Nightwing's sister is connected to his parent's murderer

At the beginning of Tom  Taylor’s run of Nightwing (Leaping into the Light), Dick Grayson (Nightwing) is looking for answers to how Melinda Zucco became mayor. After breaking into her house, Dick is attacked and knocked out. Like any smart person would do, Melinda took his mask off. What shocks him is that she knows who he is. When Dick confronts Melinda about being the daughter of Tony Zucco, she reveals he isn’t her father. John Grayson is.

Before you get into the connection, the fact that Dick Grayson has a sister may sound unbelievable, but it’s true. The story behind it makes sense and doesn't turn Dick's father into a cheating creep.

WARNING! The beginning of this story may be triggering.

"John and I weren't involved long. Just long enough." -Meili Lin

Melinda’s mother, Meili Lin, was (disgustingly) trafficked into America and purchased by Tony Zucco. Zucco’s abuse caused Meili to flee. Thankfully, Haly’s Circus was in town. When she saw an opportunity to leave her abuser, she took it. As Tony looks for her, he runs into John Grayson and Mary (whose birth name is Marie Lloyd). Zucco pulls a gun on John who fights back with the help of Mary.

The duo fight off Zucco who eventually leaves after believing they didn’t have Meili. John gives Tony a bear and condescendingly says, “I’d hate to see you leave without a prize.” Of course, John was keeping her safe in his trailer.

Without anywhere else to go, John invites Meili to stay with the Haly's Circus. With his and Mary's help, Meili enjoys the best days of her life. At the time, John and Mary weren’t together. Meili says that John put Mary on such a high pedestal that he didn’t realize Mary was doing the same to him.

"Your parents saved me, then they protected me. They showed me how life was supposed to be." -Meili Lin

John and Meili may have stayed together if Tony Zucco hadn't found and kidnapped her while the circus was in Star City. Six months later, Melinda was born. Meili says Tony’s ego wouldn’t allow him to admit that Melinda wasn’t his daughter, but he knew the truth. When Meili escaped again with Melinda, Tony didn’t pursue them.

Meili goes to Haly’s circus to introduce John to his daughter but sees John’s song Dick performing with them. Meili leaves with Melinda to avoid anything being awkward. She planned on returning, but it was too late. Tony Zucco killed John and Mary Grayson. 

Rereading this story makes me realize how personal the death of the Flying Graysons was to Tony Zucco. Sadly, John and Mary weren’t his intended target. Who was? Stay tuned to Caped Crusades for that story after Tom Taylor’s final issue of Nightwing.

If you want to read the full story (and you should) you can find the information below.

• Comic book: Nightwing No. 82
• Writer: Tom Taylor
• Artists: Bruno Redondo, Rick Leonardi, and Neil Edwards

What did you think of this story? Are you shocked that Nightwing has a sister? We want to hear from you. You can email us at entertainment@fansided.com.