Dick Grayson continues his espionage adventures as a member of the corrupt agency Spyral. This issue we get a further glimpse into just how crooked the agency is, when Grayson’s partner Helena Bertinelli offers to take in a known killer that the pair have been tracking. The villain in question appears to have some connection to The Flash. Remember back when Wally West first assumed the mantle of The Flash and had to gorge himself in order to feed his ravenous metabolism? This character does that, but with a macabre twist.
We also get a few more references to Grayson’s past, with Batman/Bruce Wayne, Alfred and Barbara Gordon. Dick clearly misses his former life. We get to actually see a softer side to The Dark Knight as the two former partners communicate via a secret network. It appears that Batman is the only one who knows that Dick is still alive. Even Alfred and Barbara are in the dark.
This story actually references Ian Flemming, the creator of James Bond as well as Batman’s recent history as Helena instructs girls at St. Hadrian’s Finishing School and is visited by Agent Hood, both of which (I believe) were introduced during Grant Morrison’s recent stints on the character.
We also get a check in with Midnighter from Stormwatch, who was originally created as a parody of sorts of Batman, so to have him playing a role in this series is a bit droll.
Mikel Janin’s art is so lush and lovely. If nothing else, this book is beautiful.
This is a nifty book. I wasn’t necessarily thrilled from cover to cover, but it flowed nicely enough. The dialogue is light and believable. The art is stunning. The only thing I’m somewhat concerned about is that this story clearly has a finite run. Eventually, Grayson is going to uncover the corruption within Spyral. Then what? Will he go back to being Nightwing? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
GRAYSON #2
Written by Tim Seeley
Plot by Tim Seeley and Tom King
Art by Mikel Janin, Guillermo Ortega and Juan Castro
