Grendel: Red, White and Black #3

Written by: Matt Wagner

Art by: see below

The Devil continues his crime spree in the third installment of this anthology.

Devils Clash - Michael Avon Oeming

We finally get a glimpse of the first fight between Argent and Grendel in this story. Takes place in the garden of the Palumbo's right after Barry's death. Nice little story - good art, nice banter between Grendel and Argent.

Devilish Escapades - Phil Noto

These "Minute Mysteries" left me feeling a bit put off. This is something we've seen before from this series and its predecessor: illustrate text pieces. I did like the one about the tiger, but the stories just lack a certain flair. Kind of boring. And the illustrations are stagnant and add very little to the text. The illustrations are supposed to supplement the text - these just leave me wonder what they have to do with the stories below. Forgettable.

Devil, Devil On the Roof - Zander Cannon

Now here is a Grendel story. Mob boss holed up in a hotel suite, hiding from Grendel. Armed guards everywhere, but the Devil always gets what is his. Makes me smile just thinking about it. The art is perfect - and so is the story. Best in the book.

Devil, Deed, Denouement - Ashely Wood

Here is an example of an enjoyable illustrated text piece. It's pretty much Devil By the Deed in one page installments, but the text is imaginative and the illustrations sublime. I liked the foreshadowing of the things to come on the last page. Good show with this one.

The Devil' Tide - Mike Huddleston

Another good, simple Grendel story. A mob doctor's fall from grace is profiled, and we get a first hand look at what happens when you try to undo Grendel's handiwork. The art is probably my favorite in the book, but the story is just a bit too slow for me. Good all around story.

That wraps up the third issue of this devilishly fun comic. One more left in this title, then I might put Grendel on the back burner. You never know.

Remember, this and any other issue showcased on FourColorCrusader can be purchased at MyComicShop.

Until tomorrow, happy reading.