Grayson #8 Review

Written by: Tim Seeley and Tom King
Art by: Mikel Janin
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 4, 2015

Kiss My Jim and Juan

Grayson is one hell of a book.  If I haven't convinced you over the previous eight issues, than I don't know what else I can do.  Maybe I could control your mind, bribe you or just straight-up beg.  Why would I go through all that trouble?  Do I have stock in Grayson?  Does that even make sense?  No, I just want everyone to at least give Grayson a chance.  Just start from the beginning, because this issue takes everything that happened throughout this large arc and tied it together with a big bow.  I will discuss this issue after the break, but if you have ADD (like me), I'll just tell you right away...it's great.


Grayson has been a book about secrets, double-crosses and more secrets.  If you thought that Tim Seeley and Tom King would spill the beans in this final issue of the arc, you'd be right...and wrong. The issue opens up with Mr. Minos involved in a double cross to end all double crosses.  In fact, he seems to have a acquired a new power...being in more than one place at the same time.  It was a tad confusing at first, but once I got my bearings (I am a dummy) and realized what was going on, I couldn't have asked for a better opener.

We then cut to St. Hadrian's Finishing School for Girls to check in with...the Girls from issue #4.  I was a huge fan of them before and if it's possible, I'm a bigger one now.  They are hilarious as they talk about Dick's anatomy (with emphasis on "Jim" and "Juan") and discuss his sexual preferences.  I was hoping we'd see more of these spunky gals and this issue provides them in spades.  They aren't only here for laughs, either.  In fact they save Dick's ass...or Jim and Juan, if you will.

Did anyone reading this book ever think that Mr. Minos was a good guy?  Anyone?  Okay, then it isn't a spoiler to tell you that he isn't.  Everything he's done up until now has been a ruse and has lead to this issue.  What he does this month is downright despicable, but I can't say it's surprising...just surprisingly good.  We finally get to see the fruits of his organ hunting and we get to see it in action. Dick, Agent 1 and the Girls go toe-to-toe with it and I won't spoil anything, but it's a great battle that ends because of something awesome.  It ties into my favorite part of this whole series and any fan of this book will have a huge smile on their face when it happens.  The issue ends the same way it began and continued throughout this series...with a double cross and a couple of untold secrets.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  I can't wait until June.

I can't recommend this issue enough.  It's action packed and smart in a spy thriller sort of way.  Tim Seeley and Tom King pull out all the stops to give the reader laughs, thrills and one hell of a finale.

I also can't say enough about Mikel Janin's art.  It's easy to see how good it is, but it's the way it fits the story that makes it rise to the top.  It's just so damn good.

Bits and Pieces:

I loved this issue, but that's not surprising since this is my favorite book.  I mention that because when it was announced, I was a huge detractor.  I wanted Nightwing back, but now that this first arc is over, I will do whatever it takes to keep Grayson.  Maybe even mind control.

9.7/10