Grayson #1 opens up with Agent 37, Dick Grayson, on the side of a mountain awaiting a passing train, Trans-Siberian Railway.  He pulls a somersault onto the top (somehow managing not to loose his balance and bouncing off).  As soon as he lands he’s attacked from behind by a Russian Foreign Intelligence officer but throws his gun at an upcoming poll that richocets back and knocks out his assailant.  I don’t know how the hell he did that.  Unbeknownst to him he had someone watching him, Black Oak also known as Midnighter (dude got a badass suit).  Dick boards the train.

On board, this fat guy named Ninel Dubov who’s being shadowed by this agent Matron.  Dubov is being enticed by this fine blond before Dick knocks her wine on her clothes.  She is revealed to be Russian Foreign Intelligence when she succumbs to the paralytic agent in the wine she that was spilled on her chest by Dick.  Dick abducts Dubov (that’s a big ass dude to be carrying around) and they jump off the train to the drop point.Somehow Grayson and Dubov survive the jump from the train and escape to a nearby nuclear silo after Russian Foreign Intelligence officers open fire on them.  Grayson uses his hypno implants to influence Dubov.

They are attacked by Midnighter who tranquilizes Ninel, resembling a mixture of Batman and Hush.  The Grayson takes him on, the fight is pretty intense with the two combatants going blow for blow.  Just as the fight gets serious a tranquilized Dubov blast Midnighter out of the silo, literally.  There’s no way in hell this guy survived that. Besides, Dubov looks pretty beast with all this energy generating around him. Ninel confronts Grayson who antagonizes him, exhausting his energy. Grayson then grabs Ninel and heads out.

Dick and Matron, Helena Bertinelli, are revealed to be apart of the organization Spyral.  Both are congratulated by this guy with no face called Mister Minos, and given some R&R.  The whole identity protection is actually a pretty interesting idea for spies and agents to protect their identity.  People won’t remember nor will cameras capture your face.  Something out of 007 or Mission: Impossible.  The issue ends with Minos and Frau Netz in a laboratory, confirming that the organ received from Dubov are part of what is called the Paragon Protocol.  Minos reveals his intention to use Spyral to identify superhumans.

The Verdict: In the end, Grayson #1 is actually pretty cool.  The spy/secret agent opening was pretty engaging and Grayson’s fight with Midnighter is pretty intense.  I like how we see that Grayson is attempting to find out the identity of Minos showing a possible alternative motive for joining the organization.  Also, why is Minos attempting identify superhumans.  A really good read, Grayson #1 gets 3 out of 5.