A story filled with magic and choices. Dick Grayson will have to choose between the family and life he has and the life he wants in this exciting graphic novel! I highly recommend this if you’re look for a quick yet entertaining read!

Special shoutout to DC Comics for providing me with an arc of this via NetGalley.

I really wish that I knew who this was written for. I also wish that I felt at all qualified to discuss this graphic novel with any sense of authority, but seeing as my bare bones research into Michael Moreci seems to tell me that this isn't his first time writing Dick Grayson I don't know what to make of it.

I do want to start off by saying that I like the art style done here, the artists that worked on this title really hit it out of the park for me. I say that as someone that doesn't typically like graphic novels that are done with the monocolor approach, but the way it was used here to establish a dichotomy between Haly's Circus/Dick's normal reality and that of The Lost Carnival was really well done. But it was the cover art that really prompted me to request the title in the first place.

If the story had just been the art then perhaps I might have had a better experience.

As I've already alluded to, I'm by no means a Dick Grayson expert. I did not grow up reading the comics, but I did spend some time last year reading some golden age Batman, I have always been drawn to DC Comics and this year in particular I set out to read more of Dick's stories in particular. In a lot of ways I like that this tells a fully standalone story, aimed at new readers that requires no actual knowledge of the character, I think that's really nice. At the same time, I don't really feel that after having read this I'd be all too interested in continuing on with Dick's stories, in part because they would be so divorced from this version of the character, but also because this version of the character isn't really a character I'd want to follow?

I don't think that I have issues with a universe wherein Dick is an older teenager and lives in the age of the internet and both of his parents are still alive. Really I think the issue was that this is really a poorly paced love story and the plot was crafted around the idea of the love story and making said love story have as bittersweet an ending as possible. The narrative spends about as much time exploring what Dick would be like as a teen in this era as it does exploring the relationship between him and his love interest. The actual conflict there being some kind of hard to follow rivalry and a magical coma.

At the end of the day I didn't have a particularly great experience reading this, I definitely spent the first quarter or so of the story confused and by the time that I accepted things for what they were I didn't really enjoy it anymore than I already had when I was still confused about what was actually happening. I think that there are definitely people out there that might enjoy this, particularly readers that are familiar with Dick, but as for this being a decent starting point? That I'm not actually sure about.

The Lost Carnival by is the latest new addition to the DC Ink graphic novel lineup and it was wonderful! It was about family, young love and friendship. Dick Grayson, he stole my heart and I adored him. I loved seeing his growth and how he handled everything, it instantly made me like him and relate to his feelings. The magical elements added to the awe and wonder of the carnival which was fun to see it play out and it kept me guessing the whole time. This was seriously such a beautiful story, made even more beautiful by the amazing illustrations.

While this novel is an origin story, it is not another rehashing of what we are used to reading. The novel provides new insight into the character without losing sight of the Dick Grayson fans are familiar with. I was very excited to read this book and I am pleased to say that it did not disappoint!

The novel starts at Haly’s Circus with the Flying Graysons headlining the show. Dick feels disenchanted by the low turnout and complains to his parents about it. “I gave up my summer for the routine. It’d be nice if people were here to see it.” Dick explains to his father that he wants things to change. He doesn’t want to do the same routine for the same bored crowds. After speaking with his parents, Dick decides to venture out from Haly’s with his friend Willow who is a magician in the circus.

Dick and Willow come across a group of teenagers partying at a local ravine. They notice that the teens are bullying a couple of people from the nearby carnival. Dick defends them by physically fighting the bullies. One of the carnival performers, a girl around Dick’s age uses magic to assist Dick when one of the bullies gains the upper hand. Dick finds the magic and the girl intriguing. His encounter with her inspires him to visit The Lost Carnival.

Dick soon runs into the girl, Luciana, who he saw using magic earlier. Dick continues to spend time with Luciana whenever he is able. There is an obvious mutual attraction and romance soon blooms between the two teenagers. But not everything is what it seems with the carnival and one bad thing after another begins to happen. Dick finds himself in the midst of a mystery that he must solve in order to protect his friends.

Author Michael Moreci, writes Dick Grayson as a very genuine character with relatable thoughts and concerns, especially for teenagers. It’s also obvious that he is familiar with the character of Dick Grayson and stays true to who he is, despite this being a non-canonical story. While a good percentage of the story is set in a magical world, it still feels real.

The artwork done by emerging artist Sas Milledge with Phil Hester is gorgeous and fits the overall themes of the graphic novel so well. There are not a lot of colors used, but David Calderon’s use of those colors is especially powerful.

Overall, I found The Lost Carnival to be a very well-written and thought-out coming-of-age young adult graphic novel. The writing is sensitive to real-life teen issues and highlights Dick Grayson’s growth. Dick is still figuring out his way in the world and learning to accept and understand the importance of where he comes from.

I highly recommend The Lost Carnival: A Dick Grayson Graphic Novel to anyone who is a fan of Dick Grayson. I would also recommend this book to people who are not as familiar with the character but would like to learn more about him. While the novel is intended for 13 to 17-year-olds; it’s an excellent introduction to the character that can be enjoyed by teens and adults alike.

My full review can be found here: https://thegeekiary.com/a-magical-new-origin-story-for-dick-grayson-the-lost-carnival-graphic-novel-review/82157

My Thoughts:

First I would like to start by saying I'm not the hugest Batman fan. I know right imagine reading a graphic novel knowing you don't like the main hero. With that being said it wasn't bad. I gave this 3 stars because there were points where I was really into it. Then there were points where Dick (hehe) was so annoying and unbearable. I know he is a teenager but come on now he put people at risk for his selfish needs. He pulled together at the end and I saw a little growth. There was this super interesting page color scheme change when he was at his carnival vs the lost carnival. I don't know why the publishers, or designer I guess, decided to make this choice but it was interesting to see. I could make a guess that it was so we can tell the difference in the two places. Can we please talk about the love interest now. INSTALOVE!!. She seemed like an okay character but you didn't really get to know her much. Which she is a huge tie into the problem and plot yet you don't really know her much. He tried to push so much on her and I really didn't like that. There was a character that I loved the instant she was on the page. You really didn't see her much (maybe twice) but give me a rifle shooter female and I'm a stan. Do I suggest this graphic novel yes I do. It was fun annoying sometimes but totally fun. Especially if you are a batman fan and know about Dick already.

Welcome Back!


We are back and coming into this week strong! I have been doing a ton of reading and catching up on my TBR and I am feeling on top of the world. I am also catching up on some television and I only have two episodes of Little Fires Everywhere left (its been my solo binge watch lately and with my husband we have been watching the second season of the Marvelous Ms. Maisel, which I highly recommend, I have already seen this season but we are watching it together). In between watching shows I took a little break and snuggled down with this graphic novel! It's a new graphic novel coming out from DC (I have been slowly reading many of the new DC comics and honestly I knew like nothing about these characters before so it's a whole new world for me).


SPOILERS AHEAD


Haly's traveling circus is unlike any other circus in the world because it has one super special act the Flying Grayson's! A family of trapeze artists who perform a routine nightly at the circus. The youngest member of the family (the son) Dick is a teenager and does not exactly want to continue performing but does not exactly have any other choices currently. Dick hates performing the same routine over and over again for the same crowds all summer long. But that is all about to change one night when Dick and a friend leave the grounds and go to a local hang out. From there they run into the Lost Carnival. What Haly's assumes is just a rival carnival in town that is taking up some of their profits turns out to be so much more.


I loved the mystery and wonder that seemed to surround the Lost Carnival, I loved the way the illustrator drew the images that depicted what went on there and every scene that took place there I was riveted by (some of my favorites were when Dick got a tour of the carnival). Before going into this graphic novel I honestly had little to no background knowledge on Dick Grayson (it's kinda spotty and only based on recent films) but I really enjoyed getting to know more about him in this graphic novel. I am hoping there will be a sequel or another one maybe even a series for this graphic novel!


Rating: 5 stars on Goodreads

Thank you for the ecopy of this book. I will be posting a full review on Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram! Many thanks.

This was a fun and adventurous read. Gorgeous cover aside, I enjoyed the circus setting and following the character, Dick Grayson, who was hungry for new experiences. Thus, he is drawn into the Lost Carnival, a mysterious new attraction that threatens to steal what few customers his own troupe has. Overall, the story had major Nigh Circus vibes, which I absolutely loved about this graphic novel. My only gripes are with the tiny font and illustration style. The artwork doesn't match the cover art at all and I wasn't sure how to feel about it.

This was a really fun read. I have not spent much time reading about Dick Grayson aka Robin, but this is a prequel that had a lot of good build, a great plot, and even a bit of forewarning for Dick's life to come. There was a lot to take in throughout this graphic novel, themes of trauma and loss, identity, friendship, as well as of wanting - a new life, a different life.

The story follows Dick Grayson as part of the Flying Grayson family acrobat act at Haly's circus, but the crowds are shrinking and there is another carnival that is set up right next door. Dick is a teen looking for something more than what he has, he is tired of the repetition and the boring old circus and act, he leaves the circus to find a local party and instead of finding friends gets into it with some locals and a mysterious girl who is somehow involved in the circus. He makes it his mission to learn more about her and has to also learn more about the carnival as well in order to appease his troupe.

There was a lot of predictability to this story but there was also a lot that was interesting and new and there was a lot of magic for a prequel of a tale I didn't realize there was a lot of the magic/occult in. Overall the story had a great build and climax and I was sucked in. Dick is your typical angsty teen looking for an out and always getting into trouble when he is specifically told not to get into any. He is intense, impulsive, temperamental and a little awkward as most teens are as they are coming of age and learning more about their self-identity.

This was, like I said, a fun read. it was full of uncertainty and also adventure and it was a great prequel for me since I do not have much background on this character already. In most stories he is much darker and more broody, this story was slightly more lighthearted all things considered.

Disclaimer: First and foremost I would like to thank DC Comics for providing me with an e-copy to voluntarily read and review. This in no way sways my opinions, all thoughts expressed are my own.

REVIEW

I recently started getting back into graphic novels after reading White Sands by Brandon Sanderson. I forgot how exciting seeing the story come to life is. I haven't explored Batman or the supporting characters in a long time and I looked forward to getting back into this universe through these beautiful illustrations.

Dick Grayson is an acrobat in a failing circus. As we watch the decline of the carnie lifestyle and see him become involved in a new, mysterious yet enchanting attraction that opens up next door, we really get into the meat of the story. The dual color palettes of the circus was really interesting!

I think it's hard for some authors to get their ideas across in the format of a graphic novel. In some, I have struggled with getting immersed in the world without the actual world building through words. I think that the illustrations really help with the world building and were able to focus more on the character building. I liked reading about Robin before he was Robin, being a teenager with feelings of wanting to "find his place," seeing his relationships with his parents and friends, and the overall thrill of something new.

I really think that this book is more suited towards the younger crowds rather than older YA. I think I would let my 8 year old read this novel and not feel that it was inappropriate. I really appreciated the diversity of the characters and the overall feel of this book. I am definitely grabbing a physical copy!

This book is available NOW for purchase! Thanks again DC Comics!

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!

DC has been hitting it out of the park lately with their ya graphic novels! This beautifully illustrated novel chronicles a story of Dick's carnival days and features a range of original characters. I didn't have much knowledge of the DC-verse coming into this book, but everything made perfect sense. I loved how the relationships between the characters were portrayed- Dick's friendships radiated warmth and ease, and you could easily see the bond between Luciana and Quinn.

Lost Carnival was a quick and fun read, and I'd definitely love to see more of Willow and her abilities in a later book.

