Grendel: Devil’s Crucible — Defiance
Writer / Artist: Matt Wagner
Colorist: Brennan Wagner
Letterers: Rob Leigh and Steve Dutro
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Publication Date: March 2025
Following on from 2021’s Grendel: Devil’s Odyssey, Grendel returns to begin another epic tale with Devil’s Crucible — Defiance. Grendel Prime travels back to Earth some five-hundred years after he left it, having failed in his quest to spread the ideology of Grendel across the universe. He is shocked to find that Earth is now controlled by vampiric Necrolords, who rule over poverty-stricken humans in a post-apocalyptic wasteland – and to add to that, being a Grendel is now banned under penalty of death.
Series creator Matt Wagner described Devil’s Crucible — Defiance as:
The first 4-part chapter of a larger 12-issue Devil’s Crucible storyline and, as described above, it presents a whole new direction and scenario that both longtime readers and new readers should appreciate.
The initial four issues of Devil’s Crucible, subtitled Defiance, are collected into a hardcover by Dark Horse Comics this month. Matt Wagner both illustrates and writes the series, added by fellow artist and colorist Brennan Wagner and letterers Rob Leigh and Steve Dutro. Defiance focuses on the experience of Grendel Prime returning to earth and his quest to find other surviving Grendels, in order to fight against the vicious and sadistic Necrolords on behalf of the good and the innocent. If Grendel is a series exploring the different ways rage can express itself in a person, then Defiance is the process of raging against the machine that exploits you, the system that beats you down and leaves you sucked dry of all you’re worth. It’s a timely read for sure, and reading it in 2025 feels like a therapeutic and hopeful exorcism of rage.
Art by Matt WagnerThere has been an explosive surge in post-apocalyptic fiction, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic brought feelings of isolation and anxiety to the forefront of popular culture. Whilst Devil’s Crucible–Defiance plays with many of the subgenre’s tropes and expectations, it is still a unique take and perspective. This is undoubtedly in part due to the unique setting and lore of the Grendel world, which combines elements of supernatural fantasy, science fiction and crime fiction to create a satisfying and eccentric style unique to the series. That’s not to say newcomers will not enjoy Devil’s Crucible – far from it. It takes the story in a new direction, which might frustrate fans of Devil’s Odyssey. It is hardly the biggest shift in direction Grendel has taken as a series, and will not likely be the last, so I doubt many long term fans are that displeased. This new direction makes it feel like a fresh start, one which newcomers are certainly going to find something to appreciate in.
The worldbuilding across Devil’s Crucible is top notch, as one might expect from Wagner. He’s always had an incredible knack at making the series feel mythic and epic, and that’s no different hear. In four short issues, the reader feels like they’ve been taken on a journey, and yet, like there’s still so much to come. Grendel Prime continues to be my favorite incarnation of the character, a hulking wandering paladin with a profound rage and an innate capability to fight for those who need him most. He’s backed up by a good supporting cast, the highlight of which is Ptolomey, a smart, funny and grounding presence compared to the often cool-to-the-point-of-ridiculous Grendel Prime. A firm dynamic comes into play between these characters that is fun to read and makes the series feel enjoyable even if Grendel Prime is at his lowest social status yet, an entire planet out to target him. It often feels mind-blowing as a long-time fan of the series to consider where it began with Hunter Rose in contrast to now, and it’s a testament to Wagner’s creative skill that most of it works, no matter how weird it all gets. There are naked vampires, sabers made of light beams, and a genetically engineered paladin who is the embodiment of anger whilst also simultaneously being a reincarnation of all the Grendel’s before him. Yet, it all works.
Wagner’s dialogue is often dense, literary and poetic, but this is contrasted with moments of brevity and silliness that stop the whole story from taking itself too seriously. It lacks any pretension, and instead wears its identity on its sleeve, totally alright to both have ludicrous moments (vampires with exaggerated genitals) and more serious ones (Grendel Prime’s profound sense of isolation). Whilst this might not be for anyone, it helps Grendel be able to do any tone or genre shift it wants to do. There’s moments of horror, bombastic sci-fi action, and obtuse, esoteric ideas that guide the philosophy of the series. In a way, there is no better time to read Grendel than right now, because it is deeply reflective of the changes in popular culture over the course of it’s over 30 year run. Devil’s Crucible is shaping up to be no different, carrying a revolutionary fire and spirit that is refreshing in these deeply ironic and cynical times. The action-heavy moments are awesome, but the series is just as good when it gets quiet and focuses on more intimate character moments. It’s funny too, consistently making me laugh as I read it, which is a welcome reprieve from the inherent existential terror of the post-apocalypse setting.
Wagner’s artwork is as good as its even been, and he seems to be working with a renewed energy thanks to his collaboration with his son, colorist and artist Brennan Wagner. The series reads great, and as always Wagner has a fantastic eye for visual design and how to make bold, memorable moments that stick in the reader’s mind long after they put the book down. Whilst he might not be the most technically gifted artist, his art is part of what gives the series its identity. I love it, and I could not imagine a world where Grendel works quite as well without Wagner contributing his artwork to the series. It’s great to see him continue to draw the character, after all these years and all the various interpretations, and still get to design memorable side characters like the vampiric Necrolords or Hari and Ptolomey.
Artwork by Matt LesniewskiOverall, Grendel: Devil’s Crucible — Defiance is a fantastic read. It’s a unique narrative shift for the Grendel saga, which will please long-term fans and readers with its commitment to a new story that feels at home with all of the series prior narrative. It’s also a great on-boarding point for potential new readers, who might have always wanted to get into Grendel, but might be intimated by its length and density. Make no mistake, Devil’s Crucible–Defiance is Grendel through and through, in spite of the new direction the story takes, and feels like it is an organic evolution following the previous series. Grendel Prime remains a delight to read and witness, and with Matt Wagner continuing to write and illustrate fantastic comics, it’s difficult not to be won over. While it’s only the start of a larger story, Devil’s Crucible — Defiance has a satisfying enough narrative arc to be read on its own – however, it ends on a truly diabolical cliffhanger that will leave long-time Grendel fans desperate for more. Whilst the rest of Devil’s Crucible is still to come, this comic sets up great things to expect from the rest of the newest chapter in Wagner’s Grendel saga. Vivat Grendel.
Grendel: Devil’s Crucible — Defiance is out now via Dark Horse Comics
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