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Grendel #16
Grendel vs. The Shadow
Sparks fly and bullets blaze when the original Grendel, Hunter Rose, is transported to 1930s New York and faces off with the original dark-night avenger, the Shadow! Two pulp-noir icons go head to head in a thrilling story written and drawn by legendary Grendel creator Matt Wagner. Collects the three-issue miniseries.
“This is the best ‘versus’ storyline I have ever read.”—Comic Bastards
“If you want a fun gang story chock full of violence in 1930s New York, you should definitely pick this one up.”—The Weekly Crisis
“This is the best ‘versus’ storyline I have ever read.”—Comic Bastards
“If you want a fun gang story chock full of violence in 1930s New York, you should definitely pick this one up.”—The Weekly Crisis
160 pages, Hardcover
First published May 20, 2015
15 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Matt Wagner
966 books233 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 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 24, 2020
Matt Wagner has done it again. Stunning art, a winning story. Wagner catches the essence of both characters and mixes a well-crafted 30's era crime story.
November 16, 2014
I count myself as one of Matt Wagner’s super-fans. Makes it tough to give an impartial review, so I won’t. I’ve been collecting his stuff since the 80's and I've found something to enjoy in almost everything he's done. It's been a while since he has written and drawn a book, so Grendel vs. Shadow scratched my perpetual "Wagner" itch. His simple and consistent style of writing just really appeals to me. He tends to tell fairly straightforward stories with clear character archetypes. In a modern comics world of Hickmans, Morrisons, and Kots this is sort of a vintage approach to making comics.
Grendel vs. the Shadow remains consistent to Matt’s previous work. It’s the perennial good versus evil throw-down. This tale has Hunter Rose time travelling to prohibition era New York where vicious mobsters and dangerous bootleggers rule the streets. It’s in these back alleys that the Shadow, like a wonderful amalgamation of Batman and the Punisher, fights his unending war on organized crime. Of course, Hunter’s love of the high society spot light causes him to eventually cross paths with the Shadow’s true identity, socialite Lamont Cranston. Also, Grendel’s lust for power and excitement gradually causes him to also run afoul of the Shadow and IT’S ON BITCH!
I’ve always loved the gracefully deadly and maliciously cold blooded Grendel persona. Just seems like Hunter was born to be bad. Combine that with the Shadow’s foreboding mystical powers and twin 1911s and it’s like Rose and Cranston were destined to duke it out at some point. There were several parallels between this book and Matt’s previous two Batman vs. Grendel titles. Time travel, romantic relationships with the lead character’s alter egos, and the gradual culmination towards the inevitable showdown. I have only read a couple of Shadow stories prior to this one (one by Wagner and one by Garth Ennis) and this continued to pique my interest in the character. I really love Cranston’s ruthlessly violent approach to crime fighting.
Wagner’s art deco covers pop and look amazing. Matt also continues to refine his simple style and this might be his best interior work to date. While his art lacks the ultra-realistic and hyper-detail oriented styles that are popular today (and I like them too), it’s beautiful in its modesty and when combined with his fantastic layouts, it’s the shiznit.
This one’s a definite recommend to Wagner, Grendel, or Shadow fans. There is plenty here to like if you fall into one or all of those categories. If you have no history with Grendel or the Shadow, you will probably be best served familiarizing yourself with those characters elsewhere prior to this one. Glad to see you back Mr. Wagner.
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Grendel vs. the Shadow remains consistent to Matt’s previous work. It’s the perennial good versus evil throw-down. This tale has Hunter Rose time travelling to prohibition era New York where vicious mobsters and dangerous bootleggers rule the streets. It’s in these back alleys that the Shadow, like a wonderful amalgamation of Batman and the Punisher, fights his unending war on organized crime. Of course, Hunter’s love of the high society spot light causes him to eventually cross paths with the Shadow’s true identity, socialite Lamont Cranston. Also, Grendel’s lust for power and excitement gradually causes him to also run afoul of the Shadow and IT’S ON BITCH!
I’ve always loved the gracefully deadly and maliciously cold blooded Grendel persona. Just seems like Hunter was born to be bad. Combine that with the Shadow’s foreboding mystical powers and twin 1911s and it’s like Rose and Cranston were destined to duke it out at some point. There were several parallels between this book and Matt’s previous two Batman vs. Grendel titles. Time travel, romantic relationships with the lead character’s alter egos, and the gradual culmination towards the inevitable showdown. I have only read a couple of Shadow stories prior to this one (one by Wagner and one by Garth Ennis) and this continued to pique my interest in the character. I really love Cranston’s ruthlessly violent approach to crime fighting.
