I first want to say that in preparing to write this review I found the image above. That is not the cover I have on my number 1. I tend to go back and forth with covers. I’m not usually a cover collector, but when I had my shop I had a lot more latitude to select covers than ever before (Even at times accidentally ordering high quantity variants like a 1/100 without having ordered more than 4 books. And getting them! ) But seeing this cover makes me want to seek it out and own it.

Devil’s Crucible is the latest series featuring the character of Grendel Prime. One who has been around for a long time in our world and even longer in his own. It’s been over a decade since I last read a Grendel book, there was one during my time as a shop, but it was “to be read piled” and has remained there. I need to dig it out. It does directly precede this one, but the Crucible story is very new reader friendly. Unless said new reader is bothered by cursing and nudity, then its less friendly (I was gonna make a Delta airlines joke, but United was the “Friendly Skies” airline.)

We see Grendel Prime back on earth after having been away for 500 years. And yes, that is a long time. And things have changed. Earth has been overrun with Vampires and they now rule the planet. Grendel is trying to gather intel and navigate this new status quo where Grendel’s are outlawed and actively hunted. He finds some companions that appear like minded. An incident with Anti-Grendel forces leads to them all being on the lam.

Grendel is brought back to their encampment/headquarters. While his reception isn’t glowing, he doesn’t mind. Because they are exercising a discretion towards the unknown factor of his presence in a way that he appreciates.

I had to keep going back to the cover and checking. Because this is a four issue series. Says so right on the cover. 1 of 4. Then 2 of 4. Followed by 3 of 4. Leading up to the big sequential resolution of 4 of 4.

But it isn’t. I kept checking because the writer in me was saying “No way can they adequately wrap this up by the end of 4 of 4. And they don’t. Which bothers me. This is the first part of a trilogy. But it isn’t really. Because much as I enjoyed this book and the character, it isn’t a stand alone story. It is a great return to Grendel. But if you were wanting any sort of conclusion at the end of 4 of 4, you won’t be satisfied.

And I get it. I’ve been part of the comics ecosystem for about 40 years now. And one absolute truth is that “Number ones sell better.” So while they could have done a 12 issue series, Dark Horse knows that three four issue mini series will get better sales because it means three times the number one issues.

If you want to dip your toes into apocalyptic future Matt Wagner has concocted with his Grendel universe, this is a good start. There have been many iconic Grendel stories in the past, and I suggest you seek those out. But for today, Defiance is a good read. Four issues that you won’t finish reading and then say “Well that’s $20 down the drain.” It’s a worthy investment, and one you will get more enjoyment from than spending the same amount on 2 dozen eggs.

Did I mention 8 stars? I don’t think I did. So back up a few sentences and check out the number of stars I threw Grendel’s way.