Dick Grayson, spy.
Dick Grayson's life as Nightwing is over; but his new life as a secret agent is just beginning!
The Good
In this story/series, Dick Grayson is no longer Nightwing. If you've followed Forever Evil recently, you know that Dick got his Nightwing persona ripped away from him; along with his secret identity. This is the, next, major step in Dick Grayon's life; an agent of Spyral! For a first issue, that turns a character around in a, totally, new direction; Tim Seeley [and company] did a good job! Seeley's story was enjoyable, as it reintroduced Dick Grayson to us. I like how Grayson is becoming more of his own character, instead of constantly categorized with Batman. I feel like what Seeley, and company, do with this series will make Dick Grayson, feel,like he's his own man with his own choices to make. More so, than his stint as Nightwing ever did!
This first issue story was nothing but setup for what readers can look forward to in this series. It felt a lot like the movies, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and Skyfall. Where all the action is fast paced; and has all the elements you'd find in spy fiction. (i.e. intense battles on top of trains, the love interest, etc. etc.) Anyway, Tim Seeley handled it excellently in this issue, and he did a good job at setting up Grayson's new life. But as that is all great; the real question I'm asking is, "Is Dick Grayson [unknowingly] working for the enemy?" Spyral is a organization that focuses on revealing the identities of the, "Super humans that crowd our skies..." (excerpt from this issue); and with how this issue played out, it looks like this might be the fact, that Grayson is teaming up with the villains. (Or government, cause it could go either way.) But I like how Tim Seeley is stepping into this direction with the character, and also finding out how Grayson's past relationships and current relationships, will affect his job with Spyral.
The Bad
While this was a setup issue; it did run into a problem or two. Tim Seeley following the usual spy-fiction play-by-play, it did feel a bit predictable. I enjoyed the action and the story Seeley was telling, but I was hoping for some, *gasps*, or some, "Oh, what's going to happen to [Insert provocative story element here!]" While I kinda got that with Spyral; I was just hoping for more basically. I understand what Tim Seeley is working with on a issue-by-issue bases, but it would've been nice if the stakes, or the characters, actually felt like they were in danger. But they just seemed invincible! I hate characters that are obviously human with no powers, but just seem way better than the average person. Granted, Dick Grayson is excluded because he's got years-and-years of training, but still, I would like the character to appear more human; and not treat a life-or-death situation like he's going to walk away from it every time.
Plus, how long will all this, really,last? I mean with time travelers, magic, aliens, and more, running the universe 24/7, how long until Dick Grayson is back in his Nightwing attire rocking it back in Gotham City with Batman? I would like to think that this is a definite thing, but this is comic books people, nothing is forever! So with that in mind, it kinda took me out of this story, because the writer can just be like "Y.O.L.O.",and write anything and it not feel meaningful; but everything be alright by the time of the next giant flush (a.k.a. continuity reboot.)
The Verdict
With all that said, I still suggest you check this series out. I enjoy the new direction that Dick Grayson is taking, but it does have a few minor problems. The story, by Tim Seeley with plot help by Tom King, was really good; plus the artwork by Mikel Janin was what really pulled this all together. If you are looking for Grayson's next big thing, you've come to the next thing. 3 out of 5!
