Grendel: Black, White and Red #2

Written by: Matt Wagner

Art by: see below

The carnage continues in the second issue of Grendel: Black, White and Red. This is another solid entry in the tales of the first man to don the mask and fork - Hunter Rose.

Devil's Cue - Bernie Merault

I have loved Bernie's art since I first saw it in Grendel #13 - he has a style all his own. The story involve Larry Stohler, Grendel's right hand man, the leader of a foreign cocaine ring, and a night long game of pool. This story really shows off one of the minor characters in the world of Grendel and what a large part he plays in the Rose's criminal empire.

My favorite story in this book by far.

Devil's Requiem - David Mack

This tale centers on a fencing tournament where a young (pre-Grendel) Hunter Rose throws the champion match and meets the love of his life Jocasta Rose. (for those of you wondering, at this point in the story Hunter's name is Eddie. we never learn his real last name. After the death of Jocasta, Eddie takes on the name Hunter Rose.) This is a nice story that gives us a glimpse at the love that burnt between these two characters - so bright and so brief - and how it cam to influence Hunter Rose. Mack's art is good for the story, but nothing I've never seen before.

Not a bad read - a bit slow and low the body count. It fills in the a chapter only glossed over in Devil By the Deed.

Devil's Coup - Timothy Broadstreet

This story tells of how Grendel manipulated one of the highest ranking crime families in New York to do his bidding. The story itself is nothing new, it's the presentation I liked. The story is told through sections of newspaper clippings, shipping receipts and ship's manifests - like little clues that the reader must put together to get the whole story. The art compliments the story, giving further hints into the plot.

Good story, better execution.

Devil's Blessing - C. Scott Morse

This is probably my least favorite piece in this book. It's a story about a cleaning lady and her son witnessing a robbery that Grendel gets involved in. It reinforces the paradoxical blood-thirsty but compassionate Grendel. The art is lack luster and kind of muddy as it is done in water color.

Bland story, bland art.

Devil's Garden - Paul Chadwick

This is another character study of a secondary character in the Grendel world - Stacy Palumbo. He life is the real tragedy in the Hunter Rose cycle of Grendel. Her we get a glimpse of what her life is like on a regular day: a stroll though a garden, a lonely birthday party, a gala ball with Hunter, and a lonely night in a large empty house. Paul's art is just right for this story as the violence is at a minimum and the focus is more on the emptiness.

Good glimpse at Stacy's everyday life. Not much action, but this is a scene that needs to be there to make her actions in Devil By the Deed at the least understandable.

Man, I love this series. Even at its low points, I am left with a good story and a smile on my face. The body count gets bigger as this series moves on.

If you want to buy this, or any issue, of Grendel: Black, White and Red, you can get them here.