Wagner’s art deco covers pop and look amazing. Matt also continues to refine his simple style and this might be his best interior work to date. While his art lacks the ultra-realistic and hyper-detail oriented styles that are popular today (and I like them too), it’s beautiful in its modesty and when combined with his fantastic layouts, it’s the shiznit.
This one’s a definite recommend to Wagner, Grendel, or Shadow fans. There is plenty here to like if you fall into one or all of those categories. If you have no history with Grendel or the Shadow, you will probably be best served familiarizing yourself with those characters elsewhere prior to this one. Glad to see you back Mr. Wagner.
Get this review and more at:
June 2, 2021
I don't know much of this Grendel fellow, and based on this crossover I don't feel the particular need to know - but he made a formidable foe for The Shadow, who is almost at his best in this story. Almost. Just needs to stick to the shadows more and give his agents more to do.
Very nice art, too.
Very nice art, too.
February 8, 2018
A cheesy time-travel plot-device to send Hunter Rose, the first and most fan beloved Grendel of Matt Wagner's long spanning comic book saga, back to prohibition era New York and starting the ultimate pulp/noir antihero/villain icons clash ever, with mobsters families and femme fatales caught in the middle.
This is just Matt Wagner at his best and one of the best crossovers ever.
Highly recommended to every reader of comic books and graphic novels.
"Vivat Grendel"
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAH"
November 17, 2018
I’ve never read any of the Shadow stuff so I was kinda excited to get into this one. But for the most part, it really was more of the same. Wager’s over-rated creation Grendel was there, in all of his homicidal glory. And so were all the typical comic book onomatopoeias. In fact, Grendel Vs. Shadow felt more like a carbon copy more than anything.
And perhaps all the more I was miffed with the character of The Shadow himself. While appearing derivative, he actually not only preceded The Batman but, indubitably influenced him. Yet as a converse to the rule that distillations fall short of their source material, The Shadow is a well… a shadow of his flying Chiroptera symbolized successor. In fact, Bruce Wayne’s alter ego has a strongly refined veneer when compared to this 40’s era (kinda generic) gunslinging vigilante. With only a hypnotic ring and loquacious adulations for justice (not to mention his stupid laugh), nothing really sets him apart from the rest of the comic book ilk much to his detriment.
And the story breaks down along predictable lines as well. Grendel does his whole control freak thing and goes to take over the largest crime family in the area. Of course bullets fly, blood spurts, and our archetypical good guy (Shadow) shows up to this immemorial dance of Good Vs. Evil. Blades clang, fists are thrown and by the end I felt like my mind was an empty dome. (I made a rhyme!).
It’s O.K. I guess, but this one didn’t do anything for my MoJo.
And perhaps all the more I was miffed with the character of The Shadow himself. While appearing derivative, he actually not only preceded The Batman but, indubitably influenced him. Yet as a converse to the rule that distillations fall short of their source material, The Shadow is a well… a shadow of his flying Chiroptera symbolized successor. In fact, Bruce Wayne’s alter ego has a strongly refined veneer when compared to this 40’s era (kinda generic) gunslinging vigilante. With only a hypnotic ring and loquacious adulations for justice (not to mention his stupid laugh), nothing really sets him apart from the rest of the comic book ilk much to his detriment.
And the story breaks down along predictable lines as well. Grendel does his whole control freak thing and goes to take over the largest crime family in the area. Of course bullets fly, blood spurts, and our archetypical good guy (Shadow) shows up to this immemorial dance of Good Vs. Evil. Blades clang, fists are thrown and by the end I felt like my mind was an empty dome. (I made a rhyme!).
It’s O.K. I guess, but this one didn’t do anything for my MoJo.
November 28, 2015
Matt Wagner at his best. I was reminded of the Batman/Grendel crossover from years ago as I read this, and that's not a bad thing. Hunter Rose reads a magical incantation and ends up in the past, during the time of gangsters, prohibition...and The Shadow. Grendel being who he is, he immediately adjusts to the change in time and attempts to take over the underworld, which brings him into conflict with The Shadow.
Just a great story, with great art as well. If you are a fan of the Grendel series you'll probably love this. Shadow fans will probably love it as well, even if they aren't sure about the Grendel character. Just think of him as the anti-Shadow and you'll have a general idea.
I recommend this one for any fan of graphic novels.
Just a great story, with great art as well. If you are a fan of the Grendel series you'll probably love this. Shadow fans will probably love it as well, even if they aren't sure about the Grendel character. Just think of him as the anti-Shadow and you'll have a general idea.
I recommend this one for any fan of graphic novels.
August 31, 2015
3.5; while it may have lacked the epic scope of later stories, the Hunter Rose arc has always been may favorite chapter of the Grendel saga because of the dark grandeur of the title character; a dark twist on the archetypal masked (anti)hero, a modern day Fantomas/Diabolik or decadent, inverted Batman. Customarily, crossovers typically suffer from being slighter than the original material; however, bringing Rose into confrontation with someone as inhumanly obsessed as he is (as well as into the classic pulp fiction milieu that initially inspired him), makes for an entertaining read that features a few ironic twists to the Grendel mythos, and one that fans of the series should appreciate.
February 24, 2016
Another entertaining Shadow tale by Matt Wagner, with Wagner's own bad guy, Hunter Rose i.e. Grendel co-staring.
Traveling back in time or side-ways, Rose ends up 1930's NYC as the Underworld is about to go to war and this power freak decides to make a play for control. So blood floods the streets and the Shadow does not like this, so with aid of his agents, the Shadows enters the battle.
The writing is first rate and so is the art work. There are many interesting supporting characters, gangsters, cops, high society slobs and dear Margo Lane.
The solo battles between The Shadow and Grendel are first rate and tough.
So step back into the dark days of the Depression as a soul of the city is fought over.
Traveling back in time or side-ways, Rose ends up 1930's NYC as the Underworld is about to go to war and this power freak decides to make a play for control. So blood floods the streets and the Shadow does not like this, so with aid of his agents, the Shadows enters the battle.
The writing is first rate and so is the art work. There are many interesting supporting characters, gangsters, cops, high society slobs and dear Margo Lane.
The solo battles between The Shadow and Grendel are first rate and tough.
So step back into the dark days of the Depression as a soul of the city is fought over.
May 1, 2023
Albergaba la esperanza de que fuera un equivalente al primer Batman/Grendel, un choque despiadado que desplegaba las monomanías de los dos enmascarados, sus alter egos y dos mujeres que se hacían presentes en sus vida, y me he encontrado algo similar al segundo cruce entre ambos personajes. Un relato pulpero, con la profundidad de un charco, muy bien dibujado y con mucha dificultad para llenar a cualquiera que haya leído un cruce entre superhéroes de dos compañías diferentes. Dice Grendel vs La sombra pero podría ser Batman vs El castigador, Daredevil vs El vigilante o cualquier otra receta de garrafón puesta al servicio de la necesidad de las editoriales de turno. Una pena.
June 3, 2025
I am definitely keeping this in my collection. This hit all of the right buttons for me, and I foresee coming back to it again and again for enjoyment.
September 23, 2019
Comprei esse encadernado em uma promoção das bancas em que dois quadrinhos de capa dura de O Sombra estavam por R$ 19,90. Uma promoção imperdível mesmo se os quadrinhos fossem ruins de doer. O que não é o caso. O caso é que, assim como a outra promoção destas que dizia respeito ao universo de Jornadas nas Estrelas, dizem respeito a personagens bastante específicos e que possuem uma base de fãs e de conhecimento sobre eles limitada. A história é bastante banal do encontro de dois heróis, com a diferença que Grendel viaja no tempo para os anos 1930 de O Sombra que é o cenário de suas histórias. O enredo poderia ser bem melhor são não envolvesse tantos vai e vens sobre a organização da máfia que são extremamente desnecessários para a história. Se excetuarmos isso, teremos um quadrinho bastante divertido de se acompanhar, principalmente com a arte de Matt Wagner e as cores de Brennan Wagner, que é muito boa no que tange às narrativas visuais que ele concebe para colocar os personagens que criou e colocou em ação. Portanto, ter comprado esse quadrinho na promoção acabou valendo bastante a pena.
December 5, 2014
Grendel vs. the Shadow is a three-issue limited comic book series written and drawn by Matt Wagner in which Hunter Rose (AKA "Grendel"), after mis-reciting an ancient incantation on a scroll, is transported from his modern Manhattan abode to 1930s NYC in the midst of mob warfare for control of the city and its Prohibition-era liquor distribution pipeline. Knowing what Grendel knows about how the Five Families and Prohibition play out, there is nothing stopping him from taking control and adding to his massive personal wealth, body count be damned. Oh, except for Lamont Cranston (AKA "The Shadow") who is waging his own war against the mob, but with the best intentions of society as a whole as his ultimate goal. Who will win?
I haven't read any Grendel stories since grad school and, honestly, I don't think much has been written in that time. So it was nice to make a return to that world and to have Matt Wagner return to not just writing but art as well. It's such a cool story. And very simplistic with no over-the-top twists and turns or convoluted plots like so many comic story arcs these days. The issues are expensive at $3.99-5.99 each, but they're 51 pages per issue unlike the 24-36 you get in most comics. So it's worth it.
I haven't read any Grendel stories since grad school and, honestly, I don't think much has been written in that time. So it was nice to make a return to that world and to have Matt Wagner return to not just writing but art as well. It's such a cool story. And very simplistic with no over-the-top twists and turns or convoluted plots like so many comic story arcs these days. The issues are expensive at $3.99-5.99 each, but they're 51 pages per issue unlike the 24-36 you get in most comics. So it's worth it.
December 14, 2015
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.
July 15, 2015
I love The Shadow. The recent stories from Dynamite have been well written, but the art just hasn't been a good fit. Matt Wagner finally changed that. Wagner's attention to architecture and small details is perfect. His art is a perfect fit. As Grendel is Matt's own creation, no one is better at Hunter Rose that he. This is an engaging story that has plenty of twists but is a true showcase for Grendel and The Shadow. Wagner is a truly under appreciated writer/artist which is a shame. I hope he eventually gets around to finishing Mage.
February 10, 2019
I've tried Matt's work a number of times, and it seems to range quite a bit, but overall it's a worthwhile read, if not mindblowing.
That said, this might be one of his worst. I'm a huge Shadow fan, and modern authors love to deliver various incarnations of him. This one has no depth, it's just a cardboard blur past a character that can be much darker and more intriguing. He mostly focuses on his creation, Grendel, and a paper thin, early version no less.
The main characters aside, the supporting cast also consists of one note cliches, all extras that never made it on The Sopranos.
The funny bit is, this is more dressed up, and delivered in hardcover no less, in I'm sure a nod towards the importance Matt places on his having drawn and used his most famous character in this graphic novel.
That said, this might be one of his worst. I'm a huge Shadow fan, and modern authors love to deliver various incarnations of him. This one has no depth, it's just a cardboard blur past a character that can be much darker and more intriguing. He mostly focuses on his creation, Grendel, and a paper thin, early version no less.
The main characters aside, the supporting cast also consists of one note cliches, all extras that never made it on The Sopranos.
The funny bit is, this is more dressed up, and delivered in hardcover no less, in I'm sure a nod towards the importance Matt places on his having drawn and used his most famous character in this graphic novel.
September 18, 2025
It was okay, I guess. Never read any of Grendel books before nor The Shadow's pulp novels and comics but I have a vague idea of who they were. The former, a rich author who is actually a masked leader of organised crime (sort of the anti-Batman, I guess) and the latter a rich socialite who goes out at night putting fear in the hearts of criminals in 1930s America (the precursor to Batman and most superheroes).
It has all the typical comic book vigilante stuff. It's not groundbreaking, is what I mean. Forgettable.
It has all the typical comic book vigilante stuff. It's not groundbreaking, is what I mean. Forgettable.
February 23, 2020
The original Grendel Hunter Rose is transplanted back into the 1930s where he attempts to reclaim his throne as a successful writer and ganglord. But he is faced against The Shadow and it is an explosive fight. There are some who claim that is just a retread of Grendel Vs. Batman, but it is it's own story, quite different from the previous one. I always enjoy a Grendel story and this is not an exception.
October 1, 2018
Great art, some gorgeous compositions and color. Some fine moments of action and character, though the overarching "plot" groans under the weight of having to figure out how the two characters came to encounter one another. Wagner has a good grasp of both characters (naturally, since he created Grendel and has written many Shadow stories), so it rings true.
January 30, 2024
It's a great adventure between 2 characters. One I know, the Shadow, and I'm introduced to Grendel.
Grendel seems to be the embodiment of sin, he does evil things because of the thrill of being chased. Which seems to be perfect for a crossover that breaks with the formula.
I've said it before, Matt Wagner is the best Shadow writer during the Dynamite era. So this is an instant recommendation.
Grendel seems to be the embodiment of sin, he does evil things because of the thrill of being chased. Which seems to be perfect for a crossover that breaks with the formula.
I've said it before, Matt Wagner is the best Shadow writer during the Dynamite era. So this is an instant recommendation.
February 25, 2019
Stunning!
A brilliant mix of Lamont Cranston, the shadow with Hunter rose (my least favorite Grendel), after the errant villain time travels to the past. Really an excellently written, beautifully drawn and colored epic.
A brilliant mix of Lamont Cranston, the shadow with Hunter rose (my least favorite Grendel), after the errant villain time travels to the past. Really an excellently written, beautifully drawn and colored epic.
February 25, 2020
I think this would have worked better as a comedy. They over-seriousness of The Shadow and the way he talks with hyper-gravitas is (unintentionally?) hilarious. But overall, this was still a fun sock 'em up.
May 22, 2020
Matt Wagner is the perfect writer/artist for this series. It's a tight, fast-moving story. In fact, it's so engrossing that I often had to force myself to slow down and savor the artistry. Wonderful work.
December 9, 2023
Who Knows What Grendel’s Been Doing…
Interesting time travel to 1930s. Hunter Rose/Grendel wasted no time in taking over that era of gangsters, except that The Shadow got in his way. But Grendel found him a worthy adversary. Good story with a lotta fun. Definitely recommended.
Interesting time travel to 1930s. Hunter Rose/Grendel wasted no time in taking over that era of gangsters, except that The Shadow got in his way. But Grendel found him a worthy adversary. Good story with a lotta fun. Definitely recommended.
January 20, 2019
If you're going to mix two disparate properties, this is the way to do it.
January 24, 2019
Three issue mini-series. Never read Grendel, thought this was a good place to start. WOW, it's pretty great. Love the interplay between the characters and Hunter Rose is awesome.
July 24, 2022
Visually stunning, and well written. If you like either character, you will love this crossover.
March 11, 2017
An entertaining mash-up that won't win over any converts, but will certainly please fans of the titular foes.
July 28, 2015
“He weaves chaos for his own entertainment! And quotes Shakespeare while he’s at it!”
Perhaps I am too long starved for stories of Grendel - Hunter Rose specifically - but this seemed to be the perfect matchup for his return. While I don't know much about The Shadow, what I did know going in did make him a good opponent for Grendel. Having already established the potential of time travel and magic in the Grendel universe (see Grendel/Batman II, Tujiro, etc), we are left to wonder if this adventure is real or not from the very beginning. Wagner has certainly remembered all the details of his classic creation and given us a wonderful addition to the Grendel universe. Additionally, while there was always some appropriateness to Hunter Rose stories in black, white & red only, this welcome return to full color is more reminiscent of Devil by the Deed, which was my introduction to the character.
Perhaps I am too long starved for stories of Grendel - Hunter Rose specifically - but this seemed to be the perfect matchup for his return. While I don't know much about The Shadow, what I did know going in did make him a good opponent for Grendel. Having already established the potential of time travel and magic in the Grendel universe (see Grendel/Batman II, Tujiro, etc), we are left to wonder if this adventure is real or not from the very beginning. Wagner has certainly remembered all the details of his classic creation and given us a wonderful addition to the Grendel universe. Additionally, while there was always some appropriateness to Hunter Rose stories in black, white & red only, this welcome return to full color is more reminiscent of Devil by the Deed, which was my introduction to the character.
July 7, 2016
Matt Wagner conhece seu ofício.
O encontro dos dois assassinos tem clichês? Tem. Tem Deus Ex-Machina? Tem. Tem inverossimilhança? Tem. Mas o tabuleiro desse artista também tem uma diagramação dinâmica, uma narrativa fantástica e uma construção/compreensão dos personagens que poucos roteiristas contemporâneos conseguem sem soar paródicos ou subservientes aos estilos dos escritores originais do Sombra, geralmente capitaneados por Walter Gibson - aliás, ainda bem, porque o estilo soporífero de Gibson nunca me desceu. E os diálogos, o respeito pelos personagens coadjuvantes, sem falar nas cores (que muitas vezes salvam uma ou outra deficiência no desenho) são acima da média, como tudo que sai da mente talentosa de Wagner.
Leitura rápida e divertida, como todo pulp deveria ser, mas sem abrir mão da inteligência.
O encontro dos dois assassinos tem clichês? Tem. Tem Deus Ex-Machina? Tem. Tem inverossimilhança? Tem. Mas o tabuleiro desse artista também tem uma diagramação dinâmica, uma narrativa fantástica e uma construção/compreensão dos personagens que poucos roteiristas contemporâneos conseguem sem soar paródicos ou subservientes aos estilos dos escritores originais do Sombra, geralmente capitaneados por Walter Gibson - aliás, ainda bem, porque o estilo soporífero de Gibson nunca me desceu. E os diálogos, o respeito pelos personagens coadjuvantes, sem falar nas cores (que muitas vezes salvam uma ou outra deficiência no desenho) são acima da média, como tudo que sai da mente talentosa de Wagner.
Leitura rápida e divertida, como todo pulp deveria ser, mas sem abrir mão da inteligência.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews