Grendel - Behold the Devil #8

So, in the last issue the demon stalking Grendel was vanquished and now the Devil can get back to work. 
  
This issue opens with Hunter Rose's assistant, Larry, fishing diary pages out of a fire and Lucas running through the streets babbling...he's now sure that Hunter is Grendel.  Lucas storms into his apartment and gathers all his papers when the door slams behind him.

Who could it be but...Grendel.  Lucas was sloppy and Grendel's been aware of him this whole time.  With a flick of his wrist, Grendel slits our reporter's throat.  My favorite line comes next... "always something flammable under the sink," and the apartment is up in flames.

Liz shows up as Grendel is on his way out and  gets off a couple shots.  All go wide except one, which Grendel ricochets off his fork into Liz's face.  The Devil runs off into the night.  Liz ends up dying a week later from her wounds.

Then comes the epilogue - that ties up one loose end from the Hunter Rose era.  We see the fate of Larry.  He ends up taking his own life when the cops come calling after Hunter dies.

A satisfying ending to a lost tale of the first man called Grendel.  The art was great, the story was fast paced.  In the end, like most Hunter Rose era Grendel tales, everyone ends up dead.

Well, I need a bit of a break from the epic story that is Grendel.  Be back here next time for who knows what.

Until then - happy reading.

Credits:  Written by Matt Wagner
               Art by Matt Wagner

Grendel - Behold the Devil #7

Last issue, Grendel summoned up the dire-imp that's been trailing him this entire series.  In this issue the Devil comes face to face with a demon.

The demon, trapped in a circle, spits out strings of profanity as Grendel stands by in (rarely seen) awe.  Grendel regains his composure and asks the demon a simple question: "Why?"

Grendel breaks the circle with his fork and the demon stings him (he's got a wicked looking scorpion tail) and we are treated to a stunning flash forward.  Hunter sees scenes of the future - Christine Spar, Brian Li Sung, Eppy Thatcher, Orion Assante, Grendel Prime, pretty much his whole legacy.

If those names don't mean anything to you, don't worry, we'll cover them later when we get through the Hunter Rose era.

Lucas and Liz screw - "like...going for broke."

So, Hunter has been shown his future - and he realizes he is not a spectacular outlier in the scope of humanity, he's actually a part of the norm.  He disregards that, his ego winning out, and goes about destroying the pages in his journal that chronicle this whole experience.

Now, this issue is a joy for anyone who has followed this character for the past 25 years.  I fell in love with Grendel when I was 15 and on a whim bought a copy of Grendel: Primer.  It introduced me to a world I found both mysterious and fascinating.  This book has that same feel.  If you've never read the Comico series, this issue will probably leave you scratching your head.  But, fear not, all your questions will be answered - just stay tuned.

One more issue to go - no more monkey on the Devil's back.  We'll wrap this series up next time.  Until then, happy reading.

Credit:  Written by - Matt Wagner
             Art by - Matt Wagner

Grendel - Behold the Devil #6

Grendel - now armed with relics to battle the other worldly presence that has been stalking him - sets his sights on the Koreans.  They tried to kill him in issue 4 and he's still pissed about it.

So, the Koreans realize that their bomb didn't do jack against Grendel, so they go into hiding.  The Korean boss surrounds himself with his bodyguards and hide out for a couple of days.

Grendel tracks them down and makes short work of all five of the armed men.  Awesome fight scene - large splash pages, lots of red against the stark black and white.  This is my favorite issue of the series - this fight scene is simply fantastic.

Liz and Lucas fight about keeping secrets and they part on bad terms.  Remember - Lucas knows that Grendel is Hunter Rose.

We get back the the Devil at work - he draws a circle with a cursed bone and tosses a potion into the circle and...behold the demon that has been following him this whole time.

Great issue - it shows how easily Grendel played the Koreans from the beginning.  This series is a great way to reintroduce the character after a 5 year hiatus.  It reads fast and and looks awesome.  2 more issues - lots of surprises.

Until next time - happy reading.

Credits: Written by - Matt Wagner
              Art by - Matt Wagner

Grendel - Behold the Devil #5

So, Grendel knows that something is following him - and it has 3 toes!  This issue opens with Grendel going underground where he encounters some zombies, who he easily dispatches.  Turns out these dead minions belong to a Santeria priest named Toro.  Grendel asks if he knows what is tailing him; Toro reveals it's a dire-imp.  It can be contained, Toro says, but for a price: 1 million dollars.

Lucas spies on Hunter; Liz talks to one of Grendel's lieutenants, who refuses to squeel.

Grendel knocks off a bank truck and gets Toro his money.  In exchange the Devil gains the tools needed to trap the dire-imp and get back to business as normal.

This was a fine issues - the zombie killing was pretty cool.  This issue sets the stage for the events to come - it's been up hill since about the third issue and the roller coaster is at the top of the hill.  The last three issues of this series are the real pay off. 

So, until tomorrow - happy reading

Grendel - Behold the Devil #4

So, last issue Grendel and Argent fought and Lucas figured out that Hunter Rose is Grendel.  Blood was spilled, money was lost and secrets were revealed.  And still, the Devil feels someone watching his every move.

This issue opens with Grendel and his import broker (insert drug smuggler) sitting down having a rational talk about the loss of the heroine shipment at the hands of Argent.  Well, the conversation is not so much rational as...say...at blade point. And with some threats to the broker's family thrown in for effect.  Long story short, the Devil want the Koreans to pay for his loss - in either money or blood.

On the other side of town, the only remaining witness to the dock side attack ends up dying in front of Liz after ground glass is placed in his food.  No more witness.  Lucas does more digging into Hunter Rose's past - and comes up with nothing.

The Koreans set up a drop for the money and Grendel heads to the appointed meeting place.  Upon entering the room, Grendel knows something isn't right and we are treated to our broker with a hole in his chest and a ticking briefcase.

Boom - Grendel, blown out of the window in the nick of time, goes back into the building to survey the scene and finds tiny three toed footprints in the blood.

Another great issue in a constantly awesome series.  All the players are being set up for an awesome fight next issue.  Kind of can't wait until tomorrow - until then, happy reading.

Credits: Writer - Matt Wagner
              Art - Matt Wagner

Grendel - Behold the Devil #3

Our tale of the Devil continues as he faces off against his life long enemy - Argent the wolf.  Grendel gets that funny feeling again, like he's being watched - when out of the shadows leaps the Wolf.  They fight on the roof tops, the Devil toying with Argent...all the while quoting Shelly, Blake and Dante.

Awesome fight scene - best of the series so far.

Our reporter friend Lucas witnesses the entire fight and the aftermath (Argent rips apart Grendel's men handling the heroine shipment) and, In fear heads to Liz's apartment where they discus who is the worse monster - the Devil or the Wolf.

We are then treated to a walk in the park with Hunter and Stacy - a rare contemplative moment.  But this time out leads the Devil to a decisive confrontation between himself and the Koreans (who were unable to protect his cargo).

The issue ends with Lucas finally connecting the dots and realizing Hunter Rose and Grendel are one in the same.

The book took me 7 minutes to read - I kid you not.  They move at almost breakneck speed...and I think I love the ride.  Matt's art is phenomenal - some of the most interesting panel layouts I've seen in while.  But his trademarks are still there too.

I have to keep saying this - if you've never read Grendel, this series is the perfect place to start.

Credits - Written by Matt Wagner
               Art by Matt Wagner

Grendel - Behold the Devil #2

Tonight's review is the next issue of Matt Wagner's latest black, white and red Hunter Rose mini-series Grendel - Behold the Devil.  It also happens to be my son's second birthday, so I will indulge in a breif post script about my life outside of the long box.

This issue opens with our titular character poised on a sky-light eaves dropping on two mob bosses; they are discussing the demise of their colleague from the previous issue.  All of a sudden, Grendel's hand squeaks on the glass and the men are tipped off to his presence.  Needless to say, Grendel makes short work of them in his signature surgical manner.  On the other side of things, Lucas (our reporter friend) and Liz (our cop friend) talk about how neither one of them has any idea who Grendel could be.

Hunter and Larry - Grendel's willing right hand man - talk about the power vacuum problem that has recently come about at Grendel's blade.  They agree to let it fill itself and Grendel calls a meeting on the leaders of his underworld.  We learn that later than night a large shipment of heroine is being brought into New York under the protection of the Koreans.  Many wonder whether they can be trusted, so Grendel says he'll see to it personally.  Lucas also finds out about the shipment and makes his way to the docks too.

