“The Lost Carnival”
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artists: Sas Milledge and Phil Hester
Color Artist: David Calderon
Letterer: Steve Wands
Review by Adam Ray
The Lost Carnival is a very unique and very personal Dick Grayson story and I believe that writer Michael Moreci has done this deliberately. It’s so easy to see this character as the boy wonder, or the leader of the Titans, or Nightwing. It’s not a big deal to admit that none of these names or roles are even hinted at in this story. No. As the title suggests, this is a ‘Dick Grayson’ graphic novel. The character we know and love is in the future, whereas this is a vision of him in the past, and it’s fascinating to see.
The deceptively simple art style draws a reader in. The storybook feeling of it adds to us knowing that it’s definitely set in the past. This is a universal story that could fit into any continuity, yet adds wonderful depth to a character we all know and love. The use of color is wonderful, and chosen specifically and perfectly by David Calderon. The deep blue of Haly’s Circus makes us feel comforted and homely, and is also obviously reminiscent of Nightwing. The rushes of red and orange of the Lost Carnival however, are vibrant and exciting.
It’s rewarding to see a writer demonstrating such a great understanding of their characters, so much so that he makes this tale feel sincere and familiar, despite being brand spanking new.
Conclusion
The target audience for this wonderful story is younger than your average comic-book fan, but this is a story that can be enjoyed by anyone. This is welcome news to fans who love and appreciate Dick Grayson, as well as those few who may know nothing at all about the character. We get to see an exciting and home spun story of our Nightwing, before he ever took on the name. Our knowledge makes the story all the more poignant, but also makes for a unique and important, secret origin of the Boy Wonder.
The Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Graphic Novel is highly recommended reading.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment
