DC's Nightwing goes from superhero to super-spy in new solo series

Richard “Dick” Grayson has been many things: a circus performer, a cop, a sidekick, a leader, and even a supervillain (in an alternate future, that is). Come July, however, he'll be adding a new job position to his resume – super-spy.

A hard time for Dick

Written by Tim Seeley and Tom King and illustrated by Mikel Janin, Dick's new solo title—simply entitled “Grayson”—will spin out of the devastating events of “Forever Evil,” DC Comics's current major comics event.

After being captured by the Crime Syndicate (an evil alternate version of the Justice League) at the beginning of Forever Evil, Nightwing's secret identity was revealed to the world. He was kept alive as a prisoner by the Syndicate, but apparently died during a rescue mission by his mentor Batman and a seemingly reformed Lex Luthor in “Forever Evil” #6.

Forever Evil #6's cliffhanger ending, coupled with “Nightwing” #30 being solicited as the last issue of Dick's current series, fueled speculation that the character might end up being killed off permanently (which, when talking about comics, actually means “until a new writer decides to revive the character”).

Dick's longevity: Toughness and bliss

However, the news about the all-new title confirms the beloved comic book character's continued longevity, and adds a whole new layer of complexity to the Caped Crusader's first “son.”

According to King – himself a former CIA counterterrorism operations officer – the new title offers the hero an opportunity to "to take off the mask and step out on his own in a world where he's not simply being another hero like the hero he grew up with.”

Dick will be under the employ of Spyral, an international spy agency in the comic books. Unfortunately, while his new role permits him to continue to act for the greater good (albeit while pretending to be dead), he may soon find himself operating under manipulative and shady tactics... and crossing lines he never dared to cross.

"He has to save the world, but he's dealing with an organization that may go beyond his comfort zone," says King. "It's bliss to serve a higher cause and save people, [but] the hard part of it is it's tough to go home and lie to your family and pretend to be a different person."

On faking it and putting on a new mantle

Despite the fact that other people have claimed the mantle of Robin over the decades, Dick is the version of the plucky, red-and-green-garbed sidekick that the general public is most familiar with. This is thanks in no small part to his co-starring role on the 1960s live-action Batman TV show, as well as his inclusion in numerous cartoons and films.

Dick was introduced in 1940's “Detective Comics” #38 as Batman's first Robin. He served alongside the Dark Knight for many years, eventually coming of age and assuming leadership of a team of young superheroes, the Teen Titans, under a new identity – Nightwing. Dick has even had a couple of stints as Batman in the past, filling in for Bruce Wayne when he was either incapacitated or thought dead.

Now, however, with Dick faking his death, he'll be turning his back on most of the “Bat-family” (Batman knows the truth, of course), his friends, and the life he used to lead.

An explosive debut

"He's doing something that's going to cause pain to his friends and family, but he believes in the cause. That tension between having to do something good but having the cost of it being pain to his family, it drives him a little crazy."

The creators promise a new, mask-less costume reminiscent of his classic blue and black duds, an increased focus on Dick's reputation as a “sex symbol,” an all-new archenemy, and an explosive comic book spy thriller that feels like “a TV episode of Mad Men or Breaking Bad.”

Unfortunately, “The name's Grayson, Dick Grayson” doesn't sound quite as impressive, now does it? — TJD, GMA News