At the close of the issue, we see Grendel sitting on a rooftop, feeling like he's being watched.  Little does he know, there is a wolf lurking over his shoulder.

This issue lacks the action of the previous one, but it is building with Argent (the wolf) coming to the table.  When Grendel or Argent are around the body count is high, but with both of them on the scene it goes off the charts.  The art is great - the action isn't present like the last issue, but Wagner handles the dramatic scenes well too.  He's a wonderful story teller and the tension that's building is sure to break in the next issue.

On a side note - today was a great day.  It was my son Finn's second birthday.  I got home from work at 4:30 and asked Finn what he wanted for dinner.  He practically screamed "Pizza", so I drove to Domino's to fetch dinner.  After the feast (he was covered in sauce) we sat on the floor and played with his new wooden train set.  All of a sudden he stood up, ran to the DVD rack and pointed to the Spectacular Spider-man DVD.  We sat and watched the Doctor Octopus episode and he asked for Batman instead.  We watched the Joker Fish episode and the Harley and Ivy one.  Then it was off to bed.  I am so proud of that young man - he's so cool.

So, until tomorrow - happy reading!

Grendel - Behold the Devil #1

Last issue saw Grendel chase down a thug, who he proceeded to kill - but not before allowing the man a glance at his face under the mask.  He then complained about a feeling of being watched.

The devil is back to this old tricks in this issue, which opens with 4 pages of blood splatter and captions detailing a battle between Grendel and 21 armed men.  The aftermath fills a double page spread and is a gory joy to behold (I like the guy stuffed in the umbrella stand).

We are then introduced to Lucas Ottoman (reporting tracking Grendel) and Elizabeth Sparks (a police officer also tracking Grendel); they meet at the scene of the carnage and exchange witty banter - next scene we see them post coitus talking about the murder scene.

Grendel is then seen on a roof top contemplating the vacuum left in his criminal underworld by the murders, when that felling of being watched comes back and the issue ends.

Not bad for a first issue - it's good to see Matt Wagner draw Grendel again.  It's kind of a standard first issue in that it introduces new character, gives background on established charters, and sets up a mystery to be solved.  The cover blew me away the first time I saw it and the murder scene is probably one of my favorite pieces of comic art.  All that blood and not a drop on him. 

Awesome issue - go buy it.

More blood tomorrow as the Devil's exploits continue.  Until then - happy reading.

Grendel - Behold the Devil #0

In 2007, I turned 25...and so did Matt Wagner's character, Grendel.  So to celebrate, Matt decided to return once more to the original Grendel - Hunter Rose.  Why I keep saying the "original Grendel" will be explored in later posts, but for now, lets talk about Hunter Rose.

Like Grendel: Black, White and Red and Grendel: Red, White and Black this series is published in black white and red.  Unlike the previous anthology format of those two title, Behold the Devil is one 9 issue story and is drawn by one person - Matt Wagner.

This issue is a teaser.  Grendel chases a man for unknown reasons to a "safe house", which the man makes his final resting place.  Before administering the killing blow, Grendel lets the man see who lives under the mask.  Cut to Christine Spar sitting at her desk talking about some missing pages in Grendel's diary.  Just as a refresher, Christine is Hunter's granddaughter (for more on this check out my review of Devil by the Deed).

This issue is well drawn and well told.  After Devil's Vagary yesterday, this book is fresh reminder of why I enjoy Matt Wagner's writing.  And his art is great - I like the way his style has developed since Devil By the Deed.  He's realized he's better at showing the aftermath of violence rather than the violence itself.  I've always felt his action scenes feel flat.  That statement aside, this is an all around good read and a great jumping on point for new readers who may never have read this character.

Until tomorrow - Happy reading

Credits - Written by: Matt Wagner
               Art by: Matt Wagner

Grendel: Red, White and Black #4

Written by: Matt Wagner

Art by: see below

The final issue of this anthology goes out whit a bang. These are some of the best Hunter Rose Grendel stories I have ever read. Just wish that Matt Wagner had drawn one for this issue, but this series and its predecessor were founded on the spirit of collaboration and a love for the character. Besides, Matt just finished up a 8-part series last year on this character - that was both written and drawn by him. We'll get to that one, but I need a break from the Hunter Rose stories. They are fun, and a good read, but I like the Comico run a bit better. Less noir - more sci-fi; you'll see what I mean. Now to the issue at hand:

Evidence of the Devil - Cliff Chang

A detective walks in on one of Grendel's first hits for Teddy Ciccone. All the action takes place in flash backs, and the reader is left with the bloody aftermath. Good story - simple, clean, perfect for the eight pages allotted. I liked the art, especially the use of the red background for the flashbacks. Good way to open this issue.

