Grendel: Devil by the Deed

Matt Wagner’s Grendel: Devil by the Deed (1986–1988) is the foundational single-issue origin story from Comico that introduced the dark legacy of the Hunter Rose incarnation of Grendel. Written and drawn entirely by Wagner, this pivotal comic chronicles the rise of a brilliant, ruthless criminal mastermind who becomes a legendary figure of terror and style in a shadow-drenched world. Its stark, elegant artwork and noir-inflected storytelling established the tone for the entire Grendel mythos, making it an essential cornerstone for fans of Wagner’s sprawling, decades-spanning saga.