Was it or wasn't it?
First of all I should point out that this review has spoilers. I would also like to say that this is an excellent issue, despite the controversy which ensued over what specifically happened to Dick Grayson. Most of the bat-heroes take a hard stand against murder not matter what the situation. In this issue Dick’s world is falling down around him because of Blockbuster trying to make it that way, and Dick is driving himself to the edge in order to fight him. He has already been betrayed in an attempt to bring him in legally, and now he is going to confront him. Meanwhile Tarantula is also seeking revenge for the murder of her namesake, John Law. Of course her methods aren’t so ethical or as legal. Suffice to say it doesn’t end well for Blockbuster. Dick runs to the roof where he collapses from exhaustion and apologizing to Bruce while speaking almost incoherently. Tarantula chases him down and takes advantage of him in his weakened state.
Some people would argue that this would constitute sexual assault but I am not so sure. Certainly she has taken advantage of Grayson at one of his weakest times, his friends have been targeted, he has been sleeping on the street and his ethics have been compromised. Does that make Tarantula a rapist? In my opinion no. Sexual assault usually occurs physically against its victim, which is obviously not the case here. However, sexual assault can occur under many other conditions, whether being drugged, manipulated in some way (for instance someone threatens that you lose your job), or if the victim is not mentally aware of the situation. If it was rape, it would have to be categorized under this aspect, that of not being mentally aware. Was Dick in the best mental state? Not at all, he was under complete duress, but if there is anyone in the DC universe who can take duress its Dick Grayson (in addition to Bruce.) This guy can go days without sleeping and still be at the top of his game. This may be an extreme example, but he would have still known what was happening to him, and he could have easily stopped her if he had wanted to. He is still cognizant enough right before it is happens to tell Catalina that he has failed her.
Devin Grayson has never been my favourite author, but she has written some masterful individual issues and this one has to fall within those. Other issues of comics have dealt with rape, but usually the effects are not explored as much as the revenge for this despicable crime. Whether on purpose or not Devin Grayson opened a dialogue into this important social problem, and she should be applauded for it.