Dark Horse Comics Grendel vs. The Shadow

I can't say much about why I think this book is essential to any GRENDEL collection (and I do not find every GRENDEL book essential). Suffice it to say that there is a missing link in GRENDEL lore established here that will make fans of Grendel from the beginning stand up and say, "AHA! I always wondered why...."Beyond that, here you get to encounter not only a revisiting of Hunter Rose but also an encounter with Matt Wagner's handling of THE SHADOW, and the conflict between these two masters of darkness makes for an intoxicating blend of physical and psychological one-upmanship. Who, if either, will prevail?

I have long been a fan of both the Shadow and Grendel (particularly the Hunter Rose incarnation). It's not hard to imagine how I felt when I saw that Matt Wagner decided to bring these two characters together; the only way he could have gotten me more excited would be to collaborate with John Ostrander on a Grendel/Grimjack crossover. I am pleased to say that Grendel vs. The Shadow met expectations and then some. The art is superb and the story kept me guessing how matters would play out. I should not have been surprised; I loved Wagner's first Grendel/Batman story and once again, he achieves great effects using more than one narrator. Grendel and the Shadow prove to be evenly matched in their encounters. Hunter Rose's comments on the literary giants of the 1930's made me think he would have made quite the Amazon reviewer. There is a mob boss's daughter who proves to be a most stunning figure and we get some insights into Margo Lane's thoughts on her relationship with the Shadow. The conclusion has several deliciously ironic touches. This proved a highly worthwhile purchase. Update 7/13/15: Did anyone else get the idea that in some panels, Matt Wagner seemed to be channeling Howard Chaykin (who also gave us an interpretation of the Shadow back in the 1980's)?

A great return to the "classic" Hunter Rose Grendel, which is fresh after the 80s and 90s piled more and more mythology into the character, as well as a strong noir vision for "The Shadow." Wagner's art has matured over the years and fits the setting and Wagner's interpretation of The Shadow is extremely strong. The meta-commentary on Hunter Rose Grendel and the reference to the Wizard of Oz are actually interesting and subtle nods as opposed to the obvious meta-fiction that has become a stable in "smart comics" since the dominance of Grant Morrison. Wagner's plotting is strong and steady, and reads flash. Allowing the Shadow to really show as well as the "voice" of Hunter Rose, and is not bogged down with the mythology that often bogs down the Grendel comics. Very enjoyable.

Matt Wagner kills it again with this one. I liked everything about this one, the art, the style and the writing sell this as one of the best shadow stories every written. Grendel makes a perfect foil for the Shadow and watching them go at it is cool every time. Don't think just buy.

I bought this on a whim. I don't know much about the Grendel character. Yet I am a huge fan of the Shadow. I loved the read and I do recommend this to others who are a fan of both. Yet more to those who are a fan of The Shadow.

Matt has a real feel for pulp heroes. I could see the ending coming very early on but really enjoyed the ride.

I love the older heroes where problems were actually solved instead of today's nonsense where "heroes" just go around in circles fixing the problems they themselves created.

wagner rules

Decent art, fun story. I wonder if he decided to go to that building in his own time just make sure the Sanctum isn't there

Love it

Superb. Typical Wagner 1930s style art. Complex story, great character development. Sits well alongside Wagner's Batman & Grendel, and Monster Men/Mad Monk. The best Shadow since Mike Kaluta.

Wonderful conflation of two worlds. Matt is my hero!!