Grendel #24

Grendel number 24 was released in 1989 as part of the Comico Comics run, written and illustrated by the series creator, Matt Wagner. This issue serves as a pivotal installment in the 'God and the Devil' arc, a dense, multi-layered narrative that explores the cyclical nature of the Grendel persona—an identity defined by aggression and tactical genius—as it passes through various hosts. The story continues to push the boundaries of independent comics of the late eighties by blending noir aesthetics with experimental layouts and a grim, philosophical examination of human violence.

Matt Wagner’s design philosophy for this era centered on a stark, high-contrast visual style that drew heavily from European graphic storytelling and classic crime literature. By the time of the twenty-fourth issue, Grendel had solidified its reputation as a critical darling within the alternative comics scene, praised for its sophisticated character studies and Wagner's refusal to adhere to traditional superhero tropes. Readers of the time responded positively to the series' challenging narrative structure and the seamless integration of fine art sensibilities into the monthly pamphlet format.