I believe when I found out there was going to be a Dick Grayson graphic novel coming out I was at work, so I had to scream in my head “OH MY GOSH A DICK GRAYSON GRAPHIC NOVEL!!!” If you’ve known me long enough, then you know I’m a HUGE Robin fan. I love all the Robin’s, but Dick Grayson is one of my favorites.
Title: The Lost Carnival: A Grayson Story
Author: Michael Moreci
Publisher: DC Ink
Release Date: May 5, 2020
Genres: YA Contemporary Fantasy
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Official Synopsis
Before he met Batman, Dick Grayson discovered the power of young love–and its staggering cost–at the magical Lost Carnival.
Haly’s traveling circus no longer has the allure of its glamorous past, but it still has one main attraction: the Flying Graysons, a family of trapeze artists featuring a teenage Dick Grayson. The only problem is that Dick loathes spending his summers performing tired routines for dwindling crowds.
When the Lost Carnival opens nearby and threatens to pull Haly’s remaining customers, Dick is among those drawn to its nighttime glow. But there are ancient forces at work at the Lost Carnival, and when Dick meets the mysterious Luciana and her nomadic family, he may be too mesmerized to recognize the danger ahead.
Beneath the carnival’s dazzling fireworks, Dick must decide who he is and who he wants to be–choosing between loyalty to his family history and a glittering future with new friends and romance. Writer Michael Moreci and artist Sas Milledge redefine Dick Grayson in The Lost Carnival, a young adult graphic novel exploring the power and magic of young love.
Quick Thoughts
- This is set in an alternate timeline where Dick is with his parents when he’s 17/18 (where in other timelines he loses his parents when he’s 8/9 years old). I liked this, as it gave some time to his his parents. I just melted in those moments.
- The way the author portrayed Dick’s relationship with Haly’s circus was fresh and interesting. His desire to explore the world and figure out his own future is such a relatable thing, and I loved that.
- The depictions of The Lost Carnival are so beautiful and well done. I loved these magical scenes.
Lasting Impressions
The art in this novel is so GORGEOUS. I love the color palette changes to reflect how Dick sees the differences between Haly’s Circus and The Lost Carnival. The way the artist drew Dick was just honestly perfect—handsome, reckless, suave, funny. The way the author characterized him as well was just perfect too. So, so perfect.
The romance in this book is fast paced, but I still found it to be really sweet and heartwarming. It’s a tale of first love, not necessarily a “I’m going to be with you all my life” love either. It was beautiful and precious.
Overall Feelings
I will absolutely be purchasing and rereading this book ASAP! I loved it so much!
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