There have been a boatload of rumblings that something big is about to happen with Nightwing, and now the folks at DC have indadvertedly tossed some fuel on the fire.

The company has registered a new trademark on the Nightwing logo, featuring the character’s name imposed over a Batman logo (which sounds a lot like the New 52 logo above). The trademark covers all kinds of clothing for kids and adults, as well as toys and sporting goods (including everything from Christmas ornaments to board games).

So, why now? That’s where it gets interesting.

DC is expanding its universe quite a bit with the upcoming flick Batman vs. Superman, and there have been reports that an estranged Nightwing will also be a part of the story. Director Zack Snyder has said he wants to tell a different Batman story than Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, and this is definitely one way to do it.

On the flip side, The CW’s hit series Arrow has started digging around the Batman mythology this season by introducing Ra’s Al Ghul’s League of Assassins. Actor Steven McQueen (Vampire Diaries) dropped a tweet claiming he was hitting the weight room to bring Nightwing to life on the series, and it could definitely fit in with the new League of Assassins storyline.

Whatever DC is up to, it sounds like they’re getting ready to do something with Nightwing. What do you think it will be?

(Via Bleeding Cool)