Official DC art revives flamboyant Nightwing costume

Nightwing Discowing costume.

DC fans have recently been treated to a sneak peek of the upcoming and highly anticipated Nightwing #300 comic. Among the diverse selection of illustrations is a variant cover created by artist Serg Acuña, which shows the unexpected comeback of Nightwing's iconic (and slightly ridiculous) 1984 costume, affectionately named 'Discowing'. 

With the new edition set to be a groundbreaking narrative exploring Nightwing's past, his 84 years of comic book cameos are finally getting some real recognition. While Nightwing has been a man of many guises, I'm glad to see the Discowing character design return – now all we need is a matching Discobat costume.

Serg Acuña's variant cover for Nightwing #300 is a blast from the past (Image credit: DC Comics/Serg Acuña)

In the 1984 comic Tales of the Teen Titans #44, Dick Grayson's transformation from Robin to Nightwing was the perfect opportunity to cement him as a 'cool' standalone character, free from the sidekick role. So when he made his debut in the Discowing costume, many fans found the new look a little flamboyant. With an oversized '70s collar, the original costume's deep plunging neckline and gold sequin detail was certainly a product of its time (and not a flattering one at that).

Since then, Nightwing has been depicted in a more conventional costume – an all black skin-tight suit with a simple 'V' design. However, fans still hold a special place in their hearts for Discowing, making DC's latest art teaser a welcome throwback. Clad in his scandalous v-neck suit, Acuña's Nightwing clenches a rose between his teeth, playfully referencing his groovy past with a disco ball background.

Variant covers by Jim Lee (left) and Jamal Campbell (right). (Image credit: Jim Lee/Jamal Campbell)

While it's unclear if the Discowing costume will be making a prominent return in Nightwing #300, fans remain hopeful that the design is a sign of deeper exploration into Nightwing's origins. If you're excited for the Discowing resurgence, there's not long to wait as the comic is set to drop on 16 April 2024. 

For more DC news, check out the bizarre Swimsuit Edition comics that delighted and confused fans. If you'd like to create your own comic art, take a look at our top tips for developing your characters.