REVIEW WILL BE PUBLISHED 5 MAY 2020 at 7AM!

Let me start by saying that I only have a basic knowledge of the Dick Grayson character. I was so happy to review this to learn just a little bit more of his background and where he comes from. So, while my knowledge on this character was limited beforehand, it has no way changed my views on this graphic novel. I would say that this is the perfect novel for middle grade readers who would love to start learning more about these characters. Much like the other character driven graphic novels that DC Ink has published in the past year or so, this one was perfect for the start of learning about these characters.
“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 starring a teenage Dick Grayson. The only problem is that Dick loathes spending his summers performing tired routines for a dwindling crowd.
When the Lost Carnival, a wild and enchanting new attraction, opens nearby and threatens to pull Haly’s remaining customers, Dick is among those drawn to its magical nighttime glow. But there are forces ancient and dangerous at work at the Lost Carnival, and when Dick meets the mysterious Luciana and her carnival workers–each stranger than the last–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.”

I know I say this about nearly all graphic novels that I read, but it’s only fair to give half the credit to the wonderful artists and illustrators that spend so much time giving the visual storytelling their best effort. This novel is stunning. I love the cover and the gold accents, I love the pastel color palette that emphasizes the circus themes as well as facial expressions of each character.
The storytelling is executed quite well. you truly don’t need to know anything about these characters to have an impact with the story. The characters are a great connection to readers but let’s be real, any type of character could fill “Grayson’s” shoes and it would not have really impacted or changed the story what-so-ever. My honest opinion is that I love the versatile maneuverability of story-to-character. It’s a wonderful thing to have these storylines with much loved characters that these young readers could continue to read later on.
In regard to Dick Grayson himself, I am greatly appreciative for this newer and brighter take on his past than the one I’ve previously known. From my memory, his past was a bit ‘darker’ than this. This novel is meant for a younger group of kids, yet it displays his origin story wonderfully. While, I felt this story was a bit more predictable compared to other DC Ink stories, I welcomed it with open arms because of the meaning behind his origin.
Watching and viewing Grayson like this was something I never thought would happen. He was always this side character without much story and eventually tries to become his own hero. The Lost Carnival was such a remarkable origin tale on his start into the superhero life and his own evolution within this single copy is an empowering statement for younger readers. Dick Grayson literally will transform right before your eyes. This is a bit of a reimagining to his character, so keep that in mind as you read. It is meant for younger readers, but does not even hint a let-down for those of us who have a DC reading background. It was remarkable. I loved learning more about Dick Grayson and highly encourage this book.
Until Next Time,
Brittany from DauntlesslyReading

This was a weird fantastical story of Dick Grayson before he became Robin. I love carnival stories and this one was a fun world to dive into!

An outstanding graphic novel, which gives much-needed background into Dick Grayson's earlier life as an acrobat. This time a competing circus comes to stake its claim right next to theirs. Who are these mysterious people, and is that real magic they are using? And Dick, who falls head-over-heels for a competitor's employee, finds his interest intensifying as the mystery unfolds. Highly recommended..

Star Rating: 4

A wonderful addition to the DC Comics' foray into graphic novels for the YA audience, THE LOST CARNIVAL is a well-considered standalone that is sure to delight new fans and charm old fans!

As a long-time Batfamily and Dick Grayson/Robin/Nightwing fan, I went in with mild and tempered expectations that were exceeded and pleased. The story itself is fully developed to hit all the major beats of storytelling, from beginning to middle to end. The pace is swift, and while as a novel I would have enjoyed some arcs slowed down, as a comic I understand the urgency to do the most with the fewest words and panels. While I found the romantic arc too swift, it felt more comfortable in the graphic format versus a novel in prose would have. What the author has done strongly though is create a new entity that feels like it fully belongs and exists comfortably in the DC Universe. The Lost Carnival would have comfortably fit as an episode or two of DC's animated series, YOUNG JUSTICE, which I absolutely adore.

