WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for TITANS #15!Although I’ve always favored theNightwingandStarfireromance over Nightwing andBatgirl, I never truly shipped the Original Boy Wonder with the Tamaranean Princess—until now. This changed with the release of a recent comic that brilliantly recreated one of my favorite Dick Grayson and Koriand’r moments from the DCAU animated films, officially solidifying my place among the NightFire shippers. And the real surprise? It was a DC writer I never expected who made me a full-fledged Dick/Kori believer.
It may come as a shock to many that Tom Taylor is responsible for turning me into a Starfire/Nightwing shipper.
Tom Taylor, Lucas Meyer, and Adriano Lucas’Dark-Winged Queenstoryline reaches its thrilling conclusion inTitans#15, an issue packed with non-stop action and twists. In this installment,Raven and the Titans face offagainst her dark counterpart, the Dark-Winged Queen, as well as Raven’s demonic overlord father, Trigon.
With both foes being extinction-level threats, the battle is intense and brutal, culminating in Nightwing being fatally injured when a giant boulder crushes him.As Dick teeters on the brink of death, we get a heart-wrenching moment between him and Korithat made my ship-loving heart soar, officially turning me into a Nightwing/Starfire supporter.
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Fans won’t see the Titans' new love triangle coming—it’s completely out of left field. But chances are, most will be eager to jump on board with it.
TitansJust Recreated My FavoriteJustice League Dark: Apokolips WarNightwing/Starfire Moment (Kinda)
Following a devastating blow from Trigon that shakes the very surface of the Earth and sends the Titans flying, Starfire, largely unharmed, immediately realizes that Dick is missing. As she flies above, calling out for him, Tempest waves her down and pushes aside a boulder to reveal Dick’s broken body. While still alive, it’s clear that Nightwing is barely holding on, and it’s only a matter of time before he succumbs to his injuries. Helpless,Starfire cradles him against her chest, a moment that brought tears to my eyes.
Though Kori and Dick aren’t romantically together in this series, the scene is filled with Starfire’s profound love for Nightwing. Seeing her hold him with such tenderness as she begins to grieve broke me in more ways than I care to admit. This moment reminded me of my favorite Dick/Kori scene in the DCAU filmJustice League Dark: Apokolips War, where a cybernetically infused Kori cradles a Lazarus Pit-mad, straightjacket-wearing Dick in her lap. Despite the different contexts,both moments reflect Starfire’s unconditional love for Nightwing and her determination to stay by his side, even in the bleakest circumstances.
This unwavering love exhibited by Kori has endeared me to her dynamic with Dick, with the scenes inTitans#15 andJustice League Dark: Apokolips Warproving Starfire loves the man beyond the hero, valuing him for who he is rather than for his accomplishments or looks. However, I recognize that these examples highlightStarfire’s love for Nightwingrather than a mutual affection.For this ship to become my OTP, I would need to see more instances where Dick serves as Kori’s rockin the midst of a storm, much like she has consistently been for him.
Tom Taylor Proves He’s Not a Dick/Kori-Hater, Let Alone a Starfire-Hater
I honestly didn’t expect theTitansseries to deliver such an emotionally impactful Nightwing/Starfire moment, especially since I had often heard that Tom Taylor was the ultimate Batgirl and Nightwing shipper, with some even accusing him of being a Starfire hater. This surprised me, as Taylor has crafted some ofmy favorite Starfire scenes throughout hisTitan-related series. Therefore, it may come as a shock to many that he is responsible for turning me into a Kori/Dick shipper. Even those who aren’t convinced this is a genuine Nightwing/Starfire moment should, at the very least,recognize once and for all that Tom Taylor isn’t a Starfire hater.
Donna Troy: The ONE Titan I Ship Starfire With More Than Nightwing
Donna Troy x Starfire Has the Potential To Be DC’s Best Women-Loving-Women Ship
Despite my newfound love for the Nightwing/Starfire ship, there’s one Titan pairing that I adore even more:Donna Troy x Starfire. To clarify, Donna and Kori have never been romantically involved in canon, making this ship a matter of personal preference—a pairing I would love to see brought to life in DC’s narratives. My obsession with these two heroines began with Taylor’sBeast Worldsaga, which provided plenty of kickass and heartfelt moments for both characters (see my favorite Kori/Troy moment above). While I have a genuine affection forNightwingandStarfire, if given the choice, I would ultimately root for Kori and Donna’s relationship to flourish.
TITANS #15 (2024)
Starfire
Starfire, also known as Princess Koriand’r, is a key member of theTeen Titansand originates from the planet Tamaran. With her bright, energetic personality, she is known for her fierce loyalty, optimism, and strength in battle. Starfire is one of the most powerful Titans, possessing the ability to fly and shoot energy blasts from her hands.
Nightwing
Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.
