The newest scoundrel to terrorizeNightwing ’s metropolis of Büdhaven , Heartless , is an evil analogue ofBatman , pretend his grudge against Dick Grayson much more black . Batman ’s missionary station is to make Gotham safe and inspire its citizens through hope , so the thought of an evil Batman is dreadful . This unexampled enemy proves thatNightwing ’s villain are scarier than Batman ’s .

Introduced inNightwing # 79 , Heartless is the main scoundrel of Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo ’s critically acclaimed run . Heartless preys on Blüdhaven ’s unhoused citizens , stealing their hearts to replace his own as his enhanced body quickly wears them down . In improver , the serial killer has a personal vendetta against Dick Grayson , tie to the hero ’s determination to save his city . As a result , Heartless ' ultimate goal is to lay claim Dick ’s mettle for himself , even if it means drag Blüdhaven down in the process .

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Comic book art: Batman faces the four Robins: Nightwing Dick Grayson, Red Hood Jason Todd, Red Robin Tim Drake, and Robin Damian Wayne.

InNightwing # 93 , Heartless specifically states that the wants to take aside the Blüdhaven ’s hope and " watch its multitude writhe . "   give Heartless ' allegiance to shrouding   the city in hopelessness , it ’s easy to draw parallels to Batman , a hero sandwich who strives to lift Gotham and actuate hope in its citizens . However , the similarities do not just terminate there . Like Batman , Heartless is also depicted as moneyed , an expert fighter , and is often supported by his butler . These qualities make Heartless a sodding foil for Bruce Wayne , showcasing what a rightful malevolent Batman would count like and take in his status as Nightwing ’s true curse   more personal .

While Owlman or the Batman Who Laughs are said to be pure foils for the Dark Knight , their goals do not mirror Batman ’s own so closely . Owlman is driven by a desire to take over the world . The Batman Who Laughs want to eradicate heroism and remold the multiverse . However , neither villain ’s motivating warp Batman ’s purpose of cultivating hope in his city . or else , Heartless directly opposes this nonsuch , apparently driven to make Blüdhaven ’s dweller execrable . As opposed to lifting and inspiring people , Heartless essay to drag them down and make everyone hopeless .

As a protege of Batman , Nightwing may be a street spirit level hero , but he was kick upstairs to have the same ideals as Bruce . Even while operating in Blüdhaven , Nightwing seeks to uplift his community , endue his new fortune in the city . However , Heartless subsist as a misrepresented interpretation of Dick ’s wise man makes their stew much more personal . While Dick is doing his good to follow in Batman ’s footstep and save his metropolis , Batman ’s thoroughgoing reverse is destroying his plans .

Comic book art: batman by arkham asylum

As Dick Grayson continues to unravel Blüdhaven ’s World Wide Web of depravity , readers can look onward to seeing how the hero can save the city despite Heartless ’ sinister programme . But no matter how the story plays out , the villain ’s twisted version ofBatman’sidealsmakeHeartlessa terrifying nemesis forNightwing .

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