool, you may walk away from here with all your teeth.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

If you want Robin to stay dead, that's okay with me. But you've trained me too well -- made me what I am. You can't keep me from pursuing my own destiny.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Vic, you said before I plan too much. Well I'm not doing that now. I want those killers! And I'm going to get them!

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Now, can you put me down before you start calling me "Lois"?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Enjoy your victory, Grayson. Because it's going to be a long night. And happy endings aren't going to be easy to come by. Let's see what else Gotham has in store.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Babs...Shut up for a second. Let me just enjoy seeing you alive okay?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I hit him harder than I should. Not sure why. It worries me that it feels so right.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

This place is hopelessly lost to corruption and injustice and violence. I'm going to like it here.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Talks like Jane Seymour, fights like Bruce Lee.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

As long as he's in Blüdhaven, Robin is my responsibility. He's family. The closest thing to a brother I'll ever have.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You're right. I'm no Batman. But I'm close enough to shut you two down.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I remember the boy now. I've seen him in nightmares. His mouth forming words -- I can never hear. Until now.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Steel, age doesn't make one great. It's what exists deep inside. The drive to do the right thing — that's what will make them Titans.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Is there anyone you won't sleep with?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

What the Hell is the matter with you? I mean, aside from the obvious! Ignoring all the many layers of denial, and the fifty feet of psychological body armor that you throw up to avoid feeling anything! Aside from that -- ! And the pathological need to control everything on Earth and beyond! Ignoring all that -- ! What exactly is your compulsion, your burning desire to deceive, lie and manipulate the only people who give a good god damn about you!?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Every one of those people was in the act of perpetrating a crime. I'm not going to get into some pissing match about where they fall in the hierarchy of wrongdoing. We hunt and catch bad guys, gang. That's the job. You don't like it, there's the door.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I'm just tired of watching friends die.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

You've jeopardized the whereabouts of every one of us. Hell, by tomorrow morning... it'll be a miracle if the whole world doesn't know that you're all not actually dead.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

It's about the big picture. That's why we're here. That's what we're doing.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

There are things that none of you are willing to do. Things that have to be done for the common good. I will do these things.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

I'm not the man to lead the Outsiders to where they need to go. But I know who is. Don't you think it has a nice ring to it? Batman and the Outsiders.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Like you're the first person to try that move. It's called a cup.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Have I ever told you that you're the only hero who consistently makes me feel inadequate?

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

We're up against someone good. Someone as good as Bruce.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

When you die in Blüdhaven - going to Hell is considered a promotion.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)

Who do I think I am? Good question, really, and I'll answer like this: I've seen too much to be Robin, but I'm still too optimistic to be Batman. I'm Nightwing. I'm Officer Dick Grayson. I'm Barbara's boyfriend, Bruce Wayne's adopted son, and the last living member of the Amazing Flying Graysons. I'm happy.

--Richard Grayson (New Earth)