Grayson #6 Review

Written by: Tim Seeley and Tom King
Art by: Mikel Janin
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: January 14, 2014

Living After Midnighter

I love this book.  That may sound a little too simplistic for all you fancy, cigar smoking, over sized bow tie wearing big shots, but it's the honest truth.  In fact, it made me realize something about myself.  Before this book I considered myself a huge Nightwing fan when in fact, I am just a good old Dick Grayson fan.  That's right, I love Dick.



Every issue of Grayson has been a thrill ride of spy action.  Spyral has been "collecting" body parts and while I've enjoyed the ride, I'm ready to see the big picture.  I guess Tim Seeley and Tom King feel the same way because this issue does just that...kind of.  There is still plenty to learn, but this book really reels in a bunch of plot lines that have been left dangling.  In that regard, this is the best Grayson yet.  It also has an awesome rematch between Midnighter and Dick which makes it the best Grayson, period.

The issue opens with yet another cold opening that fans will be familiar with and expecting.  Seeley and King have done such a great job with each issues opening pages that I seriously can't wait to see how each begins.  This one doesn't disapoint with a crazy, mutated, walking Orca, a Free Willy reference and some great Helena/Dick dialogue.  We also learn that the group fighting for the same body part (this issue it is the paragon Brain...yuk), The Fist of Cain, has a history with Dick.

Someone else with a history is also there...Midnighter.  While Helena picks a FOC member's brain, Midnighter whisks Dick away and the fight is on.  Seeley and King really kick it up a notch as Dick and Midnighter exchange taunts, blows and hypnos.  The scene is so good, but the best part was Dick explaining who he is.  It really sums up why I love Dick, but also why I love this book.  No matter if he is Robin, Nightwing or Agent 37, he is still Dick and that means he is just plain awesome.  I have said it a million times, but I will again...Dick Grayson's super power is just being the greatest guy in all of comics.  This issue proves that point once again.

While this is going on, Helena discovers the Fist of Cain's plan and it is deadly in a terrorist attack kind of way.  It's pretty awful, but does a good job of reversing the position of Spyral into the good guy, or maybe the not so bad guy.  I like the twist.  I also liked the way the issue ended.  After taking care of Midnighter, Dick has a Matrix feeling moment with the "Gardener" in the God Garden.  She (or it, maybe) explains what's going on and it's as cryptic as it's awesome.  The issue ends with Dick in a pretty helpless position, but also one that made me grin from ear-to-ear.  Bravo.

I said it at the beginning, but I love this book.  Seeley and King made a great book even better by lifting the veil a bit and showing everyone that they indeed have had a plan all along and that plan was pretty damn good.  I've loved this series since it started, but the first five issues now feel like mere setup for the series going forward.  Even the most jaded Nightwing fans need to stop posting their hate on Reddit and get on this book.

I've said it a million times, but I will at least once more...Mikel Janin's art is incredible.  Everything looks stunning and each issue has something new that makes it so memorable.  This issue it was Helena's mind meld combined with her appropriate earrings. I loved it.

Bits and Pieces:

Grayson was already one of my favorite books on the shelf, but by giving us a peek at the bigger picture, Tim Seeley and Tom King have put it right on top.  Every Dick Grayson fan (and comic fans in general) should be reading this book.  Seeley and King know Dick and Mikel Janin's art is just plain great. Highly Recommended.

9.8/10