One of the most brilliant things about this graphic novel was the illustrator's choice in warm vs. cold color shifts. The panels are almost entirely monochrome, in either cool night blues or warm sunny orange-red. How and when these two colors are used are a part of the storytelling in itself and increased the division of the two factions as well as increased the visual tension with the high contrast and mood shift. A fantastic artistic choice!

What should be understood going into this graphic novel is that it is a Dick Grayson story, existing outside of the Batman Universe. This is a Dick Grayson that has been able to live and grow alongside his parents, that balances the carny life with the need to go his own way and become his own person. This story is honestly able to be read without the context of Batman and DC Universe knowledge, which will certainly help its appeal to general YA audiences who may not have had heavy exposure to the character yet.

Overall, a fun addition to the DC Young Adult Graphic Novel line!

This novel was provided by DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The art is really the standout in this graphic novel; the use of limited colors to convey the two different primary locations of the story is clever and subtle, and I'm always a fan of limited color palettes. The thicker lines give the art more character and movement too, with some very solid and clear paneling helping move the story forward.

The writing is...fine. Predictable; it's the classic star-crossed lovers story, so it's pretty obvious this isn't going to end well. I did enjoy giving Dick this very sentimental story that's counter to his typical characterization (and of course more poignant for people familiar with what typically happens next for him). But the action is kind of lacking, and again the story is incredibly predictable. This may not be an issue for some readers, who like that comfort read of knowing what will happen, but it was a disappointment for me when this was a real opportunity for interest.

Also, some very heavy Night Circus vibes; I guess there are only so many circus stories, but when you mix in the star-crossed lovers, it's just so similar in so many ways and Night Circus did it better.

Overall, did I dislike the graphic novel? No. Would I read it again? Probably not. But I'll keep trying the other offerings from this generation of graphic novels that DC is trying out.

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.

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!

I've always loved Batman and Robin. Those movies have always been my favorite to watch. When I saw this cover and then saw it was story about Dick before he became Robin, I was sold!

The artwork is very nice and I liked that the colors switch from a grey/blue to a golden/orange color. It's definitely pleasing to the eye.

The setting is a carnival and Dick and his parents are trapeze artists. There is also another carnival that is surrounded by mystery and magic. They have different acts and it was cool to see how each one entertained their guests.

The plot is filled with first love, wonder, and figuring out how to help his friend before it's too late. I didn't figure out who was the villain until it was revealed!

Overall, it was a great graphic novel that kept me engaged until the end.

If you loved The Night Circus this will be in your wheelhouse. Or the wheelhouse of any reader who loves Robin. There are a few nods to Batman, but this is a stand-alone Middle-Grade series centering on Dick Grayson and I am all in. I love that DC has these new series, it can be intimidating to begin reading a well known and loved series and this lets kids (and adults!) start at the beginning.

I'm hoping to obtain this beauty IRL, I adore Art Deco and this is the kind of cover that would be facing out on my shelves. In fact, all the artwork is beautiful, I especially enjoyed how the artist used a different color palette with each circus. (Yes, there are two) This glimpse into Dick's life as a teenager is an awesome origin story. Even if you don't know much about Batman you'll want to continue into the next volume for sure. I'm giving this one 4 1/2 stars.

I thought this look at a Haley’s-era Dick Grayson was solid. We see him struggling with branching out into being a teen and rebelling healthily against his parents. I really loved one scene between Dick and his mother—it seems a lot of his personality comes from her in this retelling. There’s a pretty decent (if somewhat predictable for older readers) mystery. Still, it wasn’t a home run for me. At least in the e-ARC, there were only two main color schemes—blue when the characters are at Haley’s and pink/orange at the Lost Carnival. It made the graphic novel feel a bit… stilted and flat to me. Also, there were some odd line drawing decisions that I didn’t agree with, like putting shaggy beard stubble on Dick’s dad. Not a beard, not clean shaven, but a weird, halfway stop. Why? It pulled me out of the drawings a bit.
Overall, 3/5.