Nite Owl employs technology and gadgetry more than any other hero in the Watchmen universe. His array of owl-themed gadgets include his Owlship Archimedes ("Archie"), night-vision goggles, hoverbikes, and sonic screechers. Even in retirement, Nite Owl continues to tinker with and modify his arsenal.

Dan Dreiberg (the second Nite Owl) studied aeronautics and ornithology at Harvard before taking over the role of Nite Owl from Hollis Mason, the original hero of that name. Dreiberg fought crime for 12 years as Nite Owl before being forced into retirement by the Keene Act.

Nite Owl partnered with the mysterious and violent Rorschach to fight crime. Nite Owl supported forming a supergroup with other contemporary heroes, even though Rorschach was against the idea. Dan Dreiberg remains very close friends with his hero, the original Nite Owl, Hollis Mason.

• The character of Nite Owl is based loosely on the comic-book superheroes Batman and Blue Beetle.