GRAYSON has been building and building a conflict between Midnighter and Dick Grayson, and, in this week's new issue, that conflict is going to explode. These two are going to duke it out, but how can Grayson hope to overcome Midnighter's advantages? We had the opportunity to talk with co-writers Tom King and Tim Seeley about this week's new issue. We asked them plenty about the dynamic between these two and tried to get some hints about the series' future.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
COMIC VINE: When you think of characters for Dick Grayson to fight, Midnighter doesn't exactly jump to mind since he's on a whole different level. What's it like balancing a dilemma between these two?
TOM KING: Well, that's what makes it fun, right? You sit down at your screen and you're like, "Dick can't win this fight. Every move he makes, Midnighter's going to know it's coming one second before hand. So what can Dick do to get around that?" That's the challenge, that's what makes it cool or else it's just two guys -- I mean, that's the old Stan Lee quote: Thing versus Thor is just two guys boxing. It's actually easy and fun; that makes it thrilling to write. We had this big debate over could Dick outlast Midnighter, given his enhancements. And I was like, "Yeah, that's what makes him special; that's what makes Dick Dick. Even with no super powers, he can go beyond the super powered.
CV: What made Midnighter initially come to mind?
TK: It was Tim's idea to put him in the book but when I saw it I was like, "Yeah, no brainier. That's obvious." Why the match is perfect is because basically Midnighter started out as a type of commentary on Batman books. He was a Batman stand-in in the Wildstorm universe. To take that, once he enters the DCU, and to have him be Batman, but not quite Batman; Batman with an extra edge and with a different perspective on life. Sort of Batman but different and with Dick Grayson that's just a perfect mix and just creates tension.
TIM SEELEY: Just by its virtue, the Wildstorm universe, at the time Midnighter was created, was sort of a more cynical world than the DC universe at the time. It was more involved in politics and more from the headlines. To recognize those things being important to the creation of the character and bring him into this super spy political thriller made so much sense. The genre is a great way to utilize a very cool character.
CV: So what made you guys go with Huntress?
TK: To begin, Huntress comes from Tim's outline, so I give him credit for that. It's a brilliant idea. For me, it seems to make so much sense because basically she almost has that Batman female origin. She shares that origin that Batman and Dick have of having gone through this violent period when she was young and coming out of that a hero. We wanted to play with that. We wanted to play with the dichotomy of what Barbara is in Dick's life versus what Helena is in Dick's life. Helena's much closer to what Batman is and much closer to the father figure Dick was related to, so I think that creates immediate tension and fun stuff we can play with. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it; that's what the Futures End issue was all about.
TS: To me, what intrigued me about it is this idea that Dick has gotten used to dealing with someone like Bruce. Bruce is intense and withdrawn and broody; Dick knows how to deal with that kind of person. Whereas Helena may have been very difficult for someone else, he's able to understand her better but she's also a little different than Batman.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
CV: Covers and solicitations can sometimes be very misleading. This one promotes a big fight between the two, so please tell me it's more than a page or saved until the cliffhanger!
TK: Yes, it's a super-cool fight. Mikel [Janin] drew the crud out of it.
TS: It's long, too. It's 8 or 9 pages, I think. It's no bullcrap. When we say two characters are going to brawl and we put it on a cover, we mean it.
TK: I think to your first point about solicitations, I want to say that, as creators, we're as frustrated as the fans are or as I am as a fan. Usually what happens is we submit a plot and then something comes up in terms of either continuity or something unexpected and it needs to change. And when it does, we can't go back and change it. Let me assure you everyone at DC tries to fight it and we do what we can.
CV: Going beyond issue 6, are there any other pre-existing characters you really want to bring into this spy world?
TK: Oh man, I'm going to have to bite my tongue on this one! Our plans coming up are huge. It involves a ton of the DC universe spy world. I wish I could say more. I can't wait to write some of these characters.
TS: The answer is "all of them!"
CV: Does this happen to include any famous mercenaries... maybe someone that has a history with Grayson?
TK: He's asking about Deathstroke.
CV: I didn't say Deathstroke! But...
TK: At conventions, I always ask people who Dick Grayson's arch nemesis is and I'd say about 50% of people say Deathstroke. I think that's got to be addressed at some point.
TS: Yeah, it's never been established what their history is in The New 52. I like the character but it wasn't one of my immediate choices. But yeah, we're never averse to giving people what they want.
TK: See, now I have to re-solicit stuff!
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
CV: Speaking of Grayson's rogues gallery, it isn't exactly all that memorable. Aside from bringing in other characters who will help the themes, are you aiming to go back in Dick Grayson's history and reinvent any of his previous rogues?
TK: Our mission statement from day 1 was to create a nemesis for Dick Grayson that's as cool and as interesting as the Joker is for Batman. That's a long-term plan. Part of it will be drawn from Dick's past and part of it will be brand new crazy, cool stuff.
TS: For whatever reason, I had the same problem you had. I read Nightwing for years and his villains just didn't click for me. Great villains sort of make you learn something new about the hero and unfortunately I think most of those characters for Dick Grayson really didn't do that except for Deathstroke, sort of as a teacher, mentor and anti-Batman. That's a lesson we have to learn while doing this. Because there's a reason they didn't stick as well, so that's why we have to give you some stuff that's awesome.
CV: Is the return of Damian Wayne going to be addressed since they have a good amount of history?
TS: Yes, it will be addressed. I mean, it has to be. Where and when, we're not going to tell you.
TK: I think when people in modern age think of Dick Grayson, they think of the BATMAN AND ROBIN run by [Grant] Morrison and [Frank] Quitely and Scott Snyder's work. That stuff is amazing and defining and it has to be addressed in current continuity.
CV: How would you promote GRAYSON #6 in 5 words or less?
TK: Midnighter Grayson Fight of their life. I cheated. "Of" doesn't count, that's a very short word!
TS: Brutal fight with feels!
CV: Thanks!
GRAYSON #6 is on sale today.