Throwback Thursday: Grayson #1 Review (2014)

Agent Dick

Written by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Mikel Janin
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: July 9, 2014


Dick Grayson has gone through more changes than (insert pop diva here) during a concert.  Robin, Batman, Nightwing...and like a great acrobat, he always lands on his feet.  That doesn't mean things don't get hairy.  Forever Evil stripped him of his secret identity and his life.  However, you can't keep a good Dick down.  When this book was announced there was a huge outcry.  Dick Grayson, a Secret Agent?  Preposterous!  Listen, I'll do almost anything to keep Dick Grayson going in any book, but even I was skeptical.  Then I read Nightwing #30 which was a lead into this book and became despondent.  I'm relieved to tell you, Dick is a great Secret Agent and this is the start of what could become a really damn good book.


Tim Seely gets right to it.  Dick Grayson, or Agent 37, is on an early mission for Spyral.  He's raw, inexperienced and awesome.  He fights on a moving train, uses his intelligence to get his man and basically has the skills to pay the bills.  It's a relief to see how easy Dick slips into the role of Spyral Agent on the page and in my mind.  I really can't see any Dick Grayson fan being upset with what Seeley has done here.

Besides a fun mission, Seeley doesn't over explain things.  I like that and I'm looking forward to seeing how things unfold.  Batman sent Dick to check up on Spyral, but he better act fast because the cliffhanger shows they know more than anyone should.

There were a couple things that bothered me about this issue, however.  Midnighter shows up out of nowhere and then leaves just as quick.  It was one of the craziest in-and-outs I've ever seen.  It makes it even worse because I'm a huge Midnighter fan.  I'm still confused.  I also wanted more Helena Bertinelli, but maybe that's me being selfish.

I love Mikel Janin's art and this book is no exception.  His sense of motion, character designs and set pieces are great.  His clean and clear style fits this book so well.

Bits and Pieces:

Dick Grayson is good hands.  Tim Seeley and Mikel Janin combine to make a really good first issue that has me relieved and looking forward to the next one already.  Dick feels right at home as a Secret Agent and while I'll always love Nightwing, I'm glad to have Dick Grayson any way I can.  Highly Recommended.

8.8/10