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Grendel Omnibus
Grendel Omnibus Volume 4: Prime
In the chaos wrought by the death of Grendel-Khan Orion Assante, his young son Jupiter--heir to the throne--finds protection with his father's secret weapon: an unstoppable cybernetic paladin of destruction!
The story of Grendel Prime unfolds in three tales that form the apotheosis of Wagner's visionary, centuries-spanning narrative: the Eisner Award-winning War Child, with art by Patrick McEown; the riveting Past Prime novel, written by Greg Rucka with pen-and-ink illustrations by Wagner; and the lush, painted Devil Quest, recounting Prime's search through an apocalyptic future for the seeds of his own past. Over five hundred pages of ultra-stylish art and story, culminating in "A Grendel Primer," Wagner's A-to-Z overview of all things Grendel!
The story of Grendel Prime unfolds in three tales that form the apotheosis of Wagner's visionary, centuries-spanning narrative: the Eisner Award-winning War Child, with art by Patrick McEown; the riveting Past Prime novel, written by Greg Rucka with pen-and-ink illustrations by Wagner; and the lush, painted Devil Quest, recounting Prime's search through an apocalyptic future for the seeds of his own past. Over five hundred pages of ultra-stylish art and story, culminating in "A Grendel Primer," Wagner's A-to-Z overview of all things Grendel!
544 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2013
18 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Matt Wagner
967 books231 followersMatt Wagner is an American comic book writer and artist. In addition to his creator-owned series' Mage and Grendel, he has also worked on comics featuring The Demon and Batman as well as such titles as Sandman Mystery Theatre and Trinity, a DC Comics limited series featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 25, 2015
The War Child era is my favorite in the Grendel saga. Perhaps it's because it's the only one that I read in floppies, but this is a great narrative, well-told, and beautifully illustrated.
War Child (41-50). One of my favorite Grendel stories, probably because it was the first one I read. However, the visual storytelling is really stunningly good, often telling in pictures what many people would instead use words for. It's also beautiful (especially the covers; I'm bitter they're not included in this omnibus!). I also love seeing the evolution of the society that was depicted in the previous arc, especially since its inclusion is so subtle here. The story itself is enjoyable too; Wagner does a good job of communicating the frenetic chase, even if it drags a bit by the end [7+/10].
Past Prime (novel). I sort of wish this had been in comic book form, because it's so much a sequel to War Child, telling the next story in the Grendel universe. Nonetheless, Rucka does a great job of converting the comic book to prose, telling a story that's just as exciting as any of the Grendel comics, but one that allows deeper characterization of both Susan and Prime thanks to the prose form. Overall, a terrific story. As usual, I'd like to see what comes next. [7/10
Devil's Quest. The final story in the Grendel chronology returns to Wagner's more experimental narratives, but he generally uses that to good effect, giving us an interesting array of viewpoints on a story. Unfortunately, the story is quite small. It's nice to see another advancement on the Grendel timeline, but not a lot actually happens [6/10].
War Child (41-50). One of my favorite Grendel stories, probably because it was the first one I read. However, the visual storytelling is really stunningly good, often telling in pictures what many people would instead use words for. It's also beautiful (especially the covers; I'm bitter they're not included in this omnibus!). I also love seeing the evolution of the society that was depicted in the previous arc, especially since its inclusion is so subtle here. The story itself is enjoyable too; Wagner does a good job of communicating the frenetic chase, even if it drags a bit by the end [7+/10].
Past Prime (novel). I sort of wish this had been in comic book form, because it's so much a sequel to War Child, telling the next story in the Grendel universe. Nonetheless, Rucka does a great job of converting the comic book to prose, telling a story that's just as exciting as any of the Grendel comics, but one that allows deeper characterization of both Susan and Prime thanks to the prose form. Overall, a terrific story. As usual, I'd like to see what comes next. [7/10
Devil's Quest. The final story in the Grendel chronology returns to Wagner's more experimental narratives, but he generally uses that to good effect, giving us an interesting array of viewpoints on a story. Unfortunately, the story is quite small. It's nice to see another advancement on the Grendel timeline, but not a lot actually happens [6/10].
August 16, 2015
Wagner's installments around Grendel Prime were weaker than the other three omnibuses as the further Grendel moved into the future, the less and less clear what the purpose of Grendel was and how it had any tie even to Wagner's earlier work with Grendel as a spirit of aggression. The novel "Past Prime" fills out the decline of Jupiter Assante, but it writing weaknesses are more apparent in novel form. The first cycle, "War Child," is interesting And reads well and quickly but is not as interesting as earlier Hunter Rose cycles either. It just seemed that Wagner had a lot of ideas and this caused the series to lose focus over time.
July 25, 2018
It just amazes me how this series has evolved. It truly started as one genre and ended up as something totally different.
This series features 3 sections. The longest part was the War Child series, which is basically a long chase with Grendel Prime attempting to protect Jupiter Assante, the heir to the Grendel legacy. Prime kidnaps Jupiter to keep him from being used as a pawn by his mother, and she and her advisor pursue the pair around the world. Then in the final issue there's a time jump of ten years and we see a conclusion to things.
Next is the prose novel Past Prime. Normally I don't like to mix my prose and graphic novel reads together, but in this case it was really good. Basically a story of Grendel Prime set several years after War Child.
The weakest part was the final "Devil Quest" stories which seemed a little disjointed as it was several short tales linked together and mostly done in an experimental style. Okay, but not nearly on the level of the other stories.
A strong volume, and the Grendel series overall was very well done. Highly recommended.
This series features 3 sections. The longest part was the War Child series, which is basically a long chase with Grendel Prime attempting to protect Jupiter Assante, the heir to the Grendel legacy. Prime kidnaps Jupiter to keep him from being used as a pawn by his mother, and she and her advisor pursue the pair around the world. Then in the final issue there's a time jump of ten years and we see a conclusion to things.
Next is the prose novel Past Prime. Normally I don't like to mix my prose and graphic novel reads together, but in this case it was really good. Basically a story of Grendel Prime set several years after War Child.
The weakest part was the final "Devil Quest" stories which seemed a little disjointed as it was several short tales linked together and mostly done in an experimental style. Okay, but not nearly on the level of the other stories.
A strong volume, and the Grendel series overall was very well done. Highly recommended.
March 10, 2024
Geez. According to Goodreads, hardly anybody has read this! That’s horrible. Comic book people just prob don’t all use Goodreads, that’s got to be it.Surely word has gotten out about this by now. It’s from what, the 90s? Let me check, I have a whole signed set of Grendel: War Child comics. Yes. 1992. Oh, wait. This is the TPB we’re reviewing. It came out in 2013. Still, ten years seems like a lot of time for only a hundred fifty ratings.The reviews, as they are, are largely good, which shows that at least fifteen people have some sense about some things. That gives me a bit of encouragement - I take it when and where I can. They should teach this in comic book college. I bet they do. Stories of epic scope and vision, how to write. 101. Absolutely cinematic. Maybe (probably) the best comic I have ever read (in conjunction with the previous omnibus, Orion’s Reign). Forget Hunter Rose, this is a whole other thing. The darkly engrossing, and at times grimly moving, endpiece to a masterpiece of science fiction storytelling. Speaking of cinematic, I have one thing to say: Gendel Prime vs. The Great Machine. The finale of the Grendel novella included in this collection.
July 31, 2024
So now, after well over 2.000 pages of hoping and failing to understand why Matt Wagner’s GRENDEL has been called a masterpiece as often as it has, and can say why an honest heart: I don’t get it.
While the first Omnibus had virtually no story beyond “people get murdered in nice art and creative layouts”, Vol. 2 had some of the worst art ever to tell a bad pulp story and Vol.3 had art not much better for the most part to tell some tales of embarrassingly juvenile social criticism.
