Grendel: Black, White and Red #4

Written by: Matt Wagner

Art by: see below

This series of Hunter Rose stories wraps up with this issue. Like the previous issues, this one adds new dimension to the first, and most ruthless, Grendel. I like to anthology format of this book - it allows for a nice variety of artists to showcase their own interpretations of this character.

Devil's Cage - Jason Pearson

This first tale is about what Hunter and Stacy do when they are both bored: she rips up stuffed animals, he kills some muggers. This story shows how the animal urge that Hunter so embodies is hidden in his young ward. I like the cartoony feel of Jason's art; it's the cutest rendition of Stacy I've ever seen.

Devil's Witness - Woodrow Phoenix

A man sees Grendel kill a gangster through a window and is called in by the cops to tell them what he saw. Solid story, tight art, awesome ending.

Best in the book.

Devil's Domain - Chris Sprouse & Jason Martin

Not really sure if there is a story here, in the sense of a plot. It's more like a series of vignettes covering the all the major points seen in Devil By the Deed. I do like the presentation, which also hearkens back to Devil By the Deed - Full page illustration with text below. Chris Sprouse is one of my favorite artist, so I give this story high marks.

Devil's Stigma - Jay Geldhof

Here we get our first real glimpse f the bond between Argent and Stacy - this story shows them telling stories that parallel their lives. It's kind of touching, but that's not what I look for in a Grendel story. The art is so-so, the story is kind of dull. Not enough bodies or aggression.

Devil's Mark - Troy Nixey

You never really think of assassins taking out other assassins, but this what happens in this story. We meet our would-be assassin trailing his mark and find out that his mark works for Grendel, who is in turn trailing the assassin. Interesting ending - sorry for ruining the surprise.

I liked the art, but there was one page with out any red and almost no gray tones. It felt very bare.

Awesome story simply for this line: "Shakes twice. Tucks left."

That wraps up Grendel: Black, White and Red. All in all a good series and worth a read. Tomorrow, the Devil goes to Gotham in Batman/Grendel.

Get the whole run at MyComicShop for less than $1 an issue!