Grayson #20 – Comic Review & Breakdown
Genre:
Superhero, Action, Espionage, Drama
Main Characters:
- Dick
Grayson / Agent 37 – Former Robin and Nightwing, now a covert
operative
- Tiger
(Agent One) – Spy and former ally turned adversary
- Helena
Bertinelli – Spyral operative and long-time associate
- Matron
– High-ranking officer of Spyral
- Mr.
Minos – Mysterious figure manipulating events behind the scenes
Writer:
Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly (final issue, based on plots developed by
Tom King and Tim Seeley)
Artist:
Roge Antonio
Editor Details:
- Editor:
Rebecca Taylor
- Group
Editor: Mark Doyle
Publisher and Brand:
DC Comics – The New 52
Release Year:
2016
Brief Plot Summary:
In Grayson #20, the thrilling espionage saga reaches
its emotional climax as Dick Grayson finds himself torn between loyalty and
duty. The covert war within Spyral has reached a boiling point, and betrayal
cuts deeper than ever when Grayson’s trusted comrade, Tiger, becomes his most
dangerous enemy. With the future of Spyral and the safety of those he loves
hanging in the balance, Dick is forced to make a heart-wrenching choice. His
decision could mean walking away from the only identity he's ever known—or
sacrificing it to ensure others survive.
Notable Arcs or Storylines:
- "Agent
37" Saga – This final chapter concludes Dick Grayson's tenure as
a secret agent, transitioning him back into a more traditional superhero
role.
- Spyral
Civil War – Internal conflicts within Spyral boil over, exposing
corruption and personal vendettas.
- Identity
Deconstruction – The entire Grayson series focuses on the
themes of identity, with #20 acting as the final commentary on whether
Dick Grayson is a hero without the mask.
Fan Theories or Interpretations:
Many fans interpret Grayson #20 as a metaphor for
Dick Grayson’s journey through self-rediscovery. After the events of Forever
Evil where his secret identity was exposed to the world, Grayson
became a series about reinvention. The final issue symbolically ends this
phase, leading fans to speculate that Spyral was never about espionage—it was
about allowing Dick to become whole again, stripped of Batman’s shadow.
Additionally, Tiger's betrayal is often seen as a test—forcing Dick to
prioritize his values over his mission.
Review Summary:
Grayson #20 delivers a powerful emotional resolution that blends action-packed storytelling with introspective depth. Roge Antonio’s art is gritty yet fluid, fitting the espionage tone perfectly while capturing the physicality and emotion of the characters. The writing team, Lanzing and Kelly, bring a poetic and heartfelt closure to a unique chapter in Dick Grayson’s evolution. Character arcs are handled with care, especially the strained bond between Dick and Tiger, and the bittersweet sense of sacrifice makes the final moments resonate. For fans of spy thrillers with a superhero twist, this is a worthy conclusion.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