Devil's Retribution - Farel Dalrymple

This story deals with what happened to Stacy after Grendel and Argent's first fight in her uncle's garden. She was kidnapped by a pervert, and Grendel comes to her rescue. I liked this story, but felt it was a bit unnecessary. All this is covered in Devil By the Deed; do we really need to hear what transpired? I'm not complaining, as it is a good story, I'm just saying that it feels like old territory.

Rat on the Devil - Darick Robertson

A stollie is dropped into the hands of Argent in the gruesome story. We get a glimpse of just how ruthless the Wolf can be (he bites off two of the dude's fingers). And the story pays off in a big way in the end. The art is a bit muddled, but I can see way as this story takes place in an alley even rats wouldn't call home. Good stuff.

Devil's Sentence - John K. Snyder III

Grendel's crew pulls off a heist using an outside source - who turns out to be not quite what he seems. Need less to say, lying to the Devil is not a good idea. Cleanest art I've seen in this title - John Snyder's Grendel is perfect. Another really enjoyable read..

Devil's Eulogy - Michael Zulli

Now this is what an ending should be like; we finally get a glimpse of Hunter's death after it is so briefly passed over in Devil By the Deed. Hunter, to the last breath, taunts the now paralysed Argent, telling him "Because of desire, there was Grendel. Because of myself he was majestic. Because of you, he was transcendent." That cuts deep. This is a story that crowns this anthology in greatness. Best in the book, if not the whole series. (I love me some tragedy)

Buy this book - it's awesome. Get it here.

Well, that wraps up another anthology series from Matt Wagner and friends starring Hunter Rose as Grendel. I think it's time I put this character to bed, as my long boxes houses many other gems. Until I decide what to read tomorrow, happy reading.

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.

Grendel: Red, White and Black #2

Written by: Matt Wagner

Art by: see below

More tales of the Devil in red white and black, courtesy of Matt Wagner and friends.

Devil Dreams - Kelley Jones

This is more an Argent story than a Grendel story, but it's a good one none the less. Argent goes to a wizard who makes him a potion to be able to smell out Grendel where ever he goes; but what Argent learns my not be what he wants to hear.

I like Kelley's art (big fan of his work on Batman) and the story gives us some more insight to Argent's past. Nice ending.

Chase the Devil - Mike Hawthorne

Two cops are out on patrol when a dead body lands on the hood of their squad car. Grendel quickly follows and takes out one of the cops. The surviving officer gives chase and...well, I won't give away the ending.

The art has a speedy quality - it makes you feel like you're in a hurry. The story pays off nicely in the end. Best in the book.

Devil's Karma - Andi Watson

Kind of really hate this story. Another set of illustrated text, but this time with a Japanese motif. A story isn't present - it's just impressions of the events. The art is nice, but the piece is overall boring and forgettable.

Roulette Du Diable - Dan Brereton

This story outlines the events of the Eastern Seaboard massacre (when Grendel killed off all the heads of organized crime on the East Coast in a single day) in caption boxes over illustrations of a boring day at home with Stacy. The juxtaposition is nice and the captions allow the mind to create its own violence. We also see Stacy overhear that Hunter is Grendel. Nice little story.

Devil Crossed - Phil Hester

Here we see the events that lead up to the death of Barry Palumbo (Stacy's uncle) who was working for both Grendel and Argent - with his own agenda being the death of both of his benefactors. It explains why Grendel killed Barry and shows a nice tender moment between Stacy and Argent. The art is polished and uses the black and white format to its advantage - not a terrible read.

Well, that wraps up another handful of Grendel stories - not the best of the pack, but all in all a good read.

Buy it at MyComicShop.

Grendel: Red, White and Black #1

Written by: Matt Wagner

Art by: see below

Matt Wagner and friends return with another 4-issue anthology series chronicling the exploits and exploitations of the first Grendel, Hunter Rose. Much like its predecessor, this series is presented in black, white and red - but with a bit more emphasis on the red.

