The “Grayson” team knows Dick. Writer Tim Seeley, co-plotter Tom King, artist Mikel Janin, and colorist Jeremy Cox continue to impress with the new status quo of the former Robin/Nightwing/Batman in “Grayson” #2. The spy life fits Mr. Dick Grayson quite nicely.
Written by Tim Seeley and Tom King
Illustrated by Mikel JaninGrayson digs deeper into the mysterious organization known as SPYRAL and learns more about his new partner – Helena Bertinelli!
The newest issue of “Grayson” is even better than last month’s impressive debut issue. Tim Seeley, Tom King, and Mikel Janin prove that Dick Grayson is a great character with or without a mask. With more wit, more cameos that enhance the story, and more character and world building, “Grayson” is a book with a bright future. It stands out from all the other Bat-books (as well as every other DC book) on the shelves. With Janin’s pencils and Cox’s colors, this book is also one of the best-looking books from any company.
Fans of outrageous Grant Morrison-esque spy adventures and James Bond will no doubt continue finding much to love in this book. With references to “Fleming” and strange devices such as a “biomech digestive processor”, Seeley and King pack the pages with enough references and hijinks to entertain readers in or out of the loop. It’s fun to see Spyral (Morrison and artist Chris Burnham’s creation from “Batman Incorporated”) being used again with such flair in “Grayson”. Outrageous occurrences are almost always promised with one of Morrison’s creations and Seeley and King do not disappoint.
Besides the Morrison-birthed spy organization, other references and characters to the DC world pepper the book. However, whether one has read a DC book before or not, this title is perfect for any reader who know Dick or would like to get to know him. The name-dropping of certain organizations and some visual references are Easter eggs for long-time DC readers. New readers, however, will be intrigued by the mysterious references and will be lead to do some Spyral-like research of their own.
Two superheroes who made appearances in the first issue make an even greater impact in issue two. Some may have been perplexed by the inclusion of Midnighter in the previous issue, yet his character is fleshed out and given a plausible reason to be involved with the book’s ever-growing intrigue. The scene with Midnighter and yet another mysterious organization demonstrates the expert way that both Seeley and King can share a character’s past through natural dialogue instead of passing on to readers one great big info dump. “Grayson” is my first time reading the exploits of this Stormwatch member and I hope we get a lot more of him in this book.
Batman’s appearance in this title is an obvious one because, as established in the first issue, Dick is infiltrating Spyral in order to report back its covert goings-on to Bruce. Not only do Seeley and King know Dick, they also know Bruce. Some of the best moments in the book involve the former Dynamic Duo, with their repartee reminiscent of two people who have a very close relationship. But it’s obviously a different kind of relationship because it happens to involve such disparate characters as these two crimefighters. The most heartfelt moments, surprisingly (or unsurprisingly, I’d say), are the ones between “father” and “son”. It will be very interesting to see how the relationship between Dick and Bruce changes as the writers ramp up the intrigue involving the mysterious Spyral and its leader, Mr. Mynos.
Besides the Dick/Bruce dynamic, the other relationship with palpable chemistry in the book is the one between Dick and Helena Bertinelli. The interactions between them are spark-filled and the wit stings the reader from the page with expert precision. The back-and-forth between them is especially humorous when Dick gives examples of his proficiency of the “regional dialect” of his new home country of England. The playful look on Dick’s face that is so charmingly rendered by Janin is one that Helena will be hard-pressed not to refuse.
Dick is irresistible because Janin portrays him as so darn charming. His playfulness shines in both his facial features and his actions. Even when defending himself, Dick’s actions have a balletic quality. He enjoys everything he does, even when it involves danger. Even though he’s in hiding from those he loves, he remains a character who is comfortable with himself. Janin is able to convey a kinetic style on the page that matches Dick’s kinetic personality. Although the issue is devoid of much action, the pages pop with excitement and seem bound to burst.
Continued belowAlthough a playful quality runs strong through the veins of this book, Janin brings a complexity to Dick and the other characters’ faces that mirrors the emotional depth of the writing. Surprise, regret, stoicism, and debonair flair are some of the emotions and expressions that come through in the art. Whether Midnighter is pondering or Batman is being his Bat-self (and even when he surprises us by betraying a certain emotion), Janin brings a humanity to every character (well, to the ones that appear to be human at least).
The only artistic quibble comes in two pages of an action scene, where the art seems a tad too simplified and a bit rushed. However, this could be the fault of one of the two inkers who were not in the first issue: Guillermo Ortega and Juan Castro. The rest of the book is inked to perfection and the two men are an asset to the artistic team. The first issue didn’t have an inker credited and I wonder if they are a permanent addition to the team.
The coloring remains perfect throughout and is far from slapdash. Jeremy Cox is the glue that keeps this issue together and lends a consistency to it. Without great colors, great books cannot be made. Cox proves this and brings a brightness to a book befitting its optimistic title character. The purple skies with roiling clouds pop off the page as if we’re actually on the grounds of England’s Saint Hadrian’s Finishing School for Girls. Electric shades of blue whoosh past in kinetic scenes of action. The green in the scene with Midnighter is exceptionally breathtaking. Cox’s color palette adds to the magic of Janin’s art.
“Grayson” is a quick paced book with story and art that flows beautifully. There is no filler and every scene is important or just plain fun. The writing and artistic team are able to load a great deal of characterization, wit, action, and heart into twenty pages. After only two issues, Tim Seeley’s promise of “Grayson” being a book that is worthy of being talked about each month has already been fulfilled.
Final Verdict: 9.2 – Although Nightwing may be gone (for now), Dick Grayson is still around and remains his same old self. “Grayson” #2 is proof that, like Bruce Wayne, Dick can be placed in any setting and still be Dick. All that he needs is an excellent creative team. Doubters should be pleased that Dick is in stellar hands.
