The spy game is confusing, BUT FUN!
My review for the first issue of this series, "Dick Grayson, spy." Join Dick Grayson (plus writer Tim Seeley and Tom King; with artwork by Mikel Janin, Guillermo Ortego, and Juan Castro; and with color artist Jeremy Cox) in this issue's story, Guilt Feelings.
The Good
Among the things that I enjoyed about this issue, the cover is definitely that stands out in my mind. This is a spy series, so obviously the artist are going to drawn on inspiration from spy movie/book covers. This issue's cover reminds me a lot of James Bond (where the woman is seen on the front, larger than the male, main character), and I like how that's a timeless classic to use on anything related to spies. As you know there is ALWAYS a woman involved in anything related to being a spy, but how the woman is seen larger [and in one color] telling us that the woman isn't the main focus, but the dude [Grayson] is. I greatly enjoy that! The art style of Mikel Janin is awesome, and I continue to enjoy his work on the cover and as interior artist.
The writers did a great job with this second issue! One of the reasons why this issue worked out so well, is because it focused on the element of the reader not knowing entirely who the bad guys are. (And that's great!) This being a spy book, I would expect nothing else but confusion [but done in a right way, like what the writers are doing with this series]. For sure, we know that something evil is happening with Spyral, but we don't know what their big plans are. (We just know that they want to stop the superheroes.) I like how the writers keep us guessing, and wondering, who can you trust. Even Midnighter and the "Gardener" are pretty sketchy after reading this issue. (Because in the first issue, Midnighter seemed to be a legit hero trying to stop Spyral.) So because the writers play with the idea of the reader, not knowing who they should be rooting for, it adds to the overall story that is being told in each issue. Like for this issue's story, as a good example.
Huntress and Grayson had to go on a mission to find out why exactly the Hood was gravely injured. (On one of his last assignments.) This story opened up opportunities for a bond to be crated between Grayson and Huntress, and it started off pretty well. However, morals and secret phrases come in the mix and that totally throw the reader off. Making them question if Huntress is really one of the good guys. I enjoyed seeing the writers handle this confusion throughout the entire issue, and how it makes me excited for the next issue!
Finally, one of the best parts about this issue was this memory that was shared between Batman and Grayson. Batman was seen as a jerk in the beginning of this issue, cutting off Grayson short because Grayson is undercover at Spyral and doesn't want people finding out his and Batman's secret. (Which is understandable.) However, I'm glad at the end of this issue the writers added this last scene to show that Batman still cares about the good times that he and Grayson shared.
The Bad
N/A.
The Verdict
5 out of 5. The next issue is a Futures End tie-in. (Onwards and upwards!) I'm on Twitter, @Lol_Clark. (Plus, check out my movie review for Batman: Assault on Arkham.)