The Nasty Li'l Devil - Jill Thompson

This story is kind of a jumping on point for the uninitiated Grendel reader. It covers all the events in Devil By the Deed (death of Jocasta, fight with Argent, adoption of Stacy) and has one pretty cool ending. I won't spoil it, but I'm still surprised after reading this book for maybe the tenth time. Jill's art is cartoony, but the cute edge she gives to Hunter makes me smile every time. Good marks all around.

Devil's Assumption - Andy Kuhn

I love this story; it is up there in my list of Hunter Rose tales. This story finally shows us the first meeting between Teddy Chicone (notorious mob boss whose seat Grendel eventually usurps) and Grendel. After giving a fat check to a Catholic charity, Teddy gets word to meet with his top hit man, Leroy, at the docks - he's pretty shook up. Leroy tells Teddy of a hit gone bad; of his target was dead when he got there and in a messy way. Enter Grendel,who leaps in quoting Lewis Carrol. So awesome. So, Grendel kills two of Teddy's body guards and Leroy. He then tells Teddy Leroy was too messy and that he'll step in to fill his shoes. Teddy turns to tell Grendel he has the job, but the devil is gone - disappeared into the night.

I love this story. The art is clean and uses the confines of black and white very well. Just enough gore and literary quotes to make me happy. Best in the book.

Devil Say, Devil Do - Stan Sakai

Almost completely silent story - a nice little cat and mouse story. Grendel chases a man who, presumably, has stolen a large bag of cash from one of his numerous holdings. A breeze thought though, not much substance. But what this story lacks there, it makes up for in the eye candy department. Stan's Grendel is great - I especially like the sub way scene in the hat and overcoat.

Devil Colors - Jim Mahfood

This is another good story - it involves a spray paint artist who is hired y Grendel to tag some of his devilish deeds. The kid gets cocky and Grendel has to step in to save his sorry hide. I liked the art (which has a very spray painted, hurried look to it) and enjoyed the story. There is also a nice playlist on the opening page. Good read.

Devils's Dash - Tom Fowler

Matt and Tom aren't just playing with a character in this story, they are playing with the whole form of comics here. This is the story of an overweight Senator who finds himself on the Devil's wrong side - told in half page illustrations and text underneath. Grendel hardly shows his face, but he is present in every panel. Okay story, better art.

Grendel continues to pile up the bodies as his reign of terror continues. All in all, this book adds nicely to the laundry list of misdeeds the Devil has wrought. Like what came before, these short stories add a depth to a character that was never really developed in his own series.

If you want to read this or any other comics, get them from MyComicShop.

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!

Grendel: Black, White and Red #3

Written by : Matt Wagner

Art by: see below

Matt Wagner's anthology of Hunter Rose Grendel stories continues in sparse black white and red. So far this series has done a good job of filling in and fleshing out some important events and people only glossed over in Devil By the Deed. This book gives further insight into the world of the man under the mask.

Devil's Apogee - Mike Allred

In this story we see an early contract killing by Grendel and his reflections on his youth in suburbia and a fated trip over seas. The story is fairly straight forward, and Mike Allred's art is clean and almost perfect.

A good read, but the hit takes a back seat to the love story. Not quite enough bodies. Keep reading, Hunter gets bloodier and bloodier each issue.

Devil's Curse - Arnold and Jacob Pander

I really liked this story; it's about a voodoo priest trying to conjure up Grendel so that some marked men can take him on face to face rather than have their throat slashed during the night. Needless to say, the Devil always gets what is his - whether you call him or he comes calling. The thing that makes this story is the priest, D'oro. He lives in an abandoned oil refinery where he is surrounded by zombies of his own making. The Panders always please with this kind of story.

Best in the book.

The Devil's In the Punctuation - Stan Shaw

This story centers on Hunter's editor, a man named Cush, and his rise to stardom on Hunter's literary coat tails. This story is more about how it is presented that what it has to say. It is written as a book pitch by Cush - it just feels kind of forced. The art is nice; it has a kind of angular grace about it.

Art is nice to look at, story is a bit unnecessary. There's a very nice splash page of the fight between Grendel and Argent.

Devil On My Back - Teddy H. Kristiansen

Flashbacks abound in this issue. This is a story of an arsonist who sets fire to some of Grendel's waterfront property and provides a mirror for Hunter to see his past. Grendel lets the kid live...total let down. The art is sketchy and minimal - not very nice to look at.

Does give us another glimpse at how ruthless Hunter is - a sprinkler of gasoline. Awesome. But I'd still call it the weakest of the 5 stories in this book.

Devil's Labyrinth - Guy Davis

Now this is a Grendel story. Argent setting up Grendel who is really setting up Argent. They fight, Argent can't keep up, splice in some images of Stacy (they both care deeply about this little girl) and ultimately ends with Grendel looking off into the distance and telling Stacy he loves her. Almost feels text book; but in a good way. Guy Davis' art is good, but his style doesn't lend itself to action very well.

This book ends on a high note.

If you want to pick this or any issue up, get it from MyComicShop, they have the best back issue pricing around. Trust me, I've looked.

Well, that's it for tonight. One more issue of Black White and Red, then the Devil heads to Gotham...

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.

Grendel: Black, White and Red #1

Written by: Matt Wagner

Art by: See below

This is the first of four issues of Grendel: Black, White and Red, an anthology about the further exploits of the first Grendel, Hunter Rose. The art is done in stunning black white and red, allowing each artist to show off their skills for better or worse. I love anthology books like this. It's a comic full of shorter comics. What a bargain! This particular issue contains five short stories:

Devil's Advocate - Tim Sale

This twisted tale is about Grendel's personal lawyer. Tim Sales art, as always, is awesome and the story of a honorable man being twisted to Grendel's will really shows the character's ruthless nature.

Devil's Mate - D'Israeli

This is a nicely constructed parallel story: on one side we see Hunter teaching young Stacy the subtleties of chess and on the other we see Grendel breaking up a child prostitution ring. I enjoyed the story but I'm not really a fan of D'Isreali's art work so I left feeling a bit unimpressed.

Devil's Toll - John Paul Leon

This is a simple story of give and take between Grendel an a rival mob boss - I like the art, really dark and brooding, especially when Grendel takes the guy's finger. I also enjoy the three wide-screen panels per page and the use of single word captions as opposed to word bubbles. All around good stuff here.

Devil's Tongue - Duncan Ferredo

This story is just plain awesome; it's about a torture session with Grendel. The art is spectacular and the story is chilling. It shows just what a heartless bastard Grendel can be. A must read for any fan.

Devil's Thrush - Ho Che Anderson

This is definitely the weakest story in this issue. I HATE the art work; it is far too sketchy. The story is hard to follow and just plain mediocre. I would pass on it.

All in all, this was a worth while read.

That sums up the first issue of tales of the first incarnation of Grendel, Hunter Rose. For more of his exploits, keep reading. Copies of this issue can be purchased here.

Grendel: Devil By the Deed

Written by: Matt Wagner

Art by : Matt Wagner

Grendel: Devil By the Deed is one of my favorite comics, so I decided to start today by reading it. It's the story of a man and a monster both trying to gain the love of a little girl and control of New York City. It's a story of hidden agendas, a wolf, and a horrible betrayal. It is beautiful. Now I say that for many reasons. The art is stunning; it has an art deco feel to it that dominates the entire book.

To read this is like reading an illustrated novel. The whole story is told in caption boxes; there isn't a single word bubble. The story is about two cursed men: Argent, who's curse is ancient and has physically turned him into a monster and Hunter Rose, whose curse is more modern and best described as ennui. You see Rose excels at everything, so much to the point he dons a mask and the name Grendel to take over all organized crime in New York. And this is where he runs afoul of Argent, the wolf-man-cop who hunts him relentlessly.

I could go on and on about this story, but that isn't the point of this entry. The point is to tell people who have never read this book to go find a copy and read it. If you have read it, dust your copy off and give it a read. It's still just as good. It is a seminal work in sequential art and is often overlooked.

There is a whole lot more of Grendel to come and this is where the story all begins.

If you want to pick this up, buy it here.

Spoiler (highlight to read):

Hunter is betrayed by his young ward, Stacy, after she learns he killed her uncle. Hunter is then lured into a roof top battle with Argent. Argent ends up paralyzed and Hunter loses his life.