You Don't Know Dick

"Dick. That's an interesting name.  My bottom hurts just thinking about it." - Madonna

Cover of Grayson #1

Okay, so other than his first name, that song lyric doesn't really have much application to the new GRAYSON series starring Dick Grayson (former Robin, former Teen Titan, former Nightwing, former Batman), but how often do I get the chance to use it?

When this new series/title was first announced, I was a bit disappointed that Nightwing was being cancelled, as Dick Grayson/Robin/Nightwing has always been one of my favorite characters.  I guess DC thought he needed some shaking up.  While I was unsure about this new direction, I was glad that Dick was at least getting another series (and that he wasn't actually killed in Forever Evil).  And I appreciate the fact that they kept the elements of the Nightwing logo in the new Grayson logo. 

I read the first issue of Grayson and was surprised that I actually enjoyed it.  The story was fast-paced, yet not too bogged down in action.  It was very Mission Impossible-esque, and the cover reminds one of James Bond.  I guess Grayson is supposed to be the next great spy along the lines of those two famous spies. 

Interior art by Mikel Janin.

Speaking of the cover, I question why DC didn't use an illustration drawn by the comic's regular artist, Mikel Janin, when -- to me -- his art and characters look so much better than Andrew Robinson's.  It's so great, though, that they went with a hot pink background to really make Dick's dark outfit stand out.  It's very eye-catching.  

There was also some character development and interaction in Grayson, including appearances by Stormwatch's Midnighter and Helena Bertinelli, in her first appearance in the New 52.  The new Helena is much more Italian/Mediterranean-looking, and I'm curious to see if she'll eventually assume the Huntress persona or leave that to Helena Wayne on Earth 2.  Regardless, I'd like to see more of these two as regular supporting characters for Dick to interact with on a personal level. 

Helena Bertinelli

So far, I'm sold on Grayson, and I can deal without a Nightwing in the DC Universe for the time being. 

Pulling Strings

Nightwing #27 and #28 were two of the most interesting comics I've read in quite some time.  Why?  Both of these comics provided a healthy balance of Richard Grayson's personal life and his nightlife as crimefighting alter ego Nightwing.  That's something that's been pretty lacking in DC Comics ever since the invention of the "New 52."  It seems like they're trying to be grittier and more (dare I say it?) Marvelesque, focusing on battle scenes rather than the personal interaction between characters.  

I miss the insights into the lives of superheroes' "secret identities."  For me, that was always the heart of comic books and the reason why I kept reading them from month to month.  They were their own type of soap opera.  Battling villains was just something they did on the side.  

Remember when Dick Grayson left his Robin costume behind and said hello to Nightwing in New Teen Titans back in the 80s?  When Wonder Woman had to deal with a teenager's suicide?  When the Invisible Woman suffered a miscarriage?  That was great storytelling!  It made the characters feel real, making them more believably human. 

Comics from DC and Marvel no longer seem to be content-driven.  They're more focused on battle after battle and producing six-issue stories that feel overly drawn out just so they can collect them and re-sell them in the graphic novel format.  They've lost focus (and probably readers) because of it.  In fact, I've dropped a lot of comics of late because they've become so...boring.  Sometimes I can't even tell any of the characters or series apart anymore.  That's how bland and formulaic they've become.  

I appreciate that Kyle Higgins, the writer on the current (but soon to be cancelled) Nightwing series, provided some great storytelling, weaving Dick's roommate problems with his challenges with new villainess, the Marionette. 

Nightwing Swings Back Into Action

In reading the new Nightwing #1, I was pleased to see that there was basically no change to Nightwing/Dick Grayson's history and personality.  He's the same ol' Nightwing in the new DC Universe.  Whew.   

He's just coming off his gig as Batman and returning to the Nightwing persona.  The spiffy new black and red costume suits him well, better than most of the costume changes in DC's New 52.  His doesn't look like a 1990s redux.

In this issue, Dick mentions that he has "a thing for redheads," which, of course, is a wink-wink-nod-nod to the decades-long flirtation between Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon (Batgirl/Oracle).  I hope there's something in store for the two of them in the near future, after all these years.  Babs deserves some happiness.  She probably hasn't "gotten any" in years!

I like that Dick is living in Gotham City again and that, in this first issue, Haley's Circus is back in town.  Dick visits some old friends/co-workers of his and, fortunately, a gloomy cloud doesn't follow his visit.  People are more focused on Dick's life than his parents' death many years ago.

The characterization, plot, and writing weren't overwhelmingly wonderful, but they didn't suck either.  The story is better when Dick is in his street clothes than his Nightwing costume.  There's a real human aspect to him which, unfortunately, we don't see too often in comic books. 

I look forward to what's in store for one of my favorite characters in the DCU.