Grendel: From Humble Indie Comic to an Epic about Violence

[@nivedh2894]

The changing protagonists is such a cool idea to me. Probably because I'm a huge fan of JoJo's. But I really like how it's done here, the title of Grendel being some sort of curse, it's awesome.

[@Coccyx69]

Sandman and fables also do a really good job of changing protagonist. Fables actually has a game called the wolf among us and it's amazing if your interested.

[@paulgibbon5991]

Same here. In both of them, I love the concept of a story that takes place over decades or centuries, with each new story being its own thing, but also picking up threads from the earlier ones.

[@thewilhelmscream7912]

This sounded very reminiscent of The Mask comics too!!!

[@jasonscarbrough1507]

Reminds me of what they did with the Shadowman

[@jnnx]

I don’t know who JoJo is, and at this point, I don’t care.

[@304bjpr]

I think that the idea that Prime is a hero is something that Wagner plays with. He seems heroic, but he's ruthless, pragmatic, and almost comically violent in service of his singular mission, which shifts over a few stories. So much to unpack in those books. Very much a product of their times. Some of the takes and plot details may seem eye brow raising now, but Wagner fits in a lot of contemporary political and social themes in a kind of speculative way. It's the most awkward thing about the book in places, but it adds a lot of detail to the world. I could go on and on about the series. I read these as a kid, and I've thought about them way too much. Not much writing about them.

[@TheWasteOfTime]

I agree. I never really got the idea that Prime himself was heroic even if others were looking at him as an inspiration, but even then it was because they saw in him their Khan, his authority and ideals. Hell, later on even Jupiter seems aware of this as he tells Prime to capitalize on his mystique to recruit more Grendels. Prime struck me as just a guy with a mission that he would fulfill whatever it took. Beyond how thorougly he slaughtered anyone who got in their way, I seem to recall him sacrificing an innocent (well, as innocent as anyone can be in these comics) ship's crew to cover his and Jupiter's escape. Had his mission been to kill Jupiter he would have done that just as unflinchingly.

[@Howdoyouchangepf]

This episode was the on such a different level of what is usually done, I love every second of deep dived lore and analysis with the tone being perfectly low and dark and yet again you’ve made me want to check out another comic series.

[@niklashegg]

I think the soundtrack might’ve gotten to your brain a lil

[@Howdoyouchangepf]

@@niklashegg Nah dude I cant hear I’m death and blind in fact it’ll be a miracle if I cock even type this message without messing a word up

[@travispardy8649]

I wonder how much influence Grendel had on Symbiote Spiderman/Venom's look and characterization (black suit with wide white eyes, anti-hero status, shifting protagonist/host). Or, for that matter, how much it influenced The Mask. Anyway, Wagner had a very cool, unique art style with clear Showa Manga influences. This is an interesting find, Chris! Also, your atmospheric soundtrack to this video really added a lot!

[@Clay3613]

The Symbiote Suit was a gimmick to sell more than one Spider-Man action figure in the Secret Wars line. Probably little chance Jim Shooter even knew who Grendel was. Edit: I get a lot of artist from the 80s mixed up.

[@mr.mammuthusafricanavus8299]

Agreed I wonder also. I also notice quite some similarities between Grendel Prime in the space suit to cosmic ghostrider... :P

[@auradjinns]

The black suit design was submitted to Marvel by a fan in 1982 or 1983. Marvel liked the design so much they purchased it for a paltry sum and the rest is history…

[@auradjinns]

@@Clay3613 Chris Claremont had nothing to do with Secret Wars. It was written by then Marvel EIC Jim Shooter.

[@foolwriter]

Considering both black-suit Spidey and Spawn, I'd bet money that MacFarlane was a fan of Grendel.

[@samwill7259]

The simple, almost soft and bright eyed art style of the first comics reminds me of Osamu Tezuka's works more than anything. Astroboy and Kima and the like. i think its the eyes and faces.

[@_Stalc_]

The character himself looks like black jack who also is made by tezuka, and shares several similar character designs and themes.

[@ironshoes1720]

For my part, I see a lot of resemblance between Hunter Rose in the first panels of Grendel and Phil Foglio's style in What's New with Phil & Dixie, published in The Dragon magazine a couple of years earlier. It has the same cartoonish dynamic, even mimicking some typical gestures of the latter character (Phil), namely how Hunter uold his bow tie. But that's just me and it could be entirely random. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@TheArchimedean]

Grendel was seriously ahead of its time, even if its timely aspects sometimes make it a bit ridiculous. The shifting narratives, themes, and concepts made for such a weird, wonderful story. Thank you for reminding me of this gem

[@joshuagraham2843]

yeah but its still good book, wish grendel stays noir i didnt like the futuristic post apocalypse except grendel prime is awesome i wonder if dark horse reboot grendel?

[@Steve_P_B]

This is a character that really deserves an adaptation, preferably animated since Animation tends to be more faithful to the original source material than live action.

[@SwedishDuckey]

I saw this video when it first came out and I still come back to it every couple months, one of my favorite videos

[@cosmoissleeping]

I always understood the Beowulf poem to be about the cycles of revenge. Very similar to what Grendel became

[@timespace.productions7513]

Given development-latitude, I'd argue Wagner's Grendel has the greatest potential for an extended universe built into its premise.

[@joshuagraham2843]

i really want grendel get adapted like arcane or castlevania or invincible style live action wont work

[@davidcauley9400]

I've never clicked play so quickly. IMHO Grendel is the greatest creation I've read in comics.

[@deefish9565]

A great episode, but one I wish was LONGER. I was hoping for more analysis on some of the post War Child stories that included Wagner's stunning painted work. Also, I particularly love how he managed the two different Batman crossovers, since the original was apparently created years before it was published, but buried due to the legal issues, and features Batman against Hunter Rose. The second series is against Grendel Prime and is an amazing showcase of how not only how comic style has changed, but is a very different perspective. They act as almost bookends on the character and Wagner's creative approaches that I find fascinating.

[@dlaimer]

You should check out the Overlord Comics channel for a pretty comprehensive series on Grendel. kzbin.info

[@wchart]

Batman vs Grendel was my first exposure to Wagner and Grendel. I got obsessed right away and had to read everything Grendel oriented. In a weird sort of twist, it got me obsessed with the poem Beowulf as well.

[@nobel11]

Matt Wagner is one of the greats! Grendel is such an inspiration, both as an example of fantastic indie work, and as a long running story that maintains its quality and relevance over its run. Also, I love Matt Wagner's Batman, too. Hell, Wagner's my hero, not gonna lie.

[@itswilbur3747]

I loved the Grendel/Batman crossovers. The Shadow one was good too

[@alanguages]

I attended SDCC 2015 and asked Matt Wagner, if there was a possibility of a Grendel movie. I know he was part of the Legendary Pictures panel back in 2011. He chuckled and just said "Maybe". I wasn't going to hold my breathe, but it would be great if they put a big amount of effort with getting the essence right.

[@grendel0013]

Thanks for giving Grendel some love, Chris! The original B&W Comico Hunter Rose stories are still my very favorites. I can't wait for the Netflix series to come out sometime in 2023 I believe. Matt Wagner's writing and art have been the biggest influence on my own style. I have been infatuated by this story since I was a child.

[@baileymoore7779]

There's a Grendel Netflix series coming out?

[@craigbridgeman522]

@@baileymoore7779 yes

[@kubobetterrelax7435]

Ooooh, I'm looking forward to it. I'm wondering which story they will use for the first season as that will be crucial for getting renewed for a next. I'm thinking the story with Christine would be amazing. There's a lot to there. Especially with the following three issues going deeper into the lore with grendel and it's corrupting influence.

[@grendel0013]

@@kubobetterrelax7435 Nope. It's definitely Hunter Rose.

[@Xortopower]

Probably repeat the cowboy bebop disaster I hope.

[@MichaelNelsen]

My favorite has always been Devils and Deaths by Darko Macan and Edvin Biuković (1994) from the sort of spin-off or one-off series of Grendel Tales. Amazing artwork, great writing.

[@jemhoare2105]

Agreed, and Chris should do a video on the creators. Also colored by one of Chris' favorite colorists - Matt Hollingsworth.

[@johnathonhaney8291]

Of the spinoffs, my fave remains Four Devils, One Hell, written by James Robinson and illustrated by Teddy Kristensen, a multi-POV story in the vein of God And The Devil with all four main characters on individual quests which eventually brings them together.

[@danguillou713]

So happy that you showcased this! I’ve been a fan since late -86. (Around issue 8 of the ongoing comic.) It did so many cool things. First, instead of an endless continuation, like all comics at the time, it was an anthology, a serie of mini-series. Sandman is the second big name that used this format, and it started in -89. Frickin three years later! And as you showed, each one has a different tone, style and genre. My impression is that Matt Wagner used it as a vehicle for experimentation and training as a writer. Wagner makes me think of Frank Miller who is also both artist and writer, but their skillsets are reversed. Miller has always been a competent writer, as shown in Martha Washington and Batman year 1, but I’d argue that he’s never been groundbreaking. Never astonishing. I think that he would have made a fine living as just a script writer, and nerds like you would talk about his different works. But as an artist he is amazing and has done groundbreaking work, and it has made him a comics superstar, if a problematic and weird one. Wagner is really good as an artist. The art deco of Devil by the Deed is lovely. His action (in his later work that is) is striking, clear and full of energy. I’m sure he could have made a fine living illustrating other peoples’ stories. But as a writer he’s not just really good, he is amazeballs. The three issue story about Brian Li Sung made me cry and gave me nightmares. Yay. Finally, a thought on the Grendel entity itself. The comic goes back and forth a bit on what it actually is. But in my head canon it is a meme. Everyone who gets infected at first has had access to Hunters writing, both his published works and his private logs. At this point, it’s like ”The Emperor in Yellow”, it’s a literary brown note, it’s a body of text that will harm and brainwash you. And then it goes public as a growing cultural phenomenon, with increasingly detrimental effects on the world at large. Makes me think of the anime Paranoia Agent, but more insidious. Finally, Wagner seems to have changed his mind on the original Hunter Rose. Early versions are very heroic and sympathetic for a villain protagonist. But later stories focus a lot more on Hunters cold manipulativeness and casual sadism. Everyone should read Grendel. Again, thank you for talking about it!

[@MrMookiejr]

I always really liked the Grendel concept and design, but at first only knew him through the Batman crossovers. As a teenager however, I picked up a really great Grendel Prime novel by Greg Rucka which gave me an appreciation for the overall narrative.

[@ruckerrc]

Grendel has always been a source of direction and guidance for me as a young man growing up. Hunter Rose is my favorite version but all are good. Long Live Grendel.

[@jackmafo832]

Vi Vat Grendel!✊😠✊

[@rawrgitsjack]

Grendel seems like a series that could really benefit from a recent adaption because of it's scope. Maybe not like, a trilogy or anything crazy, but reintroducing audiences to this unique world, characters, and Corrupting Influence known as Grendel could make some excellent narratives.

[@raphaelbittencourt4430]

I think the best way to do an adaption of Grendel would be as a tv show

[@stevebecker6067]

I've said for years: Now that the world has had The Dark Knight and Game of Thrones it's ready for Grendel. I personally think the best place to start would be Warchild - really hook the audience before going to prequels or sequels. I understand Wagner's doing something with Netflix that starts with Hunter Rose, and I can only hope it lives long enough to get to Warchild.

[@johnathonhaney8291]

Indeed, pull out a few dated details and the stories are timeless. Wouldn't take much.

[@thothmesx1]

I was in a convenience store looking at all the comics on the spinner rack (that should date this), when I saw this amazing neon bright comic with a cover that stood out in quality over all the other titles. The art inside, and the paper it was printed on were outstanding. I grabbed it up. That was Grendel #1. Through Comico's house ads inside, I learned about the Devil by the Deed Graphic Novel (very different in style back then), and eventually tracked a copy down. I still have it to this day. I love Grendel, and Matt Wagner, and thank you for this great video.

[@tonyisgrendel]

Grendel is my favorite comic series of all time. The comics had a strong influence on me as an adolescent discovering all forms of storytelling and art. Thank you Chris for making this wonderful video.

[@Busssta]

Grendel is such an interesting story as a whole and the way it's told makes it so interesting. Your passion for this story is noticed and I can feel your excitement talking about it, great video thank you

[@DungeonMusings]

Grendel is probably my favorite series of all time and you did a terrific job of summarizing, both, the major story beats of the series and the themes that Wagner explored in it. The only thing I would add is a recommendation for the Grendel Tales mini-series "Devils and Deaths," by Darko Macan and the late Edvin Biukovic. While not written or drawn by Wagner, it explores many of the same themes as the main series, but from a powerful, personal perspective (at the time, Macan and Biukovic were young men who had just lived through the violent dissolution of Yugoslavia). Thanks so much for the excellent Grendel video and I will look forward to when you get around to Wagner's Mage. :)

[@dorgoron]

Hvala :)

[@jemhoare2105]

That recommendation is seconded. One of the best comic books ever.

[@ghostofyourmom]

It's so nuts; Macan and Biukovic were living in a literal war zone, mailing scripts and art pages to the Dark Horse editors in Portland, OR. Eventually of course, they received work visas and whatever necessary to move to the states.

[@JavaApp]

I wandered into a comic book store around 1985 (36 fuckin' years ago) and picked up #2 of Mage. I was immediately hooked and went to the back issue bins, picking up Mage #1 and the entire original three-issue Grendal series. I adore almost all of Matt's work and kept up with the Mage series and the first couple of runs of Grendal. Bernie Mireault's Grendal was the last one that I read for a while, hampered by the fact that I missed issues and couldn't find them in the local comic book shops. So I drifted away from Grendal for years. The next Grendal book I picked up was the Hunter Rose/Batman crossover. which I really, really liked. So when a slender comic called Grendel: Behold The Devil came out, I picked it up and was amazed to find the starting (or maybe ending) of the entire Grendal saga, with a partial explanation of exactly what the true Grendal was. No spoilers, but I can say that it felt perfect, explaining some things but allowing the various Grendals to retain their own autonomy (and responsibility for their own crimes as well). Your note about Cain and the 'original Grendal' in Beowulf is prescient, I believe, because Cain's story is about the first true act of violence, the first murder. This is probably the untold origin of the matter discussed in Behold the Devil. Most importantly, the greater story of Grendel is one of the powerful and seductive nature of violence. All of these individuals lost control, or power in some way, and then used violence to re-attain their own autonomy and power over others. The examination of this, the violence all around us - sometimes visible, sometimes not - is the key to understanding this complex and multi-layered epic. Because it is an epic - the epic of violence.

[@oliverkloshophdndrecords50]

I'm currently reading the new Grendel run. It's completely different from where it started these days, but it's still amazing

[@vampiregreg]

I gotta say it does this old comic book readers heart good to know that so many people love and appreciate Grendel. I have loved this character for decades ever since I first came across Grendel War child. It introduced me to this amazing aggression driven character. From there I went back and discovered Hunter Rose, then Christine Spar. My love of Grendel has driven me to make 1/6 figures of action figures of Grendel Prime and Hunter Rose. I dream of meeting Matt Wagner someday and having him sign both of them. Vivat Grendel.

[@jaymiiwilde3772]

Can we all just sit here and appreciate how beautifully the production values of this show, let alone the intros themselves have developed over the years and seemingly the passion behind every video seemingly never lessens thanks for this one btw... its one of those series I wish I could start reading and now I have even more interest in reading it!

[@nobertosanchez647]

Up until today, I have never heard of this comic series before and now needless to say,……I love it.

[@Keinish79]

I got introduced to grendel by a batman/grendel comic, that was on sale. I really liked it. Later a saw one of the grendel tales and I enjoyed it too. I did not know that the series had so many more stories.

[@bondapovon]

This is my favorite comic series of all time which I grew up with and I am very glad you covered it as there is no channel I would trust to do a better job giving it an overview.

[@jameswhitehouse5706]

One quote regarding always sticks in my mind “I am patient, I am directed, I am Grendel.” It gave me chills as a kid when you realise these characters are being manipulated by an external force.

[@johnathonhaney8291]

Grendel Prime has the definitive quote for me: "I have no clan, nor any rank. I am unique."

[@9rendel]

That is also what resonated the most with me. I read Devil By The Deed at a very formative age, and the theme of gaining personal power through focus, sacrifice and discipline echoed in tropes from the Jedi & the Sith, Bruce Wayne, Tony Stark and others. Later characters like Orion Assante, Susan Verhagen, Hack and Goran shocked and inspired me with their quick decisions to sacrifice everything dear to them in pursuit of their core goals.

[@9rendel]

@@johnathonhaney8291 I have modeled aspects of my life after this character. Some of the acomplishments of which I am most proud are unknown to anyone. This little brag is my first public confession of them. I'm nowhere near as cool as Prime, but I'm trying.

[@nicksteeves3652]

Man, every episode of these deep dives on comics are SO good. This is by far my favorite channel focusing on comics.

[@MrSamfonseca]

It's interesting to see how the creative process matures and grows; it takes us, sometimes, to some unforeseen destinations. Very cool!

[@FreakyFraser1]

Nice.........Grendel has been my favorite long running series for at least the past decade.

[@zoazorusson]

I bought Primer #2 when it came out. I must have been 16. I think Grendel have to be taken, within Wagner's corpus as a whole, to truly understand the nature... of the beast. Grendel and Mage, are the 2 sides of the heroic. The old good/evil trope.

[@simonbarnett8668]

Thanks for this one! I find Grendel underrated or almost forgotten by most current comic fans.

[@Buford_T_Justice1]

Grendel is one of the crown jewels of my comic book collection. I came across War Child in 92 when I saw the awesome Bisley covers. I was hooked and went on a mission to hunt down all of the Comico issues. The whole series is fantastic. The crazy art styles and dark stories were so dense and engaging. The Grendel Batman crossover is fantastic. I hadn’t thought about Grendel in years. I’m about to put my phone down and dig up my books for a long overdue reread. VIVAT GRENDEL!

[@SonovaBish]

I came along when Grendel Tales came out. Then, I couldn't collect for a while. When I jumped back in, I bought War Child back issues and some of the tertiary stories around that time period. I was quite happy to watch this. Thanks.

[@bhikku23]

I always loved how the series became more and more of a science fiction epic but never abandoned or ignored the weird occult/horror themes of its early days, like Argent and the vampires. I don't think it ever bothered to justify them either, it just trusted that comic book readers can deal with world that includes lots of strange things.

[@MechaWrecka]

Whoa. Never thought you get around to Grendel or Matt Wagner. So cool! One of my favorite comics for several decades.

[@fernandoorozco3751]

I love Matt Wagner's art. I used to collect his book "Mage" back in the good old days. There were some issues that had Grendel stories if my memory serves me correctly.

[@NOTLPChiz]

Grendel has been my favorite comic series since I was in high school. Thanks for bringing attention to it!

[@jeremyslate4052]

Thanks for the episode. Grendel is one of my favorite comics along with Bone, Strangers In Paradise and Preacher. I remember how excited I would get as a kid when I picked up each new issue of the Christine Spar arc. You’ve done episodes for most of these. I would love to see a Strangers In Paradise ep. Keep up the great work!

[@kevdmiller]

I would love to see a video like this on Matt Wagner's other important work: Mage! That was one of my all-time favorite comics.

[@judgecohen1373]

Grendel is a favorite of mine since the 1980’s. Matt Wagner wasn’t getting much attention at his table at a Con but he was very happy that I brought Art of Grendel for him to sign. He even drew a free sketch of Hunter Rose in there for me. Very cool! I’ve read them all but vs. Shadow and Odyssey which I will now get. Grendel, to me, is the spirit of violence or aggression which, tied to the Cain idea, makes a helluva lot of sense.

[@garyfoss4394]

This is one I'm going to have to revisit. I read the original run as it came out, and remember being blown away by the story-telling, the universe, and the themes. A kabuki opera vampire still stuns and amazes me.... The eyeballs. Damn. Time to go hunt it up in some boxes....

[@tennesseejermyn7705]

I hope that in 20 years or so, people will talk of youtube channels in the same way people talk about tv shows, and in that people will talk about comic tropes- love your stuff man

[@TerryParr]

Yes thank you. I've never read Grendel and now I can understand why people love it so much. Please cover more indie creator titles. Would love to see Nexus, The Rocketeer, Madman... and more Hellboy.

[@leperwolf7287]

I had all the original prints of Grendel going all the way back to Primer. I started back tracking issues around the time War Child was on its fourth issue. It took me all up until the tenth issue of War Child. We're talking a lot of money for a kid who was only 15 or 16 and made only a few bucks a week mowing lawns and cleaning houses on weekends. Sadly, I lost them all about ten years ago for reasons I'm not going to explain. But for the time I had them and was still adding on to them with new issues as they came out, they were my pride and joy. Nowadays, I can't make that kind of a commitment to a comic series thanks to work and taking care of family. But I can say it was always exciting to find back issues I didn't have at a comic con and strike them off the list once I had them in hand. Note: I still know all the stories word for word by heart.

[@joaquinporcar8623]

I'm new in the Grendel comics and i'm so stunned and amazed. Grendel is more than a comic. Specially I love the Orion Assante part, but ive appreciate all the different sagas. Thank you for the video!!

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Matt is one of the great geniuses in comics. He expertly conceived and crafted one of the most unique characters and stories conceptualizations ever translated to the comics visual medium.👍 Outstanding body of work so often copied that it seemed to have been lost for it's freshness and bold undertaking.

[@TheDan14]

Thanks for the education, this was something I heard about in the late 90's, early 00's but could never find at my local comic shops.

[@MoK013]

Grendel lead me down a thinking path of free will, situational awareness, & personal/ moral code. We are all Grendel.

[@JakobKaine_BrickJAK]

Christine Spar was my first Grendel. An older lass who I idolized lent me the first comic back in ''86 and I devoured each issue as it came out.

[@gregoryjames7696]

Grendel is certainly one of the gems in comic world. Really enjoyed War Child in particular.

[@aikisteven0616]

Another great deep dive into a comic I remember seeing in the shops back in the 90s, but I never got around to picking up. I will have to look into the collections, as it sounds like something really up my alley. Weird thought entered my brain while watching the episode - it's a comic that was able to continually re-invent itself and grow, yet stay true to a central idea and theme... for some reason I was reminded of the early days of your channel, when you were sticking post-its to the wall while seeing the awesome transitions you had for sections of this review... I hate to just keep saying something as inane as "keep up the great work", but you've really got one of, if not the best comic review channels I've ever found, so yeah, keep up the great work.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Ahh! I'm so glad to see Grendel covered! Got into the character from Batman vs Grendel and dove more into the lore thanks to the Dark Horse comics and eventually Mage!

[@justinmccready9885]

Grendel Vs Batman is one of my favorite Batman stories. Wagner is a great creator and the ability for the title to pivot to different genres while still staying loyal to the theme is proof of just how brilliant this creation is.

[@kevingross4141]

Loved the Pander Bros. line. Loved the Pope Innocent line. A big fave finally analyzed. Thanks!

[@stevenboyd3756]

Grendel was one of the first independent comics I discovered at the Forbidden Planet comic shop in Greenwich Village in NYC back in 1987. There were so many independent comics that have been forgotten. This episode was great and brought back memories.

[@michaelcortez1531]

I will never forget when my best friend got me to read his Grendel collection from the beginning, and all he had to tell me was it was all just set-up and world building for what he called 'The Pope Issues'. I didn't understand at first but definitely did after. It became one of my favorite indie comics along with Fish Police.

[@cquin7315]

I read the war child trade paperback in the 90s and was blown away by matt Wagner visual storytelling. It was like a apocalyptic movie blockbuster come to life. I however had no idea of the Grendel mantle and corrupting nature of it created. Grendel prime was my only introduction but after your frankly brilliant coverage I havto read this amazing series from the start.

[@obscureanimebumps3206]

I’ve collected and read every single Grendel story, as well as Grendel Tales and crossovers, and let me tell you, it is one of my favorite fictional timelines of all time. Such a cool universe Wagner made.

[@butchersrespawn]

Grendel is my all time fave. I go back to reading the comics every so often. Something about him is intriguing and Matt Wagner just sucks you right into Hunter Rose’s world. I love all things Grendel.

[@Ste_Sko]

Ran into a mini (size A5) comic of Grendel way back during my teens. It looked cool, so I picked it up. Didn't quite yet get it back then, yet recognised immediately this wasn't an average run of the mill comic. Came to appreciate it a lot over time, still have it.

[@NemesisMvC]

Great editing Chris, thank you for the time you spend doing this!

[@davidfausel9029]

Excellent, well done video Chris. Christine Spars first issue was my first regular run of Grendel off the shelf. Though I immediately got the Devil by the Deed graphic novel. What Wagner achieved was so unique and groundbreaking. Definitely one of the best independent comic series in the past 40 years.

[@Shaggy-839two]

This is the best comic book channel.

[@gadgetts5342]

Agreed, I struggle with other channels narration being a bit amateur.

[@Adams4000]

War Child is my favorite. It really gives you a full show of how powerful and varied the cult of Grendel has become. Prime was such a driven force who truly became the living will and fist of the Khan. Yet still gave you all that confidence of the original Grendel.

[@TheArcSet]

Thanks for this video. The charismatic villainous protagonist idea can be so interesting when done well; apart from Hannibal, I first really encountered it in Dorohedoro: it was startling how much tension having dual protagonist who were enemies created, especially with such disparate strength and means.

[@Bombill]

I could never adequately explain Grendel to others, and now thanks to this video I'll never have to. Good job!

[@yojimbo187187]

This series helped me understand the cycle of abuse and what it takes to break it

[@patriciomendoza19]

Grendel is up there in my top 10 comic book characters of all time. I primarily only read the Hunter Rose stories for the longest time, it wasn't until relatively recently I started to find more of other eras popping up in my local shops (War Child, Devil Inside,) and I am so grateful this video exists kind of breakingdown the history of each era, because this is a legacy series that I find to be very underrated. A couple of my favorites that really expand on Hunter Rose and Grendel as an entity, are "Grendel: Behold the Devil," "Red, White, & Black," and "Black, White, and Red," respectively.

[@evanlehner2116]

Hey Chris I really love your channel and I’ve been binging the heck out of it for the past couple weeks. You have completely revitalized my love of comics and art with just how enthusiastic and positive your videos always are and I just wanted to say thanks

[@jeffvioli5559]

War Child featuring Grendel Prime was likely the best story arc of all. I think the first three issues had cover art by Simon Bizley. They were so good I had them up on the wall. Matt Wagner remains one of the greats of course!

[@carloscolom6477]

Long live Grendel Khan. Im such a fan of the series that I even wear a perfume inspired by it. Mastermind by Black Phoenix Alchemy. All Grendels have their own fragrance inspiration

[@mariod1547]

Grendel and the Maxx are two books i discovered this year and I love them so much. I noticed the late 80s and 90s have alot of my favorite stuff.

[@JebeckyGranjola]

That's funny because it was the Maxx that got me into Grendel back in the day. Sam Keith's first idea for the Maxx was an issue of Comico Primer (series where Grendel also first appeared), I think thats how I heard about him. Keith also worked on Matt Wagner's Mage series.

[@fuzzuck]

I actually got started back in comics as an adult with back-issue bin hauls that included every Grendel book I could find (also Sin City, Sandman, The Invisibles, Stray Bullets, Hellboy, Cerebus, Preacher): I got most of the Grendel Tales series - the 6-or7-issue series drawn by the late, great Edvin Biukovic & written by Darko Macan, 'Devils & Deaths', remains my favorite - the 'Black, White & Red' books, 'War Child', both 'Grendel/Batman' crossovers, and most of the later Comico issues with Eppy Thatcher & Orion Assante. The Grendel Tales mini-series remain the best of the Grendel-bunch. 'Devil's Hammer' by Rob Walton & 'Homecoming', with painted art by Dave Cooper, are both incredible. So is the story about Grendel biker gangs ('Devil of a Chance'?), terrorizing the townsfolk, with great ligne claire artwork by Pete Doherty (now known more as an excellent colorist). I also highly recommend the Grendel Tales series 'Four Devils, One Hell' ('Five Devils'? 'Six'? It's been a long time since I looked in those long-boxes), primarily for the painted Teddy Kristiansen art.

[@spacemanspiralcatzero]

Great video! No one ever talks about Grendel. I’ve been a fan since high school in the 90’s. It’s ripe for a show or movie. With the amount of media out these days I’m disappointed no one has taken a chance on bringing any part of Grendel to life.

[@marcoantonio_lx]

When I got into Grendel a few years ago, it seriously ruined other comics for me for a good while. Its such a fu**ing masterpiece. Wagner makes such good use of the format of comics to deliver what is arguably the best indie series from the 80s. Vivat Grendel!!!

[@matthewdonham7387]

Thank you for this awesome video! I have been obsessed with this character ever since I saw a picture of Hunter Rose as Grendel in an early issue of Wizard magazine as a kid!

[@LordTeaboBaggins]

Yes! I was wondering when you'd cover my all-time favorite comic! This is fine work, Chris :)

[@anthonycatalfamojr2403]

Thank you for this.War child is one of my favorite arcs of all time!!

[@marsupialdungbucket]

I came across Grendel by accident when Mage came out and instantly fell in love with it to the extent that it is one of the few sets of comics I still have from back then and still read occasionally. The look of the original Devil by the Deed was unlike anything else in comics at the time, so it was very disappointing that it didn't continue in the same style afterwards. The art deco style and colouring were gorgeous (the later recolouring takes the whole thing several steps down) and inspired a lot of my design work at the time. I assume that the amount of work required to produce it is why the later stories were handed out to other artists. A shame.

[@LouKiss]

I corresponded with Matt Wagner early 90s when there were talks of a movie. Amazing 30 years later NETFLIX is doing it. I still have that letter.

[@dorgoron]

Vivat Grendel! I am a big Grendel fan, as well, and must brag a bit: one of my favorite stories is by my fellow Croatian: Darko Macan & Edvin Biuković - "Grendel Tales: Devils & Deaths" - which depicted a civil war between different grendelian eastern Europe gangs - harrowingly echoing the local civil war we endured in the Balkans. Hope you got to enjoy it as well!

[@butchersrespawn]

What I love about Grendel is Matt Wagner’s dedication to the character and always reinventing Grendel as a force of Evil in many different genres. Grendel to me is everything I do in my writing in terms of ideas and how far I can push my characters into different genres of fiction. If it wasn’t for Grendel I wouldn’t be where I am right now. Matt Wagner is the true Devil by the Deed.

[@disgustingdust1584]

I watched your video, mainly as I remember the comic and Wagner’s art style. As its been over 25 years since I read the comics I own and I also don’t remember which ones own; I had to go into my attic and hunt out my small collection. I own more Grendel tales than simple Grendel. Probably due to the availability of comics in the UK, back in the 90’s. Comic shops opened and comic book shops closed, with frequent regularity; so it was hard to keep with one storyline especially with a comic book stores closing, just as I started reading a book. I remember loving the artwork and enjoying the stories. even though today I don’t remember the story so your video was a bit of an eye opener. Well that time for you.

[@kevjohn2006]

I came across your channel only a few hours ago. Subbed immediately thanks to your hilarious "Dart and Ace" review. Went back to my regular KZbin viewing, refreshed the page and what comes up? This! MW's Grendel is my favorite comic series of all time. Grendel is one of the two comic entities that I went out of my way to own everything I could find, the other being Lobo. I swear I'd give my next door neighbor's left (insert body part of your choice) to reclaim my collection that's been lost to multiple relocations, time, mental things, and booze abuse. But now I know what I'll be spending my "disposable extra money" on in the future.. rebuilding my collection of this highly intellectual, soul-expanding art. Minor side note: only slightly disappointed that you didn't mention the EPIC Batman v. Grendel crossover. I know it does nothing for either one's arc, but I know of at least a half dozen ppl who became aware of, and fans of, Grendel thanks only to this tiny little 3 (or was it 4?) issue classic.

[@Theoriginaljackolantern]

I liked your overview of Grendel quite a bit. I remember back in 1989 thinking that Grendel's main story was about three things: Violence, Tragedy, and Interconnection. How each Grendel had to suffer to be either born or reborn accordingly, and the rebirth was always tied to blood either literally or figuratively.

[@_Dogbeard_]

Fantastic episode! Really great deep dive, brilliantly done :)

[@gmGrudgeMonster]

Awesome. I fully enjoy nearly all of Wagners Grendel stories. The first Mage arc is still my favorite story he did though.

[@Gamer12051]

Great video Chris! It was tastefully done and so was the choice of a background track. It's just right in that it adds some fitting atmosphere yet it's not distracting. I find that some of my previously favorite KZbin channels overdo the soundtrack or pick a wrong one which makes their admittedly interesting videos hard to watch. I prefer silence but if you have to add some sound other than your own voice, some ambient type and fitting sounds are way better than actual music. Some channels use actual music during the talking and my brain gets confused. I actually stopped watching those channels. Here's hoping you continue to make the right choices. Thanks. edit: I also like your diction. You probably are reading from a script, but it's great that you maintain that conversational rhythm and tone. Some other creators sound like they're rattling off their text as if it's a speed reading contest. Your way is so much better. Thanks again.

[@Akstergrind]

ABSOLUTELY my favourite creator and comics character! An amazing achievement! Thanks for tackling this, Chris! NB Also very glad you pronounce the company's name Comico, as opposed to ComEEEco, like everyone else seems to! #pethate

[@joetrosclair8434]

One of my all time FAVS! Grendel comics RULE!

[@TheWasteOfTime]

I'm real happy I found this. I think I came onboard with Grendel during Warchild when I was a kid, but was so enthralled by it that I went back to find earlier stuff with Hunter Rose & Christine Spar. Even when I was alot younger I always had a feeling like the Grendel comics were something particularly special. I'd been thinking back on those stories alot lately, so stumbling on this video was a bit of really odd kismet, hahaha.

[@johnmooney9830]

As a teen I was a huge fan of Grendel during the Comicco run-I’d say it was in my top 5 favs. I really enjoyed the changing styles.

[@treetheoak8313]

I love these deep dive videos on smaller scale titles. Really showcases comics strengths and what they can do best over movies games or even other forms of literature

[@Udgrasil13]

Here from Patreon, just here for the like and a comment for the algorithm. Great video, I haven't heard about this comic at all but I love the character designs. You go Chris =)