Which leaves us here, at Vol.4, the last chance to turn into a masterpiece and it’s…mainly A Lone Wolf and Cub riff, only the ronin is the Terminator in the world of Mad Max, with a lightsaber, and he fights vampires and pirates, all supported by bad art.
Masterpiece called Grendel, where are you?!?
The final story here has Wagner himself take over art duties again (and I can now safely say he’s a much better artist than author) and it makes for a huge difference, if only the entire thing wouldn’t just end in a ridiculous and nonsensical final few pages.
Not worth the journey, but at least the first and last are the best volumes.
While the first Omnibus had virtually no story beyond “people get murdered in nice art and creative layouts”, Vol. 2 had some of the worst art ever to tell a bad pulp story and Vol.3 had art not much better for the most part to tell some tales of embarrassingly juvenile social criticism.
Which leaves us here, at Vol.4, the last chance to turn into a masterpiece and it’s…mainly A Lone Wolf and Cub riff, only the ronin is the Terminator in the world of Mad Max, with a lightsaber, and he fights vampires and pirates, all supported by bad art.
Masterpiece called Grendel, where are you?!?
The final story here has Wagner himself take over art duties again (and I can now safely say he’s a much better artist than author) and it makes for a huge difference, if only the entire thing wouldn’t just end in a ridiculous and nonsensical final few pages.
Not worth the journey, but at least the first and last are the best volumes.
July 31, 2023
Grendel: War Child ★★★★★
It was nice to be able to revisit this series. I remember back in the 90's when Grendel moved to Dark Horse with this book and I started buying Grendel regularly. (Before that it was at Comico and hard to find even at comic book stores). It takes place centuries after the original Grendel, Hunter Rose. The leader of the world had passed in the previous book, leaving his son to succeed him. His stepmother though was attempting to usurp power for herself. (You figure out all this as you go along.) Grendel Prime kidnaps the boy, Jupiter Assante, at the beginning of this and most of the book is the two of them on the run. Grendel Prime is a cyborg and jedi all rolled up into one. He's one of my favorite characters from the 90's. Wagner tells most of the story through actions over words and the action sequences are epic. There's some other great characters involved but I'll let you experience them for yourself. I'm not sure what happened to Pat McEown but I've always really dug his art.
Grendel: Past Prime ★★★★
Years ago, Dark Horse started releasing original prose novels featuring their most popular characters. Greg Rucka is a terrific comic book writer. He's also written a bunch of novels, both with his own characters like bodyguard Atticus Kodiak or extensions of Queen and Country along with properties he doesn't own like Grendel. This is the next story in the Grendel cycle after Grendel: War Child. Susan Veraghen is the main character. She's been searching for Grendel-Prime for the last 3 years after he disappeared at the end of War Child. The Khanate is in a downturn as the Grendel's are becoming more thugs and gangs than any kind of stabilizing force. Susan and Grendel-Prime seem to be the only two Grendels left with a sense of honor. A lot of this book is her search for Grendel-Prime throughout Tibet while being pursued by rebels. The second half is something of an extension of that but I'll let you read that for yourself.
The book also features a bunch of illustrations throughout by Matt Wagner. It's a bit odd to have a prose novel in the middle of a comic book collection but I think it works here.
Grendel: Devil Quest ★★
I typically love all things Grendel but this little ditty was difficult to follow. Just the way it's presented and changes back and forth to different characters. It's certainly not something I'd hand to someone who has never read any of Grendel before. I've read all of it and still had some problems with it. I do love Matt Wagner's art though.
Grendel Primer ★★★
A short little riff on those A to Z primers, this one about all things Grendel. It's fine but not nearly as good as it could have been.
It was nice to be able to revisit this series. I remember back in the 90's when Grendel moved to Dark Horse with this book and I started buying Grendel regularly. (Before that it was at Comico and hard to find even at comic book stores). It takes place centuries after the original Grendel, Hunter Rose. The leader of the world had passed in the previous book, leaving his son to succeed him. His stepmother though was attempting to usurp power for herself. (You figure out all this as you go along.) Grendel Prime kidnaps the boy, Jupiter Assante, at the beginning of this and most of the book is the two of them on the run. Grendel Prime is a cyborg and jedi all rolled up into one. He's one of my favorite characters from the 90's. Wagner tells most of the story through actions over words and the action sequences are epic. There's some other great characters involved but I'll let you experience them for yourself. I'm not sure what happened to Pat McEown but I've always really dug his art.
Grendel: Past Prime ★★★★
Years ago, Dark Horse started releasing original prose novels featuring their most popular characters. Greg Rucka is a terrific comic book writer. He's also written a bunch of novels, both with his own characters like bodyguard Atticus Kodiak or extensions of Queen and Country along with properties he doesn't own like Grendel. This is the next story in the Grendel cycle after Grendel: War Child. Susan Veraghen is the main character. She's been searching for Grendel-Prime for the last 3 years after he disappeared at the end of War Child. The Khanate is in a downturn as the Grendel's are becoming more thugs and gangs than any kind of stabilizing force. Susan and Grendel-Prime seem to be the only two Grendels left with a sense of honor. A lot of this book is her search for Grendel-Prime throughout Tibet while being pursued by rebels. The second half is something of an extension of that but I'll let you read that for yourself.
The book also features a bunch of illustrations throughout by Matt Wagner. It's a bit odd to have a prose novel in the middle of a comic book collection but I think it works here.
Grendel: Devil Quest ★★
I typically love all things Grendel but this little ditty was difficult to follow. Just the way it's presented and changes back and forth to different characters. It's certainly not something I'd hand to someone who has never read any of Grendel before. I've read all of it and still had some problems with it. I do love Matt Wagner's art though.
Grendel Primer ★★★
A short little riff on those A to Z primers, this one about all things Grendel. It's fine but not nearly as good as it could have been.
April 20, 2023
En un futuro distopico, las distintas tribus y pequeños paises se encuentran al borde del colapso, y en plena agitación, aparece un GRENDEL mas mejor que todos( hasta un sable laser tiene), y secuestra al pequeño heredero directo del trono, además de una historia novelizada por Greg Rucka y una ultima recopilación con trabajo total de Matt Wagner, en guion, dibujo y color.
LO BUENO: La historia de Jupiter y su travesía por el mundo mientras se convertirá en el líder de la resistencia, avanza sin detenerse y tiene acción, cyborgs, brujeria, vampiros, zombies y todo en un coctel de sin parar, aunque muy previsible todo, pero lo que me encanto fue la novela de Rucka, que tiene todo:Viaje personal, muerte, violencia, sexo, sci-fi, y la ultima recopilación es una muestra de lo mejor de Matt Wagner, con unas painas que te quitan el aliento.
LO MALO: La historia de Jupiter es previsible a mas no rabiar, y le ves las costuras pagina a pagina, y la historia final de Wagner, nos da un final tan borroso y sin sabor, que se siente que perdió mucho de lo que había dejado Rucka en la novela.
LO BUENO: La historia de Jupiter y su travesía por el mundo mientras se convertirá en el líder de la resistencia, avanza sin detenerse y tiene acción, cyborgs, brujeria, vampiros, zombies y todo en un coctel de sin parar, aunque muy previsible todo, pero lo que me encanto fue la novela de Rucka, que tiene todo:Viaje personal, muerte, violencia, sexo, sci-fi, y la ultima recopilación es una muestra de lo mejor de Matt Wagner, con unas painas que te quitan el aliento.
LO MALO: La historia de Jupiter es previsible a mas no rabiar, y le ves las costuras pagina a pagina, y la historia final de Wagner, nos da un final tan borroso y sin sabor, que se siente que perdió mucho de lo que había dejado Rucka en la novela.
October 11, 2019
A Collection of Grendel stories: War Child, Past Prime, Devil Quest, and a Grendel Primer. War Child is one of my favorites, with the Paladin/Grendel Prime appearing and kidnapping/protecting Jupiter Asante, heir to Orion 1, until he can take the throne, facing a myriad of dangers in the post apocalyptic future. Past Prime is a novelette written by Greg Rucka with limited illustration by Wagner telling the story of Crystals former protector/lover Susan and her search for the cyborg Paladin. Devil Quest a disjointed tale (originally backup stories) of yet another attempt to find Grendel Prime as he works to contact the original Grendel, Hunter Rose, in the past, told with great painted artwork. Finally a short Grendel Primer, with a character for each letter of the alphabet.
June 27, 2017
The Prime era is definitely my favorite of the Grendel "saga". It hangs together much more cohesively, and show Wagner's progress as a storyteller, plus each arc has uniformly beautiful artwork. The main event is War Child, which evokes the postapocalyptic action of The Road Warrior and its 80s clones, as well as Lone Wolf and Cub. The Past Prime novel, written by Greg Rucka, seems to draw the most ire, but as a pulpy continuation of Susan Veraghen's story, it works fine. Overall, the series may be one of the weirdest, least predictable creator owned storylines ever (not counting Dave Sim).
February 9, 2019
After the often (overly) dense and experimental stories in the previous volumes, I was surprised that this wraps up with such a long story where nothing much happens. This is essentially a few hundred pages of Lone Wolf and Cub / Mad Max, but with none of the charm of either of those. The storyline is simple, the pacing is plodding, and nothing really happens until the very very end, during which it all happens so quickly that there's no real punch. It's a weird finale for such an interesting and inscrutable series.
December 10, 2023
This may be my favorite chunk of Wagner’s Grendel saga; the future shock sci-fi found in this volume put the political wrangling of the last volume aside in favor of brutally violent action.
January 4, 2024
A significant step up after the disappointingly uneven third volume. The prose story in the second half didn't do much for me, though.
May 10, 2025
It was ok
The beginning was good. The later stories were a bit of a drag. Good art in some areas. I little long but it reads fast.
The beginning was good. The later stories were a bit of a drag. Good art in some areas. I little long but it reads fast.
December 5, 2025
Better than the previous two volumes but still kinda disappointing.
March 1, 2017
While it lacks the sophistication and experimentation of earlier Grendel tales, I love the visceral, "Lone Wolf & Cub" homage of Grendel Prime's initial adventure. Greg Rucka's follow-up novel is uneven, but largely effective, and Wagner wraps things up with a vividly painted background tale setting up (and following on) his Batman/Grendel II crossover (not reprinted here).
April 15, 2014
This contains 3 main stories, and a couple extras. The first story, War Child, is by far the best. It actually has a more traditional comic book structure that earlier stories, and is actually better for it. Since there isn't the striving for artiness, the storyline becomes the focus, and this works out well. This arc is less wordy than many of the others, and the flow of the panels pulls the story along at a good clip. The second story was an attempt at a pure prose Grendel book, with no artwork, and it's not very good. However the next story arc returns too a more experimental style, with painted art, and more of the unusual visual structure that is common in the Grendel oeuvre. Each issue in this story has a specific color palette which adds a distinctive feel, that meshes with the narrative. A nice way to close off the omnibus collection.
January 20, 2014
While individual sections of this series are good on their own, what's really impressive is the scope and range of Matt Wagner's Grendel. From Batman-inspired intrigue to Sci-Fi vampire romp to post apocalyptic Conan the Barbarian tales, the series really feels like it was being made up as it went along...in the best possible way.
September 7, 2016
Collects the last of the Grendel material.
October 28, 2015
The end?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews