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Scott Lobdell Replaces Benjamin Percy on Nightwing From #51, Confirms Shot In the Head

Bleeding Cool has mentioned that big changes were coming to the DC twice-monthly comic book Nightwing. That the character was going in a new direction after the events of Batman #55 and Nightwing #50. That issue was meant to be the start of a four-issue arc by Nightwing's writer Benjamin Percy.

But that is no longer the case. We said Percy was leaving the book, but that may have happened quicker than initially thought.

Instead, Generation X co-creator Scott Lobdell will write Nightwing from #51 onwards. And the solicitation copy is changing. To the extent that the solicits for #53 confirm that Nightwing is indeed shot in the head.

Maybe you could call it getting Lobdell-otomized?

Here's the original solicit for Nightwing #51

NIGHTWING #51
(W) BENJAMIN PERCY (A) CHRIS MOONEYHAM and TRAVIS MOORE
And while Nightwing struggles to uncover the truth behind the "fear germ" that is killing people in their sleep, he must also try to overcome his own sudden struggles with heights and vertigo. He has lost his primary skill set as a hero and will have to focus on his brilliance as a detective instead. And a distracting love triangle certainly isn't helping him focus…This new storyline spins out of events in BATMAN #55. Don't miss the start of a new direction in Nightwing's crimefighting career!

And the new solicit.

NIGHTWING #51
(W) SCOTT LOBDELL (A) GARRY BROWN and TRAVIS MOORE
Don't forget, this issue features an enhanced foil cover by Mike Perkins!
After the cataclysmic events of BATMAN #55, our hero doesn't remember training to fight, being a member of the Bat family, or being a superhero…and he could not be more content. It's his life, and he's happy to just live it with new friends and a roof over his head (wherever that roof might be). So when Bludhaven finds itself without a protector and a new group of vigilantes pick up the slack, Grayson is more than happy to yield any perceived responsibility to the people of the city. But as things start to spiral out of control, muscle memory kicks in…and he is startled to discover that he's more than just a pretty face.

The original solicit for Nightwing #52…

NIGHTWING #52
(W) BENJAMIN PERCY (A) CHRIS MOONEYHAM
Who is Dick Grayson? That's the question haunting him after the devastating injury he suffered in BATMAN #55. Now, as he continues to struggle physically and emotionally, how can he stand against the terrifying "fear germ" unleashed by the Scarecrow?

And the new solicit.

NIGHTWING #52
(W) SCOTT LOBDELL  (A) CHRIS MOONEYHAM
The city of Bludhaven is descending into madness…with citizens falling victim to not only a group of vigilantes taking justice into their own hands, but to a new brand of fear focused on the past. While Grayson is happy to simply look to the future and move forward with his life, how will he deal with a threat that originates in his past? A threat dead set on destroying the Boy Who Fears Nothing? A threat that goes by the name of Scarecrow? Will Grayson continue to leave it all behind, or will he be left with no other choice but to pick up the pieces of Nightwing's shattered life…starting with a mask?

The original solicit for Nightwing #53…

NIGHTWING #53
(W) BENJAMIN PERCY (A) TRAVIS MOORE
Who is Dick Grayson? That's the question haunting him after the devastating injury he suffered in BATMAN #55. Now, as he continues to struggle physically and emotionally, how can he stand against the terrifying "fear germ" unleashed by the Scarecrow?

And the new solicit.

NIGHTWING #53
(W) SCOTT LOBDELL (A) TRAVIS MOORE
Nightwing was shot in the head…and now, only Grayson remains, caught in the clutches of the Knight Terrors! As the group of vigilantes take on the persona and mantle of Nightwing, he is forced to ante up his hand when one of his close friends is murdered… Will he cast his lot with his old super hero friends to take down these rogues, or will he decide to embrace his "newfound" abilities and fight against those who have wronged him? The answer lies somewhere in the gray area, when an unexpected threat from Scarecrow changes the game.

Where will this go now? And note that they are no longer asking 'Who is Dick Grayson?' There is no Dick any more…

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