During the "Batman R.I.P." storyline, Nightwing is ambushed 由 the International Club of Villains. He is later seen in Arkham Asylum, frothing at the mouth and presumably drugged, believed 由 the staff to be Pierrot Lunaire, a member of the Club. Scheduled for an experimental lobotomy 由 Arkham himself, he's spared 由 the ICoV taking hold of the Asylum, wanting to use him and Jezebel Jet, Bruce's fianceè at the time, as bait.

As Jezebel's capture is revealed to be a red herring, due to her being a part of the Black Glove, Nightwing's lobotomy is still pending, but he manages to escape 由 besting...