Booknote: Grayson, Volume 3

Tim Seeley, et.al,, Grayson, Volume 3: Nemesis. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-4012-6276-1.

Genre: comics and graphic novels
Subgenre: superheroes, espionage and spies
Format: e-book galley
Source: NetGalley

This was a really good volume. However, the volume also made apparent how DC Comics is apparently messing up with other comics in its lineup. Bruce Wayne has lost his memory and no longer remembers being Batman; you see this in the current run of Batman comics. I have reviewed some of those including Batman, Volume 8: Superheavy where James Gordon, of all people, becomes the new Batman in the follow-up to Batman, Volume 7: Endgame. In addition, I must have missed the comics where Superman loses much of his powers. These story elements from other comics make an appearance in this Grayson volume. For me, those elements show how DC just does not seem to know what they are doing other than mucking up their main heroes. Those details in this volume just caught my eye as I recalled reading recent Batman comics as well. Anyhow, let's put that aside. I can say this Grayson series remains a solid reading experience and one of the positives in DC Comics' lineup.

I will start by agreeing with a few other readers I have seen commenting that this comic is reminiscent of James Bond. The short comic that opens the volume is essentially a Bond-esque movie opening sequence. It serves to draw you into the comic. The rest of the volume then takes us to the main story.

In the main story, Grayson's mission is to steal a rare gem from a Spanish noblewoman. The gem turns out to be a kryptonite fragment. To complicate matters, someone is killing Spyral agents and framing Grayson for it. Grayson gets to a point where he does not know who to trust. When he losses communication with Batman, later discovering it's due to Bruce Wayne's memory loss, he turns to other Robins for help. Their reactions on learning Grayson is still alive are mixed.

The story has plenty to offer for fans of espionage tales. There is plenty of intrigue and action in this volume. The plot is pretty tight as Grayson seeks out who is framing him. Once you pick this volume up, you will keep reading to the end. Of the many DC Comics series, this one so far remains a good selection to follow. I've enjoyed the series so far, and I will likely seek out the next volume.

4 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2016 Reading Challenges: