I can’t believe it’s been a month since I sat down with Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly to talk about their new endeavor Joyride. That wasn’t the only thing we dished about that night because the boys and I did a little geeking out over Grayson as well. That was right after issue #19 had come out and oh baby that was one hell of a book. I told them what an amazing job I thought they did handling Grayson and they were genuinely grateful to hear that because not only were they writing the book; they were also long time Dick Grayson fans.

When they were first approached by DC to write Batman and Robin Eternal they were thrilled and stunned. They had one of those “pinch me” moments but jumped at the chance to take on such a cool series. Then when they were offered the final 3 issues of Grayson before DC Rebirth came, it was a no brainer! Jackson made no bones about the fact he was not reading any of the DC’s new 52 titles at the time with the exception of Grayson. They took it upon themselves to go back and do a little homework, as they were about to follow in the great footsteps of Tim Seeley and Tom King. Lanzing and Kelly had no problems picking up and running with what Seeley and King had started with Grayson. Jackson and Collin’s goal was to finish Grayson off with a bang. They teased that if I loved Grayson #19, then #20 would really blow my mind. The pa yoffs are going to be on an epic scale and the artwork is going to be top notch. They could not have been more right, the final book for the Grayson series was amazeballs. We still have the Grayson Annual to look forward to next month with some amazing artwork from the uber talented Marcus To.

I am such a big fan of the man Dick Grayson has grown up to be: whether that be Nightwing, Agent 37 or just a big brother figure to Jason and Tim. His graceful ability to land on his feet in any given situation, his fearless leap before you look attitude and his unwavering loyalty to those he considers family; make him easily one of DC’s most likable heroes. I’m also a big fan of the shirtless, showoff, boy wonder that he is and always will be; if Lanzing and Kelly continue to have their way. I confessed to Jackson and Collin about my “slight” crush on Grayson and they just nodded in knowing approval. They totally get the sex appeal that Grayson has, and they have no plans to change that. In fact they promised more shirtless Dick deliciousness before it is all said and done.

*spoilers for Grayson #20 ahead*

“Who is Dick Grayson?”

This is the most important question that Dick has been asking himself for the entire run of Grayson. Just who is Dick; is he the orphan defined by tragedy? Is he simply a sidekick; growing up in the shadows of Batman? Or is he possibly one of the worlds greatest superheroes and he just doesn’t know it yet? Grayson #20 is the culmination of a lot of imagination, dedication and team work. Dick has taken care of Tiger, Checkmate, and even Maxwell Lord; all that’s left is to save the girl. He must stop Otto Netz from erasing Helena out of existence and taking over her body for his own use. The only way Dick knows how to do anything is to just jump right in head first, and this is no exception. In exchange for Helena he offers up himself and of course Otto jumps at the chance; almost as if this were the plan all along. Now inhabiting the strong, beautiful body of Grayson, Dr. Daedalus is using a world wide hypno to erase every memory and every record that Richard Grayson ever existed; but Dick is fighting back. He is going to show this second rate villain just who Grayson really is; he every one of his incarnations combined. During his mental battle Dick is calm and cool and right in his element. He simply does not have fear; what’s one more leap without a net for the boy wonder?

Dick emerges victorious; like we ever had any doubt. Even better is that Dick Grayson has been erased from existence; with the exception of the few important people in his life. Helena being one of those people: has essentially given Dick his life back. He no longer has to hide his face with a Spyral hypno, he can go be the hero he was always meant to be. He can go back to being NIGHTWING! It really is graceful the way Lanzing and Kelly have made this book come full circle. It feels complete, and Dick actually gets to choose who he wants to be next. The greatest gift of all is the freedom to choose and what comes next is entirely up to Dick Grayson. What a spectacular way to lead our fearless hero of tomorrow into Rebirth and onto the next big chapter in his life. Whatever comes next, I have no doubt Dick will live up to our expectations and possibly exceed his own.