Nightrunner (french: Coureur nocturne) is a
fictional character created by
David Hine and
Kyle Higgins for publisher
DC Comics. A
comic book superhero
A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...
, Nightrunner first appeared in ''
Detective Comics Annual
''Leatherwing'', also known as ''Batman: Leatherwing'', is a DC Comics '' Elseworlds'' story published in '' Detective Comics Annual'' #7 in 1994. It was written by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by Enrique Alcatena, who also devised the plot.
This ...
'' #12 (February 2011). Nightrunner is a 25-year-old
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
citizen of
Algerian origin who lives in
Clichy-sous-Bois in the eastern suburbs of
Paris,
France. He was recruited by
Bruce Wayne and
Dick Grayson for
Batman Incorporated as the Batman of Paris, ''Le Batman Of France''.
[
]
Publication history
Nightrunner was introduced in a two-part story that spanned ''Detective Comics'' Annual #12 and ''Batman'' Annual #28 in December 2010 (cover-date February 2011). David Hine created Nightrunner to mirror the current social and political situations unfolding in the French projects of Clichy-sous-Bois.
Fictional character biography
Bilal Alsselah ( ar, بلال الصلاح), a French-Algerian, was raised by his single mother on the outskirts of Paris, France. Though peaceful, on Bilal's birthday, he and his friend Aarif were caught in the middle of a protest, and beaten mercilessly by the police force. After they both healed, Aarif gave Bilal a gift including the music of Leni Urbana, an urban representative of the Muslim people in France, urging Bilal to listen to her words. That night Aarif was killed by police after he set fire to their station. After hearing of his friend's death, Bilal would forever be changed. Though he sympathized with the protesters, he found faults on both sides and decided to take a cue from Batman's origins: becoming a symbol, without racial or religious bias, that could make a difference for what's right and just. Already a superior parkour and freerun athlete, he donned the mask of Nightrunner in order to help the people's cause and bring justice to Clichy-sous-Bois.
He assists Batman
Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on ...
in taking down a child-slavery ring.
See also
* Maghrebian community of Paris
References
External links
Nightrunner
at DC Comics Wiki
Comics characters introduced in 2011
DC Comics superheroes
Fictional Arabs
Muslim superheroes
Muslim characters in comics
French superheroes
Vigilante characters in comics
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