Grendel #16

Grendel #16 was published in 1987 as part of the Comico Comics run of Matt Wagner’s long-running indie series. This issue serves as a pivotal installment in the 'God and the Devil' storyline, which shifts the series' focus from the original assassin Hunter Rose to the tragic, telepathic priest known as Eppy Thatcher. The narrative emerged during a period where creator-owned comics were beginning to challenge the dominance of the mainstream superhero industry, pushing boundaries with darker, more literary thematic explorations.

Matt Wagner designed the series to be a structural experiment, utilizing a rotating cast of hosts for the 'Grendel' identity to explore the nature of human aggression. In this issue, the stark, minimalist aesthetic Wagner employed throughout the mid-eighties run is highly evident, utilizing high-contrast ink work that emphasizes the psychological instability of the protagonist. Upon release, the issue and the broader series were critically lauded for their departure from traditional comic book tropes, helping solidify Wagner's reputation as a vanguard of the alternative comics movement.