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    Grayson #4

    Grayson » Grayson #4 - The Raid released by DC Comics on January 2015.

    youknowwhattodo's Grayson #4 - The Raid review

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    MAN-TY RAID!!

    Women can be just as perverted as men.

    Unlike the previous two issues, Grayson #4 is written by Tim Seeley, the same writer who penned the first two issues of the series. This is readily apparent after reading the first four pages of this comic as the tone of Grayson #4 The Raid is similar to one of his more well known indie-series Hack/Slash. In other words, while the last two issues revolved around a theme in which was shown through literary devices and imagery that had a combination of humor and drama, this is much more straightforward, lighter with not a whole lot of depth to it, you can pretty much read it once or twice and understand everything that is going on.

    The plot structure has three acts, the first one dealing with getting Paragon hardware from Checkmate. It's like Tim Seeley assumed that we wouldn't care about it so this part lasted only a few pages. The second act was the busiest with Dick making an important discovery about Mister Cinnamonbunface (Minos) with Batman, the students of St. Hadrians chasing Dick Grayson around the school and Helena investigating the mole and the third act dealt with the ramifications of the second act. While there is some plot progression here regarding Paragon, this issue was more about strengthening the relationship between Helena Bertinelli and Dick Grayson as well as a reminder that yes, Tim Seeley remembers that Nightwing was a thing.

    Grayson #4 is essentially filler, but it has three things going for it that make it worth a purchase. First off, it is one of the funniest issues I have read with Dick Grayson in the new 52. While Tom King might have won over the audience with the famous "Dick" panel last issue, Tim Seeley basically had humor plastered throughout the issue, and a good chunk of that was through banter which I find to be the best kind of humor (ala not gags). Whether it was Mister Cinnamonbunface saying "Dr. Ashemoore's office is open for counseling, just try and ignore the fact that she's eaten a few people" to Mister Cinnamonbunface giving Dick a new cover in the third act, the issue was constantly funny.

    The second thing that made this issue work was the building rapport between Dick and Helena and it's not a romantic relationship yet, but it very well could be. While I do enjoy Helena in the new 52, one thing that I wanted to see from her character was a different side to her besides being the straight-woman to Dick's goofball antics because that can get boring real quick(obviously FE delved into a deeper Helena, but that isn't in continuity), she showed her friendlier side in this comic, whether or not it is sincere, we don't know but it's nice to see her character get more dimension, hopefully the annual coming up next month will give her even more.

    Also a bonus point, the book pays homage to Dick Grayson's time as Nightwing as while he is being chased by St. Hadrian schoolgirls, he is flipping around with his escrima sticks just like he did as Nightwing. There is even a "mention" of him as Batman, which have been few and far between in the new 52, I still think it was stupid to have him as Batman at the age of 20.

    The final thing that made this issue work was the artwork by Mikel Janin, we know it's great but here he outdoes himself, not just in the quality of the pencils, but the creativity in how he chooses to illustrate the action. For example, most of the encounter between Dick/Helena and Checkmate play out in mini-panel spread that resembles pictures being splayed across the floor. Also while Dick is running from schoolgirls, Janin uses the chase to illustrate the layout of St. Hadrian's school. One of the most important aspects of comic books is being able to build a world that the readers would want to escape to and Mikel Janin (and Jeromy Cox coloring) has done a fantastic job in that throughout the entire series.

    Grayson #4 is not perfect, there are some flaws, first after Grayson #3, it seemed as though the death of Agent 8 was going to play a big part in the schism between Dick and Spyral. However in this issue, it is literally brushed off in the first few pages. If you're going to put shock elements in a story, it needs to reverberate throughout the series for a few issues, while Agent 8 does have a presence here, her death doesn't. Secondly, there is a scene between Apollo and Midnighter that serves no purpose other than to just remind us that Midnighter is in this comic. Also, the Paragon storyline needs to build some intensity or wrap up quickly because I feel as though that is the weakest part of the series in general. Mind you, I enjoy the journey they were on while getting the parts, but the actual mission itself isn't very interesting. I wonder if readers even remember what Paragon is and why Mister Cinnamonbunface wants Dick/Helena to go after it?

    Overall, Grayson #4 will probably be more polarizing than the last issue, mostly as it's filler so the enjoyment will really hinge on whether or not you find what goes on in this comic funny. If you find the banter humorous, you will enjoy the issue, if you don't, you probably will feel as though this comic was pointless filler in which all of the important elements of the issue could have been placed in a comic with a story that advances the plot more. It's not as good as the other issues, it won't stay in your mind as long, but I did enjoy it, I would give it a 3.5 out of 5 but I'll round up to a 4 because it ended on a good note.

    Other reviews for Grayson #4 - The Raid

      Ladies Man 0

      If the Future's End issue hadn't done it; this issue would be the one that completely sold me on Grayson. This issue was basically one giant confirmation that despite the darker nature of the story, a Dick Grayson series could still take time to just be fun. Really there's just so much to love about this issue even though the arc plot doesn't move forward much.There's some VERY interesting developments on the overarching story of the series, where we get a very inventive way for Dick to attempt...